Smart Tabs on Dinghy

Irie308

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2013
2,577
CT
Boat Info
2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
Engines
Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
Anyone using smart tabs on their dinghy? Whats your before and after experience?
 
Yep. they're great in my opinion. Made a big difference in keeping the bow down so it could get up on plane quicker. Just pulled the dinghy out last week for the season. Been on the dinghy since spring '16 and in use constantly except winter of '17/'18. No problems with them so far.
Dinghy is in the garage, let me know if you need to see a couple pictures.
 
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Yep. they're great in my opinion. Made a big difference in keeping the bow down so it could get up on plane quicker. Just pulled the dinghy out last week for the season. Been on the dinghy since spring '16 and in use constantly except winter of '17/'18. No problems with them so far.
Dinghy is in the garage, let me know if you need to see a couple pictures.
Pictures would be great, thanks! Also what is your dinghy setup?
 
Pictures are not the greatest because it's up against the wall in my garage for the winter but it's the best I can do now.
The dinghy is a Highfield 9.5' aluminum rib. I have a Yamaha 9.9 hp 4 stroke on it.
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middle pic shows the install. 3 screws hold the tab on the boat, 2 hold the gas cylinder. I wanted to use bolts rather than the supplied screws for strength but in some spots there were weldments inside on the transom that wouldn't allow room for washers and nuts so I used the screws. Bottom pic shows the adjustment holes for the gas cylinder on the tab. Moving the cylinder out toward the back edge increases the force required to compress the cylinder raising the tab. I have the one on the starboard side set out further so the boat rides level. (from sitting off to the side while operating)
I don't have any decent pictures of it in the water, found this one that at least kind of shows how it looks from the back.
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Only draw back to them, and it's no big deal really, is that when beaching it, you have to lift the back of the dinghy off the ground to pull it backwards to get back in the water. They dig into the sand. Dinghy's too heavy to do that for more than a few feet so we just spin it around and pull it back out bow first.
 
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Dean I have the SS version although they where on the dinghy when we got it I don’t have a before opinion on them.
We had trouble with getting on plane with 2-3 adults and 2 kids (30hp Honda) so I added the Hydrofoil to the motor there was a small improvement my biggest improvement was cleaning the hull with On/Off now the dinghy jumps on plane faster with 2-3 adults.
The dinghy does track straight and I have to say it’s the trim tabs.
 
Thanks Joe. I also read that it helps with the porpoising effect?
 
Dinghy does not porpoise at all try the hydrofoil first see if it helps before you start drilling holes in a new RIB.
Yes, not my first choice to drill holes in the hull but It came with the hydrofoil and still not happy getting on plane when in a bit of chop.
 
I have installed Maxi marine tabs and did a video. They are great..

My only concern would be the size of these as i'm already limited with placement of the D rings on the platform for tie downs.
 
I think i'm going to give the smart tab a try to see if it helps. When buy the dinghy the outfitter advised that getting up on plane may take a bit due to the weight of the motor. I've been ok for most of the season but there have been a few times I've struggled to get on plane when loaded up.
 
My only concern would be the size of these as i'm already limited with placement of the D rings on the platform for tie downs.

They are quickly removable. I have attached the top of the struts with wing nuts and the tabs clip on to the transom. Maybe takes30 seconds per side to remove for travel..
 
So I added the smart tabs a few weeks ago and finally got the chance to take it out for a sea trial. Very happy with them. With just me in the dinghy I picked up about 4 knots (doing 30 knots now) since I’m able to trim the motor without any porpoising. The whole shot is also very quick, couple seconds. Took the admiral for a spin and very noticeable improvement on time to plane. Will play with the adjustments next season but I have it sent at the #3 hole which is moderate down force setting for now.
 

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