First Questions! Props and Smart tabs?

[Sluggo33]

Well here we go folks, my first questions.

Be gentle!

Before I get to my questions I should probably give a little background info. This is my first boat that I've owned. My folks had boats growing up, but this is the first one that I've actually had to take care of. I'm a pretty mechanically inclined guy. I do all my own repairs and maintenance on my trucks and motorcycles, but in all honesty I'm very intimidated with the boat.

My boating style is pretty relaxed. I don't fly around the lake all day. I'll pull the kids on a tube, and I'm interested in learing to wakeboard at some point as I skied alot when I was younger. But I'd say 80% or more of my boating is cruising around the lake and parking in coves to enjoy lunches and swimming.

I have an 08 175 Sport. I have experienced the "beat the death outta ya factor" or whatever it is you guys call it. I first looked at the hydrofoils that you mount on the outdrive, but after doing a little research, (on here mostly) it appears that the Smart Tabs have a much stronger following.

1. Is there anyone out there that's put them on a boat as small as mine? I've seen people say they love them on their 185s, but I'm not sure if my boat being smaller makes a difference or not.

2. The dealer was saying that on my boat they wouldn't make that much of a difference in ride or plane time due to the hull design? Is this true?

3. I'd like to plane the boat a little quicker and keep it on plane at slower speeds, and if possible improve the ride a little. Will Smart Tabs do this or am I wasting time and money?

Next, my father who's been boating for almost 30 years problem free (and he's bragged about it numerous times) hit something with the prop. It was in fairly deep water so he didn't bottom it, and the skag isn't even scuffed, but the prop is damaged on all three blades. It's almost like he caught the side of something. He's super upset about it, but I managed to get a good chuckle out of it once I realized the damage wasn't major. I think it can be repaired, but I was planning on getting another prop anyways. So I was just going to repair this one can keep it for a spare, and buy a new one to replace it. Here's where the problem is. I'm clueless about props and ofcourse the dealer is steering me into the identical Black Max prop for $180.

1. Does brand really matter? I see Vortex and some other brands for far less money. Is it worth the extra coin to get the Black Max?

2. I'm guessing with how I use my boat most of the time and the low HP, it would be silly for me to get a 4 blade or stainless or whatever. I'm guessing I should just stick with a 3 blade aluminum. Good idea or bad?

3. What's up with all this thru-hub stuff? And is my prop a 15 spline? My boat is in my sig.

4. And since i'm considering the Smart Tabs I might lose a little top end. Right? If so, should I change my prop to compensate for this? My logic may be flawed on this, but here goes. How I understand it, the Smart Tabs will get me on plane quicker but take away from my top speed. If I get a different pitch prop for higher top end will that make up for the Smart Tabs without slowing my time to plane? Or by getting a different prop I'll just be back at square one?

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to be as detailed as possible so I could get the best answers. Thanks in advance for any help at all on this as I'm TOTALLY LOST!!!!

:huh:

 

[mwph]

I am not experienced enough to answer your questions but I am interested in tab use in general so I used the search feature using "smart tabs". Some good stuff that addresses 175's & 185'S. Good luck.

 

[nben]

I put smart tabs on my 99 180 this spring and couldn't be happier. They did everything as advertised and are probably my best add-on yet. I did end up with the 60lb. struts vs. the 80lb. struts that their chart recommended.

I am currently running a ss 14.25 x 20p 4 blade (for tubing/skiiing, etc) and am now quite under propped after the smart tab install. I also have a 3 blade aluminum (14.25x21p) that I keep as a spare but never tried it with the tabs. I didn't notice any speed loss after the tabs, but expect with a prop change that I should be able to pick some extra up due to the available revs (I would contribute it to less hull in the water, makes sense to me).

 

[midway]

First group of questions:

1. I am a 185 Smart Tab user and they are great, I have read in other forums of people putting them on smaller boats and they also think they are great. I beleive they will make a big difference in the way your boat handles and runs. Two forums that have a lot of Smart Tab postings are iboats and trailerboats.

2. The dealer is always going to say you do not need them. The use of tabs is to balance the boat. Go to the nauticus website with this link.

http://www.nauticusinc.com/tech_bulletin/nauticus_pdf_book.pdf

You need acrobat reader for this, when you read, it will explain a lot. I know it is on the manufacturers website but it is a good read.

3. Smart Tabs will put your boat on plane quicker and easier, I usually use enough throttle to get about 3500 rpm and get right on plane and never lose site of water. They will allow you to stay on plane at slower speeds and they will improve the rough water ride, they will not fix the rough water ride but will allow you to slow down a little, trim the boat just right and stay on plane without beating you to death.

Second group of questions:

1. Different manufacturers build props with a little more cup, rake or what ever and some perform better than the stock Merc. I am currently trying a TurningPoint propeller, I got the 23 pitch first but it was a little too aggressive, it increased speed at lower rpms, say 3500, but lost top end, I sent them an email and they sent a 21 pitch which is on the boat but I have not been able to get it in the water to test yet. Some people say tha Solas is also a good prop. Does brand make a difference, probably since there are differences in design and some perform better than stock. No matter what you want to prop to the top side of rated WOT RPM. Prop the boat right then add the tabs.

2. Probably should just stay with 3 blade, 4 blade is supposed to pull harder but will cost a little at wot, makes it good for watersports, 3 blade is better for cruising and all around general use. Just make sure you prop the boat right and all should be well.

3. Your engine exhaust goes out throught the prop, when you look into the prop you will see that it is mostly open, that is to let the exhaust out, your tailpipe to make it relative to your car. You are 15 spline.

4. When adjusted properly you should maintain the top speed you currently have and maybe increase as much as 2 to 4 mph on top end. You should not lose speed, that is why you get the engine propped right before you put tabs on. You want the boat at its best performance first then put the tabs on and get a little better. I have found that my cruising speed to rpm ratio is better, I gained several mph at cruise rpm, that saves gas, I make a relative standard run form home to the sound and beach, I use somewhere between 1 and 2 gallons less gas per trip.

Get your boat propped right, then when you are ready to get the tabs you can call John at Nauticus, he is the owner and most of the time answers the phone when in the office. Tell him what you have and he will guide to the correct setup for you boat and if you need advice on adjustments he will work with you there also. He is a good guy and supports his product well. You will find they are worth every penny you spend on them. Yes I am that happy with them.

Welcome to Club SeaRay

 

[Sluggo33]

Thanks for all the great replies. I did a little more prop research. I went to Mercruisers website and used their prop selection tool thingy, but I had to use "general" information since I haven't had a chance to take the boat out. But how I understand it is that I need to take the boat out and mess around with the trim at WOT until I get my highest speed and write down that RPM and then put that in the prop selection tool with the rest of the info?

Also, should I be looking at getting a prop with more top end if I'm installing the smart tabs since the boat will plane out faster?

Also, it asks about my gear ratio. I have two to choose from, 2.0 and 2.4. What's the difference between the two and how do I find out which I have? Will it be somewhere in my owners manual or labeled on the engine/drive somewhere?

Once again, thanks for the help!!! :thumbsup:

 

[surfinjoe]

I had a 2004 180 sport (same hull design as your 175) and the smart tabs made a world of difference. They made her ride like a 20'+ boat. She got on plane much faster, and the bow rise was 50% less while off plane. The best $150 you can spend on a small boat.

I liked the smart tabs so much that I put them on my 220 SD. They also improved her ride and did everything that they did for my 180.

Get the smart tabs. You won't be disappointed....

I don't know about props for your boat, but I can tell you that I hate aluminum props. Every time you drag that prop in the sand a little, you get a ding. My SS props on my bravo III hold up much better to the sand and crap we have here on St. Clair (very shallow lake). I was looking into one of those 'adjustable' props like Land & Sea for my 180, but was scared away because they don't make the blades anymore.

 

[jhild]

Also, it asks about my gear ratio. I have two to choose from, 2.0 and 2.4. What's the difference between the two and how do I find out which I have? Will it be somewhere in my owners manual or labeled on the engine/drive somewhere?

I suspect you have the 2.0:1 gear ratio, but there should be a label on the outdrive which will confirm that info.

The 2.4:1 is typically used for high-altitude applications.

 

[midway]

Look on the drive labels, the drive serial number and the gear ratio should both be on the labels, mine is in the stripe around the bottom of the label. I would prop the boat for the best speed at the rated WOT RPM, that will give you the best all around performance, then add the tabs.

 

[lake anna boater]

ok i am sold on them however would like to know for my 185 should i go for the 80 or 60 pound the site is calling for 80 pound actuators. In what i am thinking if i use the 60 then it would work better due to the tab will get up quicker in turn bring me down up front. Would this be true?

 

[midway]

ok i am sold on them however would like to know for my 185 should i go for the 80 or 60 pound the site is calling for 80 pound actuators. In what i am thinking if i use the 60 then it would work better due to the tab will get up quicker in turn bring me down up front. Would this be true?

You definitely want the 60 lb actuators. I had the 80 lb when I first installed mine and could not get the bow out of the water. I called John at Nauticus told him what boat I had and the tabs I bought and before I could tell him the problem he told me "it runs like a submarine doesn't it" he sent 60lb actuators and I have been happy since then. When looking at the chart on their site you have 18 to 22 on one line 150 to 240 HP V8 Cyl I/O, 2 or 4 Stroke, ST1290-80, the line above has 16,17,18+, 60 to 150 HP, 4/6 Cyl I/O 2 Stroke, ST1290-60, that is the Stainless Steel tabs, the SX chart is the same with the tab numbers being different, SX9510-80 and SX9510-60 respectively. Once you get them on you will definitely like them.

 

[lake anna boater]

should i go with the sx or regular ones?

 

[midway]

Your choice, I like the SS version, just a personal preference. When the SX first hit the market there were a few problems as with any new product, there have been some design changes and I have not heard of any problems in quite a while. The few problems I did hear of were taken care of just as soon as John found out there was a problem, whether it was from the owner calling him or him seeing a post on one of the several boards that I know he frequents. Excellent product with excellent support. I have a few photos in the gallery here if you want to see what the SS look like installed.