How did you mount your Smart Tabs?

W

wreckless123

Member
Apr 17, 2008
117
Flushing/Higgins Lake Mi
Boat Info
2005 185 BR 4.3
Engines
4.3 V6
When I bought these I would have swore the back of my 2005 185 was flat. I dident even notice it was not until I had already drilled the holes for the first hinge. They say teh hinge and cylinder need to be mounted on the same plane. I dont know if I should cut my losses and forget about the Smart Tabs or should I keep drilling holes in my hull?? Opinions?

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I think I read that if you are installing like that you can use a different gas shock. I've got the same problem on my 205. The customer service from Smart Tabs seems to be great have you tried sending them these photos to get their thoughts?

Please report back if you do as I'd like to install these if they work w/ this hull design.
 
Thanks, sent pics to Nauticus, hoping for a quick reply as I took the day off work to get these installed and detail the boat before this weekend! I will report back what they say.
 
Well we figured out a way to make it work. I have to use the 5th hole on the tabs because it is the only hole that will give me a positive angle, which takes away my ability to fine tune. My fine tuning will have to be swapping out the cylinder. I have a 60 psi that came with the kit but I also bought some 40psi ones to try out also. They make them in 10,20,30,40,60 and 80psi so tuning should not be a problem.

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Wreckless, the install looks great. I hope you enjoy your tabs as it is by far one of the best things I have done on my boat.
 
I'm very interested to find out how well they work as well as I'm hoping to order a set of tabs in the next week or so. I like the look of the SX tabs, but I'm curious to find out how they work since you can't adjust them without changing the cylinders. I might end up going with the standard tabs for this reason.
 
I have some 60's and he is sending me some 40's, they are pretty confident that the 40's will be what I need. Really the fine tuning is not needed once you get them dialed in. If the 40's dont work they will exchange them until I find ones that will work. Swapping out the cylinder will take about a minute each.
 
John and his people at Nauticus are great to work with. When I first ordered my tabs I got the ST1290-80 and found out the 80's were too strong, called John back, we had talked before I installed, told him what I had, he sent the 60's and they work great for me. I think he has a couple pics of mine on his site. When you get them tuned you will love them.
 
when the ladder is down how close does it come to the smart tabs?
 
wreckless123 said:
I have some 60's and he is sending me some 40's, they are pretty confident that the 40's will be what I need. Really the fine tuning is not needed once you get them dialed in. If the 40's dont work they will exchange them until I find ones that will work. Swapping out the cylinder will take about a minute each.
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This is very good info to know. I was wondering how much each set of cylinders was costing you. I can only afford to do this once, so I need to get it right the first time!! :thumbsup:

Where did you order your tabs from? Are all SX tabs the same physical size, and the only difference is the actuator pressure?
 
I have never measured but my size 10 feet has never got close to them, I have stood on the ladder and looked and there was plenty of clearance. I hate to answer like this but I just have never measured the distance, just know there is plenty of clearance.
 
TexasA&M said:
This is very good info to know. I was wondering how much each set of cylinders was costing you. I can only afford to do this once, so I need to get it right the first time!! :thumbsup:

Where did you order your tabs from? Are all SX tabs the same physical size, and the only difference is the actuator pressure?
Click to expand...

Looking at the chart on Nauticus site they are all SX 9510 or 9.5X10 inches, the -30,40,60,80 is the actuator pressure, The stainless tabs do come it different sizes and the number indicates the size, ex; ST1290-60 is 12X9 inches with 60 lb actuator

Jim sells them here in his BOE store
 
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midway said:
I have never measured but my size 10 feet has never got close to them, I have stood on the ladder and looked and there was plenty of clearance.
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Good enough answer for me. After looking through the pictures that wreckless recently posted, I can tell that there is plenty of clearance all around.

Once wreckless comes back with the progress report, I think I will go ahead and place my order. If my boat is heavier, would that make a difference in which actuators I should go with? I don't think it would make a difference, but I'm not positive. :huh:
 
TexasA&M said:
Good enough answer for me. After looking through the pictures that wreckless recently posted, I can tell that there is plenty of clearance all around.

Once wreckless comes back with the progress report, I think I will go ahead and place my order. If my boat is heavier, would that make a difference in which actuators I should go with? I don't think it would make a difference, but I'm not positive. :huh:
Click to expand...

You have the same boat I have, only difference is mine is o4 and carb, yours is 05 and mpi and tower. If you are using the Stainless Steel then the 60 lb like I have, not sure on the SX since there is a difference in the plate size. That would be a question for Nauticus.
 
Yea there is no problem between the ladder and the tabs, I was up and down the ladder yesterday with no problems. I did get my 40psi cylinders yesterday and it only took about a minute to swap out both of the 60's for the 40's. I will hopefully get to run it this weekend, weather permitting, and report back.
 
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