Smart Tab SX on 2003 176 BR - need advice on mounting position

[rodneybarrett]

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I know. Another thread about the smart tabs. And to boot, my 1st post.

Anyways, I have had the 176 for about 2 months now and purchased the SX tabs to correct all the common symptoms. I don't want this thread to be about the benefits of tabs. What I am really looking for is advice on installation. I will also call John at Nauticas on Monday but I am hoping to get some advice sooner since my goal was to install over the weekend


Like a lot of other boats, this 176 has a curved transom and therefore the typically installation of tab and upper bracketon the same plane isn't an option.

attached are pictures from different angles . My question is simply the following:

Anyone else who has this boat(or a curved transom like this boat) actually mounted them and how did you do it.

Before I start putting holes in my perfectly good hull, I want to make sure I they are in the optimum place.

Thanks in advance for your help.

-rodney


View attachment 26619View attachment 26620

 

[Hampton]

I installed these on my dinghy. I love them. I can't answer your question from experience, but, it would seem that all you need to do is to make sure that your tabs are in the proper position in the rested position, but even more importantly, make sure they can fully retract when the boat is up on plane - they should not be forced down into the water on plane (unless accomplished by extension of the nitrogen cylinder). In other words, make sure you can push them up level with the bottom of the boat.

Also, make sure that the angle at which you mount the upper bracket allows the cylinder to compress without trying to twist the unit and without abrading the arm or the bracket. That is about all. Check to make sure they will go up and down freely. Realize that the angle between the mounting bracket on the tab and the shock is not the angle it was engineered for. Your tabs will come up more easily than designed due to the angle. The net effect is that your tabs will act like a smaller tab or a lower pressure setting than engineered. To counter that, if the tabs are the perfect size/model, start by setting them to a higher setting than the middle one. Then, determine the position of the upper bracket.

Once again, since the angle at the bottom is different than designed, your tabs will move up and down as you adjust the tension. Both your upper limit and lower limit on the tab will move with each new setting. Start with the most likely setting (firmest is my guess). Consider positioning the upper bracket to allow the tabs to fully retract no matter what pressure setting you choose. Once again, this may make the tabs perform more like smaller ones or tabs with a lower pressure setting.

 

[Hampton]

The weekend is wearing on.....

 

[Hampton]

Getting a lot of mileage from this pic:

 

[Mimsk]

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I know. Another thread about the smart tabs. And to boot, my 1st post.

Anyways, I have had the 176 for about 2 months now and purchased the SX tabs to correct all the common symptoms. I don't want this thread to be about the benefits of tabs. What I am really looking for is advice on installation. I will also call John at Nauticas on Monday but I am hoping to get some advice sooner since my goal was to install over the weekend


Like a lot of other boats, this 176 has a curved transom and therefore the typically installation of tab and upper bracketon the same plane isn't an option.

attached are pictures from different angles . My question is simply the following:

Anyone else who has this boat(or a curved transom like this boat) actually mounted them and how did you do it.

Before I start putting holes in my perfectly good hull, I want to make sure I they are in the optimum place.

Thanks in advance for your help.

-rodney


View attachment 26619View attachment 26620

Someplace I read that when mounting like you've shown above, you should use the stainless steel kit.

 

[Husker-Q]

You will have to have Nauticus mail you a single sided fitting to change how the shock mounts to the tab. The stock lower fitting mounts on either side of the tab holes. This will bind if you use the one that came with the kit. Nauticus will mail you a new one that screws into the lower shock end to alleviate this problem.

 

[rodneybarrett]

You will have to have Nauticus mail you a single sided fitting to change how the shock mounts to the tab. The stock lower fitting mounts on either side of the tab holes. This will bind if you use the one that came with the kit. Nauticus will mail you a new one that screws into the lower shock end to alleviate this problem.

Thanks. Husker-Q. I will talk with them early tomorrow morning.

 

[LawyerMan]

You will have to have Nauticus mail you a single sided fitting to change how the shock mounts to the tab. The stock lower fitting mounts on either side of the tab holes. This will bind if you use the one that came with the kit. Nauticus will mail you a new one that screws into the lower shock end to alleviate this problem.

Thanks. Husker-Q. I will talk with them early tomorrow morning.

Husker is correct. Watch the short DVD installation that came with the tabs. The company specifically says don't mount them like that. You'll need a different mount plate or the stainless steel tabs.

Scroll to 2:30

[video=youtube;enpicX3gqtQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enpicX3gqtQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player [/video]

 

[Husker-Q]

Husker is correct. Watch the short DVD installation that came with the tabs. The company specifically says don't mount them like that. You'll need a different mount plate or the stainless steel tabs.

Scroll to 2:30

[video=youtube;enpicX3gqtQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enpicX3gqtQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player [/video]

It's not exactly a mount plate as you use the same upper and lower brackets that screw into boat. If you look at the shock, the bottom "U" shaped piece that fits over the adjustment holes can unscrew. They will send you a replacement that only has one side instead of straddling both sides of the holes. I would not install the upper bracket until you have this piece, so you can ensure it is aligned correctly.

I did not like drilling into the boat! I was suprised that I drilled thru on I think 4 of the 6 holes. Just make sure you use some of the 3M adhesive and be liberal with it in the holes and back of plate to give you that peace of mind that all is sealed. I've had for one season now with no issues.

After trying a few hole positions, I ended up settling on hole number 2.

 

[LawyerMan]

It's not exactly a mount plate as you use the same upper and lower brackets that screw into boat. If you look at the shock, the bottom "U" shaped piece that fits over the adjustment holes can unscrew. They will send you a replacement that only has one side instead of straddling both sides of the holes. I would not install the upper bracket until you have this piece, so you can ensure it is aligned correctly.

I did not like drilling into the boat! I was suprised that I drilled thru on I think 4 of the 6 holes. Just make sure you use some of the 3M adhesive and be liberal with it in the holes and back of plate to give you that peace of mind that all is sealed. I've had for one season now with no issues.

After trying a few hole positions, I ended up settling on hole number 2.

Which smart tabs do you have, the 40 lbs or 60 lbs?

 

[Husker-Q]

60 lbs. That is what Nauticus recommended when I emailed them.

 

[rodneybarrett]

I talked with Nauticus Inc. this morning. Great folks. They are sending me the single sided actuator connectors to relieve the binding. We also discussed the installation position. For my boat, where I have them taped now is about the best spot (taking into consideration the ladder). The other important note is that the bottom bracket (one screwed into the boat) and the top bracket(again, one screwed into the boat) need to be parallel to each other in to keep force evenly applied.

At this angle though, I will need to use hole #5 for proper fit. So my only adjustment option is to change actuator size (I will be starting with 60 lbs). With me not needing to fix an imbalance(or at least I don't think I need to), we don't think this should be much of a concern.

I hope to get these installed this week and get it out on the water this weekend (weather permitting).

Will keep you updated.

 

[LawyerMan]

I talked with Nauticus Inc. this morning. Great folks. They are sending me the single sided actuator connectors to relieve the binding. We also discussed the installation position. For my boat, where I have them taped now is about the best spot (taking into consideration the ladder). The other important note is that the bottom bracket (one screwed into the boat) and the top bracket(again, one screwed into the boat) need to be parallel to each other in to keep force evenly applied.At this angle though, I will need to use hole #5 for proper fit. So my only adjustment option is to change actuator size (I will be starting with 60 lbs). With me not needing to fix an imbalance(or at least I don't think I need to), we don't think this should be much of a concern.I hope to get these installed this week and get it out on the water this weekend (weather permitting).Will keep you updated.

Let us know how they work for you. They made a huge improvement in the ride and performance of my 175.

 

[Husker-Q]

which hole you use should not affect bracket alignment. Put in hole 3, let the tab fall to its hanging position which should be near the correct angle, then let the upper bracket fall against the boat. That is where you place the upper bracket. They just dont want you aligning the upper bracket on a different plane than the lower so you get binding on the upper bracket.

 

[rodneybarrett]

which hole you use should not affect bracket alignment. Put in hole 3, let the tab fall to its hanging position which should be near the correct angle, then let the upper bracket fall against the boat. That is where you place the upper bracket. They just dont want you aligning the upper bracket on a different plane than the lower so you get binding on the upper bracket.

With having a curved transom like I do, it unfortunately does affect it. The hole alignment on the tab is designed for mounting the bracket and tab on the same plane. I played with alignment for an hour last night and finally came to that conclusion (which is what Nauticus told me).
I will only be able to use hole 5. For perspective, when in the top bracket and tabs are in the correct position, the actuator is almost perfectly horizontal. That is how much of a curve I have in the Transom.

I will keep everyone updated.

 

[Husker-Q]

I used these photos as an additional reference (though not the SX version). http://myboat.wikispaces.com/Smart+Tabs+Install

I'm not completely following you on the only on hole 5 - once you get the new end piece to replace the U style end, you can mount at hole 3 position so you have some adjustment capability.

 

[Hampton]

With having a curved transom like I do, it unfortunately does affect it. The hole alignment on the tab is designed for mounting the bracket and tab on the same plane. I played with alignment for an hour last night and finally came to that conclusion (which is what Nauticus told me).
I will only be able to use hole 5. For perspective, when in the top bracket and tabs are in the correct position, the actuator is almost perfectly horizontal. That is how much of a curve I have in the Transom.

I will keep everyone updated.

This is what I communicated in my original post. The mounting angle does not align the shock perpendicular to the row of holes.

 

[Trucky]

I've got a similar transom curve on my 210SD. I worried and fretted and emailed pics to SmartTab before drilling. The pic below shows where I ended up mounting the recommended SX-80 tabs. They work great! I've tested all the mount hole locations and ended up back at the factory setting in the center hole for the best all around performance.

The second photo shows the measurements from the outside of the hull in. I set the tabs at the 5" mark.

 

[rodneybarrett]

ok, I am freaking out a little bit here. I just started drilling all the holes for the bottom tabs.

I HAVE WATER (I think) TRICKLING OUT OF ONE OF THE HOLES. It is the one on the bottom row but is the highest hole from the ground. It is on the Starboard(right) side What is this? Am I scr$#'ed? Did I hit something I wasn't suppose to? I only drilled as deep as the screws needed.

Any quick help would be greatly appreciated. I will try and post a picture.

 

[Black180BR]

First, what is the fluid. If its water, it could have been trapped in that area from some of the brackets for the hydraulics. I'm looking now at mine.. 04 180, and I don't see anything back there detrimental.