Smart Tabs on 2006 175 Sport

[Deep Ghosh]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to install some smart tabs on my 175 sport. I came across a document on the Nauticus website that says to not install the SX tabs on boats where the trim plate hinge and transom bracket can't be installed on the same plane (aka my boat): https://www.nauticusinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SX_cautions.pdf. It says to order the stainless version instead. Just wanted to see if anyone here has installed smart tabs on their 175 and which model you ended up getting. I tried calling Nauticus but apparently their number is no longer in service?

Any info and pics would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Deep Ghosh]

Anybody? Noone has smart tabs on their 175?

 

[whitney]

I just went through this on my 2005 200 Sundeck which I think has the same transom angles as yours -- the plane where the tabs install is nearly vertical, and the actuators mount on ~ a 20 degree from vertical.

According to install instructions, the tabs should rest at ~25 degrees fully down. The reason they do not suggest the SX is that they are designed with an assumption of like a 12 degree transom, and have a hard stop in the plastic molding at about 13 degrees down = 25 degrees total. IF you put them on a 0 degree transom, they don't drop down far enough to be effective. I think the SS ones don't have that stop and can be set up at any initial angle despite the transom angle.

I had already bought the SX then discovered the problem, grabbed my dremel, and ground out enough clearance that they can drop to 20-25 degrees at rest. Probably voids my warranty but after having used them for a few months, they are great! Go for the SS ones unless you're feeling confident in modifying the tabs.

Here's what they looked like before modification, it's not dropping far enough:

 

[whitney]

Here's after modification with a much deeper angle closer to 20-25 degrees. Note that you can get in trouble with lack of adjustability if the actuator mounting is at a vastly different angle but in my case, since the split is about halfway, they average out pretty close to the intended 12 degree plane. YMMV.

 

[Deep Ghosh]

Here's after modification with a much deeper angle closer to 20-25 degrees. Note that you can get in trouble with lack of adjustability if the actuator mounting is at a vastly different angle but in my case, since the split is about halfway, they average out pretty close to the intended 12 degree plane. YMMV.

Thanks for that. I did order the SS version and installed them last week. Took the boat out last weekend and couldn't believe how much of a difference they made! No bow rise and the boat felt so much more stable, especially during sharp turns and when riding through other boats' wakes.

 

[whitney]

Glad to hear they worked for you! I had them on my last boat too ... it's absolutely amazing that something so simple can make such a dramatic impact. I'll never have a boat without them

 

[El Capitan]

I installed SmartTabs on my 180. Very happy w results. These were far more suitable for our sized boats.