smart tabs?

cptnblah

cptnblah

New Member
Sep 26, 2009
33
Lake Havasu City. AZ
Boat Info
1997 175 BR Series 5; Over 500watts of stereo power!
Engines
3.0LX Mercruiser w/ Alpha Drive
I have a 97 175BR with 3.0Lx. Since wife and I are only ones going out anymore, the boat lists to port as the gas tank is ovr there. I put cooler and tools on starbrd side but wife has to sit in middle so my 265 lb body is not flying higher than windshield. I had a 245 vista before with hyd bennets and that leveled out great. Would smart tabs help with this also or do I need hyd ones? No probs at all on fast plane. Thanks so much!Bill
 
Smart tabs are spring loaded so they won't offer the leveling effect your looking for. You can get hydraulic tabs, their just more expensive and complex for your size boat but you will have control over the individual tabs.
 
Thanks for the reply's. I guess that we will give her a try again this year and load everything to the starboard side and see what happens. Last year we were not able to take it out over 1.5 times. the .5 was to run up the river to test its idling. Thanks again!
 
I hope you can get out on the water more this year. Good luck with the weight distrubution. It will work as long as everything stays in place. My problem was people always moving around or wanting to all sit on one side of the boat. It can still be an issue on my new 205 but to a lesser degree compared to my 18 footer.
 
That's an idea. My friend put a set of those on his Sea Hunt and hasn't had any problems with them. He mostly runs in the bay so they see salt but he always does a washdown when its back on the trailer.
 
blaster said:
That's an idea. My friend put a set of those on his Sea Hunt and hasn't had any problems with them. He mostly runs in the bay so they see salt but he always does a washdown when its back on the trailer.
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I had my lencos on a pathfinder saltwater boat never had a problem in 5 years.
 
The smart tabs can be adjusted to provide more lift. You could simply set one side to have more lift and the other side to have less lift. Just an idea.
 
Thanks guys. These are all great ideas and yes I do plan to get out on the lake way more this year even if it is just by myself, with brother, or Scott here on the forum. Not planning any medical issues like last year. In reference to the passengers moving around...my passengers know if they move...it is to move overboard! LOL That held true even with my 245 VISTA that I had that had the hyd tabs. Thanks again and great boating to all!
 
I just looked at the Smart Tabs SX and it appears like that would be something I may try at only 114 and some change. It has the adjustment holes on the tab that changes the amount of lift so it can be tweaked as needed. I don't have a ton of money to throw at her but this may be an option that I can pursue if it looks to be needed after some more testing of it this summer. Thanks again!
 
Thanks wreckless. I am planning to install them this winter or sooner if it looks like I'll need to. Its just my wife and I anymore goingout on it. I guess I shouldn't be complaining. Thanks again.
 
If there is no problem when on plane and you adjust the tabs for trimmed down or slow running they may tip you in the other direction when on plane. I had a 1987 17' SR, 3.0 Alpha that did that when running trimmed down, as soon as I trimmed out/up the boat leveled out. Don't get me wrong, I love Smart Tabs, I have them on my boat and it is the best money I ever spent on it. You may want to call Nauticus and talk to them, they will help you, they are very good people. Phone; 800-233-0194 . Even it they do not fix your complaint I do not think you will ever regret getting them once they are adjusted to your boat.
 
will the Smart Tabs stay fully extended down when the boat is moving in reverse?.....just curious if this affects the ability to steer the boat while in reverse....i have hydraulic tabs so i can raise mine when i need to reverse the boat....may be a minor issue, but again just curious...

cliff
 
Thanks for the info and number midway. I will give them a call. I hadn't been able to get it out much last year and that was also the year that noone wanted to go even if i was able. We are hoping that we can get it out next friday. The jury is still out on that thought.
 
That's a good question Cliff. I cannot remember what it was like with my 245 VISTA with the hyd tabs. I don't do much reverse so it wouldn't affect me much either way. I am not one of those who have the nads to power on or off the trailer and if I'm moored somewhere, I get out and spin myself around and drag out to deeper water.
 
Hey midway...I love that top you have for your 185. I have the conv top on my 175 and I have to have it up all the time cause I have Lupus and have to stay out of the sun for the most part. The conv top with me being 6'1", does not give for much head room. Looks like I will have to get that one instead of the curtains for the conv top. Wife will love you for adding that to my want list! LOL
 
CliffA said:
will the Smart Tabs stay fully extended down when the boat is moving in reverse?.....just curious if this affects the ability to steer the boat while in reverse....i have hydraulic tabs so i can raise mine when i need to reverse the boat....may be a minor issue, but again just curious...

cliff
Click to expand...

Yes the Smart Tabs do stay fully extended down, I have not had a problem in reverse, I do not do a lot of reverse either. I drop anchor and back in to the beach out in the sound and I back off of the trailer most places I launch, it is the only way to launch.

cptnblah said:
Thanks for the info and number midway. I will give them a call. I hadn't been able to get it out much last year and that was also the year that noone wanted to go even if i was able. We are hoping that we can get it out next friday. The jury is still out on that thought.
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I understand not getting out much last year, I have been rebuilding my docks, floating and stationary, or the weather was lousy. I too hope to change that this year.

cptnblah said:
Hey midway...I love that top you have for your 185. I have the conv top on my 175 and I have to have it up all the time cause I have Lupus and have to stay out of the sun for the most part. The conv top with me being 6'1", does not give for much head room. Looks like I will have to get that one instead of the curtains for the conv top. Wife will love you for adding that to my want list! LOL
Click to expand...

My first boat had the convertible top with all of the side and rear panels, was nice in the winter, 40 to 60 degree days, get in close it up and ride nice and warm. Could not stand up under it unless I unzipped the panel for the walkthru. This boat came with the tall bimini, I stand up and walk around under it, I also had a full enclosure made for it for the cold weather use. Doc has told me to stay out of the sun also and use sun block, so the top is nice. My problem is possibility of skin cancer, I have got real close to SPF 50, wear tee shirts and hats that shade me well.
 
Midway. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the bimini and side panels from and how much do they run? She liked the pics of them. Thanks and have a great weekend.
 
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