[THEFERMANATOR]

I've had both, and liked both. The elctric actuators are faster to respond as there is no waiting for the pump to build pressure, then move a ram. Electric does have a downfall, and that is moisture intrusion, and poor connections that lead to electrolisys. Hydraulics work fine, but is a bit more complex having hydraulic rams on the transom to push the tabs down, hoses to connect them to a pump, a pump with solenoids and valves to give trouble(so long as they are kept out of water, they normally do pretty good), a motor, and you also have the elctrical wiring for them with the same problems as the elctric tabs. As to the size, that depends on what style you want, and your transom shape. I like having a large tab, so you don't have to put them down as far to work, and I think it makes them more effective at slow speeds.

As to smart tabs, I started to put them on my 14 foot skiff I had before as the transom on it would have worked with them, but actually had 2 different shops talk me out of them, and had me buy a hydrofoil for less money. I know they help with some boats, but if I'm going to do tabs, I want to be able to control them myself to get full advantage of them.