Smart Tabs?

[SkunkBoat]

Now that I have a completely wood-free transom, I'm considering Nauticus Smart Tabs. https://youtu.be/rQub7Q_1Euo

At about $130 bucks and a half hour of install time, is it too good to pass up or too good to be true?

I don't have much complaints about my ride now but I hear all you guys talking up the improved performance of tabs.
Not going to ever go the hydraulic route with tabs, too much hassle & $.... I'd rather get hydraulic steering for the price & effort.
Opinions on Hydraulic steering welcome also...

[smokeonthewater]

Smart tabs are the BEST $130 you'll ever spend on your boat.

[THEFERMANATOR]

I wouldn't spend the money for them. Go electric, hydraulic, or don't. They say they're ok to help get a boat on plane and for porpoise control, but thats mostly it. They have a use, but I don't think you'll see a great benefit from them. If you don't want to spend the money, hut want to help get on plane quicker with better trim control, I would look into a permatrim.

[Blue_Runner]

Realizing the subject has been covered many times on here.......if I were to put tabs on the V21 what size and electric or hydraulic?

[Destroyer]

I have Hydraulic and I love them.

[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.

[Blue_Runner]

good info ferm. I saw some bennett electric tabs 12 x 9 I think for around 2x what the smart tabs go for. Something to think about.

Destroyer what size and do you have a swim platform - if so did you have to notch it?

[smokeonthewater]

Too bad you didn't try em Ferm.... I think you'd have a much different opinion...

I've seen before and after on a bunch of boats and several of them were tested bare, with a foil, and with smart tabs.... The tabs, far and away worked the best in every case.

Being able to adjust tabs is a benefit most of the time tho there are a few times that the smart tabs are actually better than the adjustable.... Admittedly being in the big water, the adjustable have a big advantage with the following sea thing....

That said, smart tabs are soooo much better than a foil on the motor...

I actually considered retrofitting my (inland only) 28' twin V8 cruiser from hydraulic to smart tabs but they don't make em for a boat that big.

[step up here]

Their is no doubt about it adjustable trim tabs are the way to go! But look at it this way, the cost factor you will get back half your money if not satisfied since they fit many boats. Also we spend a lot more on fishing STUFF that may not workout. I have Bennett SLT 10" tabs and am satisfied with the fact that they take out the porpoise and gave me about 4 more knots in a 3' sea. Just that difference in the ride kept them off Craigs List.

[inaforty]

I wouldn't want a non retractable tab. Tabs down in a following sea can be scary.
Kind of like running a downeast hull with a full keel in a following sea only..... WORSE.
Been there done that.