Wow... just wow! Now it's 2021 and at least 3 year since I saw this video the first time... Finally they are mounted on our small boat (4.4m or about 15ft) with a Johnson 60hp. We have it setup for top speed, so between 20 to 80% throttle it's just bouncing up and down when your alone in the boat... To get it up on plane, you have to smack the throttle down and keep it there for a while... The boat is from -93 and now everything is different, it's a totally new boat! Now we can use all range of the throttle, NO bouncing at all and it goes easily up on plane! At very slow speeds it goes dead straight, no wobbling left and right! So from a small lake in the middle of the woods in the far away country of Sweden, Thank you West Marine, Nauticus and UA-cam! To all of you other out there, Don't think, Just buy!!!
I put a set on my old 22 foot silver line. People asked what are those. Fairly new product back then. It helped the boat in rolling water, stopped speeding up off a wave when crossing. Cut on plane in almost half. I also put on a 4 blade prop at the time. I run 28 mph and rev 2800 to 3000. Fuel consumption is decreased and a big savings. Several of my friends put them on and like them. Nicest thing is , you don’t have to find the sweet spot, it does it by itself.
Sure! Our club has two 13' Whalers (probably from the mid-1980s) and they can be a handful with just a single occupant. I think the Smart Tabs would be a very good choice. We also have a 15' Zodiac with a center console, which has a hard time getting up on a plane; that's my next project!
Hi there - there could be a lot of factors; but typically excess bow splash is caused by too much weight aft. Once you figure out the best weight distributation for your boat, the smart tabs should work really well for you. Enjoy the adventure and good question!
Richard, that is a great thought. We always suggest connecting with a professional to ensure there are no issues when installing anything on your boat. However, if you decide to take the DIY route, that is a very good call out and should certainly be taken into consideration when installing them.
It did on my 15 foot 1973 glastron. It’s a real shallow v, and only weighs 652lbs with the motor, so keeping it flat over 10mph when I’m by myself is near impossible. In fact, I used to have a carpeted board that I would set over the front seats so I could sit in the middle of the boat. Installed these exact trim tabs and it made a HUGE difference in stability, I’m back in the driver seat. Issue I did run into is that my top speed went down from 26mph to 23. I’m sure if I messed around with the motor trim I can get it back but I have a manual trim outboard so it’s an annoying adjust/test/adjust method.
Hi The Dutch Fisherman - that’s a great question and sounds like it requires more than we can answer here. Please contact our Product Advice Team for assistance at productadvice@westmarine.com, or by calling 1-800-BOATING (262-8464), Monday - Friday, 8 am - 9 pm ET and Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm ET.
They aren't meant to work that way. They will automatically adjust once installed. Here is the link to select the correct size: nauticusinc.com/smart_choice_app/sca.php
I want to get these things for my little Boston Whaler but I hear their customer service is non-existent and the struts go bad quickly. I don't mind paying $150 every few years but it's kind of lame we have to do that.
Hi Rivers and Ridgelines - We're sorry to hear of any issues with their customer service. We hope you can get what you need & we'll be here to help if have any concerns!
Wow... just wow! Now it's 2021 and at least 3 year since I saw this video the first time... Finally they are mounted on our small boat (4.4m or about 15ft) with a Johnson 60hp. We have it setup for top speed, so between 20 to 80% throttle it's just bouncing up and down when your alone in the boat... To get it up on plane, you have to smack the throttle down and keep it there for a while... The boat is from -93 and now everything is different, it's a totally new boat! Now we can use all range of the throttle, NO bouncing at all and it goes easily up on plane! At very slow speeds it goes dead straight, no wobbling left and right! So from a small lake in the middle of the woods in the far away country of Sweden, Thank you West Marine, Nauticus and UA-cam! To all of you other out there, Don't think, Just buy!!!
Oh my goodness, Johan, what a review!! Thank you so much for all your kind words. We are so happy to hear everything is performing so well!!
I`m thinking to put these on My boat also!
I put a set on my old 22 foot silver line. People asked what are those. Fairly new product back then.
It helped the boat in rolling water, stopped speeding up off a wave when crossing. Cut on plane in almost half.
I also put on a 4 blade prop at the time.
I run 28 mph and rev 2800 to 3000. Fuel consumption is decreased and a big savings. Several of my friends put them on and like them.
Nicest thing is , you don’t have to find the sweet spot, it does it by itself.
John, awesome feedback! Thanks for sharing your experience with Smart Tabs!
Pleasure to watch, thanks for the very clean instructional video. I ll be installing these tabs on to my day boat
Awesome, we're glad to hear it helped you out!
Sure! Our club has two 13' Whalers (probably from the mid-1980s) and they can be a handful with just a single occupant. I think the Smart Tabs would be a very good choice. We also have a 15' Zodiac with a center console, which has a hard time getting up on a plane; that's my next project!
I don’t know if I feel comfortable drilling into my boat. You make the install look easy. I always struggle to get my boat on plane.
looks like the tab was resting on the trailer 3:24, make sure you have the tab at the correct 25 degree angle before you mark the top bracket.
Bobby, thank you for your insights!
I need help. I install this product and yoke my boat for a spin. I got a lot of water splash from the bow of the boar; what should I do?
Hi there - there could be a lot of factors; but typically excess bow splash is caused by too much weight aft. Once you figure out the best weight distributation for your boat, the smart tabs should work really well for you. Enjoy the adventure and good question!
I have to wonder if the fold down ladder on my swim platform (which is an older sort of small style), would knock into these.
Richard, that is a great thought. We always suggest connecting with a professional to ensure there are no issues when installing anything on your boat. However, if you decide to take the DIY route, that is a very good call out and should certainly be taken into consideration when installing them.
Would these work on a 13' Whaler? Looks interesting!
Hello West Marine,
Do these tabs also eliminate leaning?
Thanks in advance.
It did on my 15 foot 1973 glastron. It’s a real shallow v, and only weighs 652lbs with the motor, so keeping it flat over 10mph when I’m by myself is near impossible. In fact, I used to have a carpeted board that I would set over the front seats so I could sit in the middle of the boat. Installed these exact trim tabs and it made a HUGE difference in stability, I’m back in the driver seat. Issue I did run into is that my top speed went down from 26mph to 23. I’m sure if I messed around with the motor trim I can get it back but I have a manual trim outboard so it’s an annoying adjust/test/adjust method.
Hi The Dutch Fisherman - that’s a great question and sounds like it requires more than we can answer here. Please contact our Product Advice Team for assistance at productadvice@westmarine.com, or by calling 1-800-BOATING (262-8464), Monday - Friday, 8 am - 9 pm ET and Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm ET.
could i put this on a 16ft bass boat
The struts i received from nauticus for my boat i cant even compress forcefully between my legs. Any ideas?
They aren't meant to work that way. They will automatically adjust once installed.
Here is the link to select the correct size:
nauticusinc.com/smart_choice_app/sca.php
so you don't need the rocker switch with these tabs?
That's correct. Smart Tabs don't require electric or hydraulic connections. Here is the manufacturer FAQs:
nauticusinc.com/faqs/#toggle-id-1
I like the video but the instructions say to avoid the drill driver!
Excellent, thanks!
Hey, just wondering if slot number 1 makes more pressure on the shock or less?
1 is least, 5 is most
I want to get these things for my little Boston Whaler but I hear their customer service is non-existent and the struts go bad quickly. I don't mind paying $150 every few years but it's kind of lame we have to do that.
Hi Rivers and Ridgelines - We're sorry to hear of any issues with their customer service. We hope you can get what you need & we'll be here to help if have any concerns!
This guy looks like a knockoff Will Ferrell lol
We've heard that often!
I want to see him in a red robe yelling “mom! Where’s my meatloaf?!”
would these work on a 4m rib?
yes thay make tham for 12 footers
🤕