Smart Tabs

[black runner]

I agree that when you are at one with your boat/car you don't need gauges to tell you how to operate it. The main purpose of gauges are to warn/confirm or otherwise the correct operation of critical components when things don't feel, smell or sound right.

For example most of us know what 10, 15, 20 knots feel like, but when the speedo shows 7knots and I know I am going faster from rpm/gps/speed sensation then I know I've picked up weed or similar on the leg, so I stop and get rid of the material (which could also have been interfering with the water intake) and off I go.

Whats the first thing you do in a car when you motor starts to lose power or changes note etc? - check the temp/oil gauge/lights. Its true your senses are often the first to pick up on developing problems but your gauges then provide feedback for troubleshooting.

I see that trim tab and motor trim gauges are in the same boat ( pardon the pun) - used as a base line to confirm normal operation and alert to other possible problems, not used to unquestioningly set the running attitude of your boat by.

Cheers FM

[chop duster]

ifishcq1,
I think long boats are the excluded here for sure. The delta pad at the stern provides enough lift as it is.
How many knots do you do at cruise in those banana's?

[MyWay]

frank100
i had on my 1st BC560 m120 sport Bennetts which i did fit on and thay much better than what i got on this BC560 they only m80
if you going to fit Bennetts which i can recommend IMO (not hard to do it self)
go for m120

Ql are good very good what i heard and read so far abot it .
I never bin on any boat whit ones on so I can not tall you how good they are
LED indicator on tabs are very good thing to have . I did not have on my 1st bot but it cam on 2nd BC it is good when you get close to rump to lift them up .Trimming wise you just trim to best what is good for boat not the by LED indicator

cheers my way

[gofishin]

....Anyway the attraction for me to the Eltrotabs is that the tab is ally...Frank

Frank, if you are worried about galvanic corrosion from ss plates on an ally hull, and ss bolts penetrating the hull below the WL there is an option - refer attached pic. On my tin boat i got channel ~65 x 30 channel welded to the transom (with drain holes ). Obviously fitting nuts behind was going to be difficult so I drilled an appropriate sized ss plate (over sized holes) and to this welded some nuts (you will need to run a tap thru each). The thin piece of plastic protruding below the hinge is important - it stops a lot of spray thru the hinges at lower speeds (with these tabs anyway). Get some 1mm plastic from bunnings etc, cut to shape, and bend into an angle using a heat gun. PS. The tabs are Lectrotabs
http://www.lectrotab.com/default.htm

...as the option to have the prop thrust running parallel to the water surface yet the nose tucked down the efficient way - with tabs is superior to using the engine trim to do it...cheers fnq

This is a very good statement. There is a saying used that's very important concerning boat trim - "motor trim is for trimming the prop, trim tabs are for trimming the boat", which obviously refers to longitudinal trim issues.
cheers

PS. I didn't have indicator switches, didn't think they were worth it, as I always know/knew where my tabs are/were. Trouble is when anyone else drives, & adjusts tabs (required quite frequently with a large bowrider & constantly moving passengers), I would find my self 'finding' where the tabs were when i got the helm back.

I have also used Lenco's with the indicator switches in a mates boat & they are very handy when you have stopped for a fish & moving to a different location with a driver swap - you know where the tabs are at a glance before you even take off. I now have bought indicator switches with the tabs for my new boat - 'I have seen the light' & think they are worth it.

[ifishcq1]

Chimo and Chop Duster

Cruise is about 25+kn and the old one never lent at all so I would have thought this will be the same but I read about the tabs with info from you guys and FNQ and not knowing I thought I would pop the question and see what came up
I appreciate the comments

Cheers

SL

[chop duster]

so how far away are you fro getting the new one on the water? i remember your posts a few months ago.

[frank100]

gofishin,
Thanks mate, good info. BC's have the tabs mounting plate already on the boat which do the same job as the channel you put on. I am now looking at 'electro tabs' which come in ally or S/S. The BC I was looking at today comes with the electrotabs fitted ex factory, the mounting is with ally rivets so the corrosion issue is not an ssue. Very tempting so far as prices quoted are similar to other brands. They come with position indicator switches (would you believe microprocessor control !). I think as a newbie to using tabs they may be of benifit.
Also thanks to all who have commented on this thread, as usual you guys have been most informative and it is very appreciated.
I will post again when / if I get them. One step at a time .
step one - ministerial approval for the disbursement of funds
step two - fit them without f%$@@up
step three- Try them
Current status is one more step B4 I get to step one.

Frank