Smart Tabs

[frank100]

Hi everyone !
Thinking of intsalling trim tabs to my BC6.1 and one of the options is Smart Tabs Composite tabs). Anyone got any experience with these ? another option is Electotabs (Ally tabs- electric operation) any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
Frank

[tin can marlin]

Go the volvo type they are very good northside marine stock them ask for glenn riley reel good bloke and knows his stuff when it comes to tabs.

[BrisBen]

I fitted the electrotabs to my sportfish very happy with them easy to install and they look to be good quality.

[tenzing]

The volvo tabs were my first choice but was advised that on the back of the seafarer they were not the easiest or most practical installation.
I ended up with Bennets as I was more comfortable with hydraulics out the back and electronics inside the boat. I've been thrilled with them. Whatever you choose make sure you get switches with a position readout so you can keep an eye on exactly what you are up to. Mine came with an auto retract which I disconnected and put on a toggle as a manual feature otherwise the things are retracting for god kows how long after you turn the motor off. not great when you are drifting'
Brendan

[frank100]

BrisBen,
Thanks for the reply. I have been looking at Electrotabs since the BarCrushers are now fitted with them ex factory. Could you tell me where you got them from & what you paid ? the local BC boat yard has been slack & not got back to me on the price.
Much appreciated.
Frank

[Noelm]

always had me puzzled why when all these Boats need Tabs, that they are not fitted when the Boat is new, sure I know about price and other things, but on most Boats they are necessary, so they should be standard equipment! not something that you discover you need 6 months later.

[scrubba01]

I have QL tabs on mine great tabs nice and compact and fast acting, paid $820 from Col at Fisher boats.

[Chimo]

Hi Frank

Have you looked at the Lenco electric tabs?

I dont have the indicator lights and as an extra they may be useful but on the 6.2 Vag the adjustments are very fine and you can feel the effect very easily especially if your doing any speed. Not convinced that you really need the lights as full up to down is only a couple of seconds so you just tap the switch to operate them anyway. Even fully up ie off, they aid the bum lift as they lengthen the boat; side to side trim happens when you operate one or the other.

Not so convinced about the QLs particularly after P Webster's comment that they cost about 1knot due to their drag which according to Peter Webster is similar to the effect of antifouling his Quintrex tinny. All that drag is adding to the fuel bill.

Cheers
Chimo

PS Noelm
Your right re why are they not fitted if boats need them?

I asked this Q of Lindsay Fry while he still owned Seafarer when he fitted mine and he said it was simply that most boat buyers didn't want to spend the $s when they ordered the boat even though they were very beneficial etc etc

I guess if you were selling stuff,the customer can be led but cannot be made to drink ! even if they are clueless, its their money Ralph.

[siegfried]

I have electrotabs on a formula 233 and would recommend them as being as good as any

[Noelm]

I know that no one wants to spend the cash, but if they were part of the build, just like steering, windscreen and stuff, then you pay for them, because that's how the Boat is, and it performs as it should straight away, you do not get smashed down on one side for a year and then get them, well I reckon anyway!

[snelly1971]

Hi Frank

Have you looked at the Lenco electric tabs?

I dont have the indicator lights and as an extra they may be useful but on the 6.2 Vag the adjustments are very fine and you can feel the effect very easily especially if your doing any speed. Not convinced that you really need the lights as full up to down is only a couple of seconds so you just tap the switch to operate them anyway. Even fully up ie off, they aid the bum lift as they lengthen the boat; side to side trim happens when you operate one or the other.

Not so convinced about the QLs particularly after P Webster's comment that they cost about 1knot due to their drag which according to Peter Webster is similar to the effect of antifouling his Quintrex tinny. All that drag is adding to the fuel bill.

Cheers
Chimo

PS Noelm
Your right re why are they not fitted if boats need them?

I asked this Q of Lindsay Fry while he still owned Seafarer when he fitted mine and he said it was simply that most boat buyers didn't want to spend the $s when they ordered the boat even though they were very beneficial etc etc

I guess if you were selling stuff,the customer can be led but cannot be made to drink ! even if they are clueless, its their money Ralph.

I have the same set up as your chimo, and I find the Lenco`s cost me a knot in speed if they are full down.

Mick

[trymyluck]

Hi Frank
I'm thinking about putting ql's on a 5.5m Savage and noticed that Leisure Marine have them advertised for $790.
Mark

[Chimo]

Hi Mick

I think Webster was suggesting that the QLs created drag all the time.

I dont doubt that all standard tabs eg lencos and similar shaped ones whether elec or hydraulic do create drag when they are fully engaged. I dont think this is the case when they are fully up and just adding to boat length.

By the way, did the CDs ever turn up? I guess you still have the address ?

Cheers
Chimo

[frank100]

Guys, Thanks to all that commented . Noelm, I agree totally with your comment re having them as standard but I gues most people (me) are a bit aprehensive at least when the boat is new to them as to wether someone is trying to sell you something you do'nt need.
Anyway the attraction for me to the Eltrotabs is that the tab is ally. As long as reliability is not an issue I'm not fussed elect vs Hydraulic the again I'e never had them so what would I know !
I have seen/heard enough to convince me that I need them. Cost is still an issue however. I am keen to see more comments on the usefullness of the indicator lights since they seem to cost a far bit extra.

Frank

[black runner]

I checked out the Barcrushers at the local boat show and had a chat to the dealer about the now std trim tabs with lights. It made sense that you can immediately get a visual on their position before getting underway, in the same way as the trim gauge on the outboard.