How flush is your transom?

[jfine]

I'm going to install Smart Tabs on my 150CC however I'm running into an issue with the trailer bunks and the transom. Right now the boat sits about 4 to 6 inches in from the end of the trailer bunk. I basically have three options and I wanted to get everyones opinion.

1) Install the Smart Tabs as is and when the boat is on the trailer the tabs would be "loaded".
2) Purchase the Smart Tab retractor kit so that they can be retracted flush with the bottom of the boat for storage.
3) Adjust the trailer, moving the boat back to where the transom is flush with the bunk. I'd probably have to move the wheels / axle back to keep sufficient pressure on the hitch also.

I'm partially concerned with option 3 because right now the transom sits atop a structural element of the trailer and my thought is that this is done by design. I know our boats can warp and thats the last thing I want to cause. (Will take a photo this evening.)

Option 1 doesn't seem like a good idea because springs that are not designed to be stored "loaded" tend to degrade much faster over time. I'm also not sure if that would cause an issue with launching and loading the boat.

Option 2 seems like it might be the best compromise. It's another $40 or so but that's not too bad. I will need to remember to deploy and retract them when I launch and load but won't have to change the trailer configuration. Although in this case I still will have to slide the boat back (and need to find a local launch to do so, unless anyone can recommend how to temporally jack up the boat) in order to properly install them.

I'm really looking forward to suggestions and would be particularly pleased to hear from anyone who has installed these and run into similar circumstances.

[pamarine]

You should be able to move the boat so the transom is flush with the end of the bunks. There is no problems doing this as long as the transom does not overhang.

[Stoney]

jfine,

I ran into the same issue when I installed my Smart Tabs.I just trimmed my bunks on the very ends. Just pull back the carpet and make your cut and restaple the carpet using SS Marine grade staples. I only had to trim about 2" off of each bunk and it works great. I have pics posted in my gallery if you would like to see. Good Luck.

-Stoney-

[jfine]

Awesome, thanks for the input guys. I don't think the retractors would solve my problem anyway because the composite smart tabs have ribs on the bottom and would have to retract probably 10 degrees more than flush. So I think the trick is going to be to move the boat back 2-3" then trim the two outside bunks at an angle so that they are flush and the boat can sit with the tabs extended.

Going to have to make sure I get enough weight on the ball, so I may have to yank out a scale and try the boat back a few inches at the marina to see what happens. I'm sure people are going to look at me funny when I launch then pull my boat right back out and put a scale under the coupler. I weighed it before and it was at about 240lbs, so it would probably be O.K. loosing a few pounds.

Since you have them Stoney, I was hoping you could provide some first hand experience. Is all this hassle worth it? Or should I just try out some new props and hydrofoils before doing all this work?

[fridaysoff]

jfine,
Why don't you place two straps on the stern eyebolts and hook your trailer to your tow vehicle. find a good sturdy tree and pull your boat backwards using the straps. Just loosen your winch strap 2-3 inches so it can't go any further back. Also leave the safety chain on. Take a garden hose and soak the trailer bunks to make the boat slide easier. Get a buddy to watch the stern. You won't have to drive on the highway with your boat sitting unsafe on your trailer. Just a suggestion.Good Luck.I think from the post I've read about the 150CC the Smart Tabs make a big difference in the way your boat will perform.
John D.

[jfine]

That's actually a great idea fridaysoff. The eye bolts should be able to hold it, the boat is only about 1k lbs w/ the motor. I actually wasn't going to drive with the boat unsecure, if I did move it in the marina I was going to adjust the bow hitch (not sure the right name for it) back a couple inches in the parking lot so that it was secure.

[Stoney]

jfine,

On the 150's and 170's the smart tabs are absolutley worth the effort to install. I had issues with the boat wandering especially at no wake speed. I also tend to carry alot of weight on board since we mostly go on day trips. With the tabs the boat is more stable, the wandering is gone, no more plowing, and I actually gained a few mph's at no wake speed. The real nice thing about smart tabs is that they are fully automatic. I chose these over a stabilizer plate because I really didn't want to drill holes in my engine. I hear great things about those BMS plates, but I have never tried one. If you read an earlier post about smart tabs you will see that Triumph is actually making them a standard feature on the 150cc's so that right there tells you something.

-Stoney-

[jfine]

Thanks Stoney. One last question before I start sawing and drilling. They recommend either a 3/16" or 7/32", which one did you go with?

[tfink]

Stoney,

I had been thinking about a stabilizer plate, until I saw your post about the smart tabs. I have a 195 DC.

It seems that you're believer in the smart tabs over the stablizer! I assume the benifits are the same. One other thing, do you have to compress/manually raise the tabs everytime you put the boat on trailer?

[jfine]

tfink, I'll be able to tell you shortly what I think about them, but the biggest reason I got them over the foil was that I didn't like the idea of having more surface area on the motor at speed. In the case of the smart tabs, they just simply get out of the way. I also like the idea of how each tab works independently, so from what I've read they seem to help a lot with turns. You can read more about them via the URLs below.

http://www.nauticusinc.com/videos/ST_vs_Hydro.wmv (video seems to cut out on me at the end)
Trailer Boats Bulletin Boards: Hydrofoil versus Trim Tabs

I'll be trimming down my outside bunks and then shifting the boat back about 3" in order to accommodate the smart tabs. I'll be taking photos and will provide notes.

It'll be in the thread below.

Smart Tabs