Smart Tabs? Is this smart?

[bullet1w]

Anyone have experience with these things and/or do you think they would be a good application?
I noticed that the centurion next door has one in the center under the platform....I'm considering doing something similar

http://nauticusinc.com/
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Smart-Tab-trim-tabs-st1290-60-12-x-9-17ft-22-ft-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4069Q2em14Q2el1318QQhashZitem130236832795QQitemZ130236832795

[hillclimber17]

Sounds good in theory, I have not seen them in action, but I too am curious on how well they would work.

[sailtl]

Why do you need trim tabs? Not trying to be a smart ass just curious.

[bullet1w]

At wakeboard speeds and with weight in the trunk it comes off plane with the slightest loss of speed even with weight in the front.  No I don't have perfect pass.  Yes, I know I need perfect pass. No I didn't spend my stimulus check on perfect pass. No my wife is not on board with perfect pass as a marriage counseling tool. Even with PP I think it would be helpful. The V drives ride nose high with any weight in the back.

[Ktown]

There are lots of posts on this subject.  Do a search for tabs and you will find at least 3 or 4.  Here is a link to the last one I remembered.  Good Luck.

http://www.epicmarine.com/forum4/index.php?topic=1376.0

[bullet1w]

Sorry, I did a search before and didn't come up with anything.  It looks like no one has tried them yet

[lesman01]

I love the smart tabs performance video: circa 1970?

http://nauticusinc.com/videos/Performance.wmv

It does look like a pretty cool concept, and the s22 is transom heavy. I have to run the the underseat fat sac full all the time, which works great until I fill up the 2 sacs by the engine.

[bullet1w]

Nice film! I think I saw the Cleaver family and Lassie in a few of the boats.  I keep the underseat sac full as well and put less in back.

[cyclone]

I've never seen a Toyota with a trim tab, the V drives are horrible as far as bow rise goes, a tab is just the ticket. I'd like to get it integrated with PP like on the new Supras.

[boneil]

Just curious.  Sounds like a trim plate will the lift the stern up.  But additional power will be needed to lift.  And the push down on the bow from the stern will cause more boyency (sp?)  So in the end will more boat be underwater?  If all previous holds true (and that's a stretch) then why burn more fuel to keep on plane?   My two cents is just compensate with weight in bow... more efficient at least.  (That may be a stretch as well).  Any chemical enegineers around here?

[lesman01]

It appears the the "smart" tabs are nothing more than a trim tab with a gas shock absorber that moves as more force is applied. So it's in the down position at startup and once the boat gets to a certain speed the force of the water pushes them back towards nuetral. I don;t see how they would keep the bow down at speed other than the stern being extended several inches. sounds like it would get you on plane much faster, though.