Smart tabs on a 185 to keep bow down?

pdxsearay

Member
Jun 4, 2020
89
Boat Info
2005 Sea Ray 185 Sport
Engines
4.3 merc
Has anyone used with smart tabs on a 185 or similar size sport boat? We use our boat primarily for low and medium speed cruising, with a little bit of towing an inflatable (kids too little for wakeboarding), and I'm constantly working the throttle and trim to keep the bow down. I've already switched to a 4-blade propeller, and that has helped allow planing at lower speeds. I've read that smart tabs can help further. I'm willing to give up some top end speed if necessary.

Any advice / pros-cons / size advice on smart tabs? How do they affect handling? And if I do go that route should i have them installed professionally since it involves drilling into the transom?

Thanks for any smart tab advice.
 
Yeah, trying to stay at the lower speeds for small kids is tough - it's right around that "plowing" speed.

Search for Smart Tabs here on this site - there's lot's of info on this regarding using them on smaller bowriders. But, the short and sweet... they will make a VERY noticeable difference - and virtually no ill effects on handling or top speed. For an experienced person, they take roughly and hour to install. Only you can decide if you want to do it yourself!
 
If had to room on my Scout, I would definitely put a set on. But my swim ladder is in the way on the port side.
 
i put these on a 192 rinker, made a big difference on bow rise to get on plane, almost non existent after i installed them, also helped low speed to stay on plane, one of the best bangs for the buck upgrades i have had
 
Wish I could put them on my 200 but the transom shape is wrong. They do look like a smart investment.
 
Has anyone used with smart tabs on a 185 or similar size sport boat? We use our boat primarily for low and medium speed cruising, with a little bit of towing an inflatable (kids too little for wakeboarding), and I'm constantly working the throttle and trim to keep the bow down. I've already switched to a 4-blade propeller, and that has helped allow planing at lower speeds. I've read that smart tabs can help further. I'm willing to give up some top end speed if necessary.

Any advice / pros-cons / size advice on smart tabs? How do they affect handling? And if I do go that route should i have them installed professionally since it involves drilling into the transom?

Thanks for any smart tab advice.

I installed them myself and they worked great. I used the original setting they recommend and eliminated all bow rise, completely, able to cruise on plane at 1700 rpm, gained 2 mph at WOT. For the money, for your size boat, you can't beat them.
 
I installed them myself and they worked great. I used the original setting they recommend and eliminated all bow rise, completely, able to cruise on plane at 1700 rpm, gained 2 mph at WOT. For the money, for your size boat, you can't beat them.

Did you go with Nauticus or Bennett? (or something else)
 
"Smart Tabs" is a trademark of Nauticus. They come in black or white.

Bennett calls theirs "Self-Leveling" tabs.
 
the short and sweet... they will make a VERY noticeable difference - and virtually no ill effects on handling or top speed. For an experienced person, they take roughly and hour to install.

i put these on a 192 rinker, made a big difference on bow rise to get on plane, almost non existent after i installed them, also helped low speed to stay on plane, one of the best bangs for the buck upgrades i have had

Did you guys go Bennett or Nauticus?

Both seem like great options that are easy to install and do the same things. Major difference is, One uses a spring actuator and one uses gas.
 
Did you guys go Bennett or Nauticus?

Both seem like great options that are easy to install and do the same things. Major difference is, One uses a spring actuator and one uses gas.
Dealer's choice. You'll probably see much more written about Nauticus since they've been making this type of setup much longer. However, Bennett is an excellent company.
 
This basically mimics what I’ve read on other forums. Both companies have awesome customer service and the products do exactly what they say. Bennett has been in the tab game longer but Nauticus has been in the self-leveling tab game longer. I found one forum called The Hull Truth where reps from both companies were on there , politely discussing their own SLTs’ strengths. It made me have a more positive view of both companies.
 
We had a ‘97 185 and installed smart tabs on it. I felt they made a positive difference. It would plane faster and had a smoother ride when trimmed up or in choppy water. I think they’re worth the cheap cost. We installed ourselves also.
 
This basically mimics what I’ve read on other forums. Both companies have awesome customer service and the products do exactly what they say. Bennett has been in the tab game longer but Nauticus has been in the self-leveling tab game longer. I found one forum called The Hull Truth where reps from both companies were on there , politely discussing their own SLTs’ strengths. It made me have a more positive view of both companies.


That must have been one of the few polite discussions on THT forum!
 
Has anyone used with smart tabs on a 185 or similar size sport boat? We use our boat primarily for low and medium speed cruising, with a little bit of towing an inflatable (kids too little for wakeboarding), and I'm constantly working the throttle and trim to keep the bow down. I've already switched to a 4-blade propeller, and that has helped allow planing at lower speeds. I've read that smart tabs can help further. I'm willing to give up some top end speed if necessary.

Any advice / pros-cons / size advice on smart tabs? How do they affect handling? And if I do go that route should i have them installed professionally since it involves drilling into the transom?

Thanks for any smart tab advice.
I know that I am late on this thread. If you have not got Smart Tabs yet, I have the same boat only 2004, I put the Stainless Steel tabs on mine, they work great, if I understand it right the SX tabs have a problem mounting to the curved Transom like we have, get the ST1290-60 tabs, they are worth every penny. There is a thread in Sport Boats that has pictures of my install.
 

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