Smart Tabs on a 185

J

Jmunk

New Member
Apr 18, 2011
14
VA
Boat Info
1998 180BR
Engines
3.0L
I have been considering adding Smart Tabs to my 2005 185. The hull slap that occurs in choppy conditions is what I’m trying to ease. Can anyone with Smart Tabs comment if they helped with rough conditions?
 
I installed smart tabs on my 1972 SRV180 and got great results. Installed them myself easily.

Bow rise on take-off eliminated. Improved cruise plane rpm and gained 2mph at wot.

I have a 1981 SRV195 now but am installing Lenco electric tabs.
 
El Capitan said:
I installed smart tabs on my 1972 SRV180 and got great results. Installed them myself easily.

Bow rise on take-off eliminated. Improved cruise plane rpm and gained 2mph at wot.

I have a 1981 SRV195 now but am installing Lenco electric tabs.
Click to expand...

Do you see much of an improvement with the adjustable electric tabs vs the Smart Tabs?
 
There’s a big difference in size from my SRV180. It had a 4-cyl 120hp mercruiser and only weighed 1800lbs dry. This SRV195 is a full 8’ beam and weighs 2900 lbs dry w 350 v8 mercruiser. That’s the reason I went electronic tabs vs Smart. I needed larger fins and port/starboard control.

With Smart you can’t control Port/starboard pitch with uneven passenger loads.

In terms of performance on the 180 in was the right tab for that size boat.
 
Just to follow-up for anyone in the future. I emailed Nauticus to see what they are recommending for my application with the curved transom.

They recommend SXL957-60 which are a low profile model.
 
Smart tabs will really help lift the stern and give you a better hole shot. On an 18 foot boat leveling with electric tabs won’t have the effect you have on a larger boat. You will be constantly adjusting the tabs. Smart tabs are the smart move on smaller boats. They made my whaler a completely different boat.
 
Tabs will have you plane easier and at a lower rpm. They will not correct the issue you described.

You need a bigger boat.
 
GypsmJim said:
Tabs will have you plane easier and at a lower rpm. They will not correct the issue you described.

You need a bigger boat.
Click to expand...

A bigger boat would be the best solution. I’m partial to the size of this boat for easy garage storage and towing. I have a 28ft pontoon I leave slipped during the season. I just use the 185 to travel around to other bodies of water occasionally.

With the Smart Tabs keeping the bow down wouldn’t that improve the ride in choppy conditions? I read some posts by @midway he has the same boat and found the ride in chop was greatly improved with the Smart Tabs.

At this time I don’t see any negatives to installing the Smart Tabs, I could be missing something.
 
Jmunk said:
With the Smart Tabs keeping the bow down wouldn’t that improve the ride in choppy conditions? I read some posts by @midway he has the same boat and found the ride in chop was greatly improved with the Smart Tabs.

At this time I don’t see any negatives to installing the Smart Tabs, I could be missing something.
Click to expand...
The best person to ask is someone who did it on the same boat, as you indicated. But also ask what water conditions he is in. Navigating a small lake vs. the ocean would have different requirements.

Bringing the bow down at plane is also accomplished with engine trim. If that is your objective, a DoelFin will do that as well, at significantly lower cost and no need to drill all those holes in the boat.

My bad, for I will surely be contradicted on that last statement. All I can say is that I bought my first fin after Mr. Doelsher first invented it, and have had it on 5 different boats, for a total of over 60 boat years.
 
Not going to beat you up over the fin, I have had one, never again, the Smart Tabs are way better, You should try them. I boat in rivers and the sound, a 185 bowrider really does not belong in the ocean although I have been out in the Atlantic on calm days and the Gulf of Mexico on calm days and stay close enough to get back inside if conditions change. The sound can get rough quick with tide or wind change but the Smart Tabs make it a lot easier than a fin, the boat I had the fin on stuffed the bow one day, that boat was a 16 foot SeaRay, yes I went to a bigger boat and put Smart Tabs on it the get what I wanted. Smart Tabs all the way.
 
Last edited:
Jmunk said:
I have been considering adding Smart Tabs to my 2005 185. The hull slap that occurs in choppy conditions is what I’m trying to ease. Can anyone with Smart Tabs comment if they helped with rough conditions?
Click to expand...
I have a 2004 185Sport, same boat as the 2005, Smart Tabs are worth every penny, They do everything advertised.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,118
Messages
1,426,485
Members
61,034
Latest member
Lukerney
Back
Top