Effects of Smart Tabs on a 13ft Boston Whaler

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Author Topic:   Effects of Smart Tabs on a 13ft Boston Whaler

WellFairFisherman posted 06-27-2008 07:57 AM ET (US)
Well i've had these Smart Tabs sitting in the garage now for almost a year for my 77' 13ft classic Whaler.
I'm hesitant pulling the trigger and installing them due to the holes in my new gelcoat, and no extra of the same color to patch them if they don't perform to my expectations...
I would appreciate any feedback or pics of your install....
A few things i'm worried about....
1. Do I have wood in the transom where the hinges will be attached.
2. I do quite a bit of fishing/lobster hoopnetting in the kelp, will this make it dangerous because I will no longer be able to back down due to the tabs hanging in the water.
3. Is it possible to make a cable or latch to disable the tabs when I am going to be fishing over kelp.
4. Is my install typical or do I need to set them lower due to the "Hook" in the bottom of the hull.
5. I do not have a jackplate (Kelton Crew does) and my transducer and livewell pump will have to be next to the tabs, will they still work with the water forcing downward next to them. Right now I can read bottom full speed (33mph) with my lowrance transducer and I need to keep it that way if possible.....
I appreciate any help, If I don't install these soon I need to sell them to someone who will......
Tohsgib posted 06-27-2008 11:01 AM ET (US)
Have you tried a doel-fin?
blkmtrfan posted 06-27-2008 01:36 PM ET (US)
What do you hope to gain by installing them?
WellFairFisherman posted 06-27-2008 04:01 PM ET (US)
I do have a doel fin installed on my outboard and will be removing it if the Smart Tabs allow me to.
I'm trying to reduce porpoising and make my hull ride better in wind chop. I live on Southern California and my normal afternoon weather is 10-15 mph winds with a 2-3 foot wind wave. I'm trying to reduce the pounding and plane at a slower speed..
A few days ago I did 30 miles in this wind coming back from a local island and it beat me up pretty bad.
I know i'm pushing my tender to its limits but I just can't seem to find a more versatile hull for my applications that fits into my 1 car garage.....
pglein posted 06-27-2008 04:37 PM ET (US)
The only cure for the 13's rough ride is a 15'.
You can toy around with doel-fins, smart tabs, and weight distribution until your hair turns gray. But at the end of the day, the boat just plain has a flat bottom and there's nothing in the world that will make it comfortable in wind chop and 2-3' swells.
A 15' on a trailer with a short tongue will fit in a lot of tight spaces.
Feejer posted 06-27-2008 04:47 PM ET (US)
30 miles in any 13ft boat is going to beat you up
WellFairFisherman posted 06-27-2008 07:40 PM ET (US)
Well....I have weighed the pro's and cons about my hull and due to the many variety's of fishing that I enjoy, in my opinion, there is no other choice in hulls for me at this time.....And believe me....I have thought and looked into it....
I'm just trying to make the most of what I have. I've had many offers to sell and can't bring myself to do it. Thats until the right offer is thrown at me of course.....
Still looking for some feedback on Smart Tabs on a 13 Foot Boston Whaler hull......
This is what i've been staring at for a year now....
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/0/9/9/TabInstall.JPG

Over the LINE posted 07-01-2008 09:48 AM ET (US)
Maybe I am wrong but I do not see how the trim tabs are going to allow you to plane much slower than trimming way in with the "doel fin". I know on my 13' Sport that I can plane pretty slowly if I trim way in. I also have a "doel fin".
No Respect posted 07-01-2008 12:49 PM ET (US)
Wow! Going to Catalina in your 13?
OUCH!
No way hanging tabs on your 13 is going to help the pounding. The San Pedro Channel can be a nasty place in a much bigger boat. I hate even crossing LA Harbor in the afternoon in my buddies 13.
Get a bigger Whaler.

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Author	Topic: Effects of Smart Tabs on a 13ft Boston Whaler
WellFairFisherman	posted 06-27-2008 07:57 AM ET (US) Well i've had these Smart Tabs sitting in the garage now for almost a year for my 77' 13ft classic Whaler. I'm hesitant pulling the trigger and installing them due to the holes in my new gelcoat, and no extra of the same color to patch them if they don't perform to my expectations... I would appreciate any feedback or pics of your install.... A few things i'm worried about.... 1. Do I have wood in the transom where the hinges will be attached. 2. I do quite a bit of fishing/lobster hoopnetting in the kelp, will this make it dangerous because I will no longer be able to back down due to the tabs hanging in the water. 3. Is it possible to make a cable or latch to disable the tabs when I am going to be fishing over kelp. 4. Is my install typical or do I need to set them lower due to the "Hook" in the bottom of the hull. 5. I do not have a jackplate (Kelton Crew does) and my transducer and livewell pump will have to be next to the tabs, will they still work with the water forcing downward next to them. Right now I can read bottom full speed (33mph) with my lowrance transducer and I need to keep it that way if possible..... I appreciate any help, If I don't install these soon I need to sell them to someone who will......
Tohsgib	posted 06-27-2008 11:01 AM ET (US) Have you tried a doel-fin?
blkmtrfan	posted 06-27-2008 01:36 PM ET (US) What do you hope to gain by installing them?
WellFairFisherman	posted 06-27-2008 04:01 PM ET (US) I do have a doel fin installed on my outboard and will be removing it if the Smart Tabs allow me to. I'm trying to reduce porpoising and make my hull ride better in wind chop. I live on Southern California and my normal afternoon weather is 10-15 mph winds with a 2-3 foot wind wave. I'm trying to reduce the pounding and plane at a slower speed.. A few days ago I did 30 miles in this wind coming back from a local island and it beat me up pretty bad. I know i'm pushing my tender to its limits but I just can't seem to find a more versatile hull for my applications that fits into my 1 car garage.....
pglein	posted 06-27-2008 04:37 PM ET (US) The only cure for the 13's rough ride is a 15'. You can toy around with doel-fins, smart tabs, and weight distribution until your hair turns gray. But at the end of the day, the boat just plain has a flat bottom and there's nothing in the world that will make it comfortable in wind chop and 2-3' swells. A 15' on a trailer with a short tongue will fit in a lot of tight spaces.
Feejer	posted 06-27-2008 04:47 PM ET (US) 30 miles in any 13ft boat is going to beat you up
WellFairFisherman	posted 06-27-2008 07:40 PM ET (US) Well....I have weighed the pro's and cons about my hull and due to the many variety's of fishing that I enjoy, in my opinion, there is no other choice in hulls for me at this time.....And believe me....I have thought and looked into it.... I'm just trying to make the most of what I have. I've had many offers to sell and can't bring myself to do it. Thats until the right offer is thrown at me of course..... Still looking for some feedback on Smart Tabs on a 13 Foot Boston Whaler hull...... This is what i've been staring at for a year now.... http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/0/9/9/TabInstall.JPG
Over the LINE	posted 07-01-2008 09:48 AM ET (US) Maybe I am wrong but I do not see how the trim tabs are going to allow you to plane much slower than trimming way in with the "doel fin". I know on my 13' Sport that I can plane pretty slowly if I trim way in. I also have a "doel fin".
No Respect	posted 07-01-2008 12:49 PM ET (US) Wow! Going to Catalina in your 13? OUCH! No way hanging tabs on your 13 is going to help the pounding. The San Pedro Channel can be a nasty place in a much bigger boat. I hate even crossing LA Harbor in the afternoon in my buddies 13. Get a bigger Whaler.