Tab placement horizontal vs standard

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

it will be a different boat with external steering. All you are doing without it is trying to suggest to the boat where to go. Its generally wondering around. There is no function of the boat more important then steering. I insist without proper steering all efforts to improve handling, speed, ride,....are just a waste of time.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Back to your question. I suggest you mount them conventional or split the difference. As you move them towards horizontal they loose some effectiveness. To mount the 280 flat you would be giving away much of the reason for having tabs. Keep them wide and don't be tempted to bring them closer to center. Mount them generally where the are now. Let the stringer location help decide the exact spot.I hope indicators are part of the plan.

 

[sonicss31]

Posts' 21 & 22 is some good advise from Jim and he's been in the game a long time.

 

[SFOcean]

My advise is to not mount the tabs until you have full hydraulic steering. My boat would be flat out dangerous without hydraulic steering. It is super sensitive to side wind, I wonder if in the video the wind was on the starboard side which makes you steer right which in turn will lean the boat to the starboard. Once you have the drive locked down, you can make informed decisions.

 

[phragle]

Jim, Im half way thru installing a full imco dual ram system. Biggest reason for going to 280s is that the lencos arent holding up. They were pretty touchy too. I already have mechanical indicators so thats just a matter moving the cable locations on the transom.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

You are on the right path. 280's will be a big improvement. Moving them closer to center will likely make them more touchy. With the last two posts of info Im leaning more toward The split the difference location. If you wait until steering to do tabs then you will be able to appreciate the two upgrades independently.

 

[phragle]

Unfortnatley the old tabs are off already and the holes are filled and glassed over. on the plus side, since I am working on my masters degree at the GlassDave acaedemy, If I dont like how the tabs end up, its an afternoons job to fill the holes, drill new ones and mount them different....

The plan is to get the handleing dialed this season, then this comming winter with everything figured out, pull the motor, paint the boat, refinish the bilge and drop in a warmed up 525sc.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Put them on in the split the difference angle in the current location and get on with it. I don't think you will have any reason to move them.

I once took the time to move a 30" pair from 11 degrees to 5 1/2 degrees on a 22 Velocity race boat for Lilly. He run the boat once , said it made it ride harder and instructed me to put them back where they were. I was in that same boat one time running and a trim cylinder exploded. Very scary running 70 something , a tab cylinder explodes sending the boat rotating like the scene in rat patrol. That was the only time a was pleased to land on the railing. Thought we might have gone swimming. All 30 inch tabs demand ss competition cylinders.

 

[Ratickle]

My advise is to not mount the tabs until you have full hydraulic steering. My boat would be flat out dangerous without hydraulic steering. It is super sensitive to side wind, I wonder if in the video the wind was on the starboard side which makes you steer right which in turn will lean the boat to the starboard. Once you have the drive locked down, you can make informed decisions.

The wind was on the starboard side that day.

 

[Ratickle]

This shows the size of those tabs