Tabs - Maxum Boat Owners Club

Franco_2100SC · 02-20-2006, 07:05 PM

I'm trying to research tabs for my 2100SC. There are a couple questions I would like to get a handle on. One is rear hold down strap placement, and how folks overcome this. Since straps usually extend outward to the trailer corner from the rear eyehooks the tab out near the chine is going to be in the way.

Another is usage, and by this I mean how much deflection will I need to assist on getting on plane, and will the tabs reduce or eliminate porpoising when I am trying to get home but the wind has picked up. I am looking to cruise through small wind driven chop at a little higher speed without the boat slamming from wave to wave or me constantly moving the engine trim constantly.

Finally, I would like to get some feedback on the utility of the LED readouts. Some have said they are almost useless since Tab adjustment is mostly a "Feel" thing anyway. I'm not sure I agree with this since I would most likely start with engine trim, and then moderate the setting with tabs. Sure seems to me that using two seperate attitude controls one would like to know where actuators are set. But, then, I have no experience to draw upon other than the effects of engine trim on my boat.

Thanks for any and all that chime in.

KKKKFL

seapuppy · 02-23-2006, 08:01 PM

I can't answer on the part about hold down straps...but for tabs...with a 21 ft boat...I'd say you won't need much to get on plane ....mainly use them for lateral balance...side to side...remember that the port switch controls the stbd tab...visa/versa....tabs are used to stop porpoising...set them down after you get on plane a few degrees and then just bump the switch till you stop the porpoising..
hmmm....on led readouts...I think that's a personal call....first off..if your in chop..bouncing around a bit while trying to drive a small craft...your not going to have the time or luxury to look down at the indicator and see where the tabs are...I'd just save the money and put the tab system in of your choice and work on feeling what your boat is doing.....but that's just me....

Franco_2100SC · 02-23-2006, 11:34 PM

I don't know if you've seen my web page
sempreveloce.tripod.com/

Notice that my wife and older son are sitting in the very back. With a full fuel tank getting on plane is tough. I think they will help this. Also in a chop on the river, I hate having to constantly play with engine trim to try and make decent speed but not get pounded to death. I think the tabs will stop the porpoising and give greater control.

The indicator thing I think I'm gonna solve by using Bennetts, and then getting the Lowrance sensor that feeds the data to the LMS 337 CDF. I know the tab position is mostly a feel thing, but when you are jostling between engine trim and tab position, its nice to know where things work best so you can return without the same trial and error button fiddling becoming necessary.

Anyway thanks for the feedback. Will keep all posted as to the results.
KKKKFL

seapuppy · 02-27-2006, 01:28 AM

yep..looked at the boat on your site...pretty nice..the tabs will stop the porpoising ...good luck..post what you end up with...

GSPKurt · 03-02-2006, 04:07 PM

My '96 2400 SCR came with tabs, and I wouldn't have another boat without them. Have someone weld tie-down eyes further inboard on the trailer. I wish I had the LED indicators. I may put them in as aftermarket. I recommend Bennett tabs. I have had a couple problems with my Boat Leveler tabs. Get the biggest tabs you can fit on the transom, within reason. :mrgreen:

Franco_2100SC · 03-02-2006, 07:57 PM

Went down to the boat yesterday to measure and plan again, and found that I am going to have to use Lenco, and here's the reason. On the 2100SC the molded swim platform wraps around, and the transom is not flat all the way to the edge. As if this wasn't bad enough, when you look inside, the motor is flush against the transom and the bolts for the hold down eyes are about 10 inches out towards each side. There's a good space there, but it is too close to the centerline. Ideally I want the tabs about 3" from the chine. This means that the actuator top would be about 5 inches outboard of the hold down eye, and unfortunately, I cannot get to that point from the inside. Bennetts require that the hydraulic line goes through the center of the top 3 bolt fastener. At least with the Lenco's the line is Electric. It comes out the top of the actuator, but can enter the hull anywhere. It doesn't have to go through the top mounting plate. I'll probably drill a hole inboard and above the hold down "U". This will be above the waterline. Now my only concern is the length of the Lenco actuator. I think if I go with 12" chord tabs the height will be workable.

Thanks for the input.
KKKKFL

Loan $hark · 04-19-2006, 01:21 AM

I put Lenco 12x12 edge mount racing tabs on my 2100sc and they were not enough of a solution for me to recommend them. I think the shallow deadrise of the hull along with the strong reverse chines make it too hard to overcome the eventual rough ride in anything but calmer water.

Because of the transom design, the tabs can't be placed far enough outward to help with listing in the event of uneven loads. They do help get up on plane a little better but I'd just recommend going to a 20" pitch 4 blade prop to help with that.

If you do decide to go with tabs, try a fin on the drive first and see if that helps before spending the money. I have a suspicion that would have saved me alot of effort and $$ on this project.

Here's some pics from when I was test fitting. The white square is a 12x12 piece of cardboard. No pics post-install but you get the idea. The tie down straps are not obstructed in any way. The top mount of the actuators ended up just inside of the hull tiedown rings, since any further out is inaccessible. You can see the backing plates of the tiedown rings from the engine compartment (not pictured here).

To make this exceptionally clear, I had friends on the boat before and after the install and they noticed absolutely no difference in the ride quality when the tabs were being used. Nice thing was they did not affect top speed at all. I would not recommend tabs for this boat.

Franco_2100SC · 04-19-2006, 12:55 PM

Thanks for posting those great pictures... I am thinking about doing the Lenco's primarily to get on plane faster. When everybody sits in the back its almost impossible to get her up. I'm looking at starting the 9x12's (9 wide and 12 inch chord) right where your tabs stop as you move outward. This means the tab will just barely extend into the curved area as seen in your pics. As you point out access to the interior of the transom can only be at or above the hold down "U"s so I plan to bolt the top of the actuator but not run the cable through the center, instead run it over a couple of inches and enter above the U hold down. I would use a couple of plastic cable holddowns to secure the short run. With your experience with the lenco's do you think this mounting will work?

Thanks

KKKKFL