10 replies to this topic

[meridian2005]

Looking to pull skiers with my Islandia. So far boat has worked well in pulling towables. Anyone tried these Smart Tabs and had good success? Thanks for any feedback.

[no1stumper]

Is this what your talking about?

http://www.ebuyerswo...-tabs-s/149.htm

"Smart tabs are esentially fixed load devices that are manually set and assume similar loading and conditions each time the boat is used. There is no electronic sensor that can modify position based on pressure level. However, conditions change. To give you an idea of how professionals feel about smart tabs, to my knowledge there is not a single boat manufacturer that includes smart tabs on their boats. There are many, however, that include adjustable tabs. If they felt that smart tabs were an acceptable alternative, rest assured that they would save a few bucks and use them on stock boats"

[keviseeb]

I agree with stumper, I think all that would happen with the Smart Tab is that you would increase drag, not help push the bow down. I think you would be better to to add a few washers to the trim plate on your Mercury. If you do that you might get up on plane a tiny bit faster but even that is questionable. There have been 2 major hull designs to the Islandia since your 2000 model came out, both have helped reduce bow rise and time to plane. They occurred in 2003 when the 250 Optimax was installed and then again in 2006 when the twin 155 HP 4-TEC engines were installed. Spend your money for fuel and have fun!

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[meridian2005]

keviseeb, thank you and stumper for the feedback. Can you explain idea of adding washers to the trim plate as a possible slight improvement? Thanks again for your feedback.

[no1stumper]

The jet drive is factory set for general applications. Should your boat have porpoising problems, the trim plate can be adjusted. It also can tighten and loosen your steering

[meridian2005]

Thank you stumper for your feedback. Have you ever adjusted your trim plate on your Speedster? If so, was is easy to adjust? Have you put electric trim tabs on your boat? Many thanks.

[no1stumper]

Its not a hard application at all. There are just two adjustments on the lower part of the Jet drive.

1. Loosen both jam nuts on trim plate (one starboard and one port).

2. Turn both screws the exact same number of turns. Tighten both jam nuts against trim
plate. The distance from top of nut to bottom of boss should be equal on both sides.

WARNING!!!!
Adjusting the trim plate may affect boat handling (steering). Overly sensitive steering
or reduced turning ability could result from trim plate adjustments. Boat handling
characteristics also vary with the load distribution in the boat. Use caution after
adjusting: check for acceptable handling characteristics under all loading
conditions. Failure to adequately test the boat could result in inadequate steering
control.

[no1stumper]

HERE IS A PIC OF WHAT YOU NEED TO ADJUST

[meridian2005]

Stumper, Terrific info!! Thanks a million! I really appreciate all your feedback.

[no1stumper]

Your welcome!!!! Thats why im here. Keep us updated!!!

[boyd]

I have a 2002 Seadoo Islandia and in 2003 we bought a PLACE DIVERTER to increase plaining faster and improve performance.It is basically a single "trim tab" fastened to the Seadoo ride plate that is hydrolicly controlled by a up-and-down switch we added to our dashboard. It was a great improvement and we don't regret it.