Does the stingray do as it says or are trim tabs the only real solution to porpoising and faster hole shot?

Looking at $50 versus $600 and a much easier installation.

I've been lead to believe that tabs are much more functional (leveling and minimizing listing among others) where as the stingray (or dol-fin) helps holeshot and faster planing, and staying on plane at lower speeds.
I don't think I would benefit from tabs, but have thought about getting a dol-fin or stingray type apparatus.

I installed a SE Sport 300 before I went w/ Smart Tabs and removed it.



Most of what I've read indicates the foils are more effective the smaller the boat. On my 21 footer it did help with porpoising as well as idle speed bow wander. I could not tell a difference in hole shot or ability to plane at a lower cruise speed.

I've had both, and TT are by far the better choice. That's not to say the fin is ineffective, but in my mind it's apples and oranges.

I also put smart tabs on my first boat (17' FW) to correct torque-lean, with marginal success.

For $50, try the fin.

I had a SE Sport 300 on a Maxum 1700BR. It did make quite a difference in time to plane, and I believe allowed for planing at slower speeds. I have since heard that they place undesireable loads on outdrives. I also noticed a 3-4 mph drop in WOT speed. I'd say if you have the money go for trim tabs, or take a look at smart tabs. I'd have smart tabs on my Horizon 200 if the hull shape did not make for a problematic installation. The Volvo QL Trim tabs might be something to look at too.

Volvo QL thread
http://www.boatingabc.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/270570/4.html

Nauticus Smart Tab info
http://www.nauticusinc.com/tech_bulletin/nauticus_pdf_book.pdf

Nice info there, Jim R!!

Search the net, Bennett's has a mininum advertised price, so you must call several stores to get the real selling price.

PS - I just did and I got about $433 for the good kit on my first telephone call.

My personal opinion (from first-hand experience of owning 19 boats so far) is to go with T-T on anything other than a car-topper, inflatable or open skiff.

I can honestly say that I will never own a boat again w/o T-T's.

And besides, you have a S/R.

When you go to sell it, what will a potential buyer think when he see's a Doel-Fin (or similar clone) on it versus real T-T's?

I have seen the Doel Fins/clones break the cav plates that they are mounted to on heavier boats like yours. When you are up on plane and decide to raise or lower the trim for better performance, there is a lot of pressure on the Doel Fin. That pressure is transfered to the cav plate when you change the angle of the lower unit. That pressure can cause the cav plate to break.

I have seen it too many times in the shop. The Doel-Fin and clone companies are still in denial over taking any responsibility over any damage caused by their products.

They continue to blame the installer for any failures.

Sounds like a cop-out to me...

Good luck!

I had the Stingray on my 19' Bass boat. It improved hole shot, reduced the planing speed and helped with the idle wandering. It did trim a 1 or 2 mph off of the top end.

for anyone new to trim tabs or considering getting them, make sure you retract/reset them once offplane for straighter tracking and better idling performance. not to mention ease of docking.

Check over on thehulltruth site.

There is a forum devoted just for Bennett's. Tabman's.

Also, I would look at the Lenco's (electric vs. hydraulic). I (reluctantly to begin with) had a set on my Scout 242. No choice for me, they were put on at the factory, but I wanted the boat, so I went for it.

After 5 years of trouble-free service, as well as the product meeting all of my expectations, I wouldn't hesitate to own their product again.

It would be a tough choice for me if my next boats' MFG offered a choice between the two...

Guess I'll just keep searching the net for a decent price. Thoughts on the smart tabs mentioned by Jim R above? Any recommendations as to which size TT's to get?

5.0L EFI (240Hp)
Vengence SS 14x19 prop (thinking of going to 14x17)
1.62 gears
Mostly run at about 3000 feet or lower. Sometimes as high as 6000 feet.

One last thing.

Get the auto-tab retractors.

They retract the tabs when you shut down automatically.

Well worth the investment!

Check.

I have had no experience with the Smart-Tabs.


My opinion is the bigger the better. But your boats hull design will dictate which unit will fit best. Bennett (and I'm sure Lenco) will have a reference chart to assist you with picking the proper sized tabs. I'd check to see if the next size up will also fit.

Also, for self-installation, the Lenco electrics will be much easier to install than the hydraulic ones. No pumps or hyd lines to install or worry about leakage.

Less maintenance too...

Are you comparing various trim tabs now? That is another discussion.

Most, not all, are driver controlled and have infinite settings to allow for control for alt, load, speed, side to side balance, and the goals the helman wants at a given time. Of course, if too many choices are an issue, set them once and forget them for that run.

Some maybe just about a two position tab system and require adjustments and run after run to try out the adjustments to be perfected when first installed to get those two pretty much settings.

There are lots of choices out there. I like choices. Pick the one that suits you.

PS Ever check to see if your hull side cuts are out of the water on plane?

You could probably call S/R and ask them what size tabs they installed at the factory.

Maybe they could even supply you with the installation template for the exact mounting location? I've seen them do similar things in the past.

Also, you could check around to see if other owners of your model have them and where they are installed and what size.

Installing tabs is a nice DIY project.

DOOH!! I do need to do that! Dam you have a pretty good memory because I forgot to look last time out (tuesday).

After reading above, I've decided that the tabs would be the way to go. Looking for a new project for this winter to have ready for next season, but researching now. Also looking at down-sizing the pitch to get on plane a bit faster as I don't normally even run at WOT doing water sports and the like. The specifics of the engine / drive ratio / prop are above and any tuning suggestions from the experts here would be greatly appreciated.

I've never seen tabs on my model boat and don't think it was a factory option.

There a few lengthy old threads around re: Smart Tabs vs hydraulic/electric tabs. I've had my Smart Tabs on for a while now and have used Bennett tabs on other's larger boats. If the budget allows the $400 to $500 cost of adjutable, that cost is if you are comfortable installing them yourself, I would go for them, if not Smart Tabs did solve my specific issue for significantly less money and are a pretty easy install.

If cost is not an issue I would go w/ the adjustable. If cost is an issue it would then depend on what your specific issues are you are trying to solve and how you use your boat. Long cruises, uneven loads and wave action of ocean or large open lake use might still sway me towards adjustable. I use my boat for watersports almost all the time and really just wanted to be able to pull the kids slower and stay on plane.

Size is not that fussy, as you may not want over-kill like I tend to prefer, as that requires more of a sense of control for guest drivers.

Tabman is a great resource for your boat (tell him brand, model number, size, engine size, desires, wants, disatisfactions with how the boat performs, the two altitudes, etc). He should have some good ideas on Sea Ray 190 Sundeck needs and fits. He tends to hang out at the Bennett factory web site (he works there) and/or the Bayliner board web site. I have met him, do not really know him.

Watch the pricing - July maybe the date for many suppliers price increases from many boat parts makers.

Just to add a bit of color w/ my experience and size considerations. The Smart Tabs have 5 manual adjustments that pretty much need to be done out of the water. I have the SX9510 80lb tabs and set them to the middle adjustment. This was too much tab and it was a strange feeling taking off completely flat; I had a rooster tail as well behind the boat at low to mid speeds. I reset to the weakest setting and my take off is nice now and no rooster tail. I still have a bit more of a water hump back there at lower speeds though than I remember w/o the tabs. They offered to change my rams to the 60lb when I first called but I haven't taken them up on it b/c I like my all-around performance now after changing the manual adjustment. Bottom line though, as Seabuddy says, you have much more on-the-fly operator controlled adjustment ability w/ hydraulic/electric tabs.

I have Lenco's on my 22 ft'er and would buy them again. And they do auto-retract when you turn the key off. Easy installation, I did it in my driveway.

BTW, the benefits of the Doel fin and similar is sort of like one of those Ford vs Chevy topics. Some people swear by them, others see no benefit at all.

My theory is that if they worked as advertised, why don't mfg's install them?

troop, that was my thought exactly about the sting ray, but they didn't put tabs on my boat either? What size tabs? You've got a 5.7 DP, right?

^^^^^

Because boat MFG's would get tired of replacing lower units under warranty...

What specific issue did they solve for you?