The tabs are useful when riding in quartering waves and having an unbalanced load. They will also help when planing off with a heavy load or a higher drive height.

If you want them to improve chine walk, that's not a reason to have them. Learn the boat without them and you'll be much better off.

Your much better off going with full hydrolic steering before getting tabs. I do not seem to have a need for them on my 260, after I learned how to properly drive it. On anything LARGER than a 28, or with duals, I would be more apt to use them.

I have had 280 with a 502 Mag since 1998. It came without tabs and I have no problems. I often run in Lake Erie where it can get rough.

However, if you feel you need them after running it for a while....get them. There has been some discussion on if they should be mounted parallel with the bottom or level. Either way as far as type, size, mounting position, I would make a call to Velocity. They are great to talk to and will not lead you wrong.


I agree with Redhook, if you don't have hydraluic steering get it first.

Thanks for the help guys. I am going to do the full hydrolic steering (not sure if single or dual). That's what got me thinking about installing tabs if I was there doing the steering.

On a side not anyone know the fuel tank size on a 2002?

What props you guys running with a stock 496?

Should be a 80 gal. tank
i would think a 375hp 496 you would want to start with a 24p or 25p hydro or a 26p B1
i have tabs and use them all the time, do i NEED them: well no but they let me get on plane at 2200 rpm so in my head they are saving me some wear on the drive.

Sorry I forgot to mention it is a 496HO (425hp). I have a Mercury labbed Bravo 28 on it now. Turns 4400-4600rpm according to the Garriff tach (not sure how accurate it is). According to the Garriff speedo i had it 72mph on friday with 1/2 tank of gas and just my 9 year old son about 4500-4600. I'm wondering if a labbed 26 Bravo would be better?

It had a labbed 28 hydromotive on it when I bought it. On a gps it went 68mph with 3 adults,1/2 tank of fuel, full running gear on fresh water. I hated that prop cause it would cavitate and spin all the time. (its for sale if anyone is interested ).

I think you would be about where you want to with a stock Bravo 1 26-p prop. I believe this is what Velocity puts on the 260 and 280's from the factory. Seems to give me the best all-around performance between a good hole-shot, towing skiers, robustness when hitting crab pots, and top speed. I max out at 75-76 on GPS with this prop and I am hitting a shade over 5000 RPM. Your 280 should be very similar to my 260 with the exception of a little more weight.

You would be better off with a 26p. You want to be able to reach max RPM and right now your about 400 to low.

What are you looking to get for the 28p hydro?

$400. If your interested I'll email you some pictures.