Maximum outboard motor weight and horsepower for a 26M?

[FrankH]

There is a 26M for sale with a 2005 70 hp Suzuki motor. That motor should weigh 335#. A new or recent Yamaha 70 hp 4 stroke (F70LA, 20" shaft) will weigh 253-260#.
Yamaha makes a lighter 2 stroke as well at 229# (70 HP, 20" shaft). I like sailing (my father had a Venture 23) but my teenage boys (6 feet tall) may want to do some beginner water skiing. Has anyone pulled one adult water skier with their 26M? 20" shaft OK? What motor(s) have you had good luck with?
Thanks,
Frank

 

[sail sfbay]

Apparently a 70 hp outboard will do 20+ knots (dee the first two threads below), which could tow a skier with double skis, wakeboarder or inflatable tube. Unlikely to tow a skier with a single unless the skier doesn't mind being a "sea anchor" for a while. The third thread is a youtube video of a Macgregor 26M with a 90 hp motor towing a wakeboarder. You might find the last 2 threads of interest on maximum motor hp size and speed. You can also do an internet search on water skiing with a Macgregor including how to set up a ski line, skiing with and without mast and boom and minimizing cabin weight.

https://macgregorsailboats.com/macgregor-26-powering-and-waterskiing/

Cruising Boat Spotlight: The MacGregor 26M

Like them or not, one thing that is indisputable about the MacGregor 26M is they have brought many non-sailors into the sailing universe.

asa.com

Maximum Outboard engine HP. - MacGregorSailors.com

How fast does a MacGregor really go?

I test sailed a Mac 26M today and was disappointed that it only was going 14 kts at 5100 RPM. Is this about right and is the marketing stuff about going 22kts bull? I can't see actuall pulling a skier but would like to pull my son on a tube.I am not sure if buying it is a good idea and...

forums.sailboatowners.com

 

[FrankH]

Apparently a 70 hp outboard will do 20+ knots (dee the first two threads below), which could tow a skier with double skis, wakeboarder or inflatable tube. Unlikely to tow a skier with a single unless the skier doesn't mind being a "sea anchor" for a while. The third thread is a youtube video of a Macgregor 26M with a 90 hp motor towing a wakeboarder. You might find the last 2 threads of interest on maximum motor hp size and speed. You can also do an internet search on water skiing with a Macgregor including how to set up a ski line, skiing with and without mast and boom and minimizing cabin weight.

https://macgregorsailboats.com/macgregor-26-powering-and-waterskiing/

Cruising Boat Spotlight: The MacGregor 26M

Like them or not, one thing that is indisputable about the MacGregor 26M is they have brought many non-sailors into the sailing universe.

asa.com

Maximum Outboard engine HP. - MacGregorSailors.com

How fast does a MacGregor really go?

I test sailed a Mac 26M today and was disappointed that it only was going 14 kts at 5100 RPM. Is this about right and is the marketing stuff about going 22kts bull? I can't see actuall pulling a skier but would like to pull my son on a tube.I am not sure if buying it is a good idea and...

forums.sailboatowners.com

Thank you very much for the reply! This was very helpful! In another forum, one user has had a 100 hp Suzuki on his 26m for years and still feels it was a great choice after several more years of use. He hit 26 mph. The modern Suzuki 70hp and 90 hp motors both weigh around 343# which is less than what the older Suzuki 100 hp motor weighed so it looks like 350# is OK. I will likely put a 90 hp motor on.

More replies to this thread are not needed from my end.