Best outboard for my boat?

[Steve Abernathy]

Opinions sought on the best outboard for my Macgregor 26D. 2-stroke or 4? Is 15 hp too much? What is best hp for this boat? HELP!

 

[Jeff Stone]

Best outboard

Steve... I just bought a Nissan 9.8 2-stroke with a 25" shaft. Would love to have bought a 9.9 4-stroke, but weight was a factor for me. The 2-stroke is 61 lbs. compared to 114 lbs for the 4-stroke.The 9.8 seems to be perfect if used motoring into the wind.Unfortunatly I had to buy mine in Nevada, as they are Illegal for the dealers to sell in California. Check out Nissan Marines web site. Good luck Kepi 26D

 

[Colin]

Try to go 4 stroke!

If you consider the environment ar all, you will go with a 4 stroke. What you see in California you will eventually see all across the states. Small 2 stroke engines will be banned.

 

[Mark Mohler]

Mac 26D engine horsepower required

Steve, I too have a 1989 26D. The displacement hull speed is 6.5 knots. The energy required to obtain this speed is 7 HP. Anything more is just more engine weight and more fuel consumption to achieve very little additional speed. While the 26 can go into semiplaning when overpowered downwind, the additional HP to go beyond 6.5 knots under power is MUCH greater and will yield very little for your money. For additional power against headseas, chop, and headwinds, figure an 8 HP 2-stroke (for lightweight) outboard with the largest diameter 3 blade prop it will accept. Also, the 26 is not designed to have anything larger than a 10HP outboard hanging from the transom.