comparison honda bf 50 chart to macgregor 26x perf

[george smith]

I am relatively new to sailing. I have a chart from Honda that says at 4000rpm`s the speed would be 15.3 knots and fuel consumption would be 1.3 gph. How close to this will the Mac Gregor26x be? Would this be a good choice for a coastal cruiser?

 

[dan]

Cargo and Passengers?

Hi GeorgeFuel consumption and speed will depend on yourweight and ballast.I can do 8k max at 4000rpm with ballast, gearand (2) passengers. Take out the ballast and you have maybe 10k. Usually cruise at 4-5k and1500-2000rpm. The Mac claims are an EMPTY boatwith NO MAST and NO BALLAST. I always haveballast in for safety and better handling.The Honda 50 is a great reliable motor. You willneed 5000-5500 rpm at sea level to plane anEMPTY Mac 26X. Talk to local sailors firstbefore you purchase anything.happy motoring....dan

 

[Jim Mckirdy]

Honda 50

I installed a 50hp honda on our 26X. The honda has performed very well without any problems. The following represents speed and fuel consumption on our 26X.2000RPM= 8mph= 14miles a gal.3000RPM=12mph= 12miles a gal.3500RPM=15mph= 11miles a gal.4500RPM=18mph= 10miles a gal.5500RPM=23mph= 8miles a gal.The above data is compiled at sea level via a boat log and chart plotting GPS. I carry 12 gallons normally. 24 gallons on long Atlantic or Gulf trips. I have never owned a boat with steering and handling such as the Macgregor 26X.As a power boat I can launch anywhere here in the shallow waters of Florida. I can also go over sandbars during high tide and because of my 20+ years in the coast guard I feel the 26X is the safest boat available. Since 1998 I must have helped over 200 stranded boaters and now I am active with the Coast Guard Aux. in Daytona Beach Florida. My feeling is that I own the right boat for me. A word of warning "IN HEAVY SEAS USE THE BALAST FEATURE OF THE 26X". Use comon sense and I recomend every boat owner take a boating safty course. Life would be so much more enjoyable underway. Also put a life jacket on any person that can not swim. You as a boat owner are 100% responsible for the safty of your guest and your boat. Don't take chances and know what you are doing at all times.

 

[Dave Daniels]

Correct Prop?

Jim: Thanks for the data on RPM/Speed relationship and your time in the Coast Guard. I recently changed my Honda 50 prop from the original 11 3/4 X 10 to a 10 7/8 X 11. Do you think I've changed the operating conditions too much?

 

[Stewart]

rigged or not?

Jim,The performance info you give on the 26x, is that motoring with the boat stripped, no rigging whatsoever?

 

[Jim]

Jim M.'s Honda 50

Your information on the Honda 50 looks great.I'll have to try this out on the Yamaha 50 thatis on my 26X. No doubt, you have seen all the hoopla online about the question of the safety of the Mac 26X.Its refreshing to see your comments, about the boat. Your profession, and experience, says a lot. I've seen documentaries, on the U.S. Coast Guard, especially the training you folksgo through. I can't think of anyone else better qualified to talk about safety of a boat than that.You give good advice. As we know, there are others that should heed your advice but won't.Its a shame, as they are the ones that will give any boat a bad name, and the ones we will read about not making it home. Its then the people in the Coast Guard that have to risk their lives to save the ones that got them selves in that situation because they Did'nt know, did'nt care, or thought they knew it all.Smooth Sailing, and Best of WindsP. S. My rule on my boat is. Wear a life jacket any way. The cold water is most unforgiving!