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 would love some feedback on true performance under power and sail. Any opinions are welcomed before I make the commitment to buy. Thanks.
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70-90hp is what you need
check out these threads for a real understanding of the Mac with a 50hp vs larger motor. http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4594&start=0 http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5244&start=0 http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5473&highlight=motor http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5322&start=0 http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5826&start=0
check out these threads for a real understanding of the Mac with a 50hp vs larger motor. http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=4594&start=0 http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5244&start=0 http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5473&highlight=motor http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5322&start=0 http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5826&start=0
Mac speed
This is a long discussion!!! As mentioned to 26X model speed: Just substruct 1 knot for every 50 kilos of extra weight you put on the boat. If for example, you have 300 extra kilos (this is nothing. just cosider chains,anchors,water tank, gas,tools,toilet,drinking water,extras,people etc.)this makes 6 knots less. The 20 or 22 knots is a very good marketing tool for an absolutely empty vessel. In any case, just ask how many 26 feet sailing boats, can get 14 knots, and you have the answer.
This is a long discussion!!! As mentioned to 26X model speed: Just substruct 1 knot for every 50 kilos of extra weight you put on the boat. If for example, you have 300 extra kilos (this is nothing. just cosider chains,anchors,water tank, gas,tools,toilet,drinking water,extras,people etc.)this makes 6 knots less. The 20 or 22 knots is a very good marketing tool for an absolutely empty vessel. In any case, just ask how many 26 feet sailing boats, can get 14 knots, and you have the answer.
RPM's
Is 5100 rpm's the most you could get? If so, depending on what motor it had, sounds like about 2" of too much prop pitch.
Is 5100 rpm's the most you could get? If so, depending on what motor it had, sounds like about 2" of too much prop pitch.
The answer is complex.
Sultan, you can see from some of the recent 26x posts that speed on these boats is somewhat complex. I like the smaller, lighter 50hp motors. You need to know if the ballast was drained because the weight is much less when empty. My favorite (and cheapest) fix is a better prop for this boat. The fact that you were only getting 5100rpm is the key. For $60-100, you could get a new prop with a reduced pitch, perhaps 9 or 10, instead of the stock 13. This will increase the rpm's, give additional power, and get the boat up on a level plane which will add speed. Good luck!
Sultan, you can see from some of the recent 26x posts that speed on these boats is somewhat complex. I like the smaller, lighter 50hp motors. You need to know if the ballast was drained because the weight is much less when empty. My favorite (and cheapest) fix is a better prop for this boat. The fact that you were only getting 5100rpm is the key. For $60-100, you could get a new prop with a reduced pitch, perhaps 9 or 10, instead of the stock 13. This will increase the rpm's, give additional power, and get the boat up on a level plane which will add speed. Good luck!
22mph not knots
Not sure why Macgregor does this but his site and materials talk about speed in miles per hour not knots. So 22mph = 19.18 knots per hour. If you are looking for a great water skiing boat this ain't it. If you are looking for a sailboat you can motor fast when you need to, the Mac might be the ticket for you. I'm able to do a comfortable 15 knots with 60hp Etec at 5100 rpm and no ballast but loaded up for Catalina in calm conditions.
Not sure why Macgregor does this but his site and materials talk about speed in miles per hour not knots. So 22mph = 19.18 knots per hour. If you are looking for a great water skiing boat this ain't it. If you are looking for a sailboat you can motor fast when you need to, the Mac might be the ticket for you. I'm able to do a comfortable 15 knots with 60hp Etec at 5100 rpm and no ballast but loaded up for Catalina in calm conditions.
easy 20-22 mph
I have an Evinrude E-tec 50, and achieve 20-22 MPH, and pull adults on a tube with seat of their pants adventure to their delight, wot at 5600.
I have an Evinrude E-tec 50, and achieve 20-22 MPH, and pull adults on a tube with seat of their pants adventure to their delight, wot at 5600.
Honda 50
I have a new (last april) M26, with a Honda 50, also new. I didn't know how fast I was going until I installed speedometer, GPS, Fishfinder package, Iam only getting 9.9 mph with an empty ballast, so I just dropped off the boat at the Honda dealer to install a tach, and check out the RPMs. Iam sure it has a large prop, but that couldn't be the only problem. I'll post the results when I get it back in the water.
I have a new (last april) M26, with a Honda 50, also new. I didn't know how fast I was going until I installed speedometer, GPS, Fishfinder package, Iam only getting 9.9 mph with an empty ballast, so I just dropped off the boat at the Honda dealer to install a tach, and check out the RPMs. Iam sure it has a large prop, but that couldn't be the only problem. I'll post the results when I get it back in the water.
9.9mph?
9.9mph? Wow from what I hear the Honda isn't the fastest and lightest engine but something is going on with your engine.
9.9mph? Wow from what I hear the Honda isn't the fastest and lightest engine but something is going on with your engine.
Check list
To get maximum speed from your Mac check these things are true: 1 No ballast. 3 Clean bottom. 4 Only lightweight helmsperson on board. 5 No water, or other cargo on board and only enough gas to operate for test. No boom or mast or other gear on deck. 6 Centerboard or dagger all the way up. 7 Throttle cable allows full opening of carb or throttle body. 8 Prop lets you get recommended maximum rpm from motor at WOT 9 Motor is trimmed so prop shaft is level with water surface at WOT 10 Prop is not drawing air beneath anti cavitation plate. 11 Calm wind condition, no waves or currents. Doesn't sound like much fun for the family does it? A speed boat it isn't. A versatile family boat it is. Load up with everything you need for a two week trip under sail and then see what you get under realistic wind, wave and load conditions. Then, 16 mph under motor with no ballast and 12 mph with ballast will seem very reasonable for 50 hp. That's what I get with my ten year old Merc 50 2 stroke, and it's the envy of a lot of big boat sailors around the docks. And the 50 ft cruisers with 150 hp inboards won't be able to keep up with you...
To get maximum speed from your Mac check these things are true: 1 No ballast. 3 Clean bottom. 4 Only lightweight helmsperson on board. 5 No water, or other cargo on board and only enough gas to operate for test. No boom or mast or other gear on deck. 6 Centerboard or dagger all the way up. 7 Throttle cable allows full opening of carb or throttle body. 8 Prop lets you get recommended maximum rpm from motor at WOT 9 Motor is trimmed so prop shaft is level with water surface at WOT 10 Prop is not drawing air beneath anti cavitation plate. 11 Calm wind condition, no waves or currents. Doesn't sound like much fun for the family does it? A speed boat it isn't. A versatile family boat it is. Load up with everything you need for a two week trip under sail and then see what you get under realistic wind, wave and load conditions. Then, 16 mph under motor with no ballast and 12 mph with ballast will seem very reasonable for 50 hp. That's what I get with my ten year old Merc 50 2 stroke, and it's the envy of a lot of big boat sailors around the docks. And the 50 ft cruisers with 150 hp inboards won't be able to keep up with you...
speed
I can frequently do 8.6 knots (down wind)according to GPS with full balast, camping gears, beer, wine, food and the motor up. Sorry mine is a 26S with a tiny 8 hp motor. 8.6 knots = 10 mph. Not bad without burning gas. You are right, 26M is a good compromise between sail and slow motoring. So depending on what you like. If pure speed is what you want a Bayliner may be more suitable. 26M/X would sail very fast lugging a hugh motor at the back. To sail close haul fast you need the weight up front.
I can frequently do 8.6 knots (down wind)according to GPS with full balast, camping gears, beer, wine, food and the motor up. Sorry mine is a 26S with a tiny 8 hp motor. 8.6 knots = 10 mph. Not bad without burning gas. You are right, 26M is a good compromise between sail and slow motoring. So depending on what you like. If pure speed is what you want a Bayliner may be more suitable. 26M/X would sail very fast lugging a hugh motor at the back. To sail close haul fast you need the weight up front.
Check the pitot speedometer
You might want to check the speedo with a gps unit or times mile etc. These things if a pitot tube can be quite far from accurate. Then again you may have an engine / boat problem too. We'd like to hear the results when it's all wrapped up. Steve P.
You might want to check the speedo with a gps unit or times mile etc. These things if a pitot tube can be quite far from accurate. Then again you may have an engine / boat problem too. We'd like to hear the results when it's all wrapped up. Steve P.
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