Mac 26C owners and O.Bs

[rgranger]

How many of you Mac 26C owners mount your outboard directly in the transom cut out and how many of you use a retractable motor mount?

It looks like I'll be the proud owner of a Mac 26D within the week and this boat has the O.B. directly in the well. My Mac 22' has the same cut out but it came with a motor mounts so on my Mac 22' I have my O.B. on a motor mount and I use the well to hold a 3 gal gas tank.

If you have a strong preference for one way or the other, I'd like to hear your thoughts about the pros and cons.

 

[Sumner]

I guess it depends on the outboard mainly and how far it turns and the tank location.

We had the Honda 8 HP in the well and since there were just the two of us kept the tank....

...on the port cockpit seat (tied down there). You can see the top (red) of the tank behind the cushion there. I folded the cushion and would sit there a lot with my back on it. The Honda was small enough to pivot over a large range in the well.

The newer extra long shaft Tohatsu is too big to turn well in the well, but if you are precise on where....

...you mount it then some turning is possible.

Still one reason for getting the extra long shaft was with....

... a mount installed that raises it so that it is in the water the same as a long shaft the controls are now higher and somewhat easier to reach. Still I added ....

... extensions to the controls to make it much easier to control.

All of the above info with pictures starts here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-25.html

So do you know what outboard you will be using and congrats on the new boat. Guess that means the other boat is sold :dance:,

Sum

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[finding41]

My long shaft Johnson 8 is in the motor well. There is a piece of plywood attached to the back of my transom. (I hope it isn't glued on.) The motor doesn't turn worth beans but the rudder does a good job. My tiller handle hits the Port side when I try to turn the boat to Starboard.
I kind of wish the motor had a bit more power. The owners manual says we can put up to 15hp. That would get it moving!
You will want to check in the laz to see if there are any cracks around the inside at the back of the motor well. I can climb right inside of mine. Here are some pictures of mine. Note: The trim is not original and I still think there is something up with my boat perhaps being taken apart. (the motor well area would have to be cut along the transom. I think mine was...)
Pictures are first two each side of the motor from behind the boat. (Not a lot of room on each side.)
Next two are inside the laz Starboard then Port sides of motor well.
If anyone else has bondo back there please let me know... I'm pretty sure it didn't leave the factory that way.

 

[rgranger]

so do you know what outboard you will be using and congrats on the new boat. Guess that means the other boat is sold :dance:,

Hey Sum

A guy from the coast is supposed to come pick up my Mac 22 Thursday. I spent the weekend cleaning her and buffing... she is really looking nice right now and I got a lump thinking about parting with her... but I have a plan so.... on we go.

The boat I'm getting is coming with a Johnson 6 but it is 2-stroke so I will sell that. I like the Tohatsu sail drive. It has the high thrust prop and comes with alternator installed.

 

[rgranger]

I still think there is something up with my boat perhaps being taken apart. (the motor well area would have to be cut along the transom. I think mine was...)

It is hard to tell from the pic but it kind of looks like someone ran a cable for a transponder through a hole in your transom. If that is the case it probably is not a big deal. Or maybe you had some cracks that were leaking and they bondo patched it?

 

[Doc_holiday]

My mercury 9.9 is in the well and it turns ok. It's a long shaft but probably needs to be an extra long. When I go forward to raise the jib it hits the surface. It doesn't have a tiller to get in the way and has a remote throttle box. Backing is a pain without a tiller as I have to turn it manually. I did however, use a long clamp used in woodworking as a tiller clamped over the top (until it went swimming with the fishes)

If I had the $ I would figure out how to install a small inboard. Has anyone seen on some older columbia's they have a hole in the laz with a thick raised wall and the OB sits down in there. This would put the prop forward of the rudder dead center. This would be the ticket but would take a lot of work to do.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I shimmed the OB with wood to move the pivot point back a half inch or so, and it helped. I can turn the motor one direction, (stb) and that is enough.

 

[finding41]

It is hard to tell from the pic but it kind of looks like someone ran a cable for a transponder through a hole in your transom. If that is the case it probably is not a big deal. Or maybe you had some cracks that were leaking and they bondo patched it?

Yep. Me. Well I just made the existing hole bigger. I plan a small cover to be fitted over the hole.
The bondo is on the inside and painted over with Flex Rock paint or something similar. If you look close you can see the bolt length is bigger. And there is some brown glue stuff around the motor well at the back. I'm going to knock the stair nose off and see what is underneath.

 

[Sumner]

.. I like the Tohatsu sail drive. It has the high thrust prop and comes with alternator installed.

If you are getting the 6 HP that should turn well. We used our 5 HP Nissan the first 3-4 day trip, but I can't remember much from that trip except it worked well on the boat. We didn't have to do any close maneuvering though, but I think due to its smaller size vs. the 9.8 that it turned fine,

Sum

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[Sumner]

I shimmed the OB with wood to move the pivot point back a half inch or so, and it helped. I can turn the motor one direction, (stb) and that is enough.

I did that with the Honda and it worked well and also tried it with the 9.8 Tohatsu and it helped about like what you are saying. Then I added the new mount,

Sum

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[Sumner]

My mercury 9.9 is in the well and it turns ok...

What is the picture of? Doesn't look like a Mac unless you have done an extensive mod ,

Sum

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Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Doc_holiday]

It's not, it's from a Columbia but what I was saying is that this would be a cool mod for someone who is good with fiberglass. Additionally, it keeps the motor out of view (my buddy just had his new motor stolen) and as I said, it would put your prop forward of the rudder and deeper in the water.

 

[rgranger]

I used to have a Coronado 25' with this sort of set up. I called it a faux transom motor well. It was okay but you do lose the ability to turn the motor for tight maneuvering. I also kept the gas can in that same space which was nice. The fumes can escape out the hole and keeps everything safe and clean-er.

Everything is a trade-off on some level.

 

[doehunter]

8hp Honda stays mounted directly on the well.
When I'm not docking, I leave the motor's tiller down. It holds the motor straight/ish.
When I need to maneuver in tight quarters, I just put the tiller up and the motor turns fine. I can use it and the rudder together when I have to.