motor selection for mac 25
- Thread starter debi97325
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Definitely get an EXTRA long shaft if possible. Otherwise if you have to motor in short chop your prop won't be in the air so much (prop in air while motoring = not good).
I don't know the max HP for a Mac25 but its 10 HP for a Venture V224 which is basically the same thing. Having too much HP isn't always a good thing. When I first got our boat the motor didn't run so well forcing some high rpm gear engagements. I was aghast at the amount of transom flex - especially in reverse.
Weight is also an issue.
We have a Honda 4stroke 8hp long shaft out board for our ven25. It performs well and is reliable, I think last year we used about 3 gallons of gas for the whole season.
Hi debi97325, I have two Macgregors 25 a 1981 and a 1985, I have used on both a 4 stroke Tohatsu 5hp and a Honda 4 stroke 10Hp. These boats are rated to handle no more than a 10Hp engine, although I have seen some crazy folks with 15 and even 20Hp on their Macgregor 25s. With that said I did reinforce the back plate on both boats and upgrated the motor mount because the mount that comes with these boats from the factory is rated to hold 5Hp max, I sopke with the Macgregor manufacture about this. So the decision is yours as to how much power you want. I personally like the 10Hp much better and feel safer with it. And about the length, you can not go any shorter than a Long shaft, if you can afford the extra long, go for it, both motors I have are extra long. Happy sailing. Christian
When I first got my V25, I used my Merc 3.4hp 2 stroke extra long shaft motor. It moved the fully loaded boat along just under 6kn in moderately calm conditions (wind 5-10, seas around 1') with no problems. I wouldn't recommend using a motor this small for heavier conditions, but the point I'm making is that the boat moves well with low power. I've upgraded to an 8hp Johnson 2 stroke, and have never had any issues with wind or current. It burns about a gallon an hour at full power.
+1 on the extra long shaft. My Johnson is only a 'long shaft', and I have trouble in short chop keeping the prop in the water.
+1 on the extra long shaft. My Johnson is only a 'long shaft', and I have trouble in short chop keeping the prop in the water.
My M25 came with a Honda 7.5 HP 4 cycle long shaft and it work very well. It drives the boat at hull speed and sips fuel.
I have a 6hp Envirunde 4 -cycle long shaft from West Marine. Only problems while running with or parallel to short chop, but can compensate with steering adjustments. Get about 1/2 gallons per hour. Never needed any more power, and I'm on Chesapeake.
I know you already bought your motor, but just a quickie - Monday I was out in my V25 with my 8hp Johnson, and I got myself into a situation... I was trying to get under the Mount Hope bridge in RI, and I got caught in irons in the worst spot possible - too close to shore to bring it about, pointing into close to 30kn winds, with 3' chop on the nose. With the main up and flailing, and fighting the current under the bridge (about 1 to 1.5 kn), I fired up the Iron Jenny and made headway at about 5 kn no problem. So, I would say that your 6 should be more than enough for just about anything 
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