I want to buy a used late model MacGregor but am not interested in a 50 HP Outboard. I would like a late model with an outboard of about 10 HP. Before 1995 all Macs had a small outboard but I would like to buy a newer one. I would like some comments on this, i.e., advantages or disadvantages. How does the new type mac perform with a small outboard? I assume you can make 6 knots ok which is all I want. Also I would like to know if you can pull a Mac with a V6 SUV without 4WD. How about getting it out of the water? Thanks for any comments. Tip
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HP keeps us safe and neat.
I found that on a previous boat of the same size and weight of the Mac 26, when trying to beat a sudden storm back to the ramp, I couldn't get into the shallow harbor with 15hp running wide open while facing a 30 knot wind, four foot waves and a 4 knot outbound tide. It was even less fun trying to get the boat on the trailer in the midst of the storm after dark. Lesson learned. I'm happy to sacrifice a little sailing performance for the safety of more horses. Now, with the 50hp Mercury on the back of my M26X, I no longer have a power problem, or a time problem getting to port in a hurry if an unforecast storm pops up or a crew member or guest gets sick. Also consider that under certain shallow ramp conditions, or very steep ramp conditions,I'm not sure less than 25hp would allow you to drive the boat up onto the trailer for retrieval, necessitating wading out to attach the winch line and reeling it all the way in. As Captain, I've always had the rule that I don't get my feet wet exceptin an emergency. After twice seeing a crew member narrowly miss serious injury in a fall over a submerged trailer frame, and over a underwater cliff, I insist now that no one gets their feet wet loading or unloading. It's safer. Keeps muck off the boat, and out of the truck, too.
I found that on a previous boat of the same size and weight of the Mac 26, when trying to beat a sudden storm back to the ramp, I couldn't get into the shallow harbor with 15hp running wide open while facing a 30 knot wind, four foot waves and a 4 knot outbound tide. It was even less fun trying to get the boat on the trailer in the midst of the storm after dark. Lesson learned. I'm happy to sacrifice a little sailing performance for the safety of more horses. Now, with the 50hp Mercury on the back of my M26X, I no longer have a power problem, or a time problem getting to port in a hurry if an unforecast storm pops up or a crew member or guest gets sick. Also consider that under certain shallow ramp conditions, or very steep ramp conditions,I'm not sure less than 25hp would allow you to drive the boat up onto the trailer for retrieval, necessitating wading out to attach the winch line and reeling it all the way in. As Captain, I've always had the rule that I don't get my feet wet exceptin an emergency. After twice seeing a crew member narrowly miss serious injury in a fall over a submerged trailer frame, and over a underwater cliff, I insist now that no one gets their feet wet loading or unloading. It's safer. Keeps muck off the boat, and out of the truck, too.
Pulling with a 2wd six
I used to pull a V222 (hull #237) with a inline six Ford Fairlane. Car and boat weighted almost the same. I bought top of the line high performance rain tires for the car, and had no wheel spin problems getting out. However, caution! Creep down the ramp to launch the boat and ride the brake on the way down, stopping very slowly and gently. I once hit the brakes too hard on a wet, algae covered ramp and the car and boat slid about two feet farther than I'd intended. Scary! If the car had been a lot heavier, with the same good tires, it might not have happened. Whatever you pull with, it should have top of the line high performance all season or rain tires on the ground. The money spent is a lot less than retrieving your car and boat from the lake or bay bottom. And no, no factory sends it's cars or trucks out with good tires, just mediocre ones, unless you are into the $90K range..
I used to pull a V222 (hull #237) with a inline six Ford Fairlane. Car and boat weighted almost the same. I bought top of the line high performance rain tires for the car, and had no wheel spin problems getting out. However, caution! Creep down the ramp to launch the boat and ride the brake on the way down, stopping very slowly and gently. I once hit the brakes too hard on a wet, algae covered ramp and the car and boat slid about two feet farther than I'd intended. Scary! If the car had been a lot heavier, with the same good tires, it might not have happened. Whatever you pull with, it should have top of the line high performance all season or rain tires on the ground. The money spent is a lot less than retrieving your car and boat from the lake or bay bottom. And no, no factory sends it's cars or trucks out with good tires, just mediocre ones, unless you are into the $90K range..
Power
I pull my 26x with a 2wd v6 pickup. Before I pulled with 4wd v6 explorer. Never used 4wd. I just recently sailed Fl and Al waters with about 45 boats. One Mac X had a 10 hp mtr. Most of the other boats (Catalina, Hunter, Seward, Oday, etc.)had 3 to 5 hp motors. Mac is easier to push than these boats because of hull shape, but wind does have more of an effect on the hull. I have a 50 on mine because I wanted the speed under power capability to go along with sailing. If I didn't want the speed I would have no problem with a 10hp. I owned a cutter 24 and never had a problem with the 5 hp I used on it. I used an 8hp on a Hunter and had no problems.
I pull my 26x with a 2wd v6 pickup. Before I pulled with 4wd v6 explorer. Never used 4wd. I just recently sailed Fl and Al waters with about 45 boats. One Mac X had a 10 hp mtr. Most of the other boats (Catalina, Hunter, Seward, Oday, etc.)had 3 to 5 hp motors. Mac is easier to push than these boats because of hull shape, but wind does have more of an effect on the hull. I have a 50 on mine because I wanted the speed under power capability to go along with sailing. If I didn't want the speed I would have no problem with a 10hp. I owned a cutter 24 and never had a problem with the 5 hp I used on it. I used an 8hp on a Hunter and had no problems.
T
Terry
10HP???
I highly doubt that there are very many late model MacGregors out there for sale let alone one with less than 50Hp. Most folks buy it for the dual purpose it has and therefore use a 50+ Hp engine. You'll never regret going bigger but there is always regrets going smaller, the larger HP has too many advantages to list here. I tow my 26M with a 95 Chevy Blazer 4WD V6 SUV and it works just fine even in 2WD. I always thought it had to be 4WD to earn SUV title.
I highly doubt that there are very many late model MacGregors out there for sale let alone one with less than 50Hp. Most folks buy it for the dual purpose it has and therefore use a 50+ Hp engine. You'll never regret going bigger but there is always regrets going smaller, the larger HP has too many advantages to list here. I tow my 26M with a 95 Chevy Blazer 4WD V6 SUV and it works just fine even in 2WD. I always thought it had to be 4WD to earn SUV title.
R
Richard
26M with 9.9 hp
I have a 2004 26M with a 9.8 hp. I ran my boat all summer until I could afford a larger motor arriving next week. Small motor advantages: keeps the tongue weight low for hauling. with the new motor I have to add a weight in the forward berth. boat is probably a little faster,and possibly a tendency to less weather helm, though i don't know yet? Disadvantages: no electric start or remote steering. This is a must for handling an M comfortably. lifting the seat to control the motor and see where you're going is very exhausting. If you are lake sailing a 25 to 40 hp might work, as I've seen 1 or 2 x's with them. Resale is harder with low hp, but then they're cheaper, right? Good luck with whatever decision you make.
I have a 2004 26M with a 9.8 hp. I ran my boat all summer until I could afford a larger motor arriving next week. Small motor advantages: keeps the tongue weight low for hauling. with the new motor I have to add a weight in the forward berth. boat is probably a little faster,and possibly a tendency to less weather helm, though i don't know yet? Disadvantages: no electric start or remote steering. This is a must for handling an M comfortably. lifting the seat to control the motor and see where you're going is very exhausting. If you are lake sailing a 25 to 40 hp might work, as I've seen 1 or 2 x's with them. Resale is harder with low hp, but then they're cheaper, right? Good luck with whatever decision you make.
R
Richard
controls for any H.P.
I forgot to mention something: If you have "Teleflex" controls installed in your binnacle, they 1) actually fit inside, while many others do not. 2) can be adjusted so forward is actually forward. Some of the others have to be reversed.3) Can be retrofitted to almost any other size or brand motor. Get the one with tilt trim, and save all the little fittings in the bag..---The only trade off: My mechanic says teleflex isn't quite as tough as Yamaha, or Honda controls, but that can be dealt with.
I forgot to mention something: If you have "Teleflex" controls installed in your binnacle, they 1) actually fit inside, while many others do not. 2) can be adjusted so forward is actually forward. Some of the others have to be reversed.3) Can be retrofitted to almost any other size or brand motor. Get the one with tilt trim, and save all the little fittings in the bag..---The only trade off: My mechanic says teleflex isn't quite as tough as Yamaha, or Honda controls, but that can be dealt with.
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