Outboard HP recommendations?

[Carter Mac 26]

Boat - 1993 MacGregor 26S purchased in April. Present engine - 1992 Honda 9.9 hp included with the boat purchase. No ocean sailing but some limited open-sound (Pamlico Sound NC) cruising. Mostly large river and lake sailing.
I'm looking at new Yamaha 6hp ($1,600) and 8hp ($2,200) motors, both long shaft. Several years ago, we had a San Juan 23 with a 6hp long shaft and it did everything we wanted and needed. The MacGregor is lighter than many 26 ft boats so I'm thinking the 6hp will be adequate, considering the kind of cruising we do. The Honda 9.9 is 24 years old, doesn't like to start when hot, and stalls when idling-down to approach the dock. Due to some interesting situations when the engine stalled, I've become good at "coasting" the boat to the dock. I've made several adjustments to the Honda, including cleaning the carb, adjusting the idle mixture and speed, etc but I'm ready for a new engine. Any suggestions on engines and hp ratings, is appreciated.

 

[Justin_NSA]

If you don't have to fight weather or currents, the smaller motor might do. I upgraded from a 5hp to a 9.9 on my 26S.

 

[Brian D]

My Lancer 27 (displacement 4600 lbs) uses a 9.9 outboard. I can't remember the conditions in NC so your call. But check the displacement of your 26. I don't recommend going too small, you may need the extra humph the 10 HP will give you.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I push my 25 footer, displacing 5300 dry, probably 7500 loaded, with an 8 HP Yamaha running at the start setting-about half throttle. I think the new 6hp Yamahas are 1 cylinder, where the 8 HP is two. The 8 will be much smoother, but the 6 will be good power

 

[timangiel]

The basic rule of thumb is 1 hp for every 500 lbs of displacement. I think it is true that the 6 hp is 1 cylinder and the 8 is 2 cylinder and runs smoother, but will also be heavier if that matters to you. The 8 hp and the 9.9 are the same engine with different carbs and weigh about the same. If the 6 is too small, I would consider the 9.9.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Just don't get carried away and hang more engine back there than you really need

 

[Tony_Furst]

The only thing I can add is that the 8 Hp and up usually have electric start and an alternator built in whereas the 6 is pull start and the alternator is an add-on.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

The only thing I can add is that the 8 Hp and up usually have electric start and an alternator built in whereas the 6 is pull start and the alternator is an add-on.

Yamaha's can be had either way. My 8 HP is a rope start, no alternator.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Yamaha's can be had either way. My 8 HP is a rope start, no alternator.

Ditto on my '03 Merc 9.9. Pull start, no alternator. It's all I needed.

 

[jibes138]

I had a Catalina 25 with a 9.9 merc and replaced it with an 8HP. The 8 was adequate HP for that size boat. A few thoughts though on the Pamlico sound, you don't get currents in the sound but you do in the ICW cuts as the tides start to have an effect, 8HP should still be fine for that boat. The chop in the sound is where you may have trouble, in high winds the waves get very steep and short period and are tough to punch through, each wave wants to stall your forward speed, also with an outboard the prop will pop out of the water as the boat pitches. More power won't help, just choose your weather wisely and in the chop it is better to sail than try to motor through it.

 

[Carter Mac 26]

Many good replies.

Per the 1 hp per 500 lbs of displacement ratio

I had a Catalina 25 with a 9.9 merc and replaced it with an 8HP. The 8 was adequate HP for that size boat. A few thoughts though on the Pamlico sound, you don't get currents in the sound but you do in the ICW cuts as the tides start to have an effect, 8HP should still be fine for that boat. The chop in the sound is where you may have trouble, in high winds the waves get very steep and short period and are tough to punch through, each wave wants to stall your forward speed, also with an outboard the prop will pop out of the water as the boat pitches. More power won't help, just choose your weather wisely and in the chop it is better to sail than try to motor through it.

We had some serious chop in the Pamlico Sound, were heading straight into it, and the Honda 9.9 hp handled it fine. The 6 hp is $600.00 less and it'll handle 95% of what we'll see on the water but I think I'll go with the 8 hp. Many good replies and opinions. Thanks guys!

 

[Carter Mac 26]

If you don't have to fight weather or currents, the smaller motor might do. I upgraded from a 5hp to a 9.9 on my 26S.

Sure. I don't want to spend more money than is required but if we're on the Pamilco Sound with the 6 hp and the weather goes from calm to rough in 45 minutes, as it did last trip, I'll be kicking myself if we have trouble getting through it. Plus, I'll like the smoothness of the 2 cylinders. I'll go with the 8 hp.

 

[AndyVS]

I upgraded my 26S this year to a Merc 9.9 extra long shaft with command thrust lower unit. The larger prop gives me much better control docking when it't too shallow to use the rudder. Having the shifter and throttle control on motor tiller makes it easy to make small adjustments quickly. The extra long shaft & retractable motor mount kept the prop in the water on Lake Michigan when it got lumpy.

 

[tjar]

I had a 7.5hp Honda on my old Mac 26D. Although it pushed the boat just fine at 5kts with about mid throttle, I don't think I would want anything smaller. The boat was a little slow to respond whenever I tried to get going or to stop, but you get used to it and learn to anticipate when you need to add power.

 

[Chris Patterson]

I have never heard said, " You know, I wish we had a little less horse power."

Never..

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

but I have heard said, "Man! I wish this engine were lighter."
I would take a long look at the tohatsu 6 sail pro with 25" shaft. A fuel sipper. Good luck.

 

[agprice22]

...and electric start with an alternator! It is really nice to have the battery charged.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

1+ on the 8hp. but the pitch is really the key. the mac board had a long thread on prop pitch and 3 vs 4 blades.

I had a mac26 and found raising the main help a lot with the cavitation in a short chop.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Carter Mac 26;

I use to be one of the most prominent small sailboat dealers on the east coast with my primary location in Zebulon where 64 and 264 split selling Macs, Hunters, Catalina, Precision and so on. I know the Pamlico Sound very well. My company was called American Marine & Sail Supply.

You are correct about the currents but they are there besides the ICW. Good example is New Bern and Washington with the rivers. As for tidal current, the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds are affected by winds which affect the tides as that is controlled by wind tides. Yes there are waves but not like the oceans due to the depth in many places. Many areas are shallow and you have to swing out way far and a good example coming off the ICW going to Oriental, you have to swing way out as it is too shallow even for for your boat on the starboard. Also if you want to explore, the 6 is underpowered if you want to get to where you are going faster plus the places are distant. Good example is the ride from Little Washington to Oriental via the ICW.

As for the 8 and 9.9, generally with all brands they are the same block but the carburetion is different. With the four stroke you get better gas mileage and not as loud as the old two stroke. Suggest that you go with a 9.9 electric start which will also be able to recharge batteries. I have motored and sailed a lot in these areas as a dealer. Thus this is what I use to supply with the boats going to that area with the 8 or 9.9 electric start with alternator to recharge battery or batteries.

When a hurricane is coming, get the boat out no questions asked. If leaving the boat in the water I found Trinidad SR to be the best anti fouling paint for the area. I would not leave the engine in the water. Make sure you flush with fresh water time to time and check the zinc on a regular basis as there are fools out there who do not respect electrical current. that is another day and story to tell you. Across from New Bern and I forget the name of the place where you turn behind the Food Lion or Kroger, is a do it yourself yard with travel lift and then there are several good yards in Oriental to include Sailcraft and Tritions. West Marine has a mega store over in Moorehead City with a good supply of sailboat hardware. There is a location on the left going into Oriental with a good supply as well.

I hope this helps you.

crazy dave condon

 

[Ken Cross]

We had a Mac 26D for 9 years in Puget Sound. We had a Honda 9.9 and I purchased a Honda 2 for the dink.
Only 1 time in those years did I want more than the 9.9 due to strong tidal current. Most of the time I ran 1/2 throttle.
a couple times I ran the 2hp and it pushed us between 4 1/2 and 5 miles per hour with the boat well loaded.

I'd be looking for the lightest weight motor that will do the job, but absolutely a 4 stroke. I've never had any problem starting a motor so electric start seems like a waste of weight and cost to me. My manual start Honda charged my battery. Many Mac owners don't tow with the motor installed. Weight is a big deal when taking the motor on and off at each launch. More power may not be needed. Certainly not in most circumstances. Ask yourself if you want to buy for the 2% or for the 98% of your use.

Having said all that, the noise of a 2 cylinder engine is going to be much quieter than from a single. Noise is a big deal to me.
I also moved the axle aft on our trailer to eliminate the sway problem so I did tow with the motor installed.
Ken