Realistic average motoring speed for a 26S ?

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zjtr10

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Jan 11, 2010
33
macgregor 26S Odessa
I am sure it's been asked and answered before but I have not found what I need by searching so I'll ask my question.:redface:

What would you expect to be the realistic sustained average speed of your average 26S with average load over a 100 NM trip using a 9.8 Nissan ?

I am not talking about racing but in a hurry to get there none the less.

I ask because I am considering tagging along with the TMCA club from Kemah, Tx to Lake Charles, La. They plan on going up the ICW motoring all the way. I was asked if I could make 6 knots or better. So the question is ... "Will I be able to keep up" ?
 
walt

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,550
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
Its been a while but I think we motored comfortably for long distance with the 26S at about 6.3 to 6.6 mph. This was slightly pushing the outboard (also a 9.8 hp four stroke Nissan) - maybe 1/2 throttle or so and I got about the same MPG as Sumner did. This was at just under 4000 ft el.

At full throttle, I get that boat up to about 7.1 mph max at about 5000 ft. el.

6 knots is 6.9 mph so you might be burning a little extra gas and pushing things a little? All my numbers are at higher elevation on lakes.
 
C

chp

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Sep 13, 2010
440
Hunter 280 hamilton
I two agree with Sumners numbers. I usually motor at 5.5knts with a Merc. 15 hp. I burn between 2-3 lts per hr. I've pushed the boat to 7 knts with still a lot of throttle left, but I worry about damaging the transom.
 
Dogleg

Dogleg

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Nov 10, 2012
42
macgregor 26s Canyon lake
Hi I sent you PM. I am from Odessa also. I would think you could put out some sail and save gas. by motorsailing. Should have plenty of wind on the coast.
 
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Robspan

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Apr 30, 2006
610
Macgregor 26s Kemah, TX
I used to cruise a lot with TMCA until a couple of years ago, when a new grandchild, a new house and a lot of other excuses intervened. There were many different boats, some of which would have needed a tow to get near 5 knots. I never had any trouble keeping up with the group, though I never cruised that far with them - just across and down Galveston Bay.

I suspect the cruise will wind up being fragmented according to boat speed, so you'll probably have company at whatever speed you make.

I have a two stroke Tohatsu 9.9, and it has no problem hitting 6, but it pulls some wake at that speed so it's less efficient and works the engine a little more. But if your engine is in good shape, I would think it would be fine.

Btw, TMCA is a terrific bunch of people, and I'm sure you'll really enjoy the trip.
 
MrBill_FLL

MrBill_FLL

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May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
What kind of prop do you have? pitch? what about fuel? will one of the bigger boats carry some for you?
 
tkanzler

tkanzler

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Sep 5, 2007
689
MacGregor 26X Rochester
The theoretical hull speed with a 23.5 ft water line length is about 6.5 kts, so I would think you could do 6 knots all day long without straining the engine. While you can push a boat above the hull speed, the power required goes up steeply, but you're comfortably below that, IMO.
 
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Robspan

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Apr 30, 2006
610
Macgregor 26s Kemah, TX
Hull speed is the theoretical maximum but the closer you get to it the more power it takes. That's why you see power boats pulling a lot of wake before they get onto a plane.
The power you need to approach hull speed goes up exponentially so that's why you need to watch the consumption as you increase the throttle.
Bottom line: I'd measure how much fuel you consume in an hour at 6k and take a 30-50% cushion.
 
Z

zjtr10

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Jan 11, 2010
33
macgregor 26S Odessa
Thanks to all for the great input. Let me try to answer a few question and ideas that were raised.
I have a black plastic factory (?) fuel tank in the laz that holds 12 gallons and I think I could fit 3 extra 5 gallon jerry cans in there as well. So I should have plenty of fuel. Yes, motor sailing would help extend my range plus it will settle the boat down some what.

I have a 3 blade 8.5 inch prop with a 7.5 pitch. I am open to suggestions about using a different size or pitch.

The motor is nearly new with less than 100 hours on it so I don't see a problem there.
 
onecoolair

onecoolair

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Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
Dogleg said:
What is the TMCA?
Click to expand
"Texas Mariners Cruising Association" The largest sailing club on the gulf coast. BTW.....They also have a land yacht division.
 
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Robspan

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Apr 30, 2006
610
Macgregor 26s Kemah, TX
Texas Mariners Cruising Association
It's a group of boaters - sail and power - who organize cruises to places on Galveston Bay and to farther points east and west. They have a website which you should be able to google if you're interested.
 
Z

zjtr10

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Jan 11, 2010
33
macgregor 26S Odessa
Dogleg said:
What is the TMCA?
Click to expand
Their website is tmca.nu dues are $35 a year for single and $50 for couple. Lots of social dock parties, a sailing trip several times a year. They also organize bare boat charters amongst themselves.

Most members have larger boats than us. I think I am the "baby" of the bunch at 26 feet.:eek:
 
onecoolair

onecoolair

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Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
zjtr10 said:
Their website is tmca.nu dues are $35 a year for single and $50 for couple. Lots of social dock parties, a sailing trip several times a year. They also organize bare boat charters amongst themselves.

Most members have larger boats than us. I think I am the "baby" of the bunch at 26 feet.:eek:
Click to expand
You do not have to own a boat to be a member of TMCA . And if you do, size and type does not matter you just have love boating or love being on or near the water.
 
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