I'm just now buying a 2001 26 Mac. It has 50hpr Johnson on it. Has anyone seen anyone mount a second backup motor? How was this done? thanks, Ray
second motor on 2001 26x
- Thread starter Kauai26
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How about the sails??
Not really trying to be a smartass. Seriously, though. The sails make a pretty good backup system.
Not really trying to be a smartass. Seriously, though. The sails make a pretty good backup system.
Try this
Kauai26, There isn't much extra room on an X's stern, but you might be able to mount a small motor on a folding mount on the starboard side, opposite where the ladder is. I envy you, being able to sail in Kauai.
Kauai26, There isn't much extra room on an X's stern, but you might be able to mount a small motor on a folding mount on the starboard side, opposite where the ladder is. I envy you, being able to sail in Kauai.
emergency contingency
Of course, sailors would say that the boat has sails and motor, what more do you need? This is open ocean here, and if it was dusk and I was motoring back, and wind was dying.... I don't even own boat yet. I have to look again if 50 hpr could be mounted slightly to one side rather than center.... more imput appreciated... Ray
Of course, sailors would say that the boat has sails and motor, what more do you need? This is open ocean here, and if it was dusk and I was motoring back, and wind was dying.... I don't even own boat yet. I have to look again if 50 hpr could be mounted slightly to one side rather than center.... more imput appreciated... Ray
If you really want to do it...
Then I wonder if it would be easier to fit 2 25 horsepower motors than a 50 plus another small one. I'm not sure if 2 25's would really equal a 50hp in terms of speed potential, but it would look pretty cool. I'd be happy to come help you set it up. Is Kauai far from Birmingham? You're going to have every guy on this board jealous of where you live, now.
Then I wonder if it would be easier to fit 2 25 horsepower motors than a 50 plus another small one. I'm not sure if 2 25's would really equal a 50hp in terms of speed potential, but it would look pretty cool. I'd be happy to come help you set it up. Is Kauai far from Birmingham? You're going to have every guy on this board jealous of where you live, now.
Redundancy
Either my thinking is real old school, or all the old school guys are sheep. To my knowledge the large sailing yachts that make the passage from California to Hawaii don't even have a back up engine. I wouldn't make any mod like that to your boat w/o first talking to the folks at MacGregor. That could be a lot of stress on your transom. I can't think of a worse sound than splitting fiberglass when you are out on the water. It's interesting, seems like us Mac classic guys spend more time talking about things like single-hand rigging and boom travellers, and you X/M guys spend time talking about motors
) Is that your resort you link to on your post? If so, I'd like to ask you more about it via email.
Either my thinking is real old school, or all the old school guys are sheep. To my knowledge the large sailing yachts that make the passage from California to Hawaii don't even have a back up engine. I wouldn't make any mod like that to your boat w/o first talking to the folks at MacGregor. That could be a lot of stress on your transom. I can't think of a worse sound than splitting fiberglass when you are out on the water. It's interesting, seems like us Mac classic guys spend more time talking about things like single-hand rigging and boom travellers, and you X/M guys spend time talking about motors
) Is that your resort you link to on your post? If so, I'd like to ask you more about it via email.New School
Old school, new school. I'm not experienced, so triple redundancy sounds smart to me. When I am experienced, it might sound stupid. The sound of fiberglas splitting couldn't possibly be as bad as the sound of my wife freaking out when Mr. Confident can't deal with conditions and engine stalls! Go to website, you'll find my email.
Old school, new school. I'm not experienced, so triple redundancy sounds smart to me. When I am experienced, it might sound stupid. The sound of fiberglas splitting couldn't possibly be as bad as the sound of my wife freaking out when Mr. Confident can't deal with conditions and engine stalls! Go to website, you'll find my email.
Oklahoma vs. Kauai
Perhaps the conditions here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean are different than inland lakes.... ? I'm thinking the fear factor might not be the same? Kauai is little rock in a very big puddle. One side of island has onshore winds (trade), and the rest... I'm new, but having to call the coast guard to come save me is not what I want to happen. Will I have a back up radio? I think you know my answer! Anyway, back to redundant motors....
Perhaps the conditions here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean are different than inland lakes.... ? I'm thinking the fear factor might not be the same? Kauai is little rock in a very big puddle. One side of island has onshore winds (trade), and the rest... I'm new, but having to call the coast guard to come save me is not what I want to happen. Will I have a back up radio? I think you know my answer! Anyway, back to redundant motors....
ONe way
I've not seen it done or even discussed, but if a backup motor is more important to you than sailing performance, then consider this: Remove one rudder and install the backup motor in it's place and tie it to the other motor's steering with a remvovable connection, so you aren't always turning two motors. Modify the remaining rudder to be deeper and larger so it will do the job of two. Reinforce or make a new bracket for the single rudder to handle the increased load. Reinforce the transom in the area where the single rudder. this should work though the extra weight on the stern and the larger deeper rudder might be a bit of a drag so overall sailing speed might be slightly reduced.
I've not seen it done or even discussed, but if a backup motor is more important to you than sailing performance, then consider this: Remove one rudder and install the backup motor in it's place and tie it to the other motor's steering with a remvovable connection, so you aren't always turning two motors. Modify the remaining rudder to be deeper and larger so it will do the job of two. Reinforce or make a new bracket for the single rudder to handle the increased load. Reinforce the transom in the area where the single rudder. this should work though the extra weight on the stern and the larger deeper rudder might be a bit of a drag so overall sailing speed might be slightly reduced.
Get a small engine
A 3hp or so motor would not have to be mounted all the time. You could stow it with an inflatable dinghy below, then use it for both purposes. You should have a dinghy anyway. Your place in Kauai looks great. How long does it take to get there from the airport?
A 3hp or so motor would not have to be mounted all the time. You could stow it with an inflatable dinghy below, then use it for both purposes. You should have a dinghy anyway. Your place in Kauai looks great. How long does it take to get there from the airport?
Would like to discuss dingy
I agree with this, small engine not always mounted for dingy. Reccommendations for dingys? As I said, new to market. Ray ps My place is on north shore, 1 1/4 hours from airport.
I agree with this, small engine not always mounted for dingy. Reccommendations for dingys? As I said, new to market. Ray ps My place is on north shore, 1 1/4 hours from airport.
Try West Marine, Achilles, etc.
Ocean sailing requires some different gear. There are a lot of dingy's out there. If price is no object, West Marine and Achilles have very good inflatables. You will find that there are a variety of styles, lengths, hard bottoms, etc. If you have a small engine, then a 9-10' dinghy should be OK. Hard bottoms will plane if you have a 25hp motor or so. If price is important, look at the used ones. Make sure they hold air for a while and have a HIN on the stern and are not stolen. Ask for paperwork It's really nice to find an anchorage or mooring and motor to shore and back, especially if there is wind. The low stern step on the X makes for easy dingy boarding. When sailing you can just tow it. Makes an emergency life raft too, although the Macs rarely sink. Another piece of gear I wouldn't go out in the ocean without, is a good radar reflector. Many of these are cheap and work pretty well. SAIL mag. rated them recently and found some that give a 30 meter square reflection from almost all directions. This means that your little sailboat would look like a much bigger boat to an ocean liner, or a rescue crew. Also, a 25 watt VHF is a necessity, as is GPS and a cell phone.
Ocean sailing requires some different gear. There are a lot of dingy's out there. If price is no object, West Marine and Achilles have very good inflatables. You will find that there are a variety of styles, lengths, hard bottoms, etc. If you have a small engine, then a 9-10' dinghy should be OK. Hard bottoms will plane if you have a 25hp motor or so. If price is important, look at the used ones. Make sure they hold air for a while and have a HIN on the stern and are not stolen. Ask for paperwork It's really nice to find an anchorage or mooring and motor to shore and back, especially if there is wind. The low stern step on the X makes for easy dingy boarding. When sailing you can just tow it. Makes an emergency life raft too, although the Macs rarely sink. Another piece of gear I wouldn't go out in the ocean without, is a good radar reflector. Many of these are cheap and work pretty well. SAIL mag. rated them recently and found some that give a 30 meter square reflection from almost all directions. This means that your little sailboat would look like a much bigger boat to an ocean liner, or a rescue crew. Also, a 25 watt VHF is a necessity, as is GPS and a cell phone.
Before Doing Mods...
Ray, some good points made here, and I can understand not wanting to be adrift in the mighty Pacific. Quite a difference in where I sail than you do, I sail an island of water surrounded by land for at least 500 miles or more in any direction, so that's a lot less consternation for me if the engine quits than if it were to quit on you. That being said, I'd highly recommend you call the factory before you make any mods which could affect the handling or safety of the boat. I've never called Mac before, but based on comments I've heard here and other places, they are pretty helpful and friendly.
Ray, some good points made here, and I can understand not wanting to be adrift in the mighty Pacific. Quite a difference in where I sail than you do, I sail an island of water surrounded by land for at least 500 miles or more in any direction, so that's a lot less consternation for me if the engine quits than if it were to quit on you. That being said, I'd highly recommend you call the factory before you make any mods which could affect the handling or safety of the boat. I've never called Mac before, but based on comments I've heard here and other places, they are pretty helpful and friendly.
Motor mount
Having gone on a couple of boat trips in Kauai I can understand your concern. I think this is what you are looking for. See link. Aloha
Having gone on a couple of boat trips in Kauai I can understand your concern. I think this is what you are looking for. See link. Aloha
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