What size motor for heavy seas?

[John Torrey]

If a new 26X is only stable with water ballast in during heavier weather motoring. is a 50 hp motor necessary or will a 25 or thirty do just as well. In calmer water I can see using the full 50 HP, but I'm more interested in getting something safer and cheaper if I can't push the 50 hp anyway in inclement weather. I hope this makes sense. Thanks;capt. hook - corpus christi

 

[dan]

Draining Ballast !

Hi John.....I have a 98' 26X and you are correct that it isnot stable in rough water without ballast.With ballast you now have a planning hull thatacts like a displacement hull. You can only go so fast because of the drag/hull design speed.So.......us owners have had much discussion onthis. The only thing nessesary as far as HP ona 26X is enough speed to drain the ballast.This is 8-10 mph on my 26X and requires 25-30HPat sealevel. I am sure a good boat designer canjump in on this and explane the tech stuff on this issue.If you just want to sail and don't need to go20+mph, get an eariier Mac 26S or 26C with a10HP motor and displacement hull. They sail better than the 26X. You always had to drain theballast while pulling out on these models.happy shopping......dan