What size outboard for 26C? .... most use will be in fresh water lakes after dropping sails and moving to dock and/or mooring ball. Of course, whenever ”no wind“ results in a need to return to the dock/ball. Thinking 6 Hp extra long shaft. Looking for confirmation or other ideas.
What size outboard for 26c
- Thread starter nickl1218
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You are correct. Typical motor sizes are 6 - 9 hp with an extra long shaft (25") per these links.
www.practical-sailor.com
MacGregor 26 (newer model) - Practical Sailor
Since 1974, Practical Sailor’s independent testing has taken the guesswork out of boat and gear buying.
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MacGregor 26C trailer-sailer archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales
Online UK yacht brokers - yachts for sale on brokerage, with full details and multiple interior and exterior photographs of every brokerage yacht for sale. Iff you are selling a yacht we offer discount commission rates for boat sales on brokerage.
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I use a 6hp Tohatsu Sailpro that I bought barely used for $500. It moves the boat easily to hull speed (6 knots) through NYC Hudson River currents & large wake chop. What I love about the 6hp is that its light to swap out with the electric and it hardly sips gas. I also bought a used electric Min-Kota Spider 48LB thrust trolling motor ($50) to use on "electric-only" lakes and it moves the boat at 3 knots on high on calm water with calm wind which is plenty good for getting me away from the dock and back to it , I wouldn't take it out in a gail though... I did a couple of days on my local "electric only" lake with the trolling motor without the sails just to be out on the water and swim and it had no problem pushing the boat and six people around all day.
I'll echo George_NJ's comments - the Tohatsu 6 HP on our 26C is more than adequate. We bought the sail pro model (manual start) which has an alternator for charging the battery.
I have a Nissan 9.8 long shaft on mine. We tend to run under power a fair amount and have no issue reaching hull speed on less than full power. If I had it to do over again, I would probably go smaller rather than larger. Found mine on a clearance deal though, so I am pretty content.
Anything from a 6-9.9 will work. Our 26S came with a 6 but we changed to a 9.9 to beat against bad weather back to the slip. Look at other aspects too: 2 vs 4 stroke. 2-strokes are usually lighter but some areas don't allow them. Electric or pull start? The ladies will thank you for push button starting. Generator for charging?
I added a prop ring to protect my nice IdaSailor HDPE rudder from the blade. I probably still have pics somewhere.
I added a prop ring to protect my nice IdaSailor HDPE rudder from the blade. I probably still have pics somewhere.
Prop ring or equivalent is a must. I have a hydrofoil fin on my 9.9.
Before I got the fin I made my own out of HDPE plastic. Just pop rivited it to the fin above the prop on the rudder side. It was only on that one side. Looked funny but who cares! It worked great.
Marty
Before I got the fin I made my own out of HDPE plastic. Just pop rivited it to the fin above the prop on the rudder side. It was only on that one side. Looked funny but who cares! It worked great.
Marty
Which prop ring did you get? I also believe they give the motor better performance. Best to you, Bert
Sorry, it has been so long I can't remember. I saw it in local boat sales/repair shop. I've heard of using everything from a modified mudflap to a prop cage. i.e. from just protecting the rudder to protecting swimmers. I think you are right though. The ring is supposed to give a little extra performance.
Hi Grace, I have two old school marine batteries that I have a solar array charging. But one twelve volt marine battery alone would be enough to power the trolling motor for the day, that's what most firshermen on the lake use.