2003 honda 50: how many hrs. of use?

Québec 1 · Post by **Québec 1** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:02 am

Presently buying a 2003 mac 26m. How Can I tell the number of hrs of use the 2003 honda 50hp engine has?

Paul S · Post by **Paul S** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:22 am

as far as I know there is no hour meter on the outboard. Unless the previous owner added one. Have a Honda mechanic look at the motor for a state of health. Unless the PO was bad with maintenance..it will most likely be OK

Québec 1 · Post by **Québec 1** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:43 am

Thanks for the reply. Word is that it was very well maintained. Seeing as the boat is in Maine and I'm in Québec (453 kilometers away) I will have to go with the information the seller givs me. The boat seller tells me he sold the boat :
2003 MacGregor 26M
Boat, Trailer & Motor ( 50 Honda)
Complete Package ready to Go.
Anchor & line
Boarding Ladder
Compass
Roller Furler
Standard Jib with U/V Cover
Main Sail Cover
Mast Raising system
Self contained head
Surge brakes on the trailer
Life line gates in the cockpit
Garmin GPS / Sounder
Stern Rail seats
stove
Full Canvas enclosure
Bimini Top
Dodger
Depth finder
VHF radio
Dual Battery with switch
Dual gas tanks
Vang
All Lines run aft to cockpit
Lazy Jacks
Solar vent
Bottom Paint
Extra cushions
Life Jackets, Fire Exting, Fender, Lines, etc.

....to the present owner and has serviced it since then and says the boat and motor are in pristine shape. I will post pictures when I am autorized to do so but the pictures of the motor show a beautiful clean motor, no gunk or black stuff anywhere so I will have to take his word for it. My feeling is that it is a good deal. He has offered to have his mechanic look over the motor for me

so I guess that what i will ask him to do that today!

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:45 am

A compression test on all cylinders would be mandatory as part of the motor inspection in my book. Ideally, you should be able to start and run the motor with 'earmuffs' or a hose adapter to supply cooling water.

Post by **kmclemore** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:42 am

Hey, Québec, I think this is your boat...

http://www.russellsmarine.com/used-sail ... r-sale.htm

...so I'll post the pics for you:

LOUIS B HOLUB · Post by **LOUIS B HOLUB** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:46 am

I always like looking at the prop. If its scarred, chipped, and paint worn on edging, its a sign of hours useage (at least in some cases).
A mechanic will also look at the plugs: check the color, residue, etc.

Ive seen in most cases as youve pointed out, a clean boat, engine, and components, etc. usually means a well maintained and cared for boat and equipment.

edit add: after looking at the pics Kevin pulled up, this is obviously a well cared for boat. Note the matching curtains and throw pillow. An Admiral's touch, no doubt.

Québec 1 · Post by **Québec 1** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:51 am

Excellent..the clues were there and you win the prize! ( a cruise on the Mighty Saint Lawrence in front of the Chateau Frontenac and a walking tour of the old city) Thats my retirement cottage alright. The price has changed a bit tho...! Well you know your stuff, what's your considered opinion on this blue one!

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:00 am

I have a 2003 M with a 2003 Honda BF50 and I also have it serviced regularly and look after it and treat my boat with the same TLCs. That said I bet I have a heck of a lot of hours on that engine. I use it a lot!
You need to get a feel for the type of boater the PO was. Was he a pure sailor or did he power a lot? Look at how well the sails are used, do they look worn? Ask how many extended trips they took, folks like me tend to power a lot when traveling on extended trips. How often did they get out; every weekend or once a month. Did they trailer or slip, slip generally equates to more use. That they live in Maine suggests that they are limited by seasons so they may not have the hours a more southern counterpart may have. I only get about 4 months out of a season out here on the wet west coast, but I do get lots of sailing squeezed into that season with at least two extended trips. One thing in your favour is that the Honda is a tried and proven very dependable engine and will provide many years of service if well maintained.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:04 am

WOW! NO LESS THAN A BIG WOW! Look at the canvas alone!!

bastonjock · Post by **bastonjock** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:33 am

I have a yamaha 50 on my 2001

i did the math using the POs logbook and it came to 117hours running time since new

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

2003 honda 50: how many hrs. of use?

2003 honda 50: how many hrs. of use?