i need help with motor choice

[aya16]

I would recommend the biggest motor you are comfortable with, Remember you can always add speed with a larger motor, just push the throttle forward, the smaller 50's, the standard for most mac's, is too small in my opinion. More money has been spent trying props, just to get a mph, or two out of the 50's. Etec 60 seems to be a great choice for lots of folks.

Two stroke is not louder than a 4 stroke, just a different sound at wide open throttle, sweet 2 stroke sound. The 4 stroke's make a lot of racket at full throttle.
As far as sailing, I haven't noticed any loss in speed with my bigger motor hanging off the back. For those who run long distance to our favorite spots (35miles for me)
The 50 doesn't cut it. Semi plane, steering being fought back and forth because the boat wont get up on plane, running the motor wide open to get 14mph burns more gas than a larger motor going half throttle to get the same speed.

Two bad the Suzuki 50 shares the same block with the Suzuki 40, instead of the Suzuki 60, the Suzuki 50 is Ideal size for the mack, bulk wise. The 60 etec shares the same block as the etec 50 so it doesn't make any sense to buy the etec 50 at all. The etec 60 is dinky, bulk wise, and does a nice job moving the mac. Merc 75-125 all share the same block, but the motor is really bulky, barely fits the m. hard install too.

for those wanting to just sail most of the time, have just enough power to push the mac and not have so much bulk in the back, the 60 etec is the way to go, as far as service, almost everything on the 2 stroke etec can be done by the owner, very simple basic stuff. Major service is rare. smaller outboards for the mac x or m are a waist, why have a 8-10 hp on these boats? its not like the x or m have superior sailing capability's to other sail boats in their class. If people just want a small 8-10hp outboard, then they would be better off buying a small keel sailboat than the mac. Heard more than one story of mac x or m's that couldn't get through a tidal flow with a very small motor, people dont have that problem with 50hp or above.

Personally I think the etec 2 stroke is the future, not the past, compared to any 4 stroke, better fuel millage, better emissions, lighter, easy to service. If the etec 2 strokes are anything like the 2 strokes of old, they will last many decades..Not uncommon to find 1960 outboards still purring away today. The 4 stroke isn't old enough to have proved itself yet in that area.

The smallest motor I would put on an M or X is a 60hp, the largest would be a 90hp. those 50hp engines just dont cut it for the mac. 60 is just about right for those that dont want a speed demon mac, yet want an occasional power boost at times. Leave the 8-10 hp outboards for those that have keel boats, the mac x, or m fun factor has to do with the ability to sail and power, why would anyone want to limit the ability to power off into the sunset with a small motor on these boats.

Best all around motor for the mac? my opinion 60 etec, covers all the bases, a mac x or m owner could want, going bigger like a 90hp is a specialty outboard, for those that want to actually plane the boats, pull toys, travel long distance. There isnt many boats out there in the 26 foot class, sail or otherwise that will perform as well as the x or m with such a dinky motor, the mac is pretty good at performing with those 60's

Mike

[Catigale]

All brand's FI engine electronics need dealer servicing

If you read Leon's experience, the dealer wasn't able to service his ETEC - this puppy is in its own class of complexity wrt to computer mapping, etc.

I don't think I would lump the other FIJ and especially 4 stroke into the same class as this.

will find and post link to Leon's history.

On edit - most important part here -


By the way, all of you with an 08 Etec or newer. You will be glad to know that many improvements were made in the 08 model year. Many such problems or similar have been eliminated.

The problem lies when the engine switches between stratified mode and homogeneous mode. One is for lower RPM operation, the other is higher. EPA requires this. It is all electronically controlled, but can sometimes be a glitch. The 08+ models use different method to change between modes, and the software that controls it is also updated. In my case the engine would be struck in transition between the two modes. He told me that he saw a few similar cases, but mine was the most severe.

Original thread "The Bomb dropped on my motor"

[dlandersson]

Another consideration - availabilty of service and support.

The "best" engine isn't much good if it's inop.

I would recommend the biggest motor you are comfortable with, Remember you can always add speed with a larger motor, just push the throttle forward, the smaller 50's, the standard for most mac's, is too small in my opinion. More money has been spent trying props, just to get a mph, or two out of the 50's. Etec 60 seems to be a great choice for lots of folks.
Mike

[ualpow]

My 2000 came with a 30hp EFI Mercury. I was concerned about lack of speed before I put it in the water for the first time. I have had it out 6 times this summer and I have to say I am not in a hurry to spend $6000.00 or more for more speed. With full ballast and 2 adults, 3 kids I go 10mph. Empty ballast 3 adults i go 13mph. I haven't had to plow through any rough weather yet and that might change my mind. I agree with Divecoz that more torque and a 14" prop would make life much less stressful when the weather gets nasty.

[aya16]

My 08 E-tec 60 is due for its first trip to the stealer--3 yr recommended service--There is one exhaust filter that should be serviced that I can't do but everything else can be done by me on the trailer. All brand's FI engine electronics need dealer servicing and you will need a bank loan to fix them when out of warranty.

Noise: Quiet enough at 2,500/3,500 rpm cruising speeds to have a normal conversation in the cockpit. After that

The annoying noise is down below with stuff rattling--the 4 strokes probably do better but I have no first hand comparisons as I have never been in another Mac's cabin under power.

All my efi engines ( 2) havent needed servicing from the dealer, nor have they been to a dealer to have any required service, One outboard needed a sensor, that I did myself in the oil tank. All servicing I do. A few simple precautions will keep the efi running like a top, one is to always use fresh gas. What to do with that 12 gallons of gas sitting in the tank on the boat for 6 months? Put it in the tow veh.

Just curious, why cant the exhaust filter be changed by you?

to stop vibration or rattle from any outboard, just trim it up an inch while running high speed, all outboards will vibrate the mac.

The "best" engine isn't much good if it's inop

I would say 99.99.99.99 percent of the time when the outboard is "inop" that it is minor and due to lack of maintenance, poor gas, low battery, or many other easily fixed problems. having those problems fixed by a dealer will cost lots of money.
Mike

[aya16]

ualpow, if thats what you got when you bought the boat thats what you got. sounds like some decent mph numbers you reach with the boat. My boat with a 50hp didnt do much better than your 30.

When we break the bow wave barrier in our macs, you have a whole new boat in the mac, sadly its not going to be done with any 50hp motor. Of course you have guys that say they do, even mac says they do, but like many other macs being used, my boat has stuff in it, and the 50 had to go..

your 30 is performing like the 50's, thats great.
Mike

[Ixneigh]

So far im happy with the etec 60 that came on my 11 model year M.
i overnight six nights a week most weeks. I have alot of stuff on it always have 15 gallons fresh water and plenty of supplies. I added extra lead ballast. I have bottom paint. The boat wil go 14 knots. If i leave the water ballast in it will do a bitslower a couple knots. This motor gets good milage at 6 knots. I have a120 range at 6 knots. Do able for anywhere in the bahamas.
I hardley EVER go full speed. The M is horridly wet in anything but a bathtub at wot.
At six its dry and comfortable. I am told the X is a better powerboat then the M.
Ixneigh

[Crikey]

Only if the has a white hull

[Divecoz]

Which 50 did you have .. which prop?
I have been one looking and thinking about changing props for years ...Not For Speed But for low speed handleing.. and 2 strokes dont make more noise than 4's hahahahaha come on..

ualpow, if thats what you got when you bought the boat thats what you got. sounds like some decent mph numbers you reach with the boat. My boat with a 50hp didnt do much better than your 30.

When we break the bow wave barrier in our macs, you have a whole new boat in the mac, sadly its not going to be done with any 50hp motor. Of course you have guys that say they do, even mac says they do, but like many other macs being used, my boat has stuff in it, and the 50 had to go..

your 30 is performing like the 50's, thats great.
Mike

[bscott]

My 08 E-tec 60 is due for its first trip to the stealer--3 yr recommended service--There is one exhaust filter that should be serviced that I can't do but everything else can be done by me on the trailer. All brand's FI engine electronics need dealer servicing and you will need a bank loan to fix them when out of warranty.

Noise: Quiet enough at 2,500/3,500 rpm cruising speeds to have a normal conversation in the cockpit. After that

The annoying noise is down below with stuff rattling--the 4 strokes probably do better but I have no first hand comparisons as I have never been in another Mac's cabin under power.

All my efi engines ( 2) havent needed servicing from the dealer, nor have they been to a dealer to have any required service, One outboard needed a sensor, that I did myself in the oil tank. All servicing I do. A few simple precautions will keep the efi running like a top, one is to always use fresh gas. What to do with that 12 gallons of gas sitting in the tank on the boat for 6 months? Put it in the tow veh.

Just curious, why cant the exhaust filter be changed by you?

If your FI engine starts to run rough OR gets poor fuel economy, OR overheats--how do you trouble shoot it without a computor hook up, the soft ware and full knowledge of the codes its flashing? Most weekend warriors do not have the expertise to trouble shoot the engine--so it's a trip to the dealer. Just wait for E-85 and see what happens to high pressure fuel pumps, injectors, etc. Hopefully the OEMs are developing fuel maps to compensate.

I will not attempt to change a filter I can't access--I've told by others not to mess with it.

Bob

to stop vibration or rattle from any outboard, just trim it up an inch while running high speed, all outboards will vibrate the mac.

The "best" engine isn't much good if it's inop

I would say 99.99.99.99 percent of the time when the outboard is "inop" that it is minor and due to lack of maintenance, poor gas, low battery, or many other easily fixed problems. having those problems fixed by a dealer will cost lots of money.
Mike

[bscott]

If your FI engine starts to run rough OR gets poor fuel economy, OR overheats--how do you trouble shoot it without a computor hook up, the soft ware and full knowledge of the codes its flashing? Most weekend warriors do not have the expertise to trouble shoot the engine--so it's a trip to the dealer. Just wait for E-85 and see what happens to high pressure fuel pumps, injectors, etc. Hopefully the OEMs are developing fuel maps to compensate.

I will not attempt to change a filter I can't access--I've told by others not to mess with it.

Bob

[bscott]

All brand's FI engine electronics need dealer servicing

If you read Leon's experience, the dealer wasn't able to service his ETEC - this puppy is in its own class of complexity wrt to computer mapping, etc.

I don't think I would lump the other FIJ and especially 4 stroke into the same class as this.

will find and post link to Leon's history.

On edit - most important part here -


By the way, all of you with an 08 Etec or newer. You will be glad to know that many improvements were made in the 08 model year. Many such problems or similar have been eliminated.

The problem lies when the engine switches between stratified mode and homogeneous mode. One is for lower RPM operation, the other is higher. EPA requires this. It is all electronically controlled, but can sometimes be a glitch. The 08+ models use different method to change between modes, and the software that controls it is also updated. In my case the engine would be struck in transition between the two modes. He told me that he saw a few similar cases, but mine was the most severe.

Original thread "The Bomb dropped on my motor"

How do Leon's 06 E-tec 50 untrained dealer problems relate to current engines and dealer training? As far as I can remember he never required a tow and the factory rep was able to re-map the fuel delivery and Leon motored off into the sunset.

Bob

[aya16]

If your FI engine starts to run rough OR gets poor fuel economy, OR overheats--how do you trouble shoot it without a computor hook up, the soft ware and full knowledge of the codes its flashing? Most weekend warriors do not have the expertise to trouble shoot the engine--so it's a trip to the dealer. Just wait for E-85 and see what happens to high pressure fuel pumps, injectors, etc. Hopefully the OEMs are developing fuel maps to compensate.

I will not attempt to change a filter I can't access--I've told by others not to mess with it.

Bob

I would guess 99.99.99 percent of the etec's out there will never need computer trouble shooting, rough engine most likely plugs, or bad gas, code flashing are in the manual. engine over heat, not controlled by the computer, just the overheat alarm.

That exhaust filter looks easy to change, dont have an etec but here's the break down.... http://shop2.evinrude.com/Index.aspx?s1 ... 0&siteid=1 ..........under exhaust housing
Mike

[Catigale]

Bob

If you read the entire thread I think you would describe the process as painful. Leon succeeded through the persistence of him self his dealer Dan Arena ( kudos) and Bombardier.

The point to the OP being that buying an engine with local service is important

[Divecoz]

Aya You never answered ... which manufactorer did you have that Your 50 could not or barely so did .... out perform a 30?? Let me guess Tohatsu?