HELP!!!! In 8,000 M & X's In Owners Hands............

[GaryMayo]

....................What is the smallest engine you have seen used on these boats?

Mine has an 8 HP Four stroke, on an

The seller never used it, and it was parked in a horse barn.

It was not that he did not want to use it, maybe it is just not usable?

Docking, backing up, dumping ballast, loading onto a trailer, getting somewhere on a lake?

Does this engine belong on a two man 14' jon boat?

If I wait all winter, and take it out next spring to find I have zero usable power to do anything, and have in fact a naked sailboat with no discernible engine, it will take me weeks, maybe longer to get it going in the heart of boating season.

If this thing was yours, what would do? Wait, replace it now while the marina is not busy? What?

I want power. I need power to go distances on rivers. Boat trips that may last all day. For several days. This is something I will do as a vacation in mid summer.



Should I look all winter for a used engine?? ??????????????????? New engine, what engine. ???

[GaryMayo]

I read the old posts here. 60 HP, 75 HP, 90 HP, 100 HP, 115 HP.

Two, or four stroke? This feature, that feature. I could go mad thinking about all this.

I want it in black, that is all I know. My little 8 HP is black. Can't be all bad.

[korn_kid_12]

8hp will be no problem. I run a tohatsu 8hp on my 26. Granted my boat is not intended to go faster under power. Can get anywhere you want on a lake, just not extremely fast. After all we are sailors going no where fast is something we are used to?

[robbarnes1965]

Try it out Gary,

Most people with a sailboat our size are running 8-10hp. It will take longer to get to 6knots but it will get there. You will also have room to exit and enter the stern. I have a 50hp and it just sucks gas if I try to run higher than hull speed and It's a pain to squeeze in or out the back. I bet it will be fine. If it really sucks, you can spend the following winter looking. I have thought many times of downsizing but I have already laid out for the 50.

Rob

[mastreb]

Don't bother with anything between 10 and 50 horsepower. Just not worth it because they won't go much over displacement speed until they get on a plane, which isn't going to happen with anything less than a 50. I really thing in the below 70 hp arena the 60hp ETEC is the way to go. It posts better speed numbers than any of the 50s and cost about the same. Inexpensive to operate, very low service requirements, and very reliable thus far. Also the stock prop is a near perfect match for empty macs.

[Boblee]

Wanted to put a 60hp etec on ours but was advised that I wouldn't notice the difference except in the wallet, also at the time it could have been an insurance issue, wish I hadn't listened that ability to get out of the water and over the bow wave makes a huge difference but most is down below hull speed so

[NiceAft]

Gary said:

Boat trips that may last all day. For several days

Gary,

It is my understanding that those who take their Mac's for extended trips, motor at hull speed in order to maximize fuel. The eight should be fine for that. On the other hand, it will not be enough to overcome strong, opposing currents. I did not research this, but I believe Mad Max used a very low horse power outboard on his ocean journeys.

I have a Honda 50 four stroke, and love it. It fits my needs well, has performed well for seven seasons, and I don't give a @*%# about any of the preposterous statements made about it. Think over what your needs are, and proceed with confidence.

Ray

[ronacarme]

we bot our 2001 X new with a 9.9 Evinrude 4 str, which later had reliability issues, so we replaced it with a 9.9 Honda 4 str. Entirely satisfied with this type engine. Reaches hull speed. Avg. 12-14 mpg per season. We sail out of Holland MI.

[GaryMayo]

we bot our 2001 X new with a 9.9 Evinrude 4 str, which later had reliability issues, so we replaced it with a 9.9 Honda 4 str. Entirely satisfied with this type engine. Reaches hull speed. Avg. 12-14 mpg per season. We sail out of Holland MI.

John your dealer?

[snotnosetommy]

Gary,
Why wait till spring? Take that M25 south & try her out. If you just can't stand to go hull speed, you'll have your answer.

[Tomfoolery]

Docking, backing up, dumping ballast, loading onto a trailer, getting somewhere on a lake?

My 50 hp Honda is way more engine than this boat needs for slow speed work, at least compared to the keelboat I had before it (27 hp diesel with folding prop). I can't imagine you'd have a problem docking and maneuvering with an 8 unless the current and/or wind is really strong.

I put mine on the trailer with the ballast in it all the time. Pull the drain handle, open the vent, put it on the trailer. It handles better with the ballast in it anyway (and the centerboard half-way down, plus one or both rudders down), and it drains quickly as you pull the trailer up the ramp. If you're worried about the trailer, pull up a little and let it drain a bit, then a little more, etc., though the extra weight of the ballast water shouldn't put any more load on the suspension and bearings than hitting bumps on the road with no ballast. Probably a lot less, in actuality. Mine's fully drained by the time I've cinched the bow to the vee bumper with the winch, usually, so it's really a non-issue for me.

As far as getting somewhere on a lake, if the lake is small, hull speed (about 6.44 kts, or 7 mph) is fine, and that engine should be fine in calm weather. For Lake Ontario, I like going fast when I have to, and so do my kids who wakeboard behind it. As I've mentioned in the past, the Honda BF50 has been a great engine so far, but if I had to chance to repower it, I'd go for a 90 hp ETEC, not because there's something wrong with the Honda - only because I'd like more power, now that I'm used to the boat.

I want power. I need power to go distances on rivers. Boat trips that may last all day. For several days. This is something I will do as a vacation in mid summer.

I think you've answered your own question here. The is a motorsailer. The only advantage is has over the older, pure sailers, beside planing capability, is the giant (by comparison) cabin and enclosed head. Being a motorsailer, I'd put a big motor on it. If I was going to use it as a sailboat, I'd stick with the other Macs that actually sail better.

[bartmac]

Hi all.... we run a 15hp Suzuki 4 stroke......more than enough to get hull speed but with the right prop doesn't have to run at top revs.Its quiet and small and uses minimal fuel ie somewhere in the 1-2 litre per hour....haven't pinned it down completely.It also has both rope and electric start so should my electrics let me down we can still start.Having had other trailorsailers of nearly the same size we realise 15 hp is more than enough but makes me feel good to have some reserve.

[Catigale]

Counterpoint to the 10-50 range not being desirable...up to roughly 25HP, a new engine is user installable. This saves 1000-2000 for each engine mounting needed (on purchase, resale and reinstall)

1000-2000 X3 adds up kinda fast !!!!

On the Nissan line, you can actually buy a user installable EFI engine in this range.

[GaryMayo]

Counterpoint to the 10-50 range not being desirable...up to roughly 25HP, a new engine is user installable. This saves 1000-2000 for each engine mounting needed (on purchase, resale and reinstall)

1000-2000 X3 adds up kinda fast !!!!

On the Nissan line, you can actually buy a user installable EFI engine in this range.

I own an engine hoist (cherry picker as they are sometimes called) Is this the main thing a person needs to R&R a larger boat motor? Or is there many other things I am not seeing?

[Catigale]

If you buy new above 25-30hp or do, you have to have it dealer installed or you don't get a warranty. Most places won't even sell it to you.