Hello from SE Michigan - a New 26M owner

[jasonsjwou]

Hi everyone

Just bought a new (to me) 26M today. So excited!!!!

I've been lurking around for 2 years, thinking thinking thinking going back and forth between SeaRays and Bayliners, and finally pulled the trigger when a used 26M showed up in a local dealer.

It is blue (LOVE the color) with Mercury 50HP outboard engine. The engine is fairly new (only 30hrs) and besides some oxidation and scuffs, the boat is in good condition.

I am in Novi (Detroit suburb), and will be taking my family to nearby lakes in the summer.

Yeehaw!!!

QUESTION:

I am sure the 50HP is fine for now, but interested in going up to 75HP or even 90HP.
Is there anyone in SE Michigan who has higher HP setup with their or ??

[cptron]

congrats on the new boat. You will find that the blue hulls are faster than the white hulls. Just don't listen to anyone on here who has a white hull cause they will tell you different.
Don't forget new guy buys the pizza. I like meat lovers.

[dlandersson]

Sorry about the blue color - but you STILL hafta buy the pizza.

[Jim Bunnell]

Welcome to MacGregors and to the board. I and my 26M are in Southfield, if you want to chat or need a hand. I haven't been on the water much the last few years (health) but hope for a fairly active summer. Best times I've had with Tanstaafl were cruises with the Trailer/Sailor group in the North Channel. One day of towing each way, two weeks of bliss. If you haven't cruised, it's a great group to go with, very friendly and helpful.

Now all we need is summer weather.

JIm

[Tomfoolery]

It is blue . . .

Yeah, but it has good sailing characteristics as motor-sailors go, so don't let that get you down. It's the craftsman, not the tools, after all.

Oh, and make mine pepperoni. And make it snappy - I'm hungry. Use a white box.

[Obelix]

Welcome to the club, you found the best forum for Mac's
You'll be in for lots of exiting opportunities with your . If you have questions, ask them here; remember that the only dumb question is the question that is never asked

Obelix

[Rumdirty]

I just wanted to chime in and welcome you to a fantastic little forum. The folks here are super friendly. Sorry about the blue hull, if you paint it white it *might* go a little faster!

[jasonsjwou]

Thanks everyone

and yes I would love to buy Pizza for everyone. Name a spot and time I'll be there with pizza.

My boat being blue, is the only reason why I got "OK to BUY" from the wifie.

So Blue MUST be faster. Period.

[Tomfoolery]

My boat being blue, is the only reason why I got "OK to BUY" from the wifie.

So Blue MUST be faster. Period.

Well, give that those were the only choices, I'd have to agree that a blue hull is faster than no hull.

They're great boats. Learn the idiosyncrasies of it, and it will sail almost as well as a non-motorsailor, and sometimes better (light air, downwind). With a taller mast, bigger main sail, and different hull shape, it should outsail my .

And, of course, it can outrun any sailboat when you fire up that big engine.

[dthiesmeyer]

Where do you think you will be taking your family out on your new 26M? I have had my 26M at the Lake Erie Metro Park mast up storage lot for the last two years. Great sailing on the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Last year I was out 26 times and logged 325 miles. Welcome to this great forum...

[mastreb]

Talk to Bill at Boats4Sail (he's on this forum) regarding re-powering to a 90hp motor in your general area. He's got dealer contacts that can do the job. The 90hp Evinrude ETEC and Suzuki DF90 are popular models on these boats with plenty of members who have them to give you propping recommendations. I wouldn't bother with a 75 as they're generally the same weight and cost as a 90.

[barryst1300]

Welcome to the forum.
Like you I've just purchased a (new to me) M. And, like you I was lurking for a few years considering the Bayliner's etc and wondering do I go sail or power.
When I saw the space inside the Mac it was a no brainer, and the cost of fuel here in Australia ($1:30 to $1:50 per litre) running a Bayliner was going to be an expensive exercise all the time. It's only a short motor (less than an hour at displacement speeds) to some of my favorite local anchorages, so I expect I'll use my Mac more as a motor boat that a sail boat and likely only sail it when we're going out for more than a day. There such a versatile boat in that regard.

I hope to get our M on the water for the first time tomorrow.
Cheers

Barry
Brisbane, Australia

[mrron_tx]

congrats on the new boat. You will find that the blue hulls are faster than the white hulls. Just don't listen to anyone on here who has a white hull cause they will tell you different.
Don't forget new guy buys the pizza. I like meat lovers.

Ditto Ron. Dauntless. ( Blue hull )

[mrron_tx]

Kinda glad to see all these Lake Erie, Detroit area Folks popping up..... should make some nice stops/visits for those of Us that plan on doing the Loop

[jasonsjwou]

Thanks everyone.

Few questions re: repower with 90HP.

When the time comes, I think I'll go with Suzuki DF90.

Few questions...

-Do I need 20" shaft or 24" shaft?
-Any dealer in SE Michigan I can get a used DF90? How about installation?

Any help appreciated... thank you.