I have a 26m with an 09' ETEC-60 on it. I typically do long trips (several days to 10 days average). I have extra water storage, fuel storage, a composting head (no pump out stops) and a refrig/freezer (no ice stops) and 200w of solar (with a generator backup). I love my 60 hp because it is very efficient at cruising speeds (4-6 knots)(average 5 knots/2000-2400 rpm with 3 blade prop/average .6 gallon/hour fuel). I also have kids who like pull toys.
If I could design the perfect engine, it would be a fuel efficient 70-80 hp with just a tad more pulling power, but better cruising speed fuel efficiency than what I have read about the 90 hp's.
I was serious about converting to the 90hp right at purchase of my boat, but decided that the ability to go far/less stern weight for sailing/not having to schedule around marina stops trumped the times I really ran all out (usually pulling kids on toys, near fueling stations).
I am seriously considering the Suzuki 70 based on what I have read here, when I replace the ETEC-60...but the ETEC is sweet for maintenance and a really fine engine (Evinrude testing/research center is in my town).
Just my .02.
Fair winds,
David
Last edited by fishstalker7 on Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Im big on hanging a 6Hp of a transom bracket for longer trips, I do love the Merc 75Hp but even at low speed the fuel economy is disgraceful, somewhere around 4 1/2 gallons a hour at 6.5knts .
Think Im going to hang my Tohatsu 6Hp 4 stroke off the back on a transom bracket, that should push me along at about the same speed at less than 1 gallon per hour in reasonable conditions
That being said the 75 is awesome for maneuvering in the marina
sailboatmike wrote:Im big on hanging a 6Hp of a transom bracket for longer trips, I do love the Merc 75Hp but even at low speed the fuel economy is disgraceful, somewhere around 4 1/2 gallons a hour at 6.5knts .
Think Im going to hang my Tohatsu 6Hp 4 stroke off the back on a transom bracket, that should push me along at about the same speed at less than 1 gallon per hour in reasonable conditions
That being said the 75 is awesome for maneuvering in the marina
Something is off with your gph, has to be. Motor is really bad or leaking fuel, or both.
sailboatmike wrote:Im big on hanging a 6Hp of a transom bracket for longer trips, I do love the Merc 75Hp but even at low speed the fuel economy is disgraceful, somewhere around 4 1/2 gallons a hour at 6.5knts .
Think Im going to hang my Tohatsu 6Hp 4 stroke off the back on a transom bracket, that should push me along at about the same speed at less than 1 gallon per hour in reasonable conditions
That being said the 75 is awesome for maneuvering in the marina
Something is off with your gph, has to be. Motor is really bad or leaking fuel, or both.
I've never payed much attention to fuel mileage with my as I normally run around 5 kts under power, but 6.5 kts is a hair over theoretical hull speed. Is it possible it's just piling up extra water at that speed, and a half-knot lower would realize significant fuel savings? I wouldn't think it's far enough over to really put on the load (before getting on plane), but I suppose it's possible.
I find what works best is to open her up, get on top, trim up nice, then back off to just stay on top
My 75 does not tilt all the way up
Always disconnect your larger OB from the steering linkage before sailing
The skeg will just barely touch the water and you will not loose any sailing speed whatsoever
PO had the local dealer install a 90 Hp Honda on a new 26M back in in 2010. Happy with the performance the extra power comes in handy when you need it. Can't really power along at WOT as you get soaked in spray in any kind of chop at the speeds the boat is capable of. I found the best $140.00 spent was for the motor isolator from Blue Water Yatcht. (Steering disconnection device way better than the factory effort). Necessary with the extra weight of the 90. Motor bumps the seat on the way up or down but clears the water when sailiing. Sailing performance doesn't seem to suffer.
Just curious...Have any of you guys with the larger motors have modified your transom for strength? As I am sure with the extra weight and power there must be some extra stresses on the transom.
fishstalker7 wrote:If I could design the perfect engine, it would be a fuel efficient 70-80 hp with just a tad more pulling power, but better cruising speed fuel efficiency than what I have read about the 90 hp's.David
Rick62 wrote:Just curious...Have any of you guys with the larger motors have modified your transom for strength? As I am sure with the extra weight and power there must be some extra stresses on the transom.
when Geoff & I installed our 75HP MERC 4STROKES we added two 1/4" Alum flat plates on the inside , one on the inside of the transom well "top plate" & one inside in the lower aft berth "bottom plate"
miamistyle wrote:I am going to be looking at a 26 m with a 90 hp tohatsu on the back of it. This boat should tide me over until the is being built.
Is this too much motor for this boat? Will it turn well with this beast on the back of it?
Does anyone else have an M model with a 90 on it? Any advice on this would be appreciated.
Thanks.
We have had our ETEC-90 for three seasons now with some pretty heavy use at full power. No reinforcement of the transom and no visible problems so far. It's a light motor for 90 hp and small enough to raise completely out of the water and to still use the swim ladder. It's not the quietest motor though. I don't disconnect it for sailing because it's light enough that it doesn't bother me at all.
"average 5 knots/2000-2400 rpm with 3 blade prop/average .6 gallon/hour fuel). I also have kids who like pull toys." ... fishstalker7
"That's 8 nm per gallon at 5 knots with a big motor? Something wrong." ... catigale
While 8nmpg sounds a little high, it shouldn't be far off at 5 knots. That's hull speed, or slightly lower. I know with my yamaha 70 I would expect at least 6nmpg. But, I have too much fun cruising 13-20 nmph to know for sure!!!!
I have a 2011 26M with the Suzuki 70A I'm wondering if i can chip it up to 90 hp. I think its the same frame, so the weight is the same,just not all the power.
ANY thoughts confluence
I have 2015 90 hp 1.5 lt. suzi on my heavy 26M with 13.75x3x15 solas prop.
steering is lot worse than a light 50 hp honda because of the additional 60 kgs.
tilting down or up is an another problem.
it has the power what 26m needs.!!!!
if you want a really fast boat , go for it!
if you want some less... go for honda high thrust 60 ( silence for 6 mph) or yamaha 70 hp with 14x3x11 prop
by the way if you can't reach at least 5800 rpm you can't get the extra ponies of that 1.5 lt. block .When I use the 13.75x3x13 prop it reaches 6200 rpm easily even ballast full and I feel extra ponies come after 5400 rpm.
is being built.
as I normally run around 5 kts under power, but 6.5 kts is a hair over theoretical hull speed. Is it possible it's just piling up extra water at that speed, and a half-knot lower would realize significant fuel savings? I wouldn't think it's far enough over to really put on the load (before getting on plane), but I suppose it's possible.
confluence