I'm trying to decide between a 10hp 4-stroke and a 5hp 2-stroke motor for my Mac25.
Both are models with great reputations.
Both are 25" shafts.
10hp is elec. start and 5hp is pull start.
10hp is $600, 5hp is $450.
10hp is 100 lbs, 5hp is 44lbs.
The 10hp motor is a much better motor, and I think a much better deal compared to what it's worth. It would also be a great thing to have for safety reasons when I go out on Lake Michigan (which I won't do that often - most of my sailing will be on smaller lakes).
But it has certain downsides, including:
Trailer is already a little too back-heavy, and a 100lb motor would make that worse
44 lb motor could be more-easily transferred to a dinghy
44lb motor doesn't need starting battery (If I can wait till next year to buy batteries that's better on the pocketbook
Any thoughts based on your experiences? Should I go with a 10hp 4 stroke, or a 5hp 2 stroke?
Do you sail alone or with someone. If with someone, can they pull start the smaller outboard. I went to a outboard with electric start mostly for the safety factor that whoever is with me can start the outboard and hopefully come get me if I was to go overboard. Ruth and I had to sit for a few days on Lake Powell since I injured my shoulder and couldn't start the outboard and neither could she.
If you get the larger outboard load all you can in the V-Berth when the boat is on the trailer and if you don't have a spare on the tongue think about putting one there.
I'm trying to decide between a 10hp 4-stroke and a 5hp 2-stroke motor for my Mac25.
Both are models with great reputations.
Both are 25" shafts.
10hp is elec. start and 5hp is pull start.
10hp is $600, 5hp is $450.
10hp is 100 lbs, 5hp is 44lbs.
The 10hp motor is a much better motor, and I think a much better deal compared to what it's worth. It would also be a great thing to have for safety reasons when I go out on Lake Michigan (which I won't do that often - most of my sailing will be on smaller lakes).
But it has certain downsides, including:
Trailer is already a little too back-heavy, and a 100lb motor would make that worse
44 lb motor could be more-easily transferred to a dinghy
44lb motor doesn't need starting battery (If I can wait till next year to buy batteries that's better on the pocketbook
Any thoughts based on your experiences? Should I go with a 10hp 4 stroke, or a 5hp 2 stroke?
Thanks for the advice. So now I have another problem.
The bracket holding the motor is making me worried about the transom. I can't lift the motor (100lbs) from the boat into the upright position without using the 7:1.
There's a slight gap between the bracket and the transom when it's on, which is scary. I also see gelcoat cracks (not sure if they were there before). I can tighten the bracket and add a larger backing plate once I get in there.
Any advice on how to handle a larger motor like this? I'd hate to buy a new $200 bracket for a $1000 boat and a $400 motor.
It's hard to find a chance to get over to L. Michigan with a 3 year old (I'm in Madison), but I'd love to go out sometime if I can. Where do you hail from?
Thanks Sumner that looks great.
On the recommendation of the contractor rep from Home Depot I got some PVC trim to use as a backing plate to spread the load a bit, on both front and back. When I saw how much they beefed up that part of the transom it made me feel a little better, but I still want to spread it out a bit.
Now to find a volunteer to hold the wrench outside while I crawl through foam blocks
Make a day of it. Michigan City, In, has a very nice beach, children's zoo (I have a family+ pass) and a very nice outlet mall (which your admiral will love). And a casino - but that's really not for children. All within walking distance of the marina.
Heck, you can even overnight on my boat - sun coming up in the am over the beach is really something.
fritz3000g wrote:Thanks dlandersson I really appreciate it!
It's hard to find a chance to get over to L. Michigan with a 3 year old (I'm in Madison), but I'd love to go out sometime if I can. Where do you hail from?
Thanks Sumner that looks great.
On the recommendation of the contractor rep from Home Depot I got some PVC trim to use as a backing plate to spread the load a bit, on both front and back. When I saw how much they beefed up that part of the transom it made me feel a little better, but I still want to spread it out a bit.
Now to find a volunteer to hold the wrench outside while I crawl through foam blocks
I'm resurrecting this thread because it is the most relevant thread to hit when searching the site for information about re-powering the macgregor. Particularly the 26C. I have one, a 26S, and I'm looking to repower but I may have made a mistake the first go-around. You see, I used to have the 2-stroke evinrude 8HP sailmaster, rope start, original outboard I believe. But I did not anticipate the difference in maneuverability when I purchased a 4stroke mercury 6hp... the head cowling size is so much larger that the outboard can turn little left or right off center.
I've seen some who have put brackets moving the outboard off of the transom, but I imagine that makes it unusable from the seating.
I'm just curious if anyone has found narrower head units on 4 stroke outboards or if everyone resigns themselves to limited turning, or if I'm missing something.
I, too, would like to get a 9.9 electric start 4stroke outboard. But I don't want the issue I have with this 6HP 4stroke to be worsened by the upgrade.
It just seems to barely fit in the outboard motor well.
I have a Yamaha 9.9, and have plenty of room to maneuver because the attachment bracket is a levered extension. When I lower the bracket, the engine is plenty aft of the transom to maneuver.
My concern has always been the weight, especially extended like that. Catigale's note said 100# is nothing on the transom, but I still worry.
10hp is too big. 6-8hp is the sweet spot for the 26 and the 25 could probably manage down to 4hp. The key is getting the correct propeller, high torque meaning it delivers more hp at lower speed (while not being able to go higher speeds.) This is correct for a ~6 knot sailboat. Electric start is safer when you need it quickly. I wouldn't get a motor you can't manage single handed off the boat. 6hp, long shaft, high torque propeller, electric start, charging loop is a great solution....but costs about $1,500.
