engine options

[Frank C]

My local Evinrude dealer talked me right out of the Evvy.
He sells and services Evinrude and Suzuki, and the Suzis are way less expensive with better warranty period, 6 vs 3 years....

Hmmm - imagine that ... a dealer pushing Suzuki over Evinrude!

Actually, Suzuki was the first Mfg to introduce EFI for mid-range outboards, the DF-70/60 ~1998.
The Suzuki DF-50/40 followed in ~2000 with 4-valve heads and timing chain.
They each won "Outboard of the Year" awards in their first year on market.

[Night Sailor]

I have an '97 Merc Classic 50 so there is smoke and fumes at times when the engine is cold. I experienced the odor often enough when going slowly up wind or idling with the wind astern, that I made a black vinyl curtain to hang across the motor area immediatelly below and behind the helm seat. It has cut the odor at the helm to almost nothing on any heading, at any speed.

[Captain Hal]

Can someone please let me know what the max HP motor would be for a 26S w tiller - mid 1990s version? Thank you (and happy holidays!)

[Frank & Meg]

Hello Cap

Since the S is a displacement hull, it will not benefit from the big motors. I've learned that a 6 HP will push the boat around alright, a 9.9 seems to be the motor most prefer (better for fighting currents) but many folks prefer a 15 HP that's quieter because it doesn't work as hard for the same thrust.

Merry Christmas!

[waternwaves]

Frank...

I think we probably agree that both are great engines....

however.....

Suzi is being really REALLY kind to the dealers right now. (and has always been good before) and the margins are fatter!! 4 to 5 hundred for equiv price not hp. So.. if the customer only has 6500 in his pocket for a motor...... a little more goes to the dealer.

But......
Since I have an envinrude dealer on the island here.............E-tec it will be. Tho I don't see one under the tree yet or sitting on the back of the boat...... but there is a spreader and sling hung above the engine right now.....

maybe.......

[Frank C]

WnW,
I agree they're both great outboards. But if the Evinrude actually costs more, that would markedly alter my decision making. Recapping:

• - You & Argo find the Suzuki is "way less expensive;"
  - with twice the warranty.
  - With over six, reliable years on the market;
  - Suzuki's EFI is a relatively bulletproof, modern design;
  - with 4-valve head and self-adjusting timing chain;
  - that produces zero operating odor;
  - with market-leading alternator capacity;
  - and provides terrific economy;
  - with a 4-stroke's whisper-quiet operation;
  - but, at slightly higher transom weight ...

It seems that virtually every outboard metric slightly favors the Suzuki except for weight. And, if dealer margins are fatter, won't it be even easier to work a deal on a Suzi?
So now it seems the trade-off is accepting a bit more transom weight to get a much cheaper 4-stroke with all its classic advantages, plus double the warranty? .... hmmm~!

I've seen sailing speeds as high as any other reports here. Including my fuel load, my 2000 26X has the proverbial 400-pound transom, yet floats dead-true to the bootstripe. Seems to me that Roger's later ballast designs can easily accomodate that transom weight (except earlier models like yours). I'm not sure all of this is a market reality here in Calif, but bargain-pricing on a Suzuki sure would make my motor choice a no-brainer.

[Captain Hal]

At the risk of starting a firestorm of controversy...does Macgregor publish a list of dealers 'approved' to install >50 HP motors? I am aware of BWY, are they the only authorized dealer allowed to install >50 HP motors? Does anyone know of a midwest dealer that is so authorized?
Also, how do you big motor owners secure liability/hull insurance? Any underwriter I should call?

[Catigale]

There have been some threads on this that cover the issues..

Im not sure anyone is 'authorised' to install larger motors - if this is important to you I would ask for the written authorisation from the factory to be given to you (not just shown)

Of course, since a dealer has a 12 month hull warranty exposure, even claiming to have this authorisation doesnt mean very much imho.

If I were buying a new boat, I would size the motor for my needs and then have a professional install done with transom reinforcement above 70 HP or so.

[Mark Chamberlain]

Yes Honda 50 is a carb engine, but it is considered the most bullet proof of most in Alaska, the river runners with jet drive use it, the coast gaurd uses the big hp Hondas and I have 500 hours on Mine with zero faults other than regular oil changes.

Honda motors are considered the most relaiable in many uses. I bought one out of Canada with no warrenty in the USA and going into my 7 th year of use. Clean fuel, change oil, change plugs, is all if have done.

I have run this engine at 5100 rpm as much as 5 hours without a break with no problem. I change the water pump ever tow years, plugs each year, and burn three cans of seafoam each year.

I count on this engine to bring me back from 35 miles out each trip. Hard to find fault with that kind of performence. Not the fastest but the most reliable for me. So do not rule out Honda, they perform well and very consistant.

[Captain Hal]

Well...I find myself in an area where the Macgregor dealers do not install motors; while I could live with a 50 HP, I am pretty sure something in the 60 - 90 HP range would better fit my expectations. The transom reinforcement is not a concern; but if I have a >50 HP installed by other than Macgregor dealer the dealer will say 'sorry, you have voided any warranty'; also, my insurance agent will not write boat coverage for an 26M with >50 HP since this exceeds mfg recomendation, etc. Just seeking input from 26M owners that have addressed these concerns. Thanks.

[Divecoz]

Hal:
We have a 50 HP BF Mec. 0n our 05 M. With the Ballast in and a bunch of other stuff on board we do almost 20 mph. The Merc is quiet and has a good reputation. Just how fast are you needing for this "waterbago" to go. Yes some here have put big motors on the back of these boats. 2 fellows in the town I live in have in the past and often try to convince me to drop a 289 into the Wife's MGB If you See my point.
Kevin here on this board can no doubt further explain . But IMHO bigger is not aways better. It takes a lot of extra HP and everything else to get those few more MPH.

[Captain Hal]

Appreciate the input, Divecoz. My thought is not to make the boat go faster; when motoring around by myself a 50 would be fine; but I have a big family and with a heavy load perhaps a 60 ETEC or 70 Suzuki would get the boat on plane rather than wallowing along at WOT with a 50. I also find the argument about running a larger motor at less than WOT to be compelling. I just wish Roger would face facts and say 'as long as you use an approved aluminum transom reinforcement kit (BWY could sell the kit) anything up to 70 HP is fine. If its alright for BWY it should be alright for anyone. I could always purchase a boat and moter from BWY and have it shipped 1600 miles to me but this would make any required warranty work problematic to say the least....rock/hard place.

[Divecoz]

Roger/MacGregor Sailing , has no doubt about it, numerous reason's for suggesting a limit of 50 HP. He might also, have a cushion built in there as well. Should he choose to raise it to 70 this year then 90 next and well you see where this is going.

[Captain Hal]

Well...I'll give it a rest for now, we'll see what the new year brings. Thanks for the comments and happy holidays!

[waternwaves]

Don't worry frank,

If it is going to be on my boat.......

It will be an E-tec.