New owner - motoring question

[tjinca1]

I just bought a 2001 26x yesterday, and I take ownership this weekend. It has a 25hp Suzuki 4-stroke motor. How fast can I expect to go? Enough to pull a kid on a raft?

Also, if anyone knows San Diego/Southern CA, do you think I'd be able to motor all the way from San Diego to Catalina, and how long would you estimate?

I'm also very new to sailing, but appreciate how cooperative you all are!

[nchogberg]

Congrats on your purchase!

A quick search on the site turned up about 10 to 12 mph. Do a search and putin 25hp and speed and choose "search all words"

later...
Hawg

[kevin carroll]

As my dad used to tell me, anyplace is walking distance - if you have the time!! You can Sail from San Diego, however it is probably around 18 hours at 6 knots!!! The San Diego Venture Yacht Club www.vycsd.com (all Macgregors and trailable boats) ...and you should be a member !!!! goes twice a year and usually leaves out of San Pedro. A few members like myself who have migrated to larger boats will leave from San Diego.

I would like to officially welcome you to the Macgregor family by inviting you to the next VYC meeting where you can interact directly with other San Diego Mac Owners !! the next meeting is March 27th @ West Marine at 6:30pm. I am the cruise captain for the VYC

Kevin Carroll
Catastrophe
Gemini 105M
Cruise Captain, Venture Yacht Club

[Bawgy]

IF I get out to San DFiego this Summer on Business , What would be the chances of crewing on a boat ? I have two Venture 24's and awaiting my new M . Would like to meet other Venture owners

[ssichler]

Take any estimate you find on this site with a grain of salt as motoring to Catalina from SD you will be going "uphill" against wind and swell most likely. From LA area most of us leave in the morning to beat NW winds. Trailering to San Pedro as the other poster suggested is your best bet.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

i go outta O'side. it's 60+ miles to Two Harbors and with my 90hp @ 19-20mph it takes me all of 3+ hours.
you could always trailer to Dana Point which is 40 miles to Avalon.

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Randy McCotter]

I have a 2002 26X with a nissan 25hp and I will be upgrading to a 50hp this spring. The previous owner was very happy with the 25 but I am not. The only way to get up on plane is to totally empty everything from inside the boat and cross my fingers. I think a 50 is the smallest motor that should be used. 10 to 12 mph is a fairly accurate estimate just don't expect to plane.

Randy

[Ric K]

Tjinca1:

You will love your new boat, if you are a sailing purist you will be happy with a 25 hp motor.

At 10 mph powering from San Diego ( Shelter Island ) 86 mi or 8.6 hrs,
from San Diego ( Mission Bay ) 76 mi or 7.6 Hrs, from Oceanside (Where I have a slip) 54 mi or 5.4 hrs, and from Dana Point 37 mi or 3.7 hrs.

San Diego County is not blessed with good sailing wind, unlike the Channnel Islands or Bay areas. It's an ideal area for a Mac X or M, I frankly feel you may want at least a 50 hp motor.
I find my Suzy 50 is adequate, but if I were to re-power I would go the 75-90 hp route.

I went to Catalina about 6 times last year I make it to Avalon in 3 hrs, and Two Harbors (which I prefer) in 3 hrs 20 min.

The Mac Club is a great sugjestion I belonged about 10 yrs ago when I bought my 1st Mac. They know all about Macs, and are very friendly and helpful.

If you opt to go to Catalina from Oceanside PM me, I'll be going a few times this year, maybe we can cruise together.

BUENA SUERTE.........Ric

[Alex]

Hello. I have Honda 30hp Mac 19. With 3200-3300rpm 8miles per 1 gallon Speed 12 m/h

[Randy McCotter]

OUCH...... guess I'm not a sailing purist !!

If I need to get out of trouble, a bigger motor would be nice. The 25 is nice but if I'm 4-5 miles out on the lake, It's easy to get caught in a turn of the weather, a 50 would get me to safety a little quicker.

[tjinca1]

I appreciate all of the replies. Rik, I'll PM you when I go. I'm gonna take a little time to get familiar with my X. I think I would like to upgrade to a 50hp, but that's another $4k, right? After just buying this boat, it'll be a little while before the Mrs. might want another $4k going into it. Especially if the 25hp is adequate. If anyone knows of good deals on 50hp motors, I'm all ears! Thanks again, for the posts!

[eric3a]

..

[Catigale]

4k net after you sell off a good condition 25HP sounds about right...could be more though. If you go 4 stroke, you can get a 60HP for the same weight and a few more bucks than a 50HP...same engine, different tuning basically.

California has some legislation coming down the pike on 2 strokes which you should research before you fork out any dollars too.
I think it only impacts inland lakes, but research this please.

[Frank C]

... I think I would like to upgrade to a 50hp, but that's another $4k, right? ... If anyone knows of good deals on 50hp motors, I'm all ears! Thanks again, for the posts!

Keep your ears open right here. I've seen more than one owner post that he'd like to go from current 50 to a 90. That's a match made by Neptune!

[marsanden]

If you love sailing , well 25 hp could be enough for you.
A smaller engine means less weight on the back of your boat, then better performance in low winds.
When motoring, 10-12 knots its a respectable speed.

If you love motoring, well ........only Neptune knows the answer.

Here, in europe, the Mac is certificate with no more than 50hp ( and i own a 50 merc BF, and love the way it works ) .
Its forbidden more than 50hp.

More power could be great, but could be wery dangerous too, if the hull, and trastom, are not strong enough.