I cannot financially justify the engine re-power right now as I am just in the exploratory/talking stages of re-powering sails & rigging and that is going to be complicated. Really hope it comes to fruition though but it is only a budding flower for now and I need to stay focused.
Having been an owner and board member I have come to believe that perhaps it is time for Roger to modify/reinforce the transom & hull to carry one of the newer lightweight 90 HP engines. The Mac is being marketed as a dual purpose hybrid but does not motor as well as it sails with the anemic 50hp. Seeing Beenes "Good times Roll" video clearly shows the benefits of increased HP, the Mac is meant to plane and so it should. The reasons Roger cites for 50 HP sound more like excuses than reasons and it is my belief that he could saturate a larger market share simply by increasing HP capability at minimal manufacturing cost. It seems more and more Mac buyers are choosing the higher HP engines and if that does not mean something to Roger then he can't hear his customers. For me it is not a matter of if but more a matter of when I go 90HP but for now I have another project in the making.
BobLee
My car has 'premium fuel recommended' printed right on the gage and again in the owners manual but I can still put insurance on it and it will run fine on regular gas, just won't accelerate as readily and may not get the same milage but insurance is not an issue. I use premium though.
I am not sure how Roger expresses it in HP recommendation weather it is just a recommendation as in my gas type or does he outright limit it (BWY is authorized to install 70hp), but he does list a few anemic excuses like hand startable, light weight etc which leads me to believe it is more of a plea than requirement. Usually, in Canada anyway there is a DOT plate affixed to boats that specifically states what the max horsepower is allowed, especially smaller boats, I have one on my dinghy. Max 8HP. Even that is not as binding as folks may believe. I am not entirely convinced that insurance is an issue but I would make sure my insurance company knew what I had and covered it. For insurance coverage I think the key word is 'Binding' if the 50hp is not binding then go for it.
