Kudos Moe for the most complete list yet. Ray (NiceAft) I was confused by the E-tec material that I had read consering salt water engines, as Gaz pointed out in a later post. And I have found a slip in a Marina about 15 minutes from the house. When we moved here everyone said on the water is better than putting into the water. Even though we are only 200 yards from a boat ramp, that 15 minute drive can save a hour or so set up and I actually believe the boat will be used more if it just needs provisioning as opposed to having to launch and rig the boat. I still have not found a swim ladder I like yet and have read and looked at all the mods. I want one with step that extend a little deeper and has a further reach so they are not so steep to climb and board. I am looking at everything that anyone and everyone has mentioned and cut my "Must have" list down considerably. As pointed out by several people, I will get only what we want/need the most and then scale up as the want/need arises. Only problem with that is I am not a handy man by any means.
Thanks again all. I will continue reading, posting and keep active in our little Macgregor family. I will try and keep you all in the loop as to my progress.
I have what you are about to order, a 26M with a 50 HP Suzuki. There have been quite a few threads that debate what is the best size or brand of OBM and I intend for that debate to resurface here. I would suggest, if given a choice, you get an OBM that can swing a 14 inch prop. The 26M is a heavy boat and a bigger prop will make a difference.
Appreciate the notice Paul. I have heard the same from others and now believe that a 14" prop is the only way to go. Now to decide on which engine to put it on LOL
Ray, I am considering getting the Delta 14 lbs also,I also want to install a bow roller that the anchor will set in while under way. What roller do you have that I can still get access to the nuts and washer for the pre drilled holes? The two I see in Defenders that come close to what I want are the CR-1 and the URM-1. I want the fluke to be away from the bow when on the roller at least 3 inches.
Dave
Love MACs wrote:Appreciate the notice Paul. I have heard the same from others and now believe that a 14" prop is the only way to go. Now to decide on which engine to put it on LOL
Either the Mercury Bigfoot EFI (4-stroke) 50 or 60, or its near twin the four-stroke Yamaha T50/60 (NOT small foot F50/60!), or the DFI two-stroke Evinrude E-TEC 50 or 60 would turn a 14" prop for you. These 50s are detuned versions of their 60 HP counterpart and except for price, are otherwise identical (size and weight) to the 50 HP version.
They are all good motors and the biggest factors for you to consider are quality of dealerships, and availability of warranty work and parts where you live.
I can't answer your question. When I ordered my M I knew that I would not have the time nor inclination to spend a lot of time finishing the boat with lots of mods, so, I ordered it from soup to nuts from the dealer. I had him (his installation guy is less than a hour from me) do everything I could think of. What this means is that I trusted him so much that I had him pick what he thought was best. He is a good guy, and has never let me down. Otho has stood behind his work! To this day, I don't regret trusting him. I still go out of my way to see him at the Annapolis Boat Show.
I will tell you that I am able to place the anchor on the roller and cleat it off for a secure ride. I no longer keep it on the roller because last year the 32' power boat in the slip next to me had trouble docking in the wind, and was blown into the anchor. He had damage to his boat, but none to mine.
I am new also to the Mac Gregor family. I purchased a 2006 with a 50hp Honda obm last August and had some difficulty in manurvering the boat at docking speed. Even with the dagger board down and both rudders down it is most challenging with a decent wind blowing you around to dock smoothly.
A friend of mind highly suggested a Solas Amita 4 blade - 11.8 x 9 prop from iboats for about $93.99 (part # 3313-118-09). I will be putting this on my in April. I will post how it works. I am very optimistic that this will solve my docking issues. We shall see. If not my next step will be new rudders from IDA.
When docking in windy conditions, the Mac is a beast. A good boat pole can come in handy. Both to catch a cleat and pull you in, or to push you off if things get iffy with another boat
If when you say "docking", you are also referring to going into a slip, try backing in. It's a heck of a lot easier
I am new also to the Mac Gregor family. I purchased a 2006 with a 50hp Honda obm last August and had some difficulty in manurvering the boat at docking speed. Even with the dagger board down and both rudders down it is most challenging with a decent wind blowing you around to dock smoothly.
A friend of mind highly suggested a Solas Amita 4 blade - 11.8 x 9 prop from iboats for about $93.99 (part # 3313-118-09). I will be putting this on my in April. I will post how it works. I am very optimistic that this will solve my docking issues. We shall see. If not my next step will be new rudders from IDA.
Welcome,
Jim
Solas also makes the Alcup 4 x 11.8 x 9 and it has medium cupping on the trailing edge to provide a bit more bite on the water, you may want to have a look at it.
From my experience, a 4-blade prop helps some and is worth the investment, but you're maneuvering a billboard and it can't overcome that. I doubt seriously the Ida rudders would contribute much at docking speed.
Ray (NiceAft) I was confused by the E-tec material that I had read consering salt water engines, as Gaz pointed out in a later post. And I have found a slip in a Marina about 15 minutes from the house. When we moved here everyone said on the water is better than putting into the water. Even though we are only 200 yards from a boat ramp, that 15 minute drive can save a hour or so set up and I actually believe the boat will be used more if it just needs provisioning as opposed to having to launch and rig the boat. I still have not found a swim ladder I like yet and have read and looked at all the mods. I want one with step that extend a little deeper and has a further reach so they are not so steep to climb and board. I am looking at everything that anyone and everyone has mentioned and cut my "Must have" list down considerably. As pointed out by several people, I will get only what we want/need the most and then scale up as the want/need arises. Only problem with that is I am not a handy man by any means. 
with a 50hp Honda obm last August and had some difficulty in manurvering the boat at docking speed. Even with the dagger board down and both rudders down it is most challenging with a decent wind blowing you around to dock smoothly. 
