MacGregorSailors.com

Thanks for the input guys.

I can't wait to mount it, hook everything up, and punch it

I think I am getting the shakes suffering from Mac withdrawal.

That's a nice looking engine George. I suspect you'll be really happy with the 75 horses. Looks a bit large from the photo but hard to te. Does it fit in the engine well area without mods? I figure at 349 lbs it should fit fine.

It does have a big motor head much like the Suzuki 70's. I know they hit the helm seat when tilted full up, I'll be curious to see if your's does as well.

Hi Leon, Duane

I seriously doubt it will fit. The head seems gigantic! Very tall.

I will be mounting it on a wedge as per Frank's great advice, so that might help a bit.

I am fully prepared to have to accept that the stem might be touching the water while sailing.

It's the price I will pay to have the torque I hope to get out of that 1600cc monster.

Cheers

Geoff

Sorry Geoff... not sure why I though it was George...
The bottom of my Etec 50 actually touches the water when tilted up with the boat heeling less than 10 degrees or so. No big deal. As long as the prop is out of the water. The bigger issue is to get it to not hit the helm seat area. May want to take some measurements before the install to see if alterations are needed. Hopefully not.

Cheers,
Leon

Thanks Leon

I will post pics and details of my install when I do it.

I am shooting for early May.

Seems like a long time away.

G

Why do you guys buy sailboats? I think you would be happier with a Bayliner..

Fairwinds wrote:Why do you guys buy sailboats? I think you would be happier with a Bayliner..

That seems an ill-advised comment from a guest who's seeking the advice of a Mac forum membership, don't you think?

Fairwinds wrote:Why do you guys buy sailboats? I think you would be happier with a Bayliner..

I think most of us like both sailing and powering. A true heavy keel sailboat is limited to that role. A powerboat is likewise limited to that role. While we accept that our boats are masters of neither role, they can perform both roles...

Its like a Leatherman. Its surprising what you can do with a Leatherman. But, it doesn't have the best pliers or best screwdriver available...

Beyond that though, there are other redeeming qualities. Show me any other 26' boat, sail or power, with as much interior volume. Yeah, there are some pontoon-type houseboats, but 'volume' is about all they do... Then, there's the shallow draft... I could go on and on...

Why do you guys buy sailboats? I think you would be happier with a Bayliner..

I bought my boat to sail, plain and simple. That being said, when not sailing, most sailboasts will do 6-7 knots. Provided you're already motoring since there is either no wind or your destination is upwind and you simply don't have the time to get to where you're going by tacking back & forth or simply need to get somewhere faster, who wouldn't take the ability to do 17 knots under power? Or ... since the boat is capable, an even larger outboard to go even faster? I bet if traditional keel boats had this ability, few owners would pass.

So get over this Bayliner crap. Personally, I don't appreciate it.

Leon

"Why do you guys buy sailboats? I think you would be happier with a Bayliner."

Actually, I had a Bayliner 2655 for 8 years, and enjoyed it as well. The Mac is a more versatile boat, though. It is MUCH more economical, both in fuel expenditures and in engine maintenance!!!

Hi Guys

If you're wondering why it's all gone quiet from me .. I'm in Europe until just after Easter and will get back on the case of getting this 90ETec working properly ... just on other thing I never mentioned in previous postings ... This is the 3rd 90ETec that I have owned ... and I guess it's fair to say that I know how they should be running. Bottom line ... I won't give up on it.

Also re the serial and model numbers .. I won't be able to get them until I get home after Easter .. nobody at home to send them to me.

Thanks all...

Frank C wrote:

Fairwinds wrote:Why do you guys buy sailboats? I think you would be happier with a Bayliner..

That seems an ill-advised comment from a guest who's seeking the advice of a Mac forum membership, don't you think?

Seems like our guest friend is more interested in sharing his advice and opinions than seeking our advice. Lucky us

Why do you guys buy sailboats? I think you would be happier with a Bayliner..

There is no Bayliner or other small (under 30') boat that can match the space and utility of the Mac.

Show me a Bayliner or other brand 26' trailerable (8'6" or less beam) boat that sleeps 6, has a galley and an enclosed head, weighs less than 5000lbs, and can be bought for under $20,000, even used. In all my searching I've found none.

The only Bayliners that come close on features are the 285 and 289. Unfortunately they are 9'6"+ beam boats that weigh 7000+ lbs and even used sell in the $40k - 50k range.

There is simply no other powerboat on the market that gives you what the Mac does for the price. The fact that I have a mast and can sail occasionally is just icing on the cake.

Hmm.. although I agree with you that the Mac offers a great value, you could probably get away with a Bayliner 265 at only 8'6" beam, 27' length and 5,700 lbs. It has a similar amount of room as a Mac, but probably not the standing height. I'll grant you that it has lots of nice features, but it's definitely gonna cost you major $$ over what you'd pay for a Mac - MSRP on the Bayliner 265 is over $56K!