MacGregorSailors.com

Hello,

Looking to buy a 2003 26M that is fitted with a 70HP Tohatsu outboard. We are on a mid-sized lake in Ontario (Lake Scugog) and my father in law likes to sail his Catamaran but outside of myself, the rest of the family does not, and having a 3 year old now even I'd prefer to simply head out cruising in a power boat. The MacGregor seems to offer the best of both worlds.

Curious to hear from owners about the following:

1. Can you water ski off of this boat and is there enough power to say get a 180lb person up with 2 people on the boat (1 to drive, 1 for safety to watch the skier).
2. What about tubing (I'm guessing if the answer to 1 is yes, the answer to 2 is yes as well but thought I'd ask)?
3. Any one hear of major issues with having a 70HP outboard on this boat? Seems to be rated for 60...
4. Any issues with the 70HP Tohatsu in general?

Thanks!

pbc wrote:1. Can you water ski off of this boat and is there enough power to say get a 180lb person up with 2 people on the boat (1 to drive, 1 for safety to watch the skier).

Theoretically, YES. It's not a Mastercraft and don't expect it to be a great ski boat. I've never personally seen anyone ski (besides the advertising brochure) behind a Mac, but I guess it's doable. The Mac is a compromise boat. Neither sails really well or motors really well. But it is very good at what it is intended.

2. What about tubing (I'm guessing if the answer to 1 is yes, the answer to 2 is yes as well but thought I'd ask)?

Yes. Lots of fun for kiddies.

3. Any one hear of major issues with having a 70HP outboard on this boat? Seems to be rated for 60...

Yes, the boat officially is rated for 50/60hp. I have a Suzuki 70 installed by my dealer. Others have installed 90s and even 120s on the back. I see no problem with a 70 on yours if it was installed properly. That should be a good motor and you will be happy.

4. Any issues with the 70HP Tohatsu in general?

There are many on this forum with Tohatsu's and they have had great success.

My boat currently has the Tohatsu TLDI 90 on it. The 90 and the 70 are identical motors except for the air intake and the computer. I've not skied behind the boat or towed toys since we put the 90 on it but I'm sure it will be great when we do.

Here are some pictures of us out playing with water toys back when we had the Tohatsu 50 on the boat.

http://www.ddunn.org/LogBook65.htm
http://www.ddunn.org/LogBook72.htm

With the 90 I can just touch 22 knots (25.3 MPH), the old 50 would just touch 17 knots (19.5 MPH). I would guess a 70 should be in the middle at 19 knots (21.8 MPH).

Here is the boat towing the tubes



My wife on the Kneeboard



Me up on two skies behind the boat. Two was easy, but I don't think the boat with the 50 could have gotten me up on one. Maybe with the 90 it could. In the picture we are most likely going about 15 knots (17.25 MPH). There were 5 of us on board and of course our usual heavy load of equipment. This was just fast enough to get me up, but I had to swing wide in the turns as the boat slowed a bit then. My wife was doing sharp 'Tube' style turns instead of more sweeping 'Ski' turns.



We've never tried a wake board, but the speeds it requires are much more in line with what a Mac is capable of and it is probably a better choice than water skis. Even with a big motor you can't quite comfortably reach the 30 MPH you need for slalom skiing.

Thanks for the great replies. May have to speak to my father-in-law about this one ...

pbc,
My 175# son can get up on 2 skis behind our 2001 X powered with a 2 storke 70ph Johnson. Driver and spotter combined weight at about 375#. I'd guess that I have an additonal 200# of installed mods. Not sure what prop specs are. You will burn through the gas FAST towing a skier. My son is quite strong and struggles a bit coming out of the hole, so if you skier has problems getting up, you may want to consider "launching" out of a tube tied to the dock. Good luck.