MacGregorSailors.com

I just took a deposit on the 2002 Honda BF50A. Will be ordering the Etec 90 tomorrow, finally.

Can you smart and/or experienced motorsailors weigh in on the necessity, function and size of the "wedge" that several here have installed when upgrading to higher HP motors? Pretty sure it is to keep the nose down, and to distribute the force on the transom but I would like to hear your thoughts.

A second question too: Any danger in running full throttle with a 90HP and full ballast? Given the higher motor weight, and that we usually are 5 or 6 people on the boat, I would prefer to keep the ballast full at all times. I don't expect to be running at full throttle in anything other than flat conditions, but what happens in small waves / medium waves / large waves?

Thanks in advance for any input...

I asked about wedges and was told they were not needed so I skipped them .it runs a little high in the bow .....I love the etec 90.....still gotta get right prop .I'm running a 17 pitch .

Their cheap and most knowledgeable dealers will automatically include it in the install. Usually 4 degrees is the standard. It will almost always improve any boats trimability and once you feel the difference youll agree.

Install the wedges.

Victor

My X has had the ETec 90 without the wedges for the last two seasons. I've shifted as much weight as I can forward, but the X still is asking for more down trim. Go with the wedges and let us know how it works out. I'm sure to add them later.
DanO

If you don't mind my asking, what's a used BF50 of that vintage worth these days? I'd seriously like to upgrade to a 75 or 90 hp, but my 50 is in extremely good condition, so I can't justify outright replacing it without recouping some of the cost of new by selling the old. If you don't mind.

I listed it at $2500 on Kijiji.com. That was what the Evinrude dealer told me it would sell quickly at, and sure enough I had six calls before the end of the day and sold it for asking price before nightfall.

Probably could have got $3k for it easily. I guess it all depends on what is available in your area though. I couldn't find another used 50HP for sale anywhere locally, and I got at least 1 call from about 100 miles away.

I think someone on this forum picked up a used Etec90 for less money than I sold the 50 for, if I remeber correctly.

Thanks for that. I may just do something like that, but sell the BF50 first. Maybe in the fall. That adds pressure to source a new (or used) replacement for the spring.

I just need to do something about the paint on the plastic housing on the power unit, the bowl shaped piece under the removable cowl, as it's peeling and looks terrible. Doesn't change how it runs, which is very well, but doesn't look like it was cared for.

Don't skimp. Spend the extra $30 and install the wedges. The Mac's stern is of lesser angle than most boats. With the wedges you should be able to see over the bow when accelerating. It should help for a smoother ride in rougher conditions.

I just called regarding installation of a ETEC90 and the guy said he won't install anything above the rated maximum for the boat which happens to be a 50hp. I mentioned macgregor26m so I think others have called also.

My question is how do you upgrade if nobody is willing to do it? And if I have an ETEC 50 already, is it just swapping the motors out? Are all my controls and wiring the same? And do I need to re-inforce my transom? I am in San Francisco and would love to know who I can call. I found a good deal on an ETEC 90 used and would love to have that installed.

I don't know much about the cables and wiring, but you could do it yourself. I think Vic did. Just rent a hoist jack.
Do a search on here to see what others have done for reinforcement.

I've had good luck with connecting several hamster wheels in series to the crankshaft. Getting them to run simultaneously is a bit hard.

andyman2000 wrote:I just called regarding installation of a ETEC90 and the guy said he won't install anything above the rated maximum for the boat which happens to be a 50hp. I mentioned macgregor26m so I think others have called also.

My question is how do you upgrade if nobody is willing to do it? And if I have an ETEC 50 already, is it just swapping the motors out? Are all my controls and wiring the same? And do I need to re-inforce my transom? I am in San Francisco and would love to know who I can call. I found a good deal on an ETEC 90 used and would love to have that installed.

you lost me with the hamster wheels.

See:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hamster ... 73&bih=872

andyman2000 wrote:you lost me with the hamster wheels.

Where can you get hamster PFDs?