MacGregorSailors.com

I have been looking at this forum for a couple years, and I am now getting closer to making a decision on buying either a 26X or a 26M. As everyone else has done when trying to decide, I have been looking and analyzing the differences between the 2 boats to match into our wants.

One of the things I'm wondering about, has anyone installed an auxiliary motor mount on a 26M? I have a 2-stroke 5hp that I would like to have for a dinghy, but I'm trying to figure out how this could be done. Talking with BWY, they haven't done it.

If it can't be mounted on the stern like I've seen them on X's, is there another spot on the rails or ?? where it can be mounted or stored?

Thanks in advance.

If you are going to have the stern rails put on, you can mount it on starboard aft. (i want to save the port side for other stuff) You might need to have the mounting bracket fixed a little for the rounded rail and put some protection on the side of the boat where the prop may hit. In this location you should be able to use the boom to attach a block and tackel to raise and lower the motor. Be sure and tell BWY to make this strong enough.

Another option is to have the mounting bracket on the outside of the rudders. The motor will not be in the water if put high enough. It will not be able to tilt much. The boom will not be of much help on getting the motor onto the bracket. You may need a hoist.

Let us know how it works. I will be getting mine in Nov.

One of the cost cutting measures for the new 'M' involved reducing the amount of SS railings. The only horizontal railings are on the bow pulpit, the remainder of the boat is stanchions. The 'X' has added railings at the stern and forward ends of the cockpit where small motors can be attached. Unless you install reinforced stern rail seats all you can do is leave the engine on the dinghy and tow it, that is what I do. I also notice a fair amount of SS fittings for boats assumes you have horizontal rails everywhere as that is how they are designed, I discovered this when looking for something as simple as a flag pole. I could not find much in the way of hardware to attatch a verticle flag pole to a verticle stanchion.

I have an M and inquired extensively about how to mount my 6hp dingy motor as an auxiliary power source (Lake Nockamixon does not allow larger than 10hp). Every person I checked with said it can't be done. I bought the boat new, so I checked with my dealer ( an extremely helpful guy), he said he could not figure it out either. I have the sternrail seats, but I would not want to attach a motor to them. If someone actually has done it, I would be interested in seeing some photos of it. I just don't think it can be with any integrity


Ray

Terry,

When you tow, do you find yourself restricted to keep the speed lower than normal cruising when powering? Have you had problems with choppy seas?

I guess this is just one more data point in deciding between the X and M for me.

Terry wrote:One of the cost cutting measures for the new 'M' involved reducing the amount of SS railings. The only horizontal railings are on the bow pulpit, the remainder of the boat is stanchions. The 'X' has added railings at the stern and forward ends of the cockpit where small motors can be attached. ...

Hmmm - I've noticed this difference, maybe even puzzled over it.
But this is first time I've actually seen it written!

I really like the X's stainless, especially those "hip railings." They provide a very beefy and reassuring grab bar at mid-hull. I've also used them as backrest while seated up on the forward coaming Bet those railings contribute to the illusion of a larger cockpit.

(Hip stanchions ... the X-boat's alternative to stern rail seats !)

Frank - I have been thinking about this and I think that there is more to it. The factory still sells stern rails but ONLY on the EU boats. We cannot buy them direct from the factory in the USA. This make me think that there is more to it than that.

I had ask this group last year the same question on the dingy motor - http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... ight=dingy and only got an X with the bracket almost on the outside of the transom. I think that this could be done with a M if the motor was stood off enough.

NiceAft ? -

I just don't think it can be with any integrity

I was wanting to get the stern rail. I really did not want to have one made at the additional cost. Please tell me why you do not think that the rail can support a motor?

Supporting the weight of the motor is one thing.

Its quite another to actually be able to use that motor as an aux...

Mallardjusted:
I have a large 9'9" 80# Titan inflatable with a 5hp Honda that I tow. Before the engine I carried it across the bow just in front of the mast deflated. With no place to carry the newly acquired engine I began towing it with engine attatched. I don't cruise much beyond 4000 rpm so my cruising speed is really not much of an issue for towing. I only tow my dinghy when going on overnight trips that don't include a marina, (anchoring) so it is not a frequent occurance. My dinghy has an inflatable keel & floor so it tracks quite well behind the Mac in rough water even with the #60 honda mounted, but I secure the gas tank forward for counter balance. I have not as yet had any problems doing this other than I find it an extra hazard to be aware of. It does slow progress somewhat and likely consumes more fuel but I see no other option for the M. The Dinghy does make a good place to stow refuse when traveling though.

Frank,

Hmmm - I've noticed this difference, maybe even puzzled over it.
But this is first time I've actually seen it written!

Anytime a manufacturer retools, or changes a model, or makes improvements the bottom line is to cut costs and improve profit. I wrote it as my being cynical of MacGregor. They may have made improvements with the M but not without less expense. I find the lack of SS on the M to be a bit inconvenient. They always tout the new & improved but never tell you what you lost.

I was toying around with the idea a while back. I couldnt find a decent location either. I may just bring it (1.5 hp) inside the boat (w/o fuel) and keep it in front of the head in the vbunk.

Probably not the BEST solution..but I can't figure anything better out.

I was toying around with the idea a while back. I couldnt find a decent location either. I may just bring it (1.5 hp) inside the boat (w/o fuel)

BTDT and I think this is not a good plan. I've carried my 4HP, 4S dinghy motor inside the boat when trailering, and found that getting all the fuel out of the motor is virtually impossible and even trying to do so not always feasible. Basically, every time you shut it off you have to decide whether there's a chance you might be stowing it before you use it again, and run it dry. Running a small motor dry can take a very long time, and then it's always hard to start next time.

When you open the sliding hatch and get slammed in the face by the smell of gasoline, you've got a problem. Once you get gasoline fumes inside the cabin, it can be quite difficult to get them out.

After trying this, I then moved up to a stern rail bracket. Carrying a smaller 2S motor on a stern rail might be possible. I carried the above motor on the sern rail of my X with a custom bracket. The bracket worked great, but at 57 lbs dry the motor was too heavy to be reasonably managable. See this thread for a complete writeup. I know it's a moot point for you M'ers, so I guess what I'm saying is, don't feel too bad about the fact you have no stern rail on which to mount your dinghy motor. Feel bad about it for other reasons.

I eventually ended up mounting my dinghy motor to an auxiliary bracket on the transom. Don't know why you couldn't do this with the M as well. Though it ended up being a way bigger PITA than I originally figured and I don't necessarily recomment it, mine can actually be lowered to use as backup power for the big motor, and can move the X at about five knots.

The only other thing that might remotely work would be attach some kind of bracket to the boarding ladder. While it is up, it might work OK to hold the motor..but when it comes to get off the boat..what do you do with this motor..

Guess another poor way to do it is to put it on the towed dingy. I don't think we will need it very often..but I need to find a way to carry this insanely small 1.5 motor.

Probaly the best solution would be to just use oars and screw the motor

Paul S wrote: ... I don't think we will need it very often..but I need to find a way to carry this insanely small 1.5 motor

Wow, 1.5 hp ... that's a very small outboard!
You need to either clamp it to either Genoa track,
or just hang it over a lifeline!



Actually, seems that the boarding ladder might be viable for something that light. You just need a method of letting it rotate aroung that bottom rung (topmost when stowed) and you could rig a tackle to lower it like a drawbridge!

Paul S wrote: Probably the best solution would be to just use oars and screw the motor

funny you say that because i've really considered purchasing a new 2.5hp Suzuki (29#) or a 2hp Honda (28#) but can't bring myself to do it.

it's not the $$$ as much as the extra trouble (off/on/off/flush/change oil/move/replace/etc.) that comes with another gadget that i won't use enough.

i'm gonna paddle my inflatable for a bit longer and enjoy the exercise.

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI

A small out board (2 hp) or so could be carried with a bracket off the stern rail seats without any problem. I wouldnt put a bigger motor
more for weight that high than the rail seat couldnt handle it.
I have a 15 hp for my dingy and a 1.5 c&carry. The 15 gets towed with the dingy. But Ideal for me is the 9.5 foot with the 15 towed or a choice of a 6 foot dingy with a 2hp that can be deflated and stored on the bow.
Im going to get one of the 6 foot inflatable floor dingys on ebay soon.
and if I can find a 2hp fourstroke or a 4hp two stroke to carry on board
great more weight...