How to Install a larger 90+ HP Motor
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:01 pm
Hey there,
After several months of lurking, then several more of joining this site and asking questions, I've finally purchased a 26M.
She sat on the lot at Strictly Sail in Cincinnati for 3 years, so I got a new, older model 2009 at a good price.
I highly recommend the guys at Strictly Sail, by the way. They answered a lot of my questions and did a great job of rigging the boat for my 500+ mile journey home. I will continue to buy from them. They are Macgregor dealers and have been in the biz for 34 years.
So, I'm ready to install an outboard. In fact, I 'd like to make a video about it (I make videos for a living) since it seems like a pretty big deal if you have never done it. (And I never have.) Perhaps I can help some other folks out, like you all have helped me.
I'm wanting either a DF90 Suzuki or a DF115.
A few ideas that I've gathered from this site:
Motor Size:
- I can’t have a dealer install the motor because it's beyond Macgregor's accepted rating.
http://www.macgregor26.com/powering_and ... wering.htm
- lots of folks install larger motors than 60 HPs, with no problems
- dealers commonly recommend and install 70s, despite Macgregor's advice on the website
- 90 HPs on 26Ms are common, and I've seen at least one 100HP, and even a 140 on a 26X.
- an outboard dealer might be willing to do a final inspection of the installation.
Motor installation:
- I will need to rent a hoist to hold the engine up
- I might need an (inside) transom reinforcement plate for the larger motors.
- I will need a transom wedge between the motor and the transom, but I don't know what size (5 degree angle?) or material, I assume plastic lasts longer than metal in salt water.
- I need to line up the cavitation plate with the bottom of the boat
- Blue Water Yachts has an add-on steering bar part that allows you to disconnect the motor more easily
http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... eering.htm
- I should leave room for a larger steering wheel upgrade when mounting the controls on the pedestal
Helm Problems:
- I won't be able to raise the motor up all the way if the helm seat is down. The larger motor is too big.
- I can either 1) raise the helm somehow, 2) adjust the trim control so it stops before hitting the seat, or 3) put rubber bumpers on the motor or seat to prevent scratches
Misc:
- I have no clue about the controls or fuel lines. 14 ft cables?
- how long does an installation take?
- I might want to use a jack plate to give the motor more clearance in the motor well. This will put the weight farther back which will effect sailing and motoring. As far as I know, no one on this site has installed a jack plate on a 26M. But I've seen them on a 19 and a 26X, and the owners like them.
- If I install a jack plate, I will have to figure out an extension to disconnect the motor, similar to the Blue Water Yachts steering bar add on.
I know I'm missing some things, for sure. I'm hoping to help 26X owners as well as 26M folks with the info I gather.
Can anyone add ideas to the list?
Thanks!
David
After several months of lurking, then several more of joining this site and asking questions, I've finally purchased a 26M.
She sat on the lot at Strictly Sail in Cincinnati for 3 years, so I got a new, older model 2009 at a good price.
I highly recommend the guys at Strictly Sail, by the way. They answered a lot of my questions and did a great job of rigging the boat for my 500+ mile journey home. I will continue to buy from them. They are Macgregor dealers and have been in the biz for 34 years.
So, I'm ready to install an outboard. In fact, I 'd like to make a video about it (I make videos for a living) since it seems like a pretty big deal if you have never done it. (And I never have.) Perhaps I can help some other folks out, like you all have helped me.
I'm wanting either a DF90 Suzuki or a DF115.
A few ideas that I've gathered from this site:
Motor Size:
- I can’t have a dealer install the motor because it's beyond Macgregor's accepted rating.
http://www.macgregor26.com/powering_and ... wering.htm
- lots of folks install larger motors than 60 HPs, with no problems
- dealers commonly recommend and install 70s, despite Macgregor's advice on the website
- 90 HPs on 26Ms are common, and I've seen at least one 100HP, and even a 140 on a 26X.
- an outboard dealer might be willing to do a final inspection of the installation.
Motor installation:
- I will need to rent a hoist to hold the engine up
- I might need an (inside) transom reinforcement plate for the larger motors.
- I will need a transom wedge between the motor and the transom, but I don't know what size (5 degree angle?) or material, I assume plastic lasts longer than metal in salt water.
- I need to line up the cavitation plate with the bottom of the boat
- Blue Water Yachts has an add-on steering bar part that allows you to disconnect the motor more easily
http://bwyachts.com/web%20catalog%20312 ... eering.htm
- I should leave room for a larger steering wheel upgrade when mounting the controls on the pedestal
Helm Problems:
- I won't be able to raise the motor up all the way if the helm seat is down. The larger motor is too big.
- I can either 1) raise the helm somehow, 2) adjust the trim control so it stops before hitting the seat, or 3) put rubber bumpers on the motor or seat to prevent scratches
Misc:
- I have no clue about the controls or fuel lines. 14 ft cables?
- how long does an installation take?
- I might want to use a jack plate to give the motor more clearance in the motor well. This will put the weight farther back which will effect sailing and motoring. As far as I know, no one on this site has installed a jack plate on a 26M. But I've seen them on a 19 and a 26X, and the owners like them.
- If I install a jack plate, I will have to figure out an extension to disconnect the motor, similar to the Blue Water Yachts steering bar add on.
I know I'm missing some things, for sure. I'm hoping to help 26X owners as well as 26M folks with the info I gather.
Can anyone add ideas to the list?
Thanks!
David