MacGregorSailors.com

Please let us know how your new Etec works?..... that was one of my final 3 engines.

Roger that.

Haven't tried it yet but it looks like a good fit. I don't think it's any wider than the BF50 at all. It's definitely a bit longer front to back, but there is no problem at all with accessibility. Actually when looking at the boat from the back the 90 looks smaller than the old 50. Maybe an optical illusion.

SENCMac25 wrote:Since you're looking to move, let me know if you're in the area, you can help me break in the new engine.

Will do. I was actually hoping to bring the boat down for the Southport rendezvous earlier this summer, but I couldn't make it happen. I may be taking a trip down there later in the summer, sans boat, to scout places to land in a year or two. I'll also sniff out the OB dealer while I'm there - there's only so much sight-seeing one can do before the urge to do something involving boats overwhelms.

Tomfoolery wrote:Will do. I was actually hoping to bring the boat down for the Southport rendezvous earlier this summer, but I couldn't make it happen. I may be taking a trip down there later in the summer, sans boat, to scout places to land in a year or two. I'll also sniff out the OB dealer while I'm there - there's only so much sight-seeing one can do before the urge to do something involving boats overwhelms.

Just PM when you get dates, I'll be glad to meet up and show you around and get out on the water.

Might even be able to convince the Browns to get out.

I put a Etec 90 on 8+ years ago and my family simply loves it. When there's no wind, we pull a tube with four 125 pound kids on it. I've pulled a 220 pound football playing nephew waterskiing on Lake Erie with 1 to 2 foot waves. Fires up every spring and every other time during the season even though I'm not that careful about keeping fresh gas or winterizing it every year. We bought in April, 2006, on our way to Hilton Head, so this is our 9th summer with it. Traded in a 25hp Johnson which wasn't enough power to get out of some dock areas during strong winds; the Mac26x simply had too much freeboard to overcome with that small of an engine in tight quarters, at least for my level of skill. I can't comment on any other engine brand besides my wonderful experience with my Etec.

Update, today I used the new engine to run through Snows Cut and into the river for some sailing. With full ballast and full rigging, WOT was 6100rpm with max speed varying from 18~19mph.

Once again for posterity (if someone searches for the results from this engine) I'm using a 14x11 aluminum prop on my Yamaha 70hp.

I get 17-18mph on new 50hp Merc.big Foot with heavy equipment and empty ballast. Empty your ballast to do 22-26mph. I have a 14x10 pitch triple cuped that need to reduced to a 9pitch. to do 5500rpms.
If you are getting 6100 rpms that is good.
I am surprised you are getting 18-19mph under full ballast with the 70hp engine.
Dave

SENCMac25 wrote:Update, today I used the new engine to run through Snows Cut and into the river for some sailing. With full ballast and full rigging, WOT was 6100rpm with max speed varying from 18~19mph.

Once again for posterity (if someone searches for the results from this engine) I'm using a 14x11 aluminum prop on my Yamaha 70hp.

That was running through Snows Cut which is notorious for strong currents so I most likely lost some speed there, but you're right I was expecting faster speeds than with Ballast in since the PO said he regularly could hit 17 with the old 50.

I'm wondering if I'm not starting to cavitate at the top end of those RPM's because I'm not noticing a substantial amount of speed increase after 5800, maybe I need to switch to a different prop.

Should I go for a more agressive pitch or less?

17 MPH max with no ballast on a 50. There is no way you would get 17 with ballast on a 50.

Our top speed on the Honda 50 with a 4 blade prop, mast down, stripped, no ballast was 17.5 mph. Mast up, loaded, and ballasted top speed was 12.5 MPH.

The Suzuki 90 with mast up, loaded with ballast hits 25 mph. Our prop touch the sand once which reduced the speed by 3 MPH empty. Needs to be reshaped.

If you can't get to 21-22 MPH on the X then you are not on a true plane and use A LOT more HP. That's another reason why we went with a 90.

Victor

Hi, I currently have a BF50 Honda carbeurated and am getting speeds of 13 - 14 mph with the ballast empty, loaded, mast up. I would like to upgrade to something where I can be in the 20-22mph range, same conditions but reluctant to make major transom modifications to accommodate a much heavier engine. I don't have the experience or have local dealer that would accommodate this reinforment. The info that I have found shows that my current engine is around 219lbs. I am looking two options that are close to that weight.
The Honda 60 at 239lbs and the Yamaha 70 at 253lbs.

- Are these realistic goals with these (2) engine options?

any guidance would be appreciated.

I have the Etec 60 two stroke. It will do 19.5 mph with 4 adults, no ballast, rigging/mast up, light loading.

If you want 20-22, you're probably going to need the 70 (or more). Hopefully some 70 owners will chime in.

And, I see this is your first post. Welcome! Glad you joined!