MacGregorSailors.com

Yeah, I can see that the M-rudders mount more outboard than the 26X. That's an obstacle, but not insurmountable, methinks.

After all, it's still a Mac 26 - aka Modgregor!

Thank you TT
The photos clearly indicate the limitations for engine bracket mounting on the M, one would have to be heeled over 30 degrees to get the prop into the water from the corner of the transome, not to mention the bracket would have to be mounted on the curvature which would not be flat. The most practicle option is a carrying bracket on a Stern Rail for a lightweight motor or mount the engine on the dinghy and tow it.

That's an obstacle, but not insurmountable, methinks.

Not insurmountable, but more trouble than it is worth

Maby. From what I have read, it really depends on where and how long you want to cruise. For long term cruising, a stern rail is a real plus. Short term, if towing any distance or in bad conditions, you may want ot put the dingy on board or else you may loose it. There has been many of cruisers looked back and there dingy was not there.

There is a few of ways to bring a dingy motor on board. Strength, Outboard lifting David for the stern or you can use the end of the boom to lift the motor with block and tackel and put a mount on the forwared port stern rail.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... ctId=27002

None of these systems are cheep but it will keep your dingy motor with you.

I've been wrestling my 58 pund tohatsu 4 stroke 4 horse o and off my dinghy for bout 2 years. Wife helped me keep dinghy in place in front of my x's boarding ladder, and I would store it underneath in port aft bunk for journey to Catalina and back. Just traded it in for the new 40 pound tohatsu 3.5 horse 4 stroke. Big difference compared to the 58 pounder, plus all the power and even a built in gas tank like the 4 horse I had. No reverse-- 360 degree pivoting powerhead--
Now if I can get my garelick starboard transom bracket to lower, I'll be set. Seems to have frozen up. The new motor sure fits well there..
Rolf

Rolf, is your new motor a short (15"?) or long shaft. Let us know how it moves the beast as a backup motor, once you get the garelick bracket working.

Its a shorty. Will use on my dinghy at the cat meet next week.
R

'96 26X
I've been procrastinating on this one for a year. I've got a Mariner 2.5 2- stroke, not sure of the weight - likely around 25 lbs.
It will plane me (185 lbs) and our 8 foot folding portabote at WOT.

My only "must have" objective is to keep the combustibles out of the cabin. The other constraint is a wonderful Dowsar enclosure. Therefore: mounting on the stern rail is not an option.

I'm guessing that to keep the prop in when you want it, & really out when you don't, probably requires 20 - 24 inches of vertical travel.
Chip, on your setup does your auxillary cavitate in medium waves (2 - 3 ft) or when crossing a good sized wake?

I'm leaning towards a fixed mount on the starboard side of the transom, high enough to stay out of the water permanently. Mounting the engine while seated in portabote has never been a problem - although always from a dock and with calm seas. Note-to-self: "arrange for a safety retrieval lanyard before our first big outing!

In the rare event that the main powerplant really failed, perhaps a prefabbed plywood mount on the swim ladder could take the load. Not a very elegant solution to be sure, but it should serve to get me home safely.

Chip, on your setup does your auxillary cavitate in medium waves (2 - 3 ft) or when crossing a good sized wake?

The simple answer is yes to both (although the correct term is ventilate rather than cavitate.) But if I shift the weight to the starboard side and heel the boat a little, the problem is lessened; it's also lessened if I reduce throttle. It's for emergency use only and not really intended for long distances, so I can put up with it. I definitely don't want to drop it any further on the transom so it's in the water most of the time or for moderate angles of heel when in the up position.

Thanks Chip;

The other alternative, is of course to simply tow the Mac with dinghy.

A pretty motley image is forming.
Folding Portabote, powered by 2.5 HP, driven by small kid with ball cap (either Toronto Maple Leafs or Edmonton Oilers crest) towing a comatose Mac!

Anyone out there that has tried something like this?

My 9 year-old son, who is the prefered first mate, would be up for a sea trial in heartbeat.

Here's another idea that just hit me. Why can't you hang a relatively light dingy motor on the bow pulpit?

It won't obviously, you won't be using it for backup propulsion from that position.

But, it wouldn't be any more exposed, in the way, etc. than on the stern... Yeah, I guess it could pose an issue for your headsail, but I'm sure that could be worked out...

Here's another idea that just hit me. Why can't you hang a relatively light dingy motor on the bow pulpit?

Climibing up to and across the upper deck (and back) dragging even a relatively light dinghy motor seems to me a recipe for disaster.

Could you have someone in the dinghy lift it up to you standing/sitting at the bow? How do you mount the dinghy motor from the stern? Can you stand in the dinghy and mount it on the pulpit from there?