Installing 70 hp on my 26M

[Kelly Hanson East]

Mac should come on board and test, then say these boats can handle a 90hp motor, Its not like there arnt any macs running around with them.

This isnt going to happen. A lightly loaded Mac with a 90HP can probably get on plane and do upwards of 30 kts, and in heavy chop or a big wave, this could easily overstress the hull and cause a hull failure based on impact.

**This is not to say the guys who have big motors have done something wrong, they just operate their boats prudently as everyone should***

The manufacturer has to take a worst case position - legally they cant say 'You can put a 90 on the boat, just dont be a knucklehead" As Mike points out, the lawyers will go to town on this one.

[beene]

If the Mac came with a no Knucklehead clause on it, I would not be allowed to won one.....



G

[mikelinmon]

Whats this about the 115# wife sitting in my lap and a vibrating motor (E-tec doesn't vibrate so much) what brand do I need? Quick, tell me! Also, minimum HP needed to vibrate (remember, I'm old and might need amplitude/frequency).
Can't say for sure reasons Roger says up to 50hp, maybe for the reasons he gives. Possible weight and steering is reason for 50hp limit. Possible MPG. Possible hand start (long gone since high tech motors replaced the old carbs). True enough, the transom seems to not care how much power is applied ( so Far )! Aya and is it 115hp? Hull/boat strength is more related to how hard you hit the waves than speed, assumes we all slow down as it gets rougher on our bodies thus getting same amount of impact.
It might not make any diff up to points reached so far in the hp race, just a legal position.
Mike Inmon

[aya16]

Mike stick to the old 50 at full throttle best vibrator. crazy huh 125, now???? Missed it by that much!!!!!Got to be honest though in the 75 hp class, that optimax has to be the biggest in its class, that merc is a monster....
The new 125 version looks to be bored diff. but same engine as the 75-90-115-125. I think I would still have bought the 115 if I knew the 125 was available, I have my limits too, in this case money.
Mike

[puggsy]

Mike...How about a pic of that 115 on your

[aya16]

puggsy
I just got back from vacation, from sunny Fresno, with out the Mac, so far I have taken some pixs of the engine with my cell phone but promise soon as I get to the boat this week Ill shoot some photos for real.
Just been so darn bizzy. Havent even had a chance to put the mac back together completely yet. I also have to pick up the steering adapter I ordered from merc. Speaking of steering, Inmon has made a good point about the steering on the mac, at some point, power wise the steering is a weak link. The slop and connections may not be able to handle the added stress of the bigger engines well. I dont know for sure yet. But if I have to fight the added torque from the engine in the steering, Ill just go to hydraulic steering with a heavy duty steering disconnect if I have too.

Mike