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I’m purchasing a macgregor 26s 1995. Currently has a 6 hp 2 stroke. Looking at a 9.9 our 15 hp 4 stroke depending on what’s for sale used. Wondering if anyone knows the recommended maximum weight that is allowed to be installed? I know the 15 hp likely won’t move it much faster than hull speed, I’m just looking at whats available on the market locally used. Thanks.

Kudos to you. Mac are hard to find right now. The least I would shoot for is 9.9.

chadwiseman wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:26 pm I’m purchasing a macgregor 26s 1995. Currently has a 6 hp 2 stroke. Looking at a 9.9 our 15 hp 4 stroke depending on what’s for sale used. Wondering if anyone knows the recommended maximum weight that is allowed to be installed? I know the 15 hp likely won’t move it much faster than hull speed, I’m just looking at whats available on the market locally used. Thanks.

Summer ran a 9.8 Tohatsu on his 26. He did some interesting mods to make motoring and motor handling convenient. You might find some of it interesting.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... index.html

I agree with dl, if you get rid of the 6, 9.9 is the smallest I'd go. Nothing worse than having a blow come up and not being able to make headway into it because you're underpowered...

I have a 9.9hp on my S and it will move the boat at hull speed at 3/4 throttle in a good Lake Huron swell. What is more important is the shaft length. I have the 25" and also have it on an adjustable motor mount. When the waves pick up, it's important to keep the prop and water intake in the water. I also love the electric start and alternator to keep my batteries charged.

Thanks. I am looking for a 9.9, but was wondering if there is any weight limit as I found a good deal on a 15 hp.. A little more than i need, and a little extra weight but the right price.

chadwiseman wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:25 pm Thanks. I am looking for a 9.9, but was wondering if there is any weight limit as I found a good deal on a 15 hp.. A little more than i need, and a little extra weight but the right price.

Do you know the model # - you can look up the weight and compare it to a 9.9.

AFAIK most 9.9 and 15 are the same if not very similar engine blocks and therefore very similar weights.

About 20 lbs heavier in my case

I don't think that would affect anything. If the 6hp works I might try it out before spending money on a new motor though. My personal perspective.

Our 8 hp pushes boat at near hull speed at full throttle. Runs a lot quieter at 3/4 throttle = 4.8 K. (Mariner 2 stroke)
Be certain the 15hp is long shaft!

chadwiseman wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:25 pm Thanks. I am looking for a 9.9, but was wondering if there is any weight limit as I found a good deal on a 15 hp.. A little more than i need, and a little extra weight but the right price.

I had a 9.9 on the Aquarius 7.0 I used to have, which was basically an A23 with a different rudder and the OB offset to one side. I got into some nasty breaking waves in a skinny channel that I could barely get the boat to move through with the OB running at full throttle, against a strong headwind. That headwind was generating those breaking waves.

That was one time I wished I had the 15 hp version of that little Evinrude 2-stroke. It was the same block and leg as the 9.9, but with a different carb and higher WOT speed if I recall.

While a displacement hull isn’t going to go any faster than hull speed with any engine it could actually carry, pushing through strong headwinds adds to the drag on the hull, and extra power can actually be put to work. If you don’t think you’ll ever need it, then it’s just extra weight and money, but it’s not like it can’t ever be put to work.

Of course, since the 15 under consideration weighs more than the 9.9, you have to make sure the mount and transom can handle it, including bouncing down the road, but there are things you can do to help mitigate that too.

Oh, and my old 1980 Evinrude 2-stroke only weighed about 65 lb or so. I could remove it and carry it in my SUV without any help, though I was just a little younger back then.

Isn't there a rule of thumb? 5hp for every ton? That would mean 7.5 hp for a Mac S.

I normally have a 9.9 on mine, which does well. I'm currently using a 4.5, which works at least in lighter air but feels underpowered.

--john

Had a scary time a few years back on a friends sloop (very fast). He has a 6 HP outboard, and when the weather turned we very nearly didn't make if back to the sheltered waters on the marina. Even worse, his daughter was along. He went out and got as 9.9 HP after that.

pitchpolehobie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 6:28 pm I don't think that would affect anything. If the 6hp works I might try it out before spending money on a new motor though. My personal perspective.

I have a 1996 9.9 hp Evinrude on my 1991 26S. On the Evinrude (& Johnson - OMC's) my understanding is the difference between the 9.9 and 15 hp's is the carburetor and they should be very similar in weight. Not sure with other brands. I don't think 20 lbs would make much difference, plenty of fat folks moving around on these boats (myself included). I call it a trim party.

Hi ChadWiseMan

In the resources section of the forum under “Brochures “ the one for the 26S lists engines up to 10 hp.

Given that the weight difference is only ~20 lbs I wouldn’t think there would be much of an issue. The extra 5 ho in thrust shouldn’t be an issue either as long as you are reasonable with how hard you push your boat along.

If you operate it regularly at 3/4 throttle I don’t see an issue either. Having the extra capacity will allow you reserve for the occasions when needed and allow for longer engine life at 3/4 Power setting.

Best Regards,
Over Easy