Motor for Mac 25

[tubeydude]

So I am looking around for a motor. I know the manual says 10 hp max. There is a newer honda 8 hp 4 stroke long shaft available near me and was wondering if it would be ok. The thing is, it weighs about 115 lbs according to the mfg website.

When macgregor specified 10 hp max, they were probably taking into account the weight of the motor. They were probably thinking of a 2 stroke. Of course a 2 stroke 8 hp motor will weigh a lot less than this one.

Do you think I am safe from a transom strength perspective? Has anybody had issues with mounting the 8-10 hp hondas?

Thanks,

Erik

[mastreb]

They're almost certainly less concerned about the weight of the motor than the overall horsepower. You don't want more horsepower than the hull is safe with while in a turn. Essentially, the 25 cannot plane, so more than 10hp is going to make the hull unstable and potentially subject to capsize in a turn.

The weight of the engine itself is probably mostly irrelevant. You might look at the Mercury 9.9--it's a great motor, light weight, and available retail all over the place.

Matt

[Bob McLellan]

I have the older 9.9 Honda. Only problem I have is the voltage rectifier is messed up. No problem from weight - but don't have it on when pulling the boat on the trailer either.

[yukonbob]

Would consider future regulations prohibiting 2 stroke. Just a thought, might be good to go with the 4. We get green rebates for buying 4's vs 2's might be something to look into?

[tubeydude]

Thanks all for the replies. I'll go take a look at the motor. I know our local lake has been hinting that 2 stokes may be banned soon.

I think a four stroke is the way to go as well.

What is the general feeling of mercury vs honda?

Thanks,

Erik

[Hamin' X]

What is the general feeling of mercury vs honda?

Thanks,

Erik

Generally, it comes down to which motor has the best service/dealer in your area. Look around and see what brand others are using.

~Rich

[anthony]

I have a 8hp honda four stroke on the back of my ven25 and it does an admirable job. Its a good motor IMHO.I think last year I only used about 2 gallons of gas the whole season. Weight wise yes it is a bit heavy, my manual says 98lbs long shaft. It will get you up to hull speed 6-7 mph which is plenty fast. As for trailering with it I have not done this. I usually put the motor on just before I splash her for the season and take it off at the end.


Anthony

[tubeydude]

Well, I scored a motor. A 4 year old Tohatsu 9.8 XL shaft with remote controls and electric start. It was way more motor than I was planning on buying. However:

It had never been run or installed. The guy was going to put it on his cal 25, but he ended up selling the boat.

The remote control hardware is still in the baggies. It is a brand new motor. It was about half of what a new motor would have been. I like the fact that now I will not have to worry about my motor.

I'm going to change all the fluids and impeller just for good measure before I use it or fire it up.

Just wanted to give a heads up.

Thanks,

Erik

[Sumner]

Well, I scored a motor. A 4 year old Tohatsu 9.8 XL shaft with remote controls and electric start. It was way more motor than I was planning on buying..........Erik

You will love that motor. We got one last year and used it last fall on a 3 1/2 week trip and recently on a 7 1/2 trip 400 mile trip and it always started right up and ran perfectly. I took the 4 blade prop that came with it off as I thought it was pitched too low for our weight boats and put on a 7 pitch 4 blade and like it a lot.

We don't have the remote controls, but I made controls to.....

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

...help Ruth as she is the one on it usually. The remotes you have should be better and later I'll make some more like the factory's.

You have a great outboard, have fun with it,

Sum

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[edfin]

Also in same boat... so to speak. Just bought a new (1983 new) ... for me, Mac '25. Am looking forward to learning about her and fine art of sailing, but already hit major stopping point regarding 4-stroke outboard on what I assume is a 2-stroke original bracket.

Wanted to ask more specifically, if there's been any known issues with 100lb 4-strokes on original Mac brackets?
I bought a 2003 Honda 9.9 4' stroke; about 100lbs.
also:
1) The original bolts can be turned w/out becoming tight w/ a wrench, they're on the port side where there's no access to get to these nuts on the inside! Anyone know any tricks?

2) Has anyone re-mounted bigger 4-stroke engines onto their Mac? Am considering mounting new stronger bracket on starboard side where there's access under the cockpit bench, BUT... the transom seems really really thin! Seems to flex rather easily, obviously would put backing board on inside, but due to access would be a small one.

Anyone with any experience / knowledge in this.... I would GREATLY appreciate any inputs / insight!

Emailed, and will call Mac trying to get some more specific tech info also.

Thanks!!

[Bob McLellan]

edfin
I have a '76 Venture (Mac) 25. On the port side there is a 1/4 birth that can be entered to access the motor mount bolts/nuts. Some of the later boats had a sliding kitchenette type of thing there. However on mine I went a step farther and added Sony marine speakers on the aft cockpit wall, and when they are removed, there is easy access to the entire rear parts (stereo - one each side). I run an older Honda 9.9hp since more power will add more speed, only use more fuel. I think it is a little more than 100 pounds. But the motor brackets have separate ratings for 2-stroke vs 4-stroke (torque) and weight. I added additional plywood to strengthen the rear wall where the mount is located. and stainless plates rather than just fender washers when mounting.

[edfin]

yeah.. I 'thought' ... that going through the port 1/4 berth would be the answer, BUT ... there's actually a fiberglass divider / wall about half way back under the cockpit, which I hoped would move/open but is actually formed and glassed to side of interior hull through the center to starboard side. I too have the little sink that slides, it will go back to that point where the wall is. Looking across from starboard side, where there is an access section cut away; on the aft side of that dividing wall I see foam. So it seems it's there to hold the styrofoam blocks in place on that section of the boat. Will be possibly considering cutting away that wall, and just reglass it after I'm done... is not visible so not too concerned on looks of reglassing it.
Thanks for inputs, anything helps!!

[Freedom77]

Mac-25 and V-25 are almost the same. The Mac weighs a little less. We started out with a Merc 7.5 long shaft and traded for a Honda 7.5 in the mid 80's because it was a four stroke and had the battery trickle charger. It's dependable, gives us plenty of power and is econmical on fuel. Remember on a sailboat it's all about the weight. If a ten HP weighs more and doesn't improve anything then go with less HP. I've seen macs with 4HP and 6HP motors and they work fine. I would definitely consider the Honda 8 hp.but have a pro go over it. Carburetor and Water pump especially. I NEVER trailer with motor attached. All the bouncing can damage hull. I also backed up the outboard bracket with plywood and metal backing plate. I also store in in the garage to keep it out of the weather. This has proved a good thing in the Nevada heat. Hope this helps. Fair Winds and Full Sails....Old Salt

[cooperstownsailor]

I have the the original 83 Honda 7.5 on my 83 M25 and it is great. It has lots of power and moves the boat really well, but that is easy with an M25. What's really important is how it moves the boat in bad weather and in big currents. Mine brought us safely to a dock in a 6 knot river flow (Hudson River), during a storm. My guests voted the Honda their favorite "sail". My wife loves our Honda and says it is the reason she feels so safe during our nightly sails. (The wind dies on our lake at night regularly)

Today's small outboards are not without their problems. I've had problems with idle and low speed due to stuff in the gas and ethanol additives clogging up the small idle passages in the carb. 83 Hondas weren't built with ethanol and the resultant water absorbtion in mind. I've had to blow out the passages in the carb, install an in-line fuel filter and add an enzyme additive to my gas to get consistant idle and slow speed performance (like when docking or pulling alongside).

My 2009 small Nissan on another boat had none of these problems: built in gas filter and water separator on a little motor; very impressive.

So think not only about the amount of power needed to simply push your boat along, but also what you might need in times of trouble; it's easly to throttle down, it's hard to get more power if you don't have it.

Fair Winds and good luck.

[tubeydude]

For the record... my tohatsu 9.8 has been awesome. I have about 10+ hours on it now, so it is just broken in. Starts easily and I think it is getting quieter as it breaks in. I made the mistake of putting about 2 gallons in me 3 gallon tank when I first got it in the water. The needle did not budge and I ended up realizing that there is no way I'd use that much gas at the rate I was going. So...I used some of that gas to run my pressure washer for some other projects.

Very nice motor.