Second, I'm having a hard time finding a dealer that will hang a DF90 on a Mac.
How have you guys located dealers that will look past the "50hp" design specs? I really don't want to settle for a 50hp when I've seen so many successful 90hp (and bigger) installs.
Any advice is appreciated.
John
2000x, Honda 30hp
Atlantic Beach, Fl
Hi John, regarding dealer not wanting to put bigger than 50hp, I had a similar issue with my dealer but then I showed them letter from my insurance company where they stated they would insure my Mac 26M with up to 150 HP motor. That reassured the dealer & he installed my 70 HP Suzuki. (if I remember correctly there was someone on this forum who had a 140 HP on their Mac! )
Yes, I do, since the early 1970's. Built a partial kit, flew, became a dealer for 3 models, bought a gyro kit manufacturing company, sold it and have 3 right now. 2 are for sale as I'm getting to old and slow to do everything I want to do. Built this
and flew it
manufactured these kits
Tom
Tom Milton, Lansing, IL. Retired helicopter mechanic.
pre 1960's Great Lakes bulk carrier Boat Nerd.
Formerly sailing a MAC25 "Wizard" and now a 1998 MAC 26X with Suzuki DF90. Sailing out of Hammond Marina since it opened 25 years ago
No more testing as of yet. I got side tracked and started replacing all my standing rigging and doing trailer work. So many boat projects to take care of
I don't get on here often, but I didn't seem to get a reply to my Swim Ladder problem.
I don't consider it safe to single hand without a ladder as I can't imagine a lad my age and size getting aboard any other way.
Tom Milton, Lansing, IL. Retired helicopter mechanic.
pre 1960's Great Lakes bulk carrier Boat Nerd.
Formerly sailing a MAC25 "Wizard" and now a 1998 MAC 26X with Suzuki DF90. Sailing out of Hammond Marina since it opened 25 years ago
gyroplanes wrote: ↑Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:13 pm
I don't get on here often, but I didn't seem to get a reply to my Swim Ladder problem.
I don't consider it safe to single hand without a ladder as I can't imagine a lad my age and size getting aboard any other way.
Hi Tom,
My stock ladder just barely clears the motor when pointed straight forward. If the motor is turned to the right does the ladder still interfere on yours?
gyroplanes wrote: ↑Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:13 pm
I don't get on here often, but I didn't seem to get a reply to my Swim Ladder problem.
I don't consider it safe to single hand without a ladder as I can't imagine a lad my age and size getting aboard any other way.
I added an eTec 90 with a jack plate. My stock ladder is mounting inside the rudder and clears. You may want to try this ladder http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/6401-1x0.htm that mounts outside the rudder.
I like that ladder better than my ladder, which doesn't appear to go as far under water when down. I can barely get a foot on the bottom rung of mine, requiring that I be almost folded in half. Not so easy any more. An extra run under the water is what I really need.
I might consider mounting the BWY ladder lower, though, if the compression posts still hit the transom. There's no utility in having a short step to the motor well deck area, but huge utility in having a lower bottom rung.
Regarding the 90, that's not really an option for me in Borneo but I am musing on the idea of a Yahama 85 2-stroke...
Due to import taxes and stuff here I'd basically have to pay for 2 of them.
I'm no fan of 2 strokes, in fact I generally hate the things, but those feelings come from growing up with small and horrible motorbikes 30 odd years ago, and then buying equally old 2-stroke boat engines...
I now have 2 little engines, a 3.3 and a 9.8, both purchased new and being so new they seem vastly easier and more reliable than the antique 2-strokes I'm used to.
A brand spanking new 85, fitted by the dealer... seems kind of tempting? The extra power would be helpful but my biggest 2 issues are availability of spare parts - for example right now I'm sniffing around for a replacement prop and there's nothing easily available for Hondas here and my Honda is pretty darn old now - and trouble finding a 4-stroke kicker.
Ideally I need a long-shaft 4-stroke but such things just don't exist here. Yamaha and Suzuki make such things but both have told me they don't sell them "in this market". Won't order them, no parts for them, just a no-go for small 4 strokes. Big 4 strokes? Sure. Little ones? No.
As mentioned, I already have a trusty 9.8 short shaft, so I guess I can (reluctantly) fit it low enough.
I'm guessing an 85 2-stroke would be considerably lighter than a 90 4-stroke?
When I was repowering, I was considering looking for a used Yamaha 90 2 stroke, but they were hard to find and if you did find them people were asking almost the cost of a new motor. Although it's smelly and loud, the Yamaha 90 is about 80 lbs lighter than my Suzuki 90 and it is also built like a tank.
I am in the camp that 90hp is the right amount of power for this boat. The larger motor allows me to swing a larger prop and cruise at lower rpm, yet I have power in reserve when I need it.
I don't think a short shaft would work as a kicker. I remember another post saying that either waves or heeling would pull the prop out of the water with a short shaft.
Hey, just read through your thread. Now that it has been a year of use, can you give some details on performance and boating experience with the DF90? Thanks!
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