Recommendation for 50 HP 4 cycle Out Board Motor

[tfuchs]

Hi everybody, I am new here.

I am about to buy a new 26m here in Austria, Europe. Does anybody have experience or can recommend an engine? The boat is limited for 60 hp here, so I think of the evenrude etec or the new 4stroke Suzuki DF60. I have kids and waterskiing or wake boarding could be on the menu. On the other hand the fuel economy of the Suzuki provides more range and a quieter ride. I understand weight wise they are all in the 110kg (230pounds) range, so not much of a difference here. The Suzuki seems to have a lower alternator output with it's 19 Amps (vs. 25 etec) but deliveres 11 Amps already at an impressive low rpm of 1000.

Ca anybody help me with advise?

Many thanks,
Tillmann

[Keel_Hauled]

I don't know about anyone else here but I've never had much luck getting to speeds fast enough for water skiing with my Suzuki DF50 but it sure it quiet. From my experience with the DF50 on my I'd probably look at the ETec for the possibility of pulling someone at speed. I like my Suzuki, though, and as long as you take care of it it will run forever and get great fuel economy. I powered to Bimini out of Homestead, FL and only used 10 gallons at 8.5knots the whole way (plus about an hour at full throttle leaving the bay)

[Kittiwake]

I bought the 2010 26M as a basic package shipped from the MacGregor factory. This package included the E-tec 60. At the time, I would have much preferred to go with a 4-stroke, but based on a distant-past less-than-ideal experience when independently matching a Honda 50 with a 26X, I figured it would be smarter to go with the stock factory recommendation.

I have been delighted with the E-tec 60. It really is as trouble-free as advertised; and it does seem to have a good power-to-weight ratio and match well with the 26M.

I had it adjusted to use the XD-100 oil (100% synthetic ... which is mixed automatically with the gas within the engine itself and is required in only tiny amounts), after starting out with the XD-50 which is only 50% synthetic. So the smell of oil during running is minimal.

At low speeds it has a pleasantly peaceful sound, and gets excellent gas mileage.

I would still like to have the presumed-lesser-noise of a 4-stroke ... but one can't have everything (and now that I think back, I'm not sure my Honda 50 was significantly quieter ... I wonder how others feel about this noise comparison: I had read that one could not tell if a 4-stroke was running because it was so quiet at idle, but this was not my experience).
Kittiwake

[Keel_Hauled]

U just tuned up my Suzuki and replaced all the fuel filters and IAC valve. When I was running it in the driveway dunked in a barrel of water, of course) I walked thru the garage and into the kitchen and I couldn't even hear it running-- that was with the garage door open. I like that. Smooth and quiet

[Catigale]

I figured it would be smarter to go with the stock factory recommendation.

This recommendation is based on pure economics. The ETEC is a fine motor, but every new buyer should treat the boat and motor purchases as separate evaluations. Unlike the automobile model,, boat makers and dealers dont make motors of course, so they recommend the motor tht puts more money in their pocket (ie purchased and installed through them)

Overseas, your number one consideration should be the availability of local service for both warranty and service life work.

Choose from Suzuki, Nissan, Honda, Mercury, Evinrude or other major brand based on local service

For trips under a week the alternator output is a minor consideration

Fuel economy of these motors is going to be close between types (4 stroke and 2 stroke)

[Kittiwake]

I figured it would be smarter to go with the stock factory recommendation.

This recommendation is based on pure economics. The ETEC is a fine motor, but every new buyer should treat the boat and motor purchases as separate evaluations. Unlike the automobile model,, boat makers and dealers dont make motors of course, so they recommend the motor tht puts more money in their pocket (ie purchased and installed through them) ....

Usually I agree with Catigale (well, sometimes anyway heh heh) ... but in the above statement only a bit. Roger has a history of responding cleverly to owner experiences; and I gather that people have directly compared the E-tec to comparable alternatives - especially in terms of functional power on a Mac (eg. having two Macs pull against one another when tied by the stern).

So in terms of pulling power and speed, my understanding is that the E-tec is particularly-well-suited to the 26M. The hull configurations of different boats do influence outboard function. Certainly Kittiwake hits 18-19 mph full speed with its E-tec 60. If I were a water-skier, I would definitely go for the E-tec, and seriously consider the 70 hp model if MacGregor now OK's it.
Also this motor fits nicely size-wise ... and even makes a good seat for stern access. Various threads on this site note that you cannot depend on optimal physical fit with all motors.
Also there is little-or-no yearly E-tec maintenance for the 1st 3 years; and as I understand it, less than with a 4-stroke after that.
Also when I had an independent marine dealer install a Honda 50 on a 26X (years ago), they had had no previous experience with the Mac, and although they did a good job, the throttle and its control leads were definitely suboptimal (this will be a longterm pain) ... whereas when you get the E-tec factory package it has clearly been installed by folks who have years of experience with alternatives. This is a non-trivial consideration in itself.

As for gas mileage, I have never measured it with any precision. It is very speed-dependent, as is typical for boats. Thus we can run 8 hours per day for days with 2 x 12-gallon stock tanks at 4-6 mph (this {or slower} is my favourite gunk-holing speed); whereas at full speed you can empty a 12-gallon tank in a few hours it seems. My guess is that Catigale is on-the-money regarding fuel consumption of the E-tec vs 4-stroke.

I'm fussy, and I remain confident that the E-tec 60 is a good choice for the 26M (I'd check out the E-tec 70 if I were interested in maximum speed/power). I still periodically wonder if a 4-stroke would be quieter; so I reiterate: has anyone found that the 4-stroke is quieter than the E-tec as judged by someone sitting in the cockpit underway? ... ie. is the 4-stroke 'silent' as judged by someone in the cockpit underway?
Kittiwake
ps. By the way, I'm sure Catigale is right that businesses are focussed on their bottom lines. But keep in mind that Roger runs a business in which every mistake he makes will be read about and discussed by 10's of thousands of proud-but-critical Mac owners ... so his bottom line is tightly linked to customer approval.

A benefit of 'stock engine from the plant' that I forgot to mention is propellor choice! Frankly I had been unaware of this prior to purchase; but my E-tec came with the (excellent choice of) 13.75x13 prop. Subsequent discussion on this thread has emphasized the importance of prop for optimal performance, and the challenges associated with chosing a prop independently for a given outboard. It may be that an E-tec 70 used for water skiing will benefit from a slightly different prop; and hopefully the Mac factory will be aware of the best choice.

[innervations]

I have had the Etec60 coming up two years now on my 2010 and I am really happy with it. Almost no maintenance required other than top up the oil reservoir before each outing and fresh water flush after each outing. First service is after three years! Motor runs really quiet at idle but gets much louder at high revs but all modern outboards seem similar in terms of noise levels to me.

[tfuchs]

Hi everybody!
Yesterday I called MacGregor company and was connected to a nice gentleman called Mike. He said, and it sounded like "the last word on engines": choosing from all existing outboarders he knows, the etec is the best choice. Why? Mainly because of it's big prop area. That is - he says - especially important with Mac's, which have to behave well in relatively low speeds of 20 mph, unlike a fishing boat that cruises at almost double of that speed. At higher speeds, and most engines are designed to be efficient at that higher speeds, the prop area has to be small(er) for the best gallon/mile ratio.
Unfortunately he could not say anything about the new Suzuki 60 lean burn that claims to be lighter and smaller even as the etec. Sizewise he could say, that seeing the Suzuki DF60 at a boat show, it will sit higher on the boat, since it seems to be taller, which puts the center of gravity a bit higher (not a favorable thing in my opinion). I just consider the Suzuki because looking at data, it seems to have a significant lower fuel consumption, almost 30% of the Etec. And that translates into range which isimportant to me. Mike said, a normally loaded M26 equipped with an Etec would run 100 miles on full power (20+ mph) and that is not much where I live (mediterranean).
Does anyone have real life experience with the new Suzuki DF60 lean burn on a 26M? Your efforts are very much appreciated!
Tillmann

[MacTommy]

Have you considered the new Honda BF60 VTEC? The variable valve lift and timing makes it the most powerful engine in this class, and also the most economical judging from the latest tests.

http://marine.honda.com/Products/modeldetail/BF60

http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Engines/E ... _60_INLINE

The Evinrude ETEC is in fact heavier... Also more noise, more smoke and in a constant need for expensive 2-stroke oil. Unless your local Evinrude-dealer supports you in extra-ordinary ways, the choice should not be that hard.

[dlandersson]

When you are talking range, you have to include fuel capacity. What is yours?

Mike said, a normally loaded M26 equipped with an Etec would run 100 miles on full power (20+ mph) and that is not much where I live (mediterranean).
Tillmann

[tfuchs]

It will be the 24 gallons, the maximum possible (to my knowledge)

[dlandersson]

Ok, that seems a bit low.

From the Macgregor web site: "MAXIMUM RANGE 283 MILES AT 6 MPH"

Miles per gallon at low speed
11.8 mpg at 6 mph
8.7 mpg at 6.7 mph

Miles per gallon at cruise
4.8 mpg at 16 mph
2.9 mpg at 15.9 mph

Miles per gallon at full speed
3.5 mpg at 21 mph
2.7 mpg at 19.9 mph

It will be the 24 gallons, the maximum possible (to my knowledge)

[raycarlson]

of course Mike "the nice gentleman" would say the etec is the best choice.Mainly because he has them stacked eight feet high in his back room,and desperately wants to sell all of them as fast as he can to avoid the inventory expense.What a nice man he is,he would never do anything just for profit.

[robbarnes1965]

Ok, that seems a bit low.

From the Macgregor web site: "MAXIMUM RANGE 283 MILES AT 6 MPH"

Miles per gallon at low speed
11.8 mpg at 6 mph
8.7 mpg at 6.7 mph

Miles per gallon at cruise
4.8 mpg at 16 mph
2.9 mpg at 15.9 mph

Miles per gallon at full speed
3.5 mpg at 21 mph
2.7 mpg at 19.9 mph

It will be the 24 gallons, the maximum possible (to my knowledge)

I have a Honda 50 and although I will never hit those high speeds without emptying the boat and losing weight myself, I think the ratios reflecting loss of efficiency as speed increases are quite comparable to my observations. 6 kt is a nice speed for the Mac. Any higher and things get pretty noisy too.

[vkmaynard]

From the Macgregor web site: ...

Miles per gallon at full speed
3.5 mpg at 21 mph
2.7 mpg at 19.9 mph

21 Mph with a 50 Hp motor? Great marketing dream

Victor