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I found a used Mac 26 D its a 1987. I am going to look at her this Sat.
it doesn't have an engine, what is the biggest HP engine I can put on it ?
They only want $5000 I am worried it will be junk....

I think thats about a 1500 boat but check NADA or the web to confirm

NADA list it at $5,650 low retail
I will check it for cracks, leaks, ask about the sails and batt's then post my findings for anyones advise.

I stand corrected....

I browsed a couple of boat sites and am finding 8-10k pricing reported.

I confess I would look to steal a boat like this, since that price reflects a boat that is in 'ready to be sold' (not sailed, necessarily) condition - usually these boats sit for ages, and are just depreciating, so the seller is better off getting half retail than nothing. You have to be careful how you get them to that point though.

I seriously considered picking up an '88 D a little over a year ago, just to leave at my beach house. It, too, had been sitting around a while and needed some attention but looked solid. I could have (should have )bought it for $3,000. A friend I sail with has gone to a keel boat and is asking about $9,000 for his 26S. The prices on the S & D models seem to have climbed over the past 18 months. May be a fair price @ 5K if sails, rigging, & trailer are good. Shouldn't lose a lot of value if maintained----you've got to pay for fun. He might take less if you ask. Just don't act too excited.

As for engine size, most I know run about a 7.5 hp on this series. This is a displacement hull rather than planing like the X or semi- like the M.

Good Luck! and BTW, the D is suppose to be the fastest sailer of the 26s.

HP max =10.
I ran a Nissan 8 hp 2-stroke 1988- 2000 on my 1988 26D and it pushed the boat to hull speed and against wind and waves. It was a long shaft but the prop would loose grip with me on foredeck and nobody in the cockpit, so I would now probably select an extra long shaft.
A !0 hp 4-stroke is a lot heavier, and might (???) weigh down the stern too much.
Ron

Check on Craigs List Atlanta then go to boats for sale type in Gainesville GA. then type in Sailboat. Lot of great deals there.

I owned an 88 mac 26D with a tohatsu/ nissan 9.9 for 10 years...I loved that boat! It has great sailig performace, probably the fastest 26 sailer Mac Gregor ever built.

Since I could only sail 1 boat I decided to sell it and keep my '02 X in my slip @ Oceanside CA.

I had modified the 88D so it was a fast coastal cruiser, and I sailed it from Oceaside to Newport, to Catalina, and San Diego for years.

A lucky guy bought it for $9700 last September, and took it to Lake Mead.

Make sure the hull, and water ballast are sound, and the mast and rigging are in good shape.

Hopefully you can step the mast, and put the boat in the water, to test it, at the very least fill the ballast tank on the trailer and make sure that it holds water.

Best of luck, Ric

Got my D for around $4K three years ago. This is a steal for a D-boat. They seem to hold value well and not many for sale, usually.

My suggestion for an OB would be the Tohatsu 9.8 hp 4stroke. The weight is the same as the 8hp (81lbs). My early Honda 4 stroke, 8 hp weighs around that (within ten pounds +/ -).
They are selling these all over the web for $1700 to $2000, depending on shaft length and whether you want electric start (handi).
The difference between this ob and Nisson and Mercury, in this size is decals and price (the Tohatsu being less dough than the other two brands). They are built in the same factory. The Merc is the most expensive, generally.

I'm looking at an extra long shaft with electric start and alternator for $1979.00 no tax and free shipping.
The electric start models still have the recoil starter rope, in case you need it.

You would not want a larger outboard than this on a 26D. You'd just be wasting money and gasoline.

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

I have a brand new 4 stroke 2008 Tohatsu 9.8 hp with elect. start and 6 amp chargeing, 20 inch shaft. has 5 hrs on it with original shipping container. I bought it for a Mac. S I was planning on buying and got a better deal on a Mac. X so I can't use it.
List for $1950 will sell for $1550.
Dave, Cape Coral, Fl.

TerryB89 wrote:I found a used Mac 26 D its a 1987. I am going to look at her this Sat.
it doesn't have an engine, what is the biggest HP engine I can put on it ?
They only want $5000 I am worried it will be junk....

My advice would be check under the seats and see how much water is under there and ask how long the water has been there and make sure the fiberglass is in good shape. Also check the battery area to make sure no acid has gotten to the fiberglass.

and paid $6500 US for it. Came with a Johnson 9.9 and 4 sails. Not a lot of mods, which is nice 'cause I want to make her mine my way.

It does have compass, VHF and depth finder but that's about it.