Looking for info on Nissan 50 PLUS 2-Stroke

[rickj514]

Hi Everyone,

New member here currently shopping around for a Mac, most likely a 26X. I used to own a 26C and enjoyed the boat a lot. Missing it. Catamarans before that, and an Ericson 26 for a time. Been out of sailing for a few years.

Anyway, I'm looking at a 1998 26X that has a Nissan 50 P.L.U.S. 2-stroke outboard. I haven't been able to dig up any information on this engine, so I've got a few questions:

- Is this engine fuel injected, or carburetors? I've been reading that some lakes such as Lake Powell will be restricting older 2-stroke outboards that are not "clean technology". Is it safe to assume that only fuel injected outboards can be considered "clean".

- Clearly, 4-strokes are more popular and in demand than 2-strokes. However, when looking at boat prices of the 26X, does the 2-stroke decrease the value by any / much?

- Any other advice you'd care to offer on purchasing a 26X with the Nissan 50 2-stroke?

Any advice / recommendations much appreciated!

Rick

[Catigale]

1998 will be a carb engine. I believe clean technology can be carb, but Im certain is motor won't meet these standards.

You should value a boat and engine package as too separate exercises. A new 50 HP motor installed on an old boat will cost near 10k once you consider motor cost, controls, labour, and time/transport of your boat to the installing motor dealer.

A 13 year old outboard on an old boat that runs well and can be sea trialed has a sales value of something like 3000 tops IMHO. That is to say, if the seller could separate the motor and boat the selling price should be 3k less. If maintenance and repairs aren't documented or "I can't run it since the battery is flat but it ran great last season" then it isn't worth anything.

If the motor can't be used in your intended sailing venue, it's worth 1000 or less.

[rickj514]

Thanks for your information, Catigale.

I'll need to look in to the area lakes and see if I'd be able to use that engine. I'm in SoCal and most of my sailing would actually be in SD Bay, Mission Bay, or the ocean. However, Lake Powell and a few other lakes are within reach and would be fun to go to, so I've got some homework to do. I've read that starting in 2013 "dirty", carbureted 2-strokes won't be allowed on the lake. If this engine is one of the "dirty" ones, I'd have to think about whether I'd be willing to limit the boat to ocean / bay sailing. At this point I've only looked at the boat, and it appears to have been a lake boat only (from Washington) as there's no evidence of corrosion. It's got a Bimini, dodger, roller furling, and a Mylar 150 Genoa.

Still trying to work out if I can swing it (and also getting approval from the "boss") so I haven't actually talked to a salesperson yet, but I think I could get the boat for $12K. Any comments on the price? When it gets to that purchase point, I'll obviously have the engine checked out by a professional. I'm guessing that this 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke is a common area of concern for prospective owners of the Mac. I plan on keeping the boat for along time and purchasing a 4-stroke later isn't an option.

Thanks again for your feedback.

Rick

[Catigale]

Rick - I did some quick research on this and got conflicting information on the web about the status of 2 strokes on Lake Powell and area. The most definitive source, the National Park Service, website did not respond to my enquiry.

Im going to start a new thread in "DESTINATIONS" so we can be clear on this.

Ill link it here when done.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =4&t=18260

[Catigale]

Also Rick - a brand new 9.9 HP can be self installed and will take you out into SF Bay and will be usable on all lakes (4stroke) - will cost you under 3000 USD.

[rickj514]

Thanks, Catigale. As a relative "newb" to outboards I have a lot to learn. The only outboard I've had was the 4-stroke 9.9 hp Nissan (Honda?) I had on Mac 26C back in the late 90s. No problems with it.

I was talking to my wife this morning about a 26X and the issue of launching at a busy public dock on San Diego Bay. I didn't know her back then, but I did tell her about some of the challenges I had with launching the 26C with a myriad of anxious power boaters lined up waiting for the big sailboat to get out of the way! I'm guessing that since this boat is a power boat of sorts, that it will be much easier. Rigging the mast, etc. is no big deal.

I'll monitor the thread you started and contribute anything worthwhile that I learn.

Rick

[Catigale]

Just realised you said SD Bay, not SF Bay. I dont know this as well. Definitely talk to locals about 50 vs 9.9. I know you dont get the tides on the Left Coast that we get over here, so tidal ebb/flood isnt as much an issue.

Im a bit of a lone wolf advocating 9.9 motors for Macs, but buying used this is the no-financial-risk option - or at least little risk...

[scubano]

I have the Nissan on our 26X, I know we are out of the water in Lake Tahoe, as well as any lake that forbids "dirty" outboards. That being said the Nissan has been very reliable. We routinely motor to Two Harbors without issue (she won't point up far enough to sail from Long Beach).We paid 10K for our 1996 with a couple of issues, trailer related mostly. The boat was kept in mast up storage in Ventura with all the attendant rust issues.

[mastreb]

Rick, there's a new marina at Sweetwater in National City that is WAY easier to launch from than Shelter Island. Its just south of the Coronado bay bridge.

[rickj514]

I have the Nissan on our 26X, I know we are out of the water in Lake Tahoe, as well as any lake that forbids "dirty" outboards. That being said the Nissan has been very reliable. We routinely motor to Two Harbors without issue (she won't point up far enough to sail from Long Beach).We paid 10K for our 1996 with a couple of issues, trailer related mostly. The boat was kept in mast up storage in Ventura with all the attendant rust issues.

Thanks for that feedback. I just got back from chatting with the place that has the boat. They have run the engine, but not out on the lake. They sell mainly powerboats and they really don't know a lot about this boat. I looked over the trailer pretty closely and it does have more rust than I saw the first time. All of the easily accessible parts of the trailer look new, but there is rust along the bottom on the long support structure that runs to the back, as well as quite a bit on the one that one that runs side to side by the axle. Overall though, I think I can clean it up OK. It has definitely seen salt water, but appears to have been reasonably cared for. Looks like some kind of LED lights on it.

Two Harbors is definitely in my plans. I motored / sailed there by Mac 26D back in the mid 90s a few times and I still talk about those trips. I wasn't married back then, but I know Marilyn will enjoy it as she does enjoy sailing. We've just got to get comfportable with the boat first, and we'll need to pick up some gear.

We're getting our taxes done (late!) in the next week. As long as there are no surprises, I think we'll be able to swing it. Next, I've got to check out the engine and sails. I've already started the discussion on price and we may be able to come to an agreement.

Rick

[rickj514]

Rick, there's a new marina at Sweetwater in National City that is WAY easier to launch from than Shelter Island. Its just south of the Coronado bay bridge.

Thanks, Matt. I'm definitely going to check this out. Assuming I get the boat, and I should know within a week or so, I'll need a place where I can practice with it. South SD Bay would be great for that, and I need a launch ramp that's not quite as busy as Shelter Island. I think I'd go there once I'm comfortable with the boat and launching it. Another plus for that ramp is that our grand kids and my wife's son live in National City!

[mastreb]

Hi Rick,

There's also a new marina in Chula Vista with a ramp that I've never gone out of because it's way south. It looks to be really easy as well.

Matt

[Captain Steve]

I have a 98 X with the PLUS 50 engine. Its been super reliable. I would like to by a new motor, which my wife will allow when this one wears out. Its the energizer bunny of outboards. 1 aer old fuel.... no problem....change the plugs... they are fine only 3 years old.... water pump diaphragm 5 years whether it need s changing or not.