MacGregorSailors.com

Went out sailing - probably the last time of the season - with a friend and some of his family (26 ft sailboat , pretty fast). Weather was overcast with a small craft advisory for later in the day.

We looked - and did not see any problems (at 11 am) if you know what you're about. So we went out (sheeted main and barely any jib) and had a pretty good time.

Around 1:30 - 2 pm, the wind and waves picked up (gusts 30+). The owner's 6 HP outboard was cranked up as far as it would go and simply would not make any significant headway against the wind and water. It took some creative use of the main to "help" the outboard for us to get into the area protected by the breakwater.

I strongly suspect his family Xmas present is going to be a 9.9 HP engine. There were some uncomfortable mements when we realized that the 6 HP outbpoard simply could not push his boat against the wind and water. And this was a dedicated sailboat with pretty low freeboard.

Quickest way to get a new outboard is to have one fail to perform with family on board. Been there, done that, got the Mercury t-shirt and a new outboard.

Less than 10 HP on a 26ft boat?\\\
Forget 9.9 I would say a 20 or 30 would be in order

I won't leave the dock with less than a 90

My 9.9 Evinrude 2-stroke could barely push my 23 ft Aquarius against nasty breaking waves and strong winds. Then it started to faulter, and I ended up having to anchor so I wouldn't get blown into the sawed-off pilings just below the water, and get a tow back to the dock.

Of course, I shouldn't have been out in those conditions with that boat, but it can happen. Like in the OP's post.

A 15 hp version of the same ubiquitous 1970's 9.9/15 hp Johnson/Evinrude OB (same engine, with minor tuning differences, and higher redline), equipped with a high-thrust prop, would have been really nice about then. And based on just a couple of those experiences (yeah, more than once in rough stuff), I wouldn't go with less than 15 hp on a 26 ft sailboat in open water, like Lake Ontario, but 9.9 is probably just right for more protected areas and/or more sensible boating.

You would be fine with a 9.9HP if you had a Bigfoot lower end ratio of 2.4 or so - but there are now nice choices in the 15-25 HP range

I think I would repower 9.9HP BF if I had to today on my It is a bit light on battery charge but with LEDs that is getting less and less important.

9.9 is not enough for the Ocean.

I had to anchor when I didn't want to one day in the Gulf of Mexico. The 9.9 could not get me where I needed to go against the waves on my 26s.

Sitting in the cabin while the boat rocks really bad is no fun

On my went from a Honda 50 to a Suzuki 90 and after a few years down to a Suzuki DF20 which is a 9.9 with different computer program. I never put less than 200hrs on my motor in a season.

Having all 3 on the same boat I would 100% agree with "Strongly consider a 9.9 HP outboard"

Last year I sold the 20 and bought a purpose built Yamaha High thrust T9.9. It no question pushes better than the 20. I have no intents or desire to go larger.

miamistyle wrote:9.9 is not enough for the Ocean.

I had to anchor when I didn't want to one day in the Gulf of Mexico. The 9.9 could not get me where I needed to go against the waves on my 26s.

Sitting in the cabin while the boat rocks really bad is no fun

Interesting, was this against waves or tidal currents? So far the Tohatsu 9.8 has done the job, but I have had to go to near full throttle a couple times for short periods in tidal cuts. I try and watch the tide direction and timing when dealing with any tidal cuts. I've had no wind or wave issues and have been in a couple challenging situations with them.

I do have a high thrust 4 blade 7 pitch prop on the outboard and like it,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Interesting, was this against waves or tidal currents? So far the Tohatsu 9.8 has done the job, but I have had to go to near full throttle a couple times for short periods in tidal cuts. I try and watch the tide direction and timing when dealing with any tidal cuts. I've had no wind or wave issues and have been in a couple challenging situations with them.

It was a summer storm that came up fast. We were fighting 4-5 foot waves and getting nowhere. I didn't feel safe with only 9.9 horses. I sold that boat. Am hoping to one day own a with a 40hp. I purchased a with a 40 hp on it. Luckily, I have not needed that extra power……..yet.

9.9 with a power prop will get the job done. I went from a "regular" old long-shaft Johnson to a 9.9 Mercury Prokicker with a 4 blade stainless prop, power tilt and trim - the works all in a neat package. Wont win any races, but It is a night and day difference in power.

Are transom walls rated for motors?

Less than 10 HP on a 26ft boat?\\\
Forget 9.9 I would say a 20 or 30 would be in order

I have an 88 26D and I assumed that the transom would be designed for a specific amount of power pushing against that wall. I love the thought of a little bigger motor as I got pushed around on a rather blusterly day this summer.

Then the issue...what to do with the motor while trailering...for now I leave my 10 HP motor on the transom.

I wouldn't put anything bigger than a 15hp on an C/D/S. Looking at my transom there is just not the support there for additional weight. My 8hp does fine on the lake. I don't think I'd trust it in open water.

mdbrown wrote:I wouldn't put anything bigger than a 15hp on an C/D/S. Looking at my transom there is just not the support there for additional weight. My 8hp does fine on the lake. I don't think I'd trust it in open water.

A 15hp would be overkill and would just make the boat unbalanced during sail. It is not the HP you want. You want a high torque model. It swing a bigger propeller at a slower RPM that gives you more thrust at low speeds.

Curwen wrote:.... I love the thought of a little bigger motor as I got pushed around on a rather blusterly day this summer....

What outboard do you have? It is often possible to change the prop out for one with more thrust. I've done that,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links