Hi all. I introduced myself last month and said then that thete would be more questions.
My 26X has a 50hp main engine but also has a small outboard lifting bracket attached to the stern. I am not sure if the previous owner added this as just storage for a tender's outboard or as an auxiliary outboard if the main fails. Or perhaps both?
Question. Does anyone use a small outboard to move their Mac. If so, what size and how effective is it.
Thanks.
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David Kirk
26X Glissando
Dumfriesshire, Scotland
i think the bracket is there for a tender outboard rather than a spare. i think the issue with a spare is how to mount it to use it. Most MAcs are fitted with 40 or 50 HP outboards. It might be worth looking at other similar sized boats to get an idea of a "normal" 26ft yacht outboard spec.
Tim
Mac 26C's are similar in size to an X, I suppose, maybe not so bulky. For general manoeuvring the C manages fine with anything from 6 to 10hp. Mine has a 2 stroke 8hp that does all that is needed, economically.
Someone out there might say that there is no comparison between the requirements of a C and an X but I reckon a10hp outboard would be good for the job.
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
Most 26' yachts have engines in the 4 to 15 HP range, Macs are an oddity and have 40 to 75 HP so they can plane at high speeds.
For an auxiliary engine for a 26X I'd guess at 6 to 10HP depending on where you intend to operate. If you're up against significant tidal runs err on the high side. For any auxiliary you have to accept the fastest progress against the tide might be with an anchor! (zero knots is better than minus....)
If you want to use it for a tender as well then you will have to compromise on the appropriate prop.
The high freeboard of a Mac gives two problems, firstly more windage so keeping control with a small engine gets more challenging in high winds. Secondly the high transom means you either need a long leg outboard or some way of mounting it lower to get the prop below the hull line. Pivoting transom brackets might work but a tiller outboard is going to be tricky to use.
I don't claim any expertise as I figure I have a backup in the form of sails so I haven't gone down the auxiliary engine route. I also service the main outboard myself so I have more confidence in its reliability and my ability to stand a chance of getting it going if it did let me down.
Just my thoughts on the subject, others will have more direct experience to help, I'm sure.
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
I have mounted a lifting bracket on the starboard transom of my 26x. When ditch crawling a 5hp Honda four stroke pushes me along nicely and with a significant saving on fuel. I have even added forward gear and throttle control which I bolted onto my fuel locker cover panel which makes the whole set up a dream. In big open sae 8’ (yes, I know I should have stayed home) waves the 5hp would not push me along fast enough to maintain speed and I ended up going sideways down some of the waves but we don’t talk about that occasion. I also have a 15hp Marc 2/ which is a scream on the dinghy and which pushes the MAC along very well too. The only thing to consider is that you will be being pushed from one side which means you have to keep a little more rudder on and you will have reduced steering in one direction depending which side you mount it. In summary: if you are at sea I would recommend 6-8 hp. If only on calm days 5hp is fine. Hope this helps
In addition, only use the aux for propulsion and tighten the steering pivot bolt. You could even put a bit of angle on to try and keep her in a straight course. Don’t get involved with steering with the tiller handle, you’ll probably break it off because of the angles involved and possibly fall overboard trying! In harbour or manoeuvring, take your time knocking it in and out of gear over the back of the transom (a tiller extension helps here) and use the Mac steering. Works for me anyway. J
I have had an outboard mount fitted just above the waterline on the transom. It's removable, slotting into a fixed bracket where it does not foul the starboard rudder. It's there as both an emergency back up or for very quiet waters, e.g. marina or canal. Such an arrangement could not be for both outboard storage AND to propel the boat. The former should be high enough to keep the outboard well clear of the water while the latter has to be low enough for the outboard propeller to be sufficiently immersed. My tender's outboard, an electric Torqeedo 1003, (supposedly equivalent to 3 H.P.) is used locked so it won't swivel and with a remotely controlled throttle.
Thanks peter.
Would be great to see a photo sometime.
Roly
OK Roly, Using something rarely if ever seen nowadays - a CAMERA! (Really because I've never found out how to move photos from a mobile phone to a computer). I've managed to take a few photos which I hope are successfully attached. I know the Odin 820 has differences from MacGregors but perhaps these photos will be of some use. Apparently hovering the pointer over each should reveal its caption. As i said before this auxiliary outboard is used locked so it does not swivel, as in steer, and with a remote combined throttle ahead/ astern control.
It seems the photos didn't attach to my message so here goes again
Odin's outboard bracket base location_0
Odin's outboard bracket base_0
Odin's outboard bracket. 1_0
Odin's outboard bracket. 2_0
Odin's outboard bracket. 3_0
Odin's outboard in working position 1_0
Odin's outboard in working position 2_0
Odin's outboard in working position 3_0
Odin's outboard tilted up 1_0
Odin's outboard tilted up 2_0
Thanks for the interesting post and pictures. It got me wondering whether an auxiliary could be bolted to the back of the main (a piggyback), so that you can still use the standard steering.
Google finds a link from 1973:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=idQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA68&lpg=RA1-PA6...
And someone seems to have patented something more recently: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20090098783
Does anyone know if these are for sale?
Martin