MacGregor 26X Honda 50 repower to Mercury ProXS 115 CT Installation Journey. (Not a tutorial)

[@jeremysmith5232]

I really like your Bimini cover setup too by the way, get the bigger 26M rudders will really help it under sail.

[@KenPool]

I thought the 26X rudders were bigger than the 26M ones... at least the 26X rudders look longer. Glad you like the bimini cover. I have a full enclosure (the black canvas) and it was a game changer as it made the useable space on the boat much larger. I also have the much older light grey bimini that I use to cover the boat temporarily when parked at home. I wanted some shade but didn't want to expose the black bimini to the sun more than necessary.

[@bigglyguy8429]

Awesome! My Yamaha 85 has arrived at my town, just waiting to arrange to have it fitted.

[@KenPool]

Exciting. Congratulations.

[@boattguyafloat]

You are a fully evolved B.C. Sailboter!

[@dancrawford174]

I'm in the process of upgrading to a 60HP Seapro with Command Thrust from a Honda 50HP on my 26X. 10 more HP and plenty more torque!

[@jeremysmith5232]

This is a wiser choice than 115, Roger rated this boat for 60 hp so you may as well have it, the extra 10 will make a huge difference

[@breakfastboyboating]

Great engines, I love mine

[@jean-paulgauthier9300]

No sure if Roger MacGregor designed the transom on the 26X to be structurally fit to support a 115HP motor . I would keep an eye on the transom for structural failures or consider reinforcing it to handle the extra HP and weight. Does this exceed the coast guard rating , I hope your insurance covers it.

[@jeremysmith5232]

It is not just the Transom, it is also the water ballast tanks, which are put under enormous strain by wakes waves etc as the extra power creates extra impact, not to mention the mast and it's shaft to the hull. At 115 hp you are practically doubling the maximum rated engine size Roger put on this boat. The given reasoning of the old engine working too hard is not sound either, engines die from lack of use, not being run too hard. Plenty of examples, particularly in the lower HP's of engines run hard that did huge hours. Roger was not a dumb guy, particularly with numbers. This boat seems very overloaded with gear and people too. I think at best this boat will have irrepairable stress cracks after three years, at worst the engine will fall off the back in a heavy seaway. Use the extra power with caution and still glad to see people out using their boats like these people are, RESPECT

[@dougwhitney4258]

​@jeremysmith5232 people put 140's on this boat with no consequences, i doubt they drive like a teenager and I'm sure they run the engine through it's range. I am putting a used etec 90 on my X and the only thing I worry about is range... life is not meant to be lived in a box.

[@dansullivan490]

So top speed was 25mph? I didn't your gps speed with the new motor.

[@JohnBraman413]

did you add any reinforcement to the transom for the extra weight?

[@PilotManForever]

Well done. 25 is pretty good. What is your rpm at wide open?

[@KenPool]

I believe 5800 but I’ll confirm. Motor Max is 6300.

[@kapt.jayaubre942]

Why don't you simply switch to a power boat? Seems more efficient due to less drag (no mast) and weight (no keel).

[@henrymp6295]

I owned one for a year and sailed it inland and on the Gulf. The McGregor 26X uses a swing centerboard and water ballast. To empty the ballast, you raise the centerboard, rudders, and fire up the motor. As the thing planes, it empties the ballast. The 26X is neither a good sailboat or motorboat. It is a compromise to get a trailable boat that can do both, but does not do anything well.

[@pauls8456]

@@henrymp6295that misses the point - it is designed to do either reasonably - and it does, it’s also lots lighter than most 26ft power boats and cheaper as well….

[@jeremysmith5232]

@@pauls8456 it is lighter because it is not rated to have 115 hp on the back, it is rated to have 60hp. This boat will blow itself to bits

[@JohnBraman413]

what's the fuel consumption and range?

[@KenPool]

Looks like 10GPH WOT (25 knots). I usually have max 3x6 gallons so I’m not running at that speed very long 😄. At 6knots I’m using around 1.2 GPH.