25 hp bigfoot.... prop change?

[Socal Pat]

I bought an '04 17' Bass Tracker with a 25 hp Merc Bigfoot. I have been nosing around the forums and have read that the Bigfoot was really made for pontoons etc. but they had so many laying around they started pushing them on oter boats.

I know Zero about propping a motor so please be easy on me. There is a sticker on mine that reads 12x29 and 2.42:1. Is there an upgrade prop to improve performance? I can get maybe 18mph (speedo indicated) and that's all. Thanks for any insight.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 25 hp bigfoot.... prop change?

Need your prop size(on the barrel or under the prop nut). and rpm at max speed.
Also need details on the boat, is it a Jon?
dry weight? A 17ft 25 hp is decidedly under powered and a big foot may be to your advantage for that application.A stock 25 on a relatively light small simple tiller steer boat should hover close to 30 mph with a light load.

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: 25 hp bigfoot.... prop change?

Hmmm I thought the numbers on the sticker on the lower unit had to do with the prop? I'll look further. The boat is around 900 lb.-ish. Here it is http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=3244 It came as a 25 hp. budget setup. I got it used so I'm not ready to spend $5k or more to replace it. As I said I saw these posts saying the Bigfoot was really meant for a different kind of boat, so I thought it might benefit from a change of prop.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 25 hp bigfoot.... prop change?

Yes technically; probably best on a pontoon or other very difficult boat.
But a 25 isn't intended for a 1,000lb boat that could end up at over 1500 lbs.
So the big foot might help it cope. If you get us the prop size and your present max rpm and speed we may be able to suggest a prop.You also may be able to fine tune your setup.Is the motor a 2 stroke?
The antivent plate(just above the prop) should be about even with the bottom
of the boat to about an inch above.Check that the throttle opens all the way at the carb.Don't assume because of its youth that its right.
In the extreme raising the motor could result in 2 to 3 mph.
Weight distribution and trim is important as well.