4WD boat???

[Critr]

Greetings. I am new here. My sand boat here in Arizona is a 4WD......... <br /><br />Planning to move to Knoxville, TN this year, right in the middle of TVA-lake country, and I just gotta have a boat. Leaning toward a small pontoon, to have versatility to trailer it, fish, access hunting areas, and camp on it.<br /><br />Looking at Sun Tracker Bass Buggy. Wondering about the pros and cons of 2-stroke vs another 2 grand for a 4-stroke. Longer life? Quieter? More power? What makes it worth that much more? Or is it???

 

[DJ]

Re: 4WD boat???

Critr,<br /><br />For a pontoon, I would definetely go with a four stroke. Quiet, clean and fuel efficient. Pontoons are no speed demons anyway, so a four stroke is specially suited. If possible, go with the "bigfoot" option if you buy Merc.

 

[Critr]

Re: 4WD boat???

Thanks. I did a search, and spent a couple hours reading.<br />Two questions still:<br /><br />1. Is the Merc 2 stroke direct injected?<br /><br />2. I see that the Big Foot is for slower loads, like a pontoon. But what is the diff between it and a regular motor? Just different prop? Diff torque curve?

 

[DJ]

Re: 4WD boat???

Critr,<br /><br />I do not believe the Merc is DFI for an engine under 75 hp. Anything labeled "Optimax" is a two stroke DFI. Anything that is four stroke under 100 hp. I believe is carbureted. Yamaha manufactures most of Mercs. four strokes (powerhead only).<br /><br />The "bigfoot" actually has a different gearcase that has the added features.<br /><br />1. Lower gear ratio.<br />2. Larger exhaust outlet, allows for larger dia. prop.<br /><br />They really are the only way to go on a pontoon. They will actually be faster than a reguler engine on a pontoon and will improve handling, especially at slow speeds.<br /><br />I envy you moving to that area. I am also in AZ.

 

[Critr]

Re: 4WD boat???

Thanks djohn. Things with motors sure have changed in the last several years!<br /><br />One more question. Are signature photos not allowed. I bracket it with UBB code....<br /><br />It works on other UBB sites. Why not here?<br /><br />Oopps!! Never mind. I found it. "UBBCode Images not permitted."

 

[Critr]

Re: 4WD boat???

Maybe I can get my photo to show someplace else.........

 

[Critr]

Re: 4WD boat???

Try again.........

 

[Critr]

Re: 4WD boat???

Still no good. Looks like my internet address for my photo is too long to be accepted (the "pg" at the end gets cut off).<br /><br />Well, heck!!! Here it is anyway!!!<br /><br />

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: 4WD boat???

If you have never owned a toon be prepared for 2 shocks 1 all the room you now have and 2 how slow does it actually go? With the wife and two girls 6 and 7 1/2 the room goes prety quick but the toon still does not. It does not go any slower either or at least that I noticed. Also toons are not shallow water orented so fof duck hunting especially you may want to use the toon as sort of a base camp and a smaller boat towed behind as a hunting boat.