Bigfoot on fishing boat?

[rschnack]

When I went to winterize my 2001 50 hp 4stroke I starting thinking that the bottom of the drive looked bigger than normal. I started checking into it and it appears I have the 4 1/4" case rather than the standard 3 1/4" case. The 4 1/4" case comes with the bigfoot package. This motor is on a 16" aluminum Smokercraft Stealth 162, a basic fishing boat ("modified v"?). If I read the ads right, the bigfoot is designed for use with pontoon boats. I like the motor but is there anything to be concerned about using this on this boat? Also, what are the pro's and con's of the bigfoot in general?<br />RCS

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Bigfoot on fishing boat?

It'll work okay on any boat. But the larger gearcase and propeller will rob you of a bit of top end over the standard gearcase. If you wanted to do some waterskiing, it'd pull better. So there are advantages and disadvantages. But they are intended for pontoons and it really irks me to see them not used that way. It shows a lack of knowledge of the product by the selling dealer that put that package together IMHO. That's about the only concern I'd have about it. I would be highly hesitant to have it serviced there if they don't know the product any better than that.

 

[Angler Don]

Re: Bigfoot on fishing boat?

rschnack,<br /> nothing to be concerned with at all. <br />I have a 40 bigfoot on my Crestliner Angler <br />16. Only the gearcase is different. The bigfoot uses a larger diameter prop, either 13.75" or 14.00". And a lower gear ratio, 2.31:1 bigfoot vs 2.00:1 non bigfoot.<br />And the gearcase lubricant capacity, 24.0 oz bigfoot vs. 14.9 oz non bigfoot. The larger diameter prop is well suited to deliver the thrust needed to push a pontoon . Otherwise, it's like having a heavy duty rear axle in your car, except you never knew it. It sets a little deeper in the water, keep an eye on that in shallow water.<br /> Don

 

[rschnack]

Re: Bigfoot on fishing boat?

Thanks for the input. I got a good deal on the boat. It was a display model. The motor was taken off another boat when the owner decided he needed more power. It had very low hours and still had a year to go on the factory warranty. The dealer threw this package together for me at a discount to basically unload them. I really like the motor but it sort of bothers me that it is not the correct one for the boat. I guess it's "buyer beware". It works well for most of what I do. It tops out at about 30 mph. Is this what I should expect from this combination? The dealer assured me that he tested it with several props and the one supplied was the best all around one. I do troll with it quite abit. Should the bigfoot leg hold up well to extended trolling? I have discovered a few things that make me question the quality of service from this marina. Now that the warantee has expired I will buy a factory service manual and do most of the service myself.<br />RCS

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Bigfoot on fishing boat?

I would get a second opinion on this issue. Make sure that a real Mercury technician checks your boat's tach for accuracy, & that the engine runs the proper RPM's I have seen several boats rigged with the BF lower unit. None of them perform as they should/could.<br />While at this point It wont be cost effective to trade engines, at least you'll know where you stand. While it isn't exactly true that you have been screwed, you certainly haven't gotten your money's worth!.