Do I need a Big Foot motor or not?

[Larryc5079]

I just purchased a 2003 20' Lowe Suncruiser pontoon. It currently has a 9.9 Mercury Big Foot motor, that I will be trading in on a larger motor, probably a 50hp. I will mostly be fishing on it. I have spoken to several dealers about a new 50hp and asked about if I need the Big Foot 50hp. Some say no, while others say yes.

My questions are:
1) What are the advantages of the Big Foot on a pontoon boat?

2) Do I need the Big Foot 50hp or not?

Thanks,

Larry

 

[jrpatty@live.com]

Re: Do I need a Big Foot motor or not?

It is my understanding that the bigfoot models were made with the pontoons in mind. I believe they just have heavier gears to endure the drag and weight of pontoons.
That is going to be quite a difference between a 9.9 and a 50. I can only imagine how slow that boat was with that small motor...

 

[jmcclain@netins.net]

Re: Do I need a Big Foot motor or not?

I am running a Merc 60 hp 4 cycle on a 24 ft Bently pontoon. Love it. Quiet, responsive, easy on fuel. Kind of slow top sped (20 mph) probably because the gearing is a little lower. I also believe the Biigfoot has a beefier gearcase and prop compared to my 75 hp on the fishing boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do I need a Big Foot motor or not?

Big Foot motors carry a 2.33:1 ratio gear set whereas the standard motor in a 50 HP carries a 1.83:1 ratio. The difference is the Big Foot motor can use the large 14 inch four blade low pitch pontoon prop whereas the standard motor will have to use the small diameter prop. I've done a fair amout of research in that regard myself and the test reports I've seen show there is some advantage to the Big Foot ratio vs the 1.83:1. The difference isn't much but the 2.33 will definitely provide better performance with a heavier load and as mentioned, it is a much more stout unit. The Big Foot gearcase is the same gearing used on 75 and 90 HP two-strokes.

 

[cjmesk]

Re: Do I need a Big Foot motor or not?

I just bought a used 60hp non bigfoot 4 stroke (2004) model and put it on my 42 foot houseboat that sleeps 6 and weighs a ton! Steel pontoons ect...

I change the prop to a 12.5 and my boat flies faster than it ever has. I replaced a 4 stroke 55 hp motor that was a dog compared to the merc 60.

I would say if you have a deal on a used one it is not that big of a deal but if you are going to buy new you might as well get a bigfoot.

 

[Don S]

Re: Do I need a Big Foot motor or not?

Here is what Merc says about the Bigfoot on pontoon boats.
Also watch the video's

Copy and paste, and remove the " " marks front and back of link

"http://northamerica.mercurymarine.com/engines/outboards/fourstrokes/pontoonpower.php"