Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

[Elchucko]

Howdy,

I'm considering buying a 2010 Lowe ST160 (865 lb. boat, Max HP Cap 50hp). My local dealer offered me the package for $13,000.00. He say's that's $54.00 below his cost. He made the deal because it's a left over 2010 boat and 2010 motor. I love the boat, but have concerns about the choice of motor.
I'm kinda new to all this and seem to really like the Etec.
My question's are:
Should I pass this deal up because of the smaller (40 hp bigfoot) motor?
Or hold out and find one with a 50 hp Etech?
How different will a 40 hp 4 stroke Bigfoot preform vs a 40 or 50 hp Etech?
Is there really very much difference between a 40 Bigfoot and regular Merc 50?

Thanks in advance for opinions and suggestions.
ElChucko

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

That doesn't sound like a heck of a deal to me... I'm buying the 2011 skorpion (one step lower than st160) for $12,600. with a 60/40 mercury jet outboard.

ask him if you can get a different outboard on it... as for "holding out", your not going to hold out for another 2010 leftover with a better engine, i don't think. I would have killed to find something leftover around here when i was buying.

 

[marlinpruett]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

I always understood a "Bigfoot" motor was designed to push heavy boats and pontoons. they have a high torque, low speed design and I would opt for a regular motor .

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

40 HP/4-stroke and 2 stroke Big Foot have a 2.33:1 gear set and swings a 13-1/4 inch diameter prop and is indeed intended for pontoon/work boat service.

40 HP/4-stroke Standard has a 2.00:1 gear set

40 HP/2-stroke Standard has a 1.83:1 gear set and runs a small diameter (10 inch) prop.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

What I've heard/read on the etecs in that hp range is that there kinda "lacking".
They praise the 25-30hp etecs but the mid range models(40-60hp) are lagging in performance to other models (ex. mercury).
This is just from acouple duck hunting forums,all hear say,I don't own either.
That bigfoot model was well liked by alot of duckhunters.At one time(probably still)they used to take the 40hp and turn it into a 60hp.It would cost around a grand + to do but still cheaper then buying a 60hp outright.Again,all hear say and above what I'd be willing to do to a new outboard.

 

[Elchucko]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

Silvertip,
I understand that it is a more "torquie' engine, but thought it would still be ok. So the Big Foot would be a bad choice?
Are you saying that the Big Foot's top speed will be lower? And also less fuel efficient?

 

[Elchucko]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

ok,

I am now convinced that the Etec is not the best choice in the 40/50 range.
Now onto the Merc questions.
This is confusing, but I think I have it figured out.???
The 40 hp EFI = 3 cyl. 747 cid with 2.00:1 gears and 216lbs. w/20" shaft
Big Foot 40 EFI = 4 cyl. 995 cid with 2.33:1 gears and 260lbs. w/20" shaft
The 50 hp EFI = 4 cyl. 995 cid with 1.83:1 gears and 247lbs. w/20" shaft
So, the Big Foot is the same block and displacement as the 50, although it is heavier (because of the heavy-duty gear box?). Can't I simply offset the 2.33:1 ratio of the BF by changing the prop?? and basically arrive at the same output as the 50? Therefore, the only difference between a reproped BF 40 and a regular 50 will be 13lbs (because of the heavy-duty gear box)?
Is this all logical or am I way off base?
Thanks a bunch....everyones input and knowledge is very helpful.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

Big Foot engines are heavier because they have a larger lower unit (hence heavier) so they can accommodate the larger gears. The larger gears (hence the different ratio) allows the lower unit to accommodate the 13-1/4 inch diameter props that the small gearcase unit cannot. Larger diameter props with the same pitch as a small diameter prop require more power to twist because they have more bite on the water. The engines DO NOT have more power on the Big Foot vs the standard engine. They must rev faster to twist the prop using the gear ratio to take advantage of the increased pitch. Properly pitched the Big Foot and a standard (1.83) gear set engine on the same identical boat can be made to perform the same but keep loading the boat up and the heavier it gets the Big Foot will outperform the standard engine, especially out of the hole. On top end, the standard motor will generally be a tick faster (all other things being equal) because the Big Foot lower unit has more drag because it is larger. Lastly, there is nothing special about the Big Foot lower unit. It is simply the same lower unit used on the 75/90 engines. To put all of this in perspective -- ignoring engine HP, a small diameter, short pitch prop spinning at xxx RPM is no faster (theoretically and all other things equal) than a large diameter prop with increased pitch spinning at less than xxx RPM. For high speed operation however, Merc tends to chose the higher gears/lower ratio route over lower gears/higher ratio. (1.83 is a low ratio/higher gear, 2.33 is a high ratio/lower gear.)

 

[DJ]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

I sold my dad's old Boston Whaler Montauk to a sailing club. They use it to rescue tipped over noob' sailers using O'Days' and Hobies'.

I kept the old engine which was a Johnson 70 and put it on my 15' Sport-Whaler.

Anyway, the sail club installed a new Merc. 60 "Bigfoot" on the old Whaler. It works perfect for them. Plenty of low end grunt to drag in upside down sailboats.

The Bigfoot is a great option. If you're not a speed freak, I would go that way for several reasons:

1. You have a larger and more durable gearcase.

2. You have a larger (cid) engine.

3. There are plenty of prop's to make the Bigfoot perform close to a standard 40. Not quite-maybe-but close.

4. Plenty of "low end" for a heavily loaded boat.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

Like you found out for yourself.
The big foot having the same 60.8 / 995 displacement as the 60hp and the reg.40hp being 45.6/747.
There will be a performance advantage to the bigger motor,they are both still 40 hp's though.
No replacement for displacement....so I've heard.
I couldn't find the 40hp shootout but heres one with some 50hp's.
http://bwbmag.com/images/elements/1956565_50hpShootout_.pdf
Lots of info out there,I don't think you can go "wrong"with any new outboard.
Might be alittle happier with one though

 

[Elchucko]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

Thanks for all the good advice and information. I stopped by the dealer last night and they found a 50 4 stroke that had been in inventory for over a year...so we (eventually) made a swap that cost me only $400.00. I'm sure I'll be happier with the 50. It's actually 14 lbs lighter than the BF and the max HP allowed for the boat.
I'll post some pictures when she is delivered. It should be a hot little boat!
Thanks again,
Elchucko

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

Given a choice, I would take the Bigfoot. The beefier gearcase will be more durable in the long run, and you have MUCH better selection of props, including SS (my choice). Commercial fishermen favor them due to their durability.

The Bigfoot may have been designed for pontoons and other heavily-loaded boats, but they perform quite well with lighter boats. One of the fasted 60hp boats I've seen around here is powered by a Bigfoot - remember, with a much greater selection of props to choose from, you are more likely to get maximum performance out of the engine.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

Nice motor your getting enjoy.
Some people say changing the ECM and air restrictor plate will boost you up to a 60hp.
I have know experience with this,only something I've read.
I'm sure the 50hp will be great.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Newb questions; 40 hp Bigfoot on a Lowe ST160

"Mercury builds 2 different 40hp EFI models. The 3 cylinder comes with a standard 13 spline gearcaase geared at 2-1. It is a 45 cubic inch motor.
The 4 cylinder is a 61 cubic inch EFI and comes only with a bigfoot gearcase. I got the 40 and changedc the gearcase to get into our 40hp restricted marshes. The easiest and cheapest way to get 60+hp is to get the 50 EFI with the standard gearcase and remove the restrictor."
I read this(again)on a duck hunting forum.
I can't varify anything about it,it did catch my eye though.(few youtube videos)
The last line seems to easy.
I'm sure you will be happy with the 50hp but might be worth while looking into.