50 hp Bigfoot on a 18 ft Lowe?

bknier

Cadet
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
6
I'm about to go look at a 18-ft 2003 Lowe Sea Nymph that's powered by a 2007 50hp Bigfoot. The guy who's selling it swapped its original 90 hp to his new pontoon for the Bigfoot. Two questions:
1. I understand that Bigfoots are designed for pontoons, any downsides to running it on aluminum v-hull?
2. Will a 50 horse Bigfoot have enough hole shot to get an 18-foot aluminum on plane quickly?

Thanks
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: 50 hp Bigfoot on a 18 ft Lowe?

While it will push the boat, you will very likely not be satisfied with the performance but that of course is an individual thing. The difference between the BF and STD lower units is the gearing. BF motors have 2.33:1 gear ratios which is the same lower unit used on the 75 - 90 HP motors. The standard lower unit has 1.83:1 gears which used a small diameter prop with about 13P. With a proper propeller, the BF will work just fine, but I would suggest it be used only on a 17 foot or smaller boat. If the BF motor came from a pontoon it probably has a 14 inch diameter, four blade prop but it would be pitched for the pontoon, not a V-hull. As a minimum you would be looking at a new three blade prop in the 13-1/4 diameter and 15P range.
 

bknier

Cadet
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
6
Re: 50 hp Bigfoot on a 18 ft Lowe?

Thanks for the input. I went and looked at it and I'm really torn. The boat's exactly what I'm looking for and the price is right, I'm just hesitant about the Bigfoot. He had it installed at the right level at the shop and repropped with with a three blade (although I can't recall the specs. should have written it down). I just have decide now if it's worth both of our time to call back to test it out on the water.
 

bknier

Cadet
Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
6
Re: 50 hp Bigfoot on a 18 ft Lowe?

By the way, I bought the boat. Love it. It's not super fast (tops out around 32-35) but it pops right up on plane out of the hole. Since I don't care about pulling a skier or anything and I'm never in real big hurry to get back from fishing, this suits me fine.

Thanks again for the advice.
 

zar

Recruit
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
2
Re: 50 hp Bigfoot on a 18 ft Lowe?

Hi: I just bought a 1999 Lowe GLS 179 Sea Nymph. Is there any chance that is your boat and if so, do you have an owners manual? I just bought this boat and really love it, but would like to read the manufacturers information on its care and feeding. Thanks for any help. Even if you have a deep v boat of another style it would probably be of help. Perhaps it isn't too big to make a copy on a xerox machine - i'd be happy to reimburse you the expense on paypal.
 

Jeep Man

Commander
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
2,803
Re: 50 hp Bigfoot on a 18 ft Lowe?

A good fishing buddy upgraded this year to a new 16 foot aluminium rigged with side console and live wells. It was a high transom model and came from the factory with a 60 hp Bigfoot.
 
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