Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

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brian61

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Feb 24, 2002
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I am looking to purchase a new Sun Tracker 18' Party Barge...Max Hp for the boat is 75HP, however they also have a merc 60hp Big foot....Is the 60HP Big Foot equal to a straight 75Hp? or is it worth the money to upgrade to a 75? Also, outside of warranty loss, can a bigger engine be put on this boat, like a 90 or a 100Hp...Thanks for the help!!!!
 
JB

JB

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Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Howdy, Brian. <br /><br />The Bigfoot 60 is a good match for that boat. That's what Bigfoots are for: 'toons and barges, etc.<br /><br />Sure you can put bigger engines on it, if you don't want insurance and if you are willing to go to jail in the event of a serious accident. That is, of course, if the boat doesn't just fall apart first.<br /><br />Overpowering is extremely dumb, especially on boats as flimsy as a tracker.<br /><br />Go with the Bigfoot. You will have a good combo that will last.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB :)
 
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Critr

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Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Brian, did you get your Sun Tracker 18'? What engine did you get? How do you like it?<br /><br />JB, you say "The Bigfoot 60 is a good match for that boat."; are you speaking of the 2 or 4 stroke? Or is it either one?<br /><br />Is the Merc 2 stroke ELPTO(BF) a direct-injected 2 stroke??
 
M

my new fishmaster

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 11, 2001
Messages
256
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Get the Honda 75 forget the Mercury its just better and resale.
 
M

my new fishmaster

Petty Officer 1st Class
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256
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Also why a party barge? A nice starcraft fishmaster alum 196 would do a nicer job.
 
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Critr

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Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

How is a Honda better? Smoother? More efficient? Quieter? Last longer(actually, I know the answer to that one...)? And does it cost less? More? Do I need to mortgage the house if I want one?<br /><br />Why a Starcraft? Does it cost less? Is it built better? Is it eye-appeal? If better, how is it better? In what way will it do a better job?<br /><br />I appreciate your experience, and desire to know the reasons for your choices. It is that you just do not give enough information to tell me why you prefer what you are advocating.<br /><br />Everyone has opinions, but some have reasons for those opinions. I would appreciate knowing yours.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Critr,<br /><br />I quite freq
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Critr,<br /><br />Sorry, hit the wrong key. I frequently operate a 22' toon, that belongs to my brother, equipped with a 75 hp. Merc 2-stroke-three cylinder.<br /><br />It does a good job, however fuel economy is lousy.<br />And it is a bit noisy. His neighbor, on the lake, has similar sized toon with a Suzuki 75 four stroke that about doubles the economy and is a lot quieter.<br /><br />My brothers toon is a Starcraft and the neighbors is a Lowe. Both are built quite well. My brothers is on its fourth season and looks and runs like new.<br /><br />I would expect a 60 with a big foot lower unit and a four stroke model to be just the ticket.
 
C

Critr

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Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Sorry to fire so many questions. It is just that it has been many years since my last boat/motor, and everything has changed.<br /><br />I have a lot of catching up to do......
 
S

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
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Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Toons dont plane so speed is not part of their design package. If you triple the horsepower you get about 9 miles per hour more. at a tremendous cost in fuel. 50 or 60 hp. is plenty. Get one of those ducted prop attachments, suposed to increase pontoon efficiency something like 20%.Pontoons are great for a lazy day on the water.Very roomy and comfortable,ride very smooth. I want to try a<br />garden glider on the front deck of my toon.<br /> If you put aluminum logs under an automobile<br />is it a cartoon?
 
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trevorcday

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Dec 2, 2001
Messages
216
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

We sell lots of pontoon at our dealership so I have tried all kinds of boat and motor combinations. The 60elpto big foot (2-stroke) is a good pontoon motor if you don't want to spend the money for a 4-stroke. If you can fit another $700 or so into the budget I would definately recommend a four stroke big foot. Either way the big foot is a nice feature since it provides more thrust at low speed, which is especially helpful when docking, and it helps prevent ventilation of the prop, which is a problem with the standard gearcase 40/50/60. I would not recommend the 75 on an 18 foot boat unless you really need the extra couple of miles per hour. It will only burn more fuel, make more noise and weigh down the back of the boat. The merc 40/50/60 4-stroke big foot motors work great on pontoon boats.<br /><br />As far as the tracker boat goes I have heard that the aluminum floor is really noisy.
 
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Critr

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Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

OK, let's talk about speed. I se references to "9 mph more" and "an extra couple mph". So what kind of speed are we talking about. Assume 18' pontoon, 2 people on board with 20 pounds of gear each, 60 HP 4-stroke Big Foot......<br /><br />At cruising throttle (whatever that may be), and at full throttle.<br /><br />10 mph cruising, and 15 mph full???? Or about what?
 
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trevorcday

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Dec 2, 2001
Messages
216
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

Fifteen MPH top speed would be about right for an 18' pontoon with a 60 BF. The factors that seem to effect speed the most are pontoon size (bigger = faster) and an underskin makes a big difference as well. Of course more HP = more speed too but you need to make a big increase in HP for marginal increase in speed. If you can buy the boat with the underskin for the same difference in $ as it would cost to go from a 60 to a 75 you would probably be better off to buy the underskin (in my himble opinion).
 
S

steelespike

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Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Merc 60HP Big Foot or Merc 75HP?

One of the toon manufacturer sites actually lists speeds for various toon/ motor combos.Dont recall<br />an 18 ft but if I remember right a 21 with a 50 <br />was rated at 21 to 23 mph WOT. GPS tested.<br /> I have a 18 Starcraft toon w 50 evinrude. I would guess it runs in the 20 to 25 mph range.<br />I also have a bare 18 ft.Crestliner utility w<br />exact same 50 it does an estimated 40+ mph.<br />As I said before toons are very comfortable,smooth<br />and roomy.They are hard on gas especially if you push them.You could set up a little portable head/changing room with some sunbrella and a portapotty, a little gas grill on the front deck<br />maybe even a wet bar and ice cooler.Try that on an 18ft runabout.Just dont take that toon drag racing. Spike
 
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