Bigfoot 60?

M

Mike Trudel

Well-known member
Does anyone have experience with the Mercury Bigfoot 60hp?

Trying to decide between a Merc 1999 optimal 75hp or a 2009 Merc Bigfoot 60hp for the same money. The motor would go on my 19', 97" wide, deep vee duck boat that weighs 2400b with decoys, 3 hunters, and dog.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

p.s. I am not an extreme speed freak!
 
That seems like a lot of boat for either one of those motors. On the other hand I think the bigfoot would produce more thrust so thats the one I would go with. Plus its 10 years newer.
 
The guy that can really answer your question is over on the refuge forum. Put your question up for USA-1 He is a Merc. specialist. He is one of the moderators.


Tom.
 
Bigger is better .Many years ago I used to work winters at the Hampton Shipyard. Its was always Fred Scopinich's policy to put the biggest engine you possible could in a boat and then use 1/3 the available HP. The Windy has a 600HP 8v92 Detriot . I never run it above 15oo rpm
 
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Not a speed freak is noted, but is either of those motors going to get you up on plane easily? That's a lot of boat!
What is the hull rated for?
 
I have to agree. I don't think that is enough motor for Big Water. Memories of the few occasions when I have needed horsepower and not had it are always in the front of my mind. I may be wrong, but I would be looking for something with more HP. That being said, by buddy had the Bigfoot on his pontoon and it ran well. Good luck.
 
Mike,


I really do not know what my Honker weights (loaded...or not). It is 19'3"x 91" beam. I have a 1993 Yamaha 60 on it. It jumps up on plane, and tops out over 30 mph.








 
I have a 2000 Bigfoot 60, has the gearcase of a V4 115. Great motor with a lot of power, it's on a 18ft chincoteague that I tow two duckboats with. Boat will got an honest 35mph when trimmed out . I would never sell my Bigfoot, it will have plenty of power for the boat you listed. Just prop it right, too much pitch it will be a dog. I'm running a 13X16 stainless and I can pop onto plane in about 2 seconds, really awsome acceleration you gotta hold on.
 
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If she is rated for 150 hp, I would not put less than 90 hp, and would lean towards 115 hp.

I would be very surprised if a 60 would even get the boat on plane and then be able to keep it there at anything less than almost full throttle. You will have no spare HP when you get into a tricky situation.
 
Mike, I would second (or third) the suggestion to "mo power", an underpowered boat is no fun and could be dangerous. Also lugging an engine of any kind is really hard on them. I would say even harder than over revving. You can always throttle back, but when it is tapped out there just is nothing else to do. And finally from my humble opinion file, you probably will get better fuel mileage by running at a lower R.P.M.. There you go from a dedicated OMC guy. ;-)
 
I have a 1983 55hp Evinrude on the boat now. It planes and runs fine with myself, dog, and decoys, but add another person or two and I need a long runway and favorable wind conditions to get up on plane.
 
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