Mercury Bigfoot - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
  Mercury Bigfoot

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Mercury Bigfoot

70_Katama posted 07-15-2002 01:42 PM ET (US)
Can anyone shed any light on the difference between a regular 60hp elpt-efi, and a 60hp elpt-efi "Big Foot"? MercuryMarine.com does not offer and insight. It must be the lower unit, but unsure what the pro's and con's would be.
Thanks
Tim
DaveH posted 07-15-2002 04:11 PM ET (US)
The Bigfoot 60 and the regular 60 are slightly different according to Mercury.
The 60 BF EFI:
*Weighs 16 lbs more (equal length shaft)
*Has larger cavitation plate
*Longer (deeper) gearcase
*Has beefier gearcase to handle larger props
*Designed for heavier loads and lower speeds
* Able to order longer than usual shaft lengths per horsepower range.
The rest of the engine is identical (per Mercury).
DanT posted 07-15-2002 04:24 PM ET (US)
I think the main difference is in the gear ratios of the lower unit. The big foot is better suited for a heavier and slower load. I don't think it would be recommended for your boat.
dscew posted 07-15-2002 10:04 PM ET (US)
I agree (used to sell them); they're really more for pontoons and sailboats, which aren't designed to move fast and have a fair amount of resistance either because of weight or hull inefficiency. They can be used for any purpose, but they aren't made for performance. It's best to get an engine that's matched for your type of use. They're more like stump pullers than Corvettes.
soggy bottom boy posted 07-16-2002 06:38 PM ET (US)
I just spoke with a Mercury salesman today who said you can change the prop on those models to accomodate faster hulls than the intended pontoon/tug boat use. Not sure if I was being fed a line, but if you could get a 2002 for a song it might be worthwhile.
Soggy.
DaveH posted 07-17-2002 03:02 PM ET (US)
Dan T:
You are correct about the gear ratios. I didn't think to add all of the differences. For the record:
Merc 4 strokes
60 BF EFI 2.30:1
60 EFI 1.83:1
The larger torque and gearing allows the ability to swing a larger wheel.
Bigshot posted 07-17-2002 04:33 PM ET (US)
To shed some light on the BF lower....this is my take. With a 2stroke you do NOT want the BF on a Whaler. On a 4 stroke you might. reason being all 4 strokes are running higher gear ratios to get better holeshots, etc. Mine is like 2.3:1 or so. If I was to get a 4 stroke.....I want the higher ratio, therefore a BF.
lhg posted 07-17-2002 04:59 PM ET (US)
The Big Foot gear case on the Merc 50's & 60's is simply the lower unit from the 75-125HP engines, and uses a 4 1/4" hub prop.
Why try and second guess the Mercury engineers? Let them tell you what gearcase is proper for each application.
Incidentally, I believe the new 2002 Yamaha 60HP 4 stroke powerhead is made by Mercury, but without the EFI.
Highwater posted 08-04-2002 01:06 PM ET (US)
I am going to re-power a 1977 Sport 15' with the Mercury 4-stroke 60 EFI. I am trying to decide whether to go with the bigfoot version. I'd like to have as little weight on the stern as possible, which makes me think that I want to do without the BF. My rear-end weight is exacerbated by the fact that I will hang the new engine on a jackplate with 4" of setback, and I have a large fuel tank in the stern. On the other hand, I'd like to be able to get on a plane with five people on board. I don't need the boat to go faster than 35 mph, I just want to be able to get on a plane with 1000 pounds on board. Ideas?

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Mercury Bigfoot
70_Katama	posted 07-15-2002 01:42 PM ET (US) Can anyone shed any light on the difference between a regular 60hp elpt-efi, and a 60hp elpt-efi "Big Foot"? MercuryMarine.com does not offer and insight. It must be the lower unit, but unsure what the pro's and con's would be. Thanks Tim
DaveH	posted 07-15-2002 04:11 PM ET (US) The Bigfoot 60 and the regular 60 are slightly different according to Mercury. The 60 BF EFI: Weighs 16 lbs more (equal length shaft) Has larger cavitation plate Longer (deeper) gearcase Has beefier gearcase to handle larger props Designed for heavier loads and lower speeds Able to order longer than usual shaft lengths per horsepower range. The rest of the engine is identical (per Mercury).
DanT	posted 07-15-2002 04:24 PM ET (US) I think the main difference is in the gear ratios of the lower unit. The big foot is better suited for a heavier and slower load. I don't think it would be recommended for your boat.
dscew	posted 07-15-2002 10:04 PM ET (US) I agree (used to sell them); they're really more for pontoons and sailboats, which aren't designed to move fast and have a fair amount of resistance either because of weight or hull inefficiency. They can be used for any purpose, but they aren't made for performance. It's best to get an engine that's matched for your type of use. They're more like stump pullers than Corvettes.
soggy bottom boy	posted 07-16-2002 06:38 PM ET (US) I just spoke with a Mercury salesman today who said you can change the prop on those models to accomodate faster hulls than the intended pontoon/tug boat use. Not sure if I was being fed a line, but if you could get a 2002 for a song it might be worthwhile. Soggy.
DaveH	posted 07-17-2002 03:02 PM ET (US) Dan T: You are correct about the gear ratios. I didn't think to add all of the differences. For the record: Merc 4 strokes 60 BF EFI 2.30:1 60 EFI 1.83:1 The larger torque and gearing allows the ability to swing a larger wheel.
Bigshot	posted 07-17-2002 04:33 PM ET (US) To shed some light on the BF lower....this is my take. With a 2stroke you do NOT want the BF on a Whaler. On a 4 stroke you might. reason being all 4 strokes are running higher gear ratios to get better holeshots, etc. Mine is like 2.3:1 or so. If I was to get a 4 stroke.....I want the higher ratio, therefore a BF.
lhg	posted 07-17-2002 04:59 PM ET (US) The Big Foot gear case on the Merc 50's & 60's is simply the lower unit from the 75-125HP engines, and uses a 4 1/4" hub prop. Why try and second guess the Mercury engineers? Let them tell you what gearcase is proper for each application. Incidentally, I believe the new 2002 Yamaha 60HP 4 stroke powerhead is made by Mercury, but without the EFI.
Highwater	posted 08-04-2002 01:06 PM ET (US) I am going to re-power a 1977 Sport 15' with the Mercury 4-stroke 60 EFI. I am trying to decide whether to go with the bigfoot version. I'd like to have as little weight on the stern as possible, which makes me think that I want to do without the BF. My rear-end weight is exacerbated by the fact that I will hang the new engine on a jackplate with 4" of setback, and I have a large fuel tank in the stern. On the other hand, I'd like to be able to get on a plane with five people on board. I don't need the boat to go faster than 35 mph, I just want to be able to get on a plane with 1000 pounds on board. Ideas?