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  DAUNTLESS 14 with 60-HP Four-cycle

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Author Topic:   DAUNTLESS 14 with 60-HP Four-cycle
acmitchell2 posted 01-18-2009 09:49 PM ET (US)   Profile for acmitchell2   Send Email to acmitchell2  
My underpowered Mercury 50-HP two-cycle outboard motor may not be worth fixing; lower unit is [burned]. I don't want to put a lot of money in a motor that doesn't do it for me. I have found a used 2006 Mercury 60-HP BIGFOOT four-cycle for about $4,600 at a [Bass Pro Shops]. It has three hours on it, but they can sell it as new and give me the full warranty. My boat is a 1999 Dauntless 14 that weighs about 1,000-lbs. Will this boat perform a lot better with this motor compared to the 50-HP two-cycle? What are the pros and cons with this motor?

Thanks for your help.

jimh posted 01-18-2009 10:23 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
Increasing the horsepower to 60-HP from 50-HP should improve the performance, but I would not expect a dramatic improvement. But since your other motor does not run at all, the boat will perform a lot better with this new motor.

The biggest disadvantage of the 60-HP motor is you have to give $4,600 to get it.

Tom W Clark posted 01-18-2009 10:37 PM ET (US)     Profile for Tom W Clark  Send Email to Tom W Clark     
Yes, I think that motor would be an excellent choice for your Dauntless 14.

The 60 HP four stroke is a reasonable 250-260 pounds (if I remember correctly) and while heavier than your 50 HP two stroke, it is still lighter than even the two stroke 75 HP Mercury which your boat is rated to handle.

I think you will enjoy relatively quiet, smoke free operation with added power as well.

fishgutz posted 01-19-2009 08:27 AM ET (US)     Profile for fishgutz  Send Email to fishgutz     
Finally, a repower with a 60 Bigfoot. Outstanding choice. Go for it. I want to know how that set up works. I think it could be the perfect match.

My 75 Mercury 2 stroke performance is outstanding but a little too much weight, a bit hard to start, sucks gas but awesome performance. Do I really have to go 40+ mph.

60 Mercury Bigfoot; Less weight, easy starting, fuel efficient, should perform like a 150 Montauk. You may still have to install a Doel-fin because of the short waterline and heavy weight of the Dauntless 14.

Good luck, I'm looking forward to how things turn out.

fishgutz posted 01-19-2009 08:33 AM ET (US)     Profile for fishgutz  Send Email to fishgutz     
acmitchell2,
I see you're in Savannah. I'd love to get together with you some day. See how that boat performs. I'm just southwest of Jacksonville (Fleming Island/Orange Park).
http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Fishgutz/Boat%20Tech%20Pics/
http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Fishgutz/Boat%20and%20Fish/
http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Fishgutz/Boat%20Troll%20Block/
If you need assistance of any kind I'm here.
davej14 posted 01-19-2009 02:24 PM ET (US)     Profile for davej14  Send Email to davej14     
With regard to your original question of performance comparison of a 50 hp 2-stroke vs 60 hp 4-stroke, I would expect to see marginal but not a really significant improvement in hole shot. That being said, unless you measure performance strictly by hole shot and top end speed the 4-stroke will win in all other categories.

I would also be very interested in the results of a big foot 60 hp on the Dauntless 14. It should be a very adequate combination.

acmitchell2 posted 01-19-2009 10:18 PM ET (US)     Profile for acmitchell2  Send Email to acmitchell2     
Fishgutz,
I am to take the boat to Basspro shops service dept. this weekend so they can give me an exact cost for repower. So hopefully if all details get worked out on price and financing I'll be back on the water soon.

You are MORE than welcome to go for a ride or FISH!!

Take care

zotcha posted 01-20-2009 07:50 AM ET (US)     Profile for zotcha  Send Email to zotcha     
Uh-Oh...Bass Pro.

B.O.A.T. "Bring Out Another Thousand!!!"

fishgutz posted 01-21-2009 09:03 AM ET (US)     Profile for fishgutz  Send Email to fishgutz     
Like any business, I've heard good stories and bad about BassPro. Try to meet with the mechanic/intaller. See if you can watch the install. Some shops might let you in. I know one up north would let me help on my own motor. That mechanic would invite you in for most motors under like 90 hp maybe it was 60 hp. Mainly because his part of the shop didn't have the liability issues of the area that worked on big motors.

I heard one story where the customer had some problems with a new Tracker boat and after they fixed everything to his satisfaction they gave him a $500 BPS gift card for his trouble.

Good luck. I don't think it will be too big of a job.

jimh posted 01-21-2009 09:07 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
Please begin a new thread if you wish to change the topic to a discussion of a particular retailer of outboard motors. I do not think the retailer will have much influence on the performance of the DAUNTLESS 14 with a 60-HP motor.
acmitchell2 posted 01-22-2009 01:12 PM ET (US)     Profile for acmitchell2  Send Email to acmitchell2     
The Mercury 60hp bigfoot is overall longer than the standard 60hp.

Would a jackplate be helpfull?

I know people who have them swear by them.

Anybody know of a good brand and size?

Tohsgib posted 01-22-2009 01:20 PM ET (US)     Profile for Tohsgib  Send Email to Tohsgib     
Any brand is fine, they are just aluminum plates for the most part. I would go with a 5-6" setback and just keep jacking it up until you find the sweetspot.
fishgutz posted 01-22-2009 01:47 PM ET (US)     Profile for fishgutz  Send Email to fishgutz     
My opinion is you don't need a jackplate. Just have them hang the motor with the antiventilation plate about 1/2 inch to 1 inch above the botttom of the boat. You'll be fine. I'd advise against any extra weight in the stern and especially hanging aft of the stern. Keep it simple.

If you MUST put on a jackplate, get a manual one for less weight. Set it and forget it. I still don't think you A) need one, or B) will see any benefit from it.

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