Mercury Bigfoot Motors

[FuzzyGrub]

I see allot of used pontoons with 60HP Mercury Bigfoot 4-strokes. I assume it was a "value" motor used in many packages. Is it a good motor? Anything unique to it that I should shy away from? Thx.

 

[MrGiggles]

"Bigfoot" refers to the lower unit. It's bigger overall and more robust, often with a lower ratio and capable of swinging a bigger prop. They're usually used on large, heavy, slow moving vessels, like pontoons, houseboats, sailboats, or as kicker motors. They're still around although they've changed the name to command thrust.

Otherwise, to my knowledge, they are identical to a non-bigfoot motor aside from the lower unit.

 

[Pappy]

Mrgiggles is correct.
These engines are more effective when placed on larger slower moving craft.
To expand on it a bit...........Here's a general rule of thumb, when it comes to propellers.
If you want to move a heavy or large load you move a large volume of water at low rate of speed.
If you want to go fast you move a small volume of water at a high rate of speed.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Thx for your responses. That make sense to me.