BigFoot or not

[tangentair]

Hello and Thank You
I am in the final phase of buying a M. This discussion board and its archieves have been more than helpful in seperating the hype from the opinions from the actual experiences. While I haven't completely decided upon the OBM, I would appreciate any opinions or experience regarding the benefit of the Merc bigfoot over the std 50hp. vs the additional 500 or so in costs. As I understand the posts, the 26M needs the torque at the lower RPM with a prop pitched to deliver push through the displacement portion of the hull. And the manufacturer's literature is rather weak here - the big foot is for pontoon boats(?).
Thanks again.
Ron

[cuisto]

I have a 50hp bigfoot and really like it but my boat came with it and I have nothing to compare it to. So my opinion is that it is a good motor, has been entirely reliable but (thus the wast of you time) I cant say as how it might be better than others.

I also have an 85hp merc on an old 18ft cabin cruiser (the motor is from the early 70's) and it still runs very well but is an old gas pig.

s

[James V]

Yes, the high thrust helps in docking and when you start putting in the weight. The higher RPM's on the prop will not give you much more performance because of the weight and above waterline on the Mac 26M.

I have been very happy with my Bigfoot. One caution, get used to the controles. If you are going forward docking and put it in reverse to hard it will throw you. You should see the look on other peoples faces when your boat stops so fast.

[Terry]

According to Todd @ BWY it is torque that moves thse big boats and the lower ratio of the bigfoot helps. The other advantage of the bigfoot is that it swings the larger diameter 14" prop which also benefits these big boats as there is less prop slippage. If my Honda ever dies I know what my next engine will be.

[DLT]

bigger prop = better (for our boats)...

[Night Sailor]

The more blade in the water, the more control. I recommend the Bigfoot.

However, if you end up with a Classic anyway for some reason, then get a big eared, four blade prop. Four blades have made a big difference for me in handling a heavy boat in weather or in low speed docking maneuvers.

[Frank C]

... any opinions or experience regarding the benefit of the Merc bigfoot over the std 50hp. vs the additional 500 or so in costs.

Hello Ron, congrats on the new toys!

The Merc Bigfoot was once the only choice among the 50s that offered the 14" prop. Most other 50s carry only a 12" prop. But now, I think the ETEC 50 also uses the 14" prop (IIRC, but unsure ... cannot find it on Evinrude's website).

Strictly as a point of interest, the ETEC 50 has the lowest gear ratio I've ever noted among outboards, at 2.67:1. However, gearing is not really an issue, the issue is prop diameter. Gearing is just the manufacturer's choice of a final drive ratio. REgardless of the ratio he has offered, there is a 14" prop to take advantage of that prop speed. Anyway, for all of the good reasons cited above the Mac's responsiveness and performance will be better with the larger prop - and the ETEC 50 just provides another path to the same benefits.

Beyond those two choices, Merc or ETEC, you'd need to go above 50 hp to find 14" props.

[Catigale]

Ron ..you might want to punch up to the 60 BIgfoot for your engine choice...I think it is the same weight as a 50 with a different program in the chip....

[DLT]

I think the ETEC 50 also uses the 14" prop (IIRC, but unsure ... cannot find it on Evinrude's website).

Yes, the ETEC 40/50/60 are essentially the same motor, with the exact same lower end, which does spin a 14" prop.

[tangentair]

Thank you all for your replies. They were to the point and what I needed to feel like I had based my decision on good research. Again, thank you for this and all of the other postings that I have scoured to reach the decision that the Mac with all its idiosyncrasies is a great choice.

[mikelinmon]

I have installed many motors on many MacGregors over the years and still don't have some basic info! We are in Los Angeles and I sail only in the Pacific, thus no water sking or other water toys (too cold for me). The Merc 50 std or Bigfoot seem to have same top speed! Same as Suziki, Yamaha, Nissan, Tohatsu. Most 50's deliver similar performance at wide open throttle. Does anyone have experience in the pulling power or lowspeed performance of Bigfoot or highthrust against std motor.

Once the motor has the correct prop, I've seen more diference from weight loading in the boats than from motor choice. Now to be clear: I am now an Evenrude dealer but have sold hundreds or Suzuki's with no troubles. We have never taken one apart! I like Suzuki and it would be a good choice. We switched to Evenrude for the service interval, once every three years instead of twice a year. No troubles with them and this is the one I recommend for you. Truth is the old carb Tohatsus we used and sold many years ago are still running.

One other thing, Roger MacGregor uses Merc Bigfoot for his boat Almost all of the testing you see in the video or brochures in Newport Beach is of a Merc Bigfoot, those scenes in Marina Del Rey are my boats and will have an Evenrude E-Tec on them. The sailing scenes are mostly E-Tec. One of Roger's bigger dealers uses the Suzuki, I use the E-Tec, Roger the bigFoot Merc. One of my recent customers has a special deal on Tohatsu. It is a slightly smaller motor than the others, lighter also but still 50hp. I'll let you know after we race the boats. Just pick your motor from dealer closest to home or pick a color to match your boat. All the modern motors are more like a Lexas than the outboard motors we all remember.
Enjoy your new Mac.
Mike Inmon

[Lorne Colish]

A refreshingly candid view from a man knows better than most. Thank you.

Now who can tell us about low speed performance. My Bigfoot stops on a dime, and maybe all the others do too?

[James V]

My low speed performace is very good. Stops very fast and backup so fast that it can hurt me. What I like is in the bigger seas, the boat does not slow down much climbing up the waves and I rarely have to adjust the throtal. So far at least, I have not been in anything over steep 5 foot seas. Others on the Pacific can say more than me.

I cannot tell you if the Bigfoot will get you out of trouble more than the standard, but is sure does push the boat around nicely.

[mikelinmon]

Thanks, that is a good compliment to call me candid. One more word on the motors. How about some towing performance info! The winner has got to be one of those big prop motors such as Evenrude E-Tec or Big-foot or High-thrust. We pulled a water ski chick a long time ago with a two cylinder two-stroke smokey Tohatsu behind the very first M-19 with a fractional mast and red hull. Bent the mast same day in high wind. Roger quickly changed to a masthead rig with backstay. We'll put a bikini girl in the next brochure on skis! Just kidding as we all know Roger sells this as a family boat.
Mike Inmon

[Night Sailor]

"All the modern motors are more like a Lexas than the outboard motors we all remember.
Enjoy your new Mac.
Mike Inmon"
Gosh, Mike, some of us are still stuck with the old 2 stroke wonders "we all remember", as they just won't wear out and give us an excuse to raid the retirement funds. I've only spent $60 in total maintenance in 10 years on the Merc 50 classic and it still runs very well and reliably. Maybe it's the Lexus part. I drive a Ford Expedition.