Early 2000's Mercury Bigfoot?

[KiK]

Hey Cats fans....squeaker down at LSU tonight! But that ain't my post. I'm setting up a new-to-me pontoon for slabbing here shortly on Cedar Creek and Herrington, etc and located just the right toon for my use. Wanted a smaller pontoon because I really like the looks of Steve Bynum's PondToons like Cane Pole and Blackhawk & CardsFan have but wanted something that might be a tad more versatile for other water. Found and have parked in my driveway (too tall to fit in the garage at the moment) a 16' Avalon with 23-25" toons...haven't measured them yet...just guessing. Anyway, the toon was set up from the get-go with an all electric power on the stern using a Lenco Trim N Troll that uses a big Motorguide 2 hp 24v motor. In the deal, I got 2 extra new electric motors because apparently the company was not making these any longer as of about 2012. Cool set up for a small boat I guess but my intentions are to mount gas power. I've searched for calculating the max hp rating for pontoons and came up with a chart that puts the 16'/25" toons at around 50 hp or rounded yp to the next 5. I'm talking to a gent about a 60 horse Mercury Bigfoot. It's a 2002 model. Having been out of the boat biz for quite a while, I'm not the least bit familiar with the series motors.

Can I get a little input or opinions on these Mercurys? Should I keep looking? My searches have come up with both 2 and 4 strokes in this model? Not sure yet which one this is. I know there are likes and dislikes of the 2 strokes but I'm trying to stay within a budget and want to spend the $ on electronics and such but don't want to short myself with an aggravating powerplant. I'll ask all the questions and be sure to get compression #'s before changing $$$ and hopefully some receipts and assurance I'm getting a good motor but some engines have inherited problem areas and some are seemingly bulletproof. I'm wanting the latter of course.

Thinking I'd kinda like to retain the electric option somehow for back-up and trolling. It is steered from the helm by the wheel with a neat set up but I'll have to figure out something "CanePolish" if I want to keep it operable with the gas outboard. The toon does have a Minn Kota V2 Powerdrive on the bow already. If it works well, I may leave it. I'd really like to do a Terrova 80 lb at least if the Powerdrive don't suit me.

Also...I should add...if a guy didn't want to sell a good dependable 30-50 hp long shaft motor, he better not post it in the classifieds about right now.

Thanks for the input.

[Wiskers]

As far as the Merc's go... All IO can say is I sure see a LOT of old ones out on the water these days.

[Yodibuzz]

I owned a 2002 bigfoot four stroke that I used to troll with and it was prolly the best engine I ever owned.
The bigfoot series motors were designed for pontoons or heavy style boats.
Have the motor checked out if it has not been abused it will be a good motor for your toon,

[toomanycasts]

I owned a 2002 bigfoot four stroke that I used to troll with and it was prolly the best engine I ever owned.
The bigfoot series motors were designed for pontoons or heavy style boats.
Have the motor checked out if it has not been abused it will be a good motor for your toon,

I don't know what kind of electrics you've got, but my old man was able to use gas and electric on his pontoon. He used two minn kota motors mounted to his 50hp bigfoot. He uses a bracket that attaches to the cavatation plate for electric only lakes. And removes it for outboard lakes. The 24v electric moves the 18ft fishing barge about 10mph and you can steer from the helm

[KiK]

TooManyCasts...it's one of these in 24 volt model. Read somewhere it's equivalent to 164 lb thrust? It has a 12 v actuator that raises/lowers from full up to full down in about 8 seconds. It's just like the one in the image below. It's mounted on the transom as the previous owner used it for an all-electric lake toon...hooked to helm/steering wheel just like a gas outboard using a Teleflex cable. Obviously I'll lose that when I mount a gas engine but I need to start my redneck gears up & figure a way to keep it even if I go the bow with it. Already have a 70lb MK V2 Powerdrive up there. Apparently they used to make a part for these called Joy Ride which uses a joystick but I quit searching for that option when I found one listed for 1100. smackers just for the joystick deal. Maybe I can get Cane Pole to figure me out one and I'll give him a baloney sammich for his effort. :-) Since it's already set up for a Teleflex cable, maybe a stick steer might adapt?

10 mph is very good for that toon. Mine being a 16 footer, it might plane out. Anyway, the BigFoot is out...it got sold. Snooze...ye lose.