Hi guys, my 2001 Merc 4s Bigfoot on my pontoon boat is on it's way out (excess oil from crank vent and occasional water in oil) and I'm looking at re-powering options for my 20 foot pontoon boat.
I'm on a small private lake with not much waves or current, and I'm not looking to go fast. I was hoping to replace with a 25hp Merc in Bigfoot (or Command Thrust as they now call it) but it seems Merc doesn't make 25hp engines with the lower gears any longer. I was told by a couple different marine mechanics that to diagnose and rebuilt my 2001 would likely cost almost as much as a new engine, which is too bad because that engine works perfectly for my application.
I've been in contact with a couple marinas and one salesman is trying to sell me a 9.9hp prokicker with the CT gear case.
To me a 9.9hp on a 20foot pontoon, even on a small body of water would seem under powered. I'd be concerned about the "boys weekend" at the cottage when there are 7 to 9 guys on the pontoon boat.
Can anyone please advise if I should go with the regular 25 HP ELPT 4S Merc or prokicker 9.9 or will I notice a huge difference between the newer motor with 1.92 gear ratio versus the Big Foot ratio (I believe 2.33)?
For comparison the 9.9 prokicker ratio is 2.15.
I guess what I'm asking is what will move the pontoon boat better, the 9.9hp with 2.15 gear ratio or 25hp with 1.92?
Thanks for any advice!
I'm on a small private lake with not much waves or current, and I'm not looking to go fast. I was hoping to replace with a 25hp Merc in Bigfoot (or Command Thrust as they now call it) but it seems Merc doesn't make 25hp engines with the lower gears any longer. I was told by a couple different marine mechanics that to diagnose and rebuilt my 2001 would likely cost almost as much as a new engine, which is too bad because that engine works perfectly for my application.
I've been in contact with a couple marinas and one salesman is trying to sell me a 9.9hp prokicker with the CT gear case.
To me a 9.9hp on a 20foot pontoon, even on a small body of water would seem under powered. I'd be concerned about the "boys weekend" at the cottage when there are 7 to 9 guys on the pontoon boat.
Can anyone please advise if I should go with the regular 25 HP ELPT 4S Merc or prokicker 9.9 or will I notice a huge difference between the newer motor with 1.92 gear ratio versus the Big Foot ratio (I believe 2.33)?
For comparison the 9.9 prokicker ratio is 2.15.
I guess what I'm asking is what will move the pontoon boat better, the 9.9hp with 2.15 gear ratio or 25hp with 1.92?
Thanks for any advice!
