2009 merc 4 stroke 60hp

[killerkernrich]

This has been in dry storage since last June on the toon 50 miles from home base. decided to go up and put it in the lake and start it, see if it would. The 28 gal gas tank was 2/3 full of old gas. I figured the start batt would be low so I took my small generator & charger. Hooked it all up then took it to the lake backed her in it started right up. Love that Merc. The Gas I forgot to put stabil in before I stored it last June

[Rick McC.]

We recently bought a used 'toon that came with a 2016 60 HP four stroke Merc; so far, so good.

[killerkernrich]

Rick, what size is your toon & have you GPS your top speed & RPM?? With just me with bimmi top up no wind my GPS top speed is only 17-18 top RPMS 5000-5100 motor is rated for top RPM at 6000 toon is 22ft. just wondering if you can get 6000rpm?

[Rick McC.]

[quote="killerkernrich"]Rick, what size is your toon & have you GPS your top speed & RPM?? With just me with bimmi top up no wind my GPS top speed is only 17-18 top RPMS 5000-5100 motor is rated for top RPM at 6000 toon is 22ft. just wondering if you can get 6000rpm?[/quote]

No, my max rpm is 5200, no doubt the way they have it propped.

At 5200; it's running 19.8-20 mph on the gps. That's with the top up, and me and the wife onboard.

The boat is a 24 foot '05 Bentley with new vinyl flooring, new upholstery, and the "new" motor, controls, cables and wiring. In their specs, it weighs a little under 2000 pounds. Oh yeah; 25" diameter 'toons.

[killerkernrich]

do you know what prop you have pitch & size thanks for info.

[boocat]

Just got a new 18 bass buggy, 60 ct. I believe it's a 14x11 black max prop. With a reasonable load ( tackle, rods, ice chest so on) and about 25 gal fuel and also a 135 pound spouse, I was right at 5800 to 5950 rpm with a max speed of 22 wilh some slight variables involved. Pretty much dead on where it should be according to everything I've read.
http://betterboat.com/pontoon/how-fast- ... at-speeds/
https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/per ... /outboard/

[gerg]

[quote="killerkernrich"]do you know what prop you have pitch & size thanks for info.[/quote]

Try using the Mercury Prop Selector. https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/pro ... #/step-one
For mine I ended up with a Mercury Spitfire 4 blade 11 pitch. I haven't got to use it yet as the boat isn't in the water yet. It won't be long now...

[Rick McC.]

[quote="killerkernrich"]do you know what prop you have pitch & size thanks for info.[/quote]

I know the prop is specific to the Command Thrust lower unit.

I'll get you the info, but it'll take a while, as I can't see the prop from the dock (can't get close enough to read it). When things warm back up enough, I'll get in the water in a shallow spot, and get the numbers off the prop for you.

[Vikingstaff]

I love hearing good things about the Mercury engines. We ordered our first pontoon and it will have a Mercury on it. Looking forward to many years of great service out of it. Glad yours is delivering!

[Cpl0724]

We just bought a new to us 2014 Lowe SS210 with a Mercury 4 stroke 60hp Bigfoot. With a 3 blade 14x11 prop I can hit 6k rpm's, but ran it the other day right at 5500. At those rpm's with my wife and I we are right at 17 mph per gps. That is ok, I was hoping for 20 mph though. We have 3 kiddos 14,12,11, I just hope it will pull them on a tube even if it is a straight line "boring" ride!

Coming from a 2 stroke that threw temper tantrums at startup and idle on another boat, I feel like I am in Heaven with this 4 stroke!

[boocat]

5500 might be a tad high for sustained cruise.

[Cpl0724]

[quote="boocat"]5500 might be a tad high for sustained cruise.[/quote]

I am new to this, what would be a good sustained rpm for cruising?

Thanks!

[boocat]

I've seen in print somewhere awhile back it was maybe around 4500 to 5000. (I think it was around 4500) I'm a little more comfortable at 4500 max for long periods. But then I was raised that way, dad was a charter capt, the guys that ran wot all day bought new engines every 2 years, guys that wanted to make a living were a little more conservative. As far as consumption efficiency, it drops way off around 4000 but those little motors don't burn much anyway. I posted some charts.

[Rick McC.]

[quote="Cpl0724"][quote="boocat"]5500 might be a tad high for sustained cruise.[/quote]

I am new to this, what would be a good sustained rpm for cruising?

Thanks![/quote]

I had a suzuki 50 HP four stroke on a crest pontoon back in the late '90's.

It would turn 6000-6200 rpm at wot. I ran it for over 800 hours (3-4 years) cruising 16-17 mph at 5000 rpm, and that motor was still flawless when I traded it in on a 90 HP.

I intend to run this 60 HP Merc the same way, but I may re-prop it, as I'm concerned that the current 5200 rpm's it's turning at wot may be bogging it down a bit, and putting strain on the motor.

My 90 HP four stroke, I cruised at 4500 rpm (pontoon), and my 200 HP two stroke, I cruised at 4200 rpm (deck boat).

[smltooner]

We have a 2007 60hp Bigfoot that came on our Party Barge.
At wot, I run 5200rpm and 16 mph.
The boat hangs in the covered lift from October until early April.
I have 2 Interstate batteries and the only charge they have ever had was from the motor.
Every spring, I turn the key and she fires right up.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the same thing happens this week when I take her out for the first time this year.