75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

[mjc3834merc]

I'm picking up my first pontoon boat tomorrow. A 20 foot Starcraft with a 2001 75hp Mercury two stroke. Is that a good motor for 20ft'er? Wife and I are retired and most of the time it will be just us but once in a while we'll have the kids and grandkids. Don't expect to be pulling any water skiers but would like to get a couple miles down the lake to our favorite fishing spots before the grandkids get bored
Also would like to hear from anyone running this motor. Any issues or problems I should know about? Dealer said it was checked over and runs great This dealer does have a pretty good reputation around here. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone with this motor or a 20 foot 75hp pontoon.
Thanks
Mike

 

[badbird]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

I have a 20' with a 90 2 stroke and speed wise it does upper 20's so I would imagine that a 75 would go at least 20-22

good luck
Ron

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

I had that motor on my last boat and they are sweetheart motors. Not especially smooth at idle but they are large displacement and would work well on a pontoon. What you need to be certain of however is that the correct prop is installed. A prop for a pontoon is very different than one for a "V" hull boat. You want large blade area and a couple steps lower in pitch than you would use on a "V" hull. Probably in the vicinity of a 15P.

 

[mjc3834merc]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

I'm pretty sure this motor has been on this pontoon since it was new. The boat's a 2000 and the motor's a 2001. The whole boat's in very nice shape and the prop looks almost new. Could be a replacement. I will check and make sure I have the right prop for the boat. These are the things I need to know. Thanks.

My old 16' Sylvan with an 89 35hp merc will just do 20. That would be something if my pontoon well go as fast as my old fishing boat
Mike.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

It will do 20 and perhaps even a tad faster depending on load.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

I wish that I could help you. We have an 07 Starcraft ,24 ft limited with a 90 two stroke Merc. We use it in the Chesapeake bay and it moves vey well. Only one thing to watch out for and that is those fast boats that like to see how close they can get by you. .You'll be in for a rock and roll experiance. When I see one coming I always turn into there path so they have to do a wide pass . I have a large ski convex mirror to keep a look out for them coming up behind me.

 

[mjc3834merc]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

Picked up our pontoon and got it in the water. Forgot the GPS the first few times we were out (no wind) but she ran 20-21 mph into a slight chop. You guys know your boats. Might make 22 on a calm day. Runs 5200 rpm's WOT at 21mph. However, at about 3500 rpm's shes running a very comfortable 13 -14 mph and my wife is happier so thats where she'll be most of the time. We had checked the boat over but I was more interested in the motor and the general layout of the boat. When I had the time to really look the boat over I was pleasantly suprised at how well it had been treated. No one that lookede at it would believe it was a 10 year old boat. What a fishing platform. The low rails in the front and seats at all four corners are great. I'll have to keep an eye on the youngest grand kids but I can live with that. Thanks for the replys. Here's a pic of my new toy.
Mike

Ok, reading some other posts about proper props for pontoons. Sounds like my 5200 rpm at WOT is to low. Anyone know what pitch they run on their 75/90 hp mercs on their pontoons?

 

[lamac]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

You have a very nice boat and it sounds like its running good. I noticed from your picture it did not look like you have safety wedges on your gates. If this is true please check into it, they only cost a few dollars but could save someones finger. Only recently another boy lost his whole little finger jumping into the water due to his finger getting caught in the gate.
Have fun and welcome to the site.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

Nice boat. Congratulations.. I have a 20' with a 60 Bigfoot. This motor has essentially the same bottom end as yours. I'm running a 14x11p prop. WOT rpm is 5800.

 

[mjc3834merc]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

lamac,
They're in the mail as we speak. Two of my gate latches are worn and bent. I have three new latches and four sets of safety wedges on the way.

Jeep Man, Thanks for the reply. First I need to know what size and pitch I have on my boat. I will write yours down. Probably won't do anything till I pull it out this fall.
Mike

 

[lamac]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

Great to hear you got em coming.
Have fun

 

[Water logged]

Re: 75hp Merc 2 stroke on my 20'.. Good match?

sweet lookin' toon, should be able to make some great memories with that rig,

Glenn