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Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 2:08 pm
by GGALVIN
In the market for a new Mercury motor - May be 90 or 115 or 150 hp. Larger gear box on Command Thrust - supposed to be more thrust out of the hole and better mileage?! Is it worth the difference in the price? What say you?
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:10 am
by rancherlee
The 90 and 115 "command thrust" will use the larger 150hp+ props, which on a pontoon, is a good thing. The larger prop + lower gear ratio = much better pontoon motor. I'd spend the extra beans if I was buying a new Merc. The 150 already swings the big boy props.
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:32 pm
by Bamaman
Go big!
And the biggest motor you can afford.
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:43 pm
by zoraduntov
I bought a 115 hp Command Thrust Mercury with my new pontoon this spring. I actually had the dealer upgrade to the Command Thrust during our negotiations.
This is my first pontoon so I don't have anything to compare it with. However, it pulls a large tube with four kids very well. I am very happy with the performance so far. The propeller is noticeably larger than the regular 115 hp motors. The motor is very quiet also. I realize that has nothing to do with the Command Thrust.
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:00 pm
by ron nh
All pontoons will come with command thrust unless dealer is trying to pocket the extra money. I believe they are only 7 or 800 more.
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:44 pm
by teecro
ron nh wrote:All pontoons will come with command thrust unless dealer is trying to pocket the extra money. I believe there only 7 or 800 more.
That's not entirely true as depending on size there may be no Command Thrust avilable... Mercury only makes the 40, 50, 60, 90 and 115 in Command Thrust. Oddly they skip over the 75....
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:18 pm
by ron nh
Sorry, I did mean 115 & under. I didn't know they skipped the 75, Maybe they saw same performance from the 60?
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:48 pm
by ron nh
GGALVIN wrote:In the market for a new Mercury motor - May be 90 or 115 or 150 hp. Larger gear box on Command Thrust - supposed to be more thrust out of the hole and better mileage?! Is it worth the difference in the price? What say you?
what size boat is it for? just curious.
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:57 pm
by teecro
ron nh wrote:Sorry, I did mean 115 & under. I didn't know they skipped the 75, Maybe they saw same performance from the 60?
I don't know either... I have a 60 Big Foot now called the CT and it is a robust motor at just 260 pounds light with the next class motor being the 75, 90 & 115 being 360 pounds... For all intent I had 5 adults and 2 kids with cooler, dog and tube still managing 14/15 MPH with it....
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 6:10 pm
by ron nh
The 115 is better than I expected.I was at a 79sq mile rough lake all week usually fully loaded and could still hit 32 to 35. the prop sometimes lost bite while pulling certain style tubes but over all it's been great.
Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:08 am
by bivey79
I am loving our 90HPCT. It moves our 20ft down the lake with ease. After taking it out 4 times, (about 10 hours of use), we had used 1/4 tank of gas.

Re: Mercury ELP 4 stroke vs Command Thrust outboard?
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2015 8:12 am
by teecro
bivey79 wrote:I am loving our 90HPCT. It moves our 20ft down the lake with ease. After taking it out 4 times, (about 10 hours of use), we had used 1/4 tank of gas.

Careful boat gas gauges are not spot on... My Tracker with 32 gal tank took 28 and still showed over 1/4 tank...