Message 28 of 28
Posted by member Peterboo on Wednesday 9 November 2011

hi , for steve dont know what the canals are like down your way, but lve had mine through the caladonian canal the crinnan canal and the forth and clyde cannal plenty of air space hieght and plenty of width for two hardy widths of boats side by side so no problems here cant remember how many locks there were in total but a lot

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Message 26 of 28
Posted by member Bob Smith on Thursday 18 August 2011

We have owned a Hardy 25 for six years and use it on the River Trent. Next year we plan to take it by road to the South coast (possible Plymouth) and leave her there for the summer and explore the 'sheltered waters' around the area with sea trips when it's very calm. We are very safety conscious and this will be our first taste of sea cruising. The boat is very reliable (everything has been renewed over the last 5 years including a brand new inboard Volvo D2-40 (not the fastest as 7 miles per hour flat out). If there are any sea dogs out there who would be prepared to give me some guidence and tips (however big or small), then we would like to hear from you. Please either ring me on 01522 702343 or reply to this message. Also let me know if you have a Hardy on the South coast and how you enjoy cruising there. Thanks. Bob Smith

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Message 24 of 28
Posted by member Dominic And Nicola on Thursday 18 August 2011

Hi Bob If we can be of any help from our experiences, do e-mail us. Great proposal! Speak soon ominc and Nicola Gribbin.

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Message 22 of 28
Posted by member Eric Pearson on Tuesday 2 August 2011

According to the owner's manual for my Hardy Pilot SE the weight excluding engine is 960Kg. My boat has an inboard diesel (105 hp TAMD22)with the SX drive on the stern which adds a further 325 Kg befor any fuel is added (25 gal approx 70 Kg)so it's a fairly heavy craft. I have a 2 axle trailer for storage and maintenance over the winter but it's been in the water quite a lot and would need refurbishment to use on the road. I am aware of one particular owner with an inboard diesel hardy Pilot who towed it all the way from down south to the west coast of Scotland, so it can be done, but with the towbar, it's bigger than the average caravan and would need a decent 4x4 to pull it.I had mine delivered on a trailer from Falmouth to Milford Haven pulled by a 4x4 and it didn't seem too difficult. I looked at a couple of Hardy Pilots but chose this one because it was in new condition and had a low hours inboard diesel. I had a survey done but there are not really any weaknesses - it's a very seaworthy craft. I haven't got a record of the overall height for clearance but it's higher (I think) than the average narrow boat (could be wrong). I can measure it if need be. There are some excellent articles on 2nd hand Hardy Pilots available from back issues: Practical Boat Owner - June 1997 Motor Boat Monthly - July 2004 Motor Boat Monthly - July 2000 (Hardy Bosun) The Hardy Owner's Club is the best source of information £20 membership!

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Message 20 of 28
Posted by member Peterboo on Monday 20 December 2010

l popped a Yamaha 100 efi on the back of the pilot se 20 this year goes fine and is fast and burns 1 ltr per mile fast or slow if l go fast 25 knts gets there quicker if l go slow just burns the same amount ,couldn't get my head round that one but its what it does george my friend l go round the boats in has a Yamaha 60 on the back of his and it just wouldn't get up and plane l jumped on the bow going down waves and just wouldn't get over that last wee bit to plane and would only get 10 knts with the bow in the air this year l fitted bennetts trim tabs to his pilot 20 and fitted the auto trim to it as well l was going along at twenty knots looked out the side window and he was along side me grinning my next buy the auto trim kit just plugs in to the same wiring loom with a keel sensor its like magic watching it work

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Message 18 of 28
Posted by member Mike on Tuesday 17 March 2009

Steve it's an 87 SE will look at the Yamaha tests as suggested. Mike

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Message 16 of 28
Posted by member Steve Hook on Sunday 15 March 2009

Mike. Have just upgraded my 1994 pilot from 50HP mariner 4 stroke this was not powerfull enough to get on plane (lightly loaded) I looked into this for as much info as possible.....Unfortumatly its bite the bullet & upgrade if you want more speed ....you dont mention what hardy/year you have.(see yamaha 80 tests)....Steve

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Message 14 of 28
Posted by member Jackie Beedie on Wednesday 10 December 2008

My Mercury Optimax 115 weighs in at 170 kg. According to the manual 5200 rpm is the max the engine should run at. It goes on the plane immediately with 4 adults on board, I now only use the trim tabs to level the boat when the passengers move around. Yes I do trim it up a little to get to max revs. The engine is due its 50 hour service soon I will ask about the revs. Cheers Jackie

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Message 12 of 28
Posted by member Jackie Beedie on Wednesday 26 November 2008

My Pilot used to have a very tired Suzuki 140 on it and struggled to get on the plane. Once I fitted adjustable trim tabs it was much better. However the engine soon packed up and I bought a new Mercury 115. This is phenominal, it jumps up on the plane and gets up to 25 knots at 5200 rpm. Hardy did advise me that the engine was too big for the boat but it fits in the well and the old Suzy was on the boat for 12 years with no problems. I have had a full inspection of the hull and transome and there is no damage at all. I also live and use the boat in Bahrain with petrol at 80 pence a gallon MPG is not an issue.

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Message 10 of 28
Posted by member Andy Mcmullan on Friday 7 November 2008

Hi Leroy When you say that you're at full throttle, although the throttle lever is fully forward, the motor rpm may not be able to increase to it's max due to the prop being over size. Maybe your 60hp doesn't have power trim? The new one would have this most likely and this makes a big difference to the running of the boat. Trim in fully to get on the plane then trim out to keep the prop thrust horizontal to the water and decrease drag. On my Pilot, as I trim out when planing, the revs rise and the boat speeds up. Trim tabs are also a very good idea. Cheers Andy

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Message 8 of 28
Posted by member Andy Mcmullan on Tuesday 4 November 2008

Link on 70 hp suzuki 4 stroke... http://www.hardy-owner.org.uk/forum/en1107792649.htm

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Message 6 of 28
Posted by member Leroy Beresford on Monday 3 November 2008

Hi,can anyone please advise?have been in contact with Hardy,ref,max engine size for pilot 20,they say up to 70HP,at present ive a60:2stroke merc,would the new 4,stroke ,70max give me much more speed than the 11knts tops that i get now?,thank you.

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Message 4 of 28
Posted by member Steve on Friday 31 October 2008

Hi again Roger, I left a reply in navigation and sea worthiness earlier. For in-depth knowledge contact Cardiff Bay Yacht Club. This web address takes you to their contacts page with e-mail details of committee members http://www.cbyc.co.uk/contactlistb.asp , I'm sure they would be pleased to advise. Regards, Steve.

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Message 2 of 28
Posted by member Jos Faster on Monday 20 October 2008

I have a Hardy 20 family pilot with a 50pk outboard Yamaha. on the propeller I read 11 5/8 x 11-g. The Hardy is not going faster than 14km a hour with 4200rpm is this ok or is something wrong. please help :-) jos

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