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Message 5 of 5
Posted by member Calum Norris on Saturday 7 May 2022
Hi Tom, I was up last week but nobody had responded and as all her covers etc. were fine I left her wrapped up for now. As a starting point I looked into it, I think, on a mercury website and there was a table which have you the equivalent four blade prop to the three blade that is fitted. I am pretty sure that’s what I went with. With the four blade you will loose top end speed as the pitch is smaller but you get much better “hole shot”. As a keen water skier I was aware of this so thought I would give it a go. As I said performance was transformed and there is no point worrying about a couple of knots off the top end if you cannot get there!!! In short I would get in touch with your engine/prop dealers and they can probably recommend an equivalent prop based on the one you have. Hope this helps.
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Message 4 of 5
Posted by member Tom Storey on Thursday 28 April 2022
Would love to know what prop you fitted Calum. I’m working through the same problem at the moment, although my boat’s a Seawings 194.
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Message 3 of 5
Posted by member Calum Norris on Thursday 21 April 2022
Hi all, I have a Mercury 60 on my family pilot. When I got to sea I had similar problems even with trim tabs fitted. I went through the decision process and decided to go with a four bladed prop. I can’t remember the size off hand but I am going to check on her next week so could find out. Once fitted she lifted up onto the plane with no problem and achieved 17 knots quite easily. This was with just me on board and a fairly standard load etc. If carrying a heavy load I.e. four adults etc. I would look at a 75hp (design limit) but otherwise a 60 will cope.
Regards Calum
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Message 2 of 5
Posted by member Graham Clay on Wednesday 20 April 2022
There's quite a lot of data on this site about engine power etc. The key point is that you have got to get the boat up onto the plane - otherwise she will just stick her nose high and not go any faster than the 8kts displacement speed you already achieve. You will need a bit bigger engine than yours to achieve this (60hp sounds ok, I think some have gone to 75 or even bigger, but concerns about resulting stresses on the transom). Other things helpful (in order of importance/effectiveness) are:
1) trim tabs to push the stern up (again, much discussion on this forum)
2) weight forward to help keep the nose down
3) engine trim (skeg right in to get up on the plane, then can straighten it out a bit)
4) some discussion about correct prop to fit (see forum again)
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Message 1 of 5
Posted by member Ivor Brooke on Wednesday 20 April 2022
Hi all,
Newbie to boating and have just purchased a 1998 Hardy pilot 20SE fitted with a Honda 45hp 4 stroke outboard engine.
On the initial sea trial and a subsequent small estuary trip maximum speed at 4200rpm was 8 knots, I'm not sure of the age of the engine (possibly 15+ years or more) as no data plate there is no data plate on the engine.
Referring to the Hardy owners data/performance sheet here it would appear that that some achieve in in excess of 8 knots?
As I have a berth in Neyland Mariner Pembrokeshire, I would like to use the boat for estuary cruising plus some coastal hopping.
Initially I'm thinking maybe fitting a larger engine, 60HP Mercury unit ?
If anyone has the same engine your comments/advice would be greatly appreciated.
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