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Message board > Engines > Hardy 20 Pilot with 60hp won't plane
Message 8 of 8
Posted by member Ivor Brooke on Monday 18 December 2023
Hi Calum/All,
The 4 blade propeller (Solas1313-118-09) arrived from the US which I subsequently fitted, however there was no real improvement in performance, still only managing 10/11 knots at 5000 revs, can you tell me what the model of Hardy 20 you have? ours is a 1998 Hardy Marine 20 SE.
I was wondering if there were any differences about your boat/engine and ours, is your 60hp Mariner fitted with the "command thrust" gearbox i.e.2.33 ratio, ours has the standard1.83 ratio which could be the problem.
Also the 4 blade propeller also starts "singing" when reducing revs? I've refitted the original prop for now but I'm going to try the 4 blade propeller again next spring after I have done a bit more research this.
Anyway, a Merry Christmas and fair weather to all hardy members for 2024
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Message 7 of 8
Posted by member Calum Norris on Friday 1 September 2023
That’s great I hope it works for you as well as it did for me. Let us all know how you get on as all information/feedback is useful to other owners.
Regards
Calum
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Message 6 of 8
Posted by member Ivor Brooke on Thursday 24 August 2023
Hi Calum,
Many thanks for the information, I have ordered one from the USA as I couldn't find a dealer in the UK, hopefully when fitted I will have the same results as your Hardy 20 and I will let you know the outcome
Kind regards
Ivor
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Message 5 of 8
Posted by member Calum Norris on Sunday 13 August 2023
Hi all. I have finally managed to check my four bladed prop. It is an 11.8”x9”. The solas part number is 1313-118-09. As I have said before this has transformed the performance of my Hardy 20 which would stuck in the hole with its original prop. I have found she will plane easily and I have clocked her on gps at seventeen knots in calm conditions. Cruising probably about 14 knots. Outboard is a mercury 60hp. Hope this helps.
Regards
Calum
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Message 4 of 8
Posted by member Calum Norris on Wednesday 14 June 2023
Hi all, unfortunately my Hardy is up on the West coast so it is not easy to get to. It is annoying as I have just been up at the end of May. I am going back in August for our main holiday but I will look through my boat file and see if I kept a receipt or some info on the prop, I will also try the supplier in case they kept records of sale etc. on computer.
Kindest regards
Calum
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Message 3 of 8
Posted by member Ivor Brooke on Saturday 10 June 2023
Hi Calum/Richard/All members
I purchased a Hardy Pilot 20 in 2022 that also had a knackered 45hp Honda engine and subsequently replaced it with a Mariner 60hp efi. and I too are having problems with getting on plane/top speed.
Depending on tide direction it can be anything from 9-12knots? Looking at the hardy pilot performance chart the figures for this or older Mariner 60hp engines is puzzling, are they taken in calm conditions with no tide movement?
Using a propeller calculator it seems the fitted propeller (10.75x11) is in the right range although the engine cannot get above 5000rpm, it would very helpful if you could obtain the spec. for your 4 bladed propeller.
I was thinking of using a 4 bladed prop at 12(p)x8(dia) or 12x9 so if your prop spec was available it would be a great help in deciding which one to go for.
Any input from other members on this subject would also be appreciated
Many thanks in advance
Ivor
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Message 2 of 8
Posted by member Calum Norris on Saturday 3 June 2023
Hi there, I had exactly the same issue, after some investigation I decided to change the standard 3 blade prop for a four blade equivalent. I can’t remember the exact size change but you drop the pitch to I think a 10”??, a prop supplier would be able to advise. This effectively gears down your drive so in theory you will lose a knot or two of the possible top speed but it allows you to get over the hump and plane. I recorded 16 to 17 knots on gps in calm conditions following the change and planes relatively easily for the size of boat. Our boat is fitted with an older mercury 60hp so should help yours out.
Good luck
Calum
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Message 1 of 8
Posted by member Richard Robinson on Wednesday 31 May 2023
Hi, we purchased a 1994 Hardy 20 pilot 2 years ago and the outboard was knackered, so fitted a brand new Mercury Mariner 60hp. However it struggles to get above 7 knots on a good day at full throttle.. (and sounds like it is struggling at that speed). Also it seems to run rather loud (at least much louder than some of my friends ribs I've been on).
We've since fitted trim tabs and added some weight to the sharp end, but we're still nowhere near getting on to the plane. I've read a few posts here on the forum and it seems like some people are getting 10-12 knots easily with a 60hp. So just wondering if there was anything we might be able to do in order to achieve some more speed? Different prop perhaps..? Also, I wonder if the noise might just be the acoustics of the boat/hull etc...?
Otherwise the boat is a pure joy to spend time on..! Just curious if there is something obvious we might be missing!! Any help/advice much appreciated. Many thanks
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