Message 2 of 3
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Friday 28 August 2015

Hi Rob. The reason for their being more Pilots around is simply the Pilot was very high selling family boat that started production in 1981 and finished in 1998 - then becoming the more refined (little more modern deck and interior) Bosun 20. The Fishing 20 was a popular boat also - but built from around 1986 - mid 90's - so a shorter time in production and nothing could touch and sheer number of Family Pilots built. My preference would always be the Fishing 20 - a simple cabin, large cockpit and the choice or single or twin outboards - (and a few stern drives). My experience is quite a good hull - likes 16 / 18 knots when choppy. Can go faster in flat weather, but great in a chop at mid teens. The difference types are as follows: 1). Fishing 20 (one any only model - though some had sterndrive engines) - as few have been modified with enclosed wheelhouses etc - but they were all pretty much the same when built at the factory. 2). Family Pilot 20. A later version called the Family Pilot 20 SE was built from around 1996 - this lost the "Quarter berth" under the galley - had a smaller galley but managed to squeeze in the co-pilot seat in the cockpit - the earlier Family Pilot only has the Pilot seat (and both have the seats either side of the engine). At some point in the early 90's I believe a shallower keel version was offered - the shallower keel being present the 20 SE and later Bosun - this reduced the keel "tracking" at higher speeds and also reduced cavitation of the prop at higher speed - the deeper keel could blank the prop flow in some cases. In around 1989/90 - the Pilot received a more modern internal moulding in the cockpit and cabin to speed up production and provide a more durable interior finish - these use less carpet to cover plywood and glass fibre. A few pilots are Sterndrive - a number of the 1996-98 boats were - though these are heavy and can be noisy - and frankly slow in comparison to the diesel - the fore stroke outboards and really come a long way since! A few early Pilots were Sterndrive with various options - some Petrol etc. A few pilots were fitted with small "Sail Drive" diesel engines, in the 10 / 20hp range i think. These are displacement boats due to the power of the engines. 3). Bosun 20. Pretty much a Family Pilot 20 SE but with a redesigned superstructure and more modern and sorted interior. The top of the line 20! All Outboard. 4). River Pilot 20. Same hull at the Family Pilot 20 (with the standard deeper keel). Small cockpit open plan interior with "Patio Doors" at the back of the wheel house. I had one of these in Guernsey years ago - had been on teh sea in the Channel Islands with various owners for some 15 - 17 years. Great little sea boat - did about 16 - 18 knots with a 50hp 2 stroke..had her out in a F5 - 6 once - not recommended but she handled ok and tracked straight and true - the deeper keel does have upsides!! 5). Hardy HM6 (20 Motor Sailor). This is the very first hardy boat - a full displacement motor sailor with an inboard and sometimes outboard. Some boats were sold without the rig - i..e just as a displacement motor boat and some have since lost their rigs. These look almost the same as a Family Pilot when afloat (The family Pilot shares the HM6's superstructure moulding) - but are different internally and very different below the waterline. CC'd to the Forum for info.

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