Message 25 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Thursday 11 August 2016

photo update 3

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Message 23 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Thursday 11 August 2016

photo update 1

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Message 21 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Friday 1 July 2016

hey guys been off for a while been absolutely manic with work lots of people with engine problems and a few with structural hull problems :O ive decided to remove the 6hp Yamaha 4 stroke that i have in the engine well, i am replacing it with a Yamaha 15hp 4 stroke, then its getting a engine box over it that will be sound proofed! shouldn't hear it at all hopefully im 3/4 of the way threw the rewire thankfully! iv made most of the templates for the headlining and transferred on to ply so just to cut out then check and cover with white leather :) decoded the big cooker was a no go it takes up too much room so iv opted for a little one ring portable one from b&m, boat cabin is painted and so is the wheelhouse interior, i have templates for the floor now iv to cut them out of ply and i can carpet it :) i have installed a 300W inverter but im thinking about going up to 2000w because i have 3 sockets running from it and the misses likes her hair straighteners :)

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Message 19 of 26
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Wednesday 15 June 2016

Hi Craig. Look out for a small yacht or large dinghy rig - a few on ebay. The 537 didn't have a large rig by any means, though the 18MS did have an extra few ft2 of sail area. Something from a wrecked Leisure 17, old wooden Sillouette or maybe something a little larger but cut down may work - you might even be able to find a nice Tabenacle if you don;t have one fitted already. Lots of stuff on ebay. The Rigging and rigging attachement points on the boat should be new and strong (don't skimp). Then it's a matter of getting some old reasonable sails and having them "Re-Cut" to suit - again - lots of sails out there that could be made to work I'm sure (and lots of books telling you how to re-cut - if the DIY option is of interest - you'll need an old heavy duty sewing machine for that - ideally with Zig Zag stitch functions). Good luck Simon.

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Message 17 of 26
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Wednesday 8 June 2016

Hi Craig. The timber looks great - good job!. She's clearly a Hardy 537 - sold as a Motorboat or Motorsailer - depending whether you wanted the sails or not. The 2nd hardy design ever - great little boats! The deck and wheelhouse was used on the Hardy 17PH and later the navigator (Both had the "Power Hull" (what the PH in 17 Ph stands for). The hull was used on the 18 Motor Sailer too - the 537 and 18 MS are a rare thing in this world - stout Motor Sailers and displacement motorboats under 20' long. Yep, one of the greats. Best Regards Simon.

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Message 15 of 26
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Monday 23 May 2016

Hi Craig. I always like to keep as close to original as possible - but it depends on costs and your plans - so really you're the only one who can decide. The most important thing is to make sure 1) - the rope won't fall off - thats a bad thing! and 2). it looks nice and straight - saggy ropes look rough. Apart from that - either could work ok I suspect. Moulding a gas locker is a great idea - teh Nav doesn't have space for gas other than outside (or a big box inside) - the one on the back of my old navigator (Oh Hauley, I miss you..) was a Hardy Original from after 1990 - it always worked nicely. Having a mould to make others from is also a top idea - there are not enough little mouldings for these things - I can think of many boats that would benefit - Shetlands, maylands, yachts - all sorts). Foam Edging for the cockpit is a good idea - if you don't have padded back rests in the cabin - then think about that too - some 18's had no back rests, others just had wood, and the last ones had padded luxury - it really makes a difference. I also found fitting the helm and co pilot seats on Swivels was useful - so when moored up, you could spin the seats round 180 degrees and face back in the sun - a simple but effective upgrade. Good luck! Best Regards Simon.

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Message 13 of 26
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Thursday 19 May 2016

Hi Craig To secure the rope, Normally there with be two "D Rings" in the transom - one either side - the rope has a wire (or polysteel) heart running through it - the ends of the heart are formed into loops. Then cord is used to tie the heart to the D rings - normally using a "Spanish Windlass" or similar technique to tension the rope (Ratchet Straps to help tension when fitting are popular). The forward end of the rope is fitted using thin cord - this is passed through the rope (i.e. twist the rope open, pass the cord through the rope - ensuring the "get the heart" - then the cord passes through teh two little holes you'll see in the forward edge of teh deck moulding and is tied off. The centre section of teh rope is supported the a length of triangular section hardwood - fastened to the hull under the rope (i.e. the timber is screwed to the hull from within the boat - the screws go through hull mouldling and into the timber...). There should be lots of tips for fitting ropes in the fourm archives. The Navigator, 17PH, 537, 18 Motor Sailer and the Fishing 18 all used the same rope securing method. I've attached a photo of my old navigator at from the stern 0 you should just be able to make out the D rings and loops in the "heart". I have seen other boats with ropes fitted that don't have a heart - they use a stainless steel "cup" secured to the transom - it's not as good but works - See "Corsiva Botas". Best Regards Simon.

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Message 11 of 26
Posted by member Robert Sneddon on Monday 16 May 2016

Hi Craig. I launch in Largs and keep on a swing mooring in Millport bay for the season. It sits on its trailer close to home during the winter which allows me to carry out regular maintenance etc. Kind regards, Robert

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Message 9 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Monday 16 May 2016

hey Robert where are you based ? largs by any chance? i know a few hardys are in the yacht haven im in two minds of whether or not i should put her in the forth and clyde canal so its close to home hopefully get to use her more then not so sure yet tho! thanks for the welcome and i will keep my post updated! :) thanks Craig

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Message 7 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Sunday 15 May 2016

cleaned hardy plates

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Message 5 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Saturday 14 May 2016

new rope fender ends

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Message 3 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Saturday 14 May 2016

cleaning hardy plates

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Message 1 of 26
Posted by member craig allan on Saturday 14 May 2016

i am a new owner and new to the site so hi all!! :) i got a lovely little hardy navigator motor sailor, she's had her rigging removed and mast gone as well as keels removed too, so just for motoring about with the family, 1: the seating inside was mouldy and green tartan fabric which i have changed to black PVC leatherette, 2: i have the rope fender off and someone had duck taped the ends of the rope and bolted threw the hull so ive removed and made ends for the ropes and in the process of celaning the rope to re attach but will be changing next year for a jute rope as looks far better than the black polypropylene rope thats there, 3: full 240V electrical system with a inverter, two leisure batteries and solar panels on the roof along with a shore power plug in to help charge if needed and ive just got my hands on a silent suitcase generator if away somewhere without power 4: full 12V rewire and new switch board that i have made to be fitted, 5: full water system fully re plumbed 6: full internal paint job 7: new carpet in the cabin and hull lining to be replaced also, 8: new curtains 9: 6hp yamaha remote outboard ordered to be fitted also need to fit a starter to it for electric start 10: new white PVC leatherette head linings in main cabin and in cockpit cabin roof and sides for those of you who are looking at this list thinking OMG he is off his head! yes i will be doing everything myself partly because i am yes off my head but i am a boat builder to trade, i spend most of my time fixing peoples mess ups or accidents i should have most of the skills to do all of this work and any that i dont have i will either learn or have someone i know do it for me :) one thing i would like is your opinions so go on ? here are some pictures of the old tartan and new leather, the rope ends that i have made and my new switch board and vhf pannel so far and a few other bits and bobs :)

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