Message 14 of 14
Posted by member Dolphin on Sunday 27 October 2019

This may be more about upsizing.

Last spring we bought a very nice Hardy Regatta (1986) from a Scottish owner who used it mainly to cruise the Dutch inland waters. It has a Honda 20hp (2004) high thrust engine with a four blade 10 x 7 5/8 inch propeller, pushing the boat to a maximum speed of 6.5 knots. We do not have a rev. counter, but at that speed it sounds like it is doing maximum revs. The engine noise remains bearable up to 5 knots.

We are thinking about upgrading to a Honda 50 or 60hp to give a more civilized environment when cruising inland waters at 6-7knots and to be able to occasionally plane at sea or on the main rivers. Without much experience in the Regatta this may be an expensive gamble. My questions are:
- What is the minimum speed to plane a Regatta (with 2 persons)?
- What would be the minimum HP to achieve that speed?

I look forward to any advice!

Kind regards,
Hans

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Message 12 of 14
Posted by member Rob on Thursday 3 October 2019

Hello Mark
Sorry for the delay in replying, my boat is currently at Shepperton, although I may be planning to move it soon.
I think it depends on how long you intend to keep your boat, as to whether you downsize the engine. In my case if I was only using it on non tidal water, I would not bother.
Have fun
Rob

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Message 10 of 14
Posted by member Mark Dell on Monday 30 September 2019

Hi Rob thanks for the reply
I am probably deciding to keep the 75 and work on techniques to handle it a bit more.
Where about son the Thames are you? I am in Marlow at Harleyford
Thanks for the advice
Mark

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Message 8 of 14
Posted by member Keith Lewcock on Tuesday 24 September 2019

Hi Simon
My boat is a River Pilot made in 1989. I note that an article from this web site referring to the Family Pilot states that "In 1996 the stern and the keel were modified. The outboard well and transom could now accommodate the Honda 75 4 stroke and the keel was reduced to a max depth of two inches"

A Hardy Marine brochure for the River Pilot states "The maximum recommended engine size is 40hp"
It is somewhat confusing but I wonder whether time, experience and outboard development will allow me to attach a much larger engine or was the River Pilot really limited to 40hp? How different was the hull and transom from the Family Pilot?

Hope you can help.

Kind regards
Keith

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Message 6 of 14
Posted by member Keith Lewcock on Sunday 22 September 2019

Hi Simon and Mark
I have a river pilot with a Yamaha 25hp four stroke with a high thrust propellor. It provides plenty of thrust but will only clock up about 6.5knots to 7 max. Cruising at 5knots.
I would like to go faster and off shore but would like to know what size engine I could install. Could it take 75hp.
I am also interested in the Hydrofin as manouvering at slow speeds is a dog.

Thanks

Keith

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Message 4 of 14
Posted by member Mark Dell on Friday 20 September 2019

TBH they only offered me £1200 for that beast of an engine- I think I will keep it!

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Message 2 of 14
Posted by member Simon Papendick on Thursday 19 September 2019

Hi Mark,
I would go for a 30 hp this will give you the right balance
Regards
Simon Papendick

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