Fairline family 20

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bbritton

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Could you use a family fairline 20 in the sea.

I guess as standard you couldn't but with a bigger out outboard and other adaptions would it be possible
 
Ok the biggest engine it is listed to take , a auxiliary engine , radio life jackets , training. Spare petrol
 
bbritton said:
I'm struggling to find what the biggest it will take but was thinking something around 60hp.
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there is one in Torquay with a 60 on it , you should get the stern checked to make sure it is strong enough. where do propose to use it.
 
I’m not sure if it is the same hull?

We had a Fairline Vixen which was about 20 ft in the early 1980’s.
It was our first motor boat which we bought it on the upper Thames.

Took it up to Scarborough (behind the car on a trailer)
We even waterskied from Scarborough to Filey……..but we were young and stupid then!?

It was very good boat to helm in even a choppy sea, in fact better than at displacement speeds on the Thames!
We had a Volvo AQ145 engine (270 outdrive).

I think you’ll struggle to achieve planing speeds on 60HP.
Maybe 10/12 kt………but the sea conditions may make you go slower.

As Mr Seastoke mentioned……you can go to sea on a paddle board, so it all depends on what you want to do?

If your plans are going out for a few hours on a calm day in sight of land with your family (or to do some fishing), the boat should be fine. Lifejackets for everyone and a hand held VHf would be sensible..inc. mobiles, and spare fuel.

But if you want to try longer voyages it’s probably not a good idea.
 
A phone call to Fairline and they should be able to tell you the max or try the Fairline owners Facebook page. Remember that whatever the max HP given it will be based on an old 2 stroke, a 4 stroke will be heavier.
From my research prior to buying a weekender 21, the semi displacement family 20 seems more common for rivers and canals usually with sub 25hp engines. I doubt if even 60hp would be enough to get the boat to planing speeds unless lightly loaded and with trim tabs.
 
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From what I can find the max HP is 65. If this is based on an old two stroke could I increase the size because the 4 strokes are heavier
 
bbritton said:
From what I can find the max HP is 65. If this is based on an old two stroke could I increase the size because the 4 strokes are heavier
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HP is HP no matter whether it comes from 2 or 4 stroke. The boat is designed to handle that with some safety factor so you must stay within that parameter especially considering the age of the craft.
 
bbritton said:
From what I can find the max HP is 65. If this is based on an old two stroke could I increase the size because the 4 strokes are heavier
Click to expand...
Fairline base their recommendation on power and weight for the strength of the transom. If you go 4 stroke 60hp would be you're absolute max.
 
Corona Mia said:
I’m not sure if it is the same hull?

We had a Fairline Vixen which was about 20 ft in the early 1980’s.
It was our first motor boat which we bought it on the upper Thames.

Took it up to Scarborough (behind the car on a trailer)
We even waterskied from Scarborough to Filey……..but we were young and stupid then!?

It was very good boat to helm in even a choppy sea, in fact better than at displacement speeds on the Thames!
We had a Volvo AQ145 engine (270 outdrive).

I think you’ll struggle to achieve planing speeds on 60HP.
Maybe 10/12 kt………but the sea conditions may make you go slower.

As Mr Seastoke mentioned……you can go to sea on a paddle board, so it all depends on what you want to do?

If your plans are going out for a few hours on a calm day in sight of land with your
Click to expand...

Corona Mia said:
family (or to do some fishing), the boat should be fine. Lifejackets for everyone and a hand held VHf would be sensible..inc. mobiles, and spare fuel.

But if you want to try longer voyages it’s probably not a good idea.
Click to expand...
Hi corona , iam in the middle of looking at a 1974 vixen, are these a reliable boat 😊
 
Kevin845 said:
Well both mostly the petrol inboard , I cant find much information about them
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Reliability is a function of condition and maintenance. The boat itself is an old design and "is what it is". Petrol inboards of that age are likely to be problematic from neglect and shortage of spares perhaps to keep running. Whether the boat is suitable for you depends on where you are going t use it and your expectations.
 
Kevin845 said:
Well both mostly the petrol inboard , I cant find much information about them
Click to expand...
That's true 👍
Tranona said:
Reliability is a function of condition and maintenance. The boat itself is an old design and "is what it is". Petrol inboards of that age are likely to be problematic from neglect and shortage of spares perhaps to keep running. Whether the boat is suitable for you depends on where you are going t use it and
Click to expand...
 
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