Hardy Bosun 20?

[deepsix]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience of the Hardy Bosun 20? We are looking to purchase a used one and will go to view it at the weekend. Are there any problem areas that we should pay attention to?

It looks like a fairly solid and stable design with enough room for 2 adults for the odd night onboard.

 

[Firefly625]

Good solid boats, can't think of any particular issues at all. With any low volume manufacturers osmosis can be an issue so do have a look out the water as well as in if possible, kind of depends on age and price. When things get old & cheap fussiness can go out the window. But as with any boat it's nice to see a good record of maintenance. Good luck

 

[rustybarge]

I was considering one several years ago until I had a look on the Hardy forum; they are classified as semi- displacement, but owners say that their boats refuse to go over 10-12kts as the back of the hull falls into a hole at that speed. Even if you fjt a bigger outboard to get over the hump , the boat is all but uncontrollable at higher speeds. They make very nice displacement boats for pottering around rivers and sheltered bays.

The modern take on this type of boat is a sea angling boat like the Merry Fisher 625 and other similar makes, which can actually plane and handle reasonably choppy coastal conditions; Within reason of course.

 

[ROBMH]

Look at the regatta as an alternative I get 27kts with a Honda 75

 

[deepsix]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. I didn't realize there is a Hardy forum but I just took a look and found the following post re. the Regatta:

"We own a Regatta 19 and would like to know if anyone has had the experience of almost rolling in a following sea. We sail out from Brancaster and see some big swells. This has now got so bad we are losing confidence and are trying to sell her. Can anyone help?"

What is the issue with the Bosun's hull at higher speeds? I thought semi-displacement hulls are supposed to run happily at a range of speeds, from displacement speeds up to typically 12-18 knots? That post about the Regatta's hull didn't sound good. I do like the look of the Bosun though, a bit more traditional than many modern designs.

 

[Robin B]

Proper little tugs, love Hardys. Punch above their weight, good on 'em.

 

[rustybarge]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. I didn't realize there is a Hardy forum but I just took a look and found the following post re. the Regatta:

"We own a Regatta 19 and would like to know if anyone has had the experience of almost rolling in a following sea. We sail out from Brancaster and see some big swells. This has now got so bad we are losing confidence and are trying to sell her. Can anyone help?"

What is the issue with the Bosun's hull at higher speeds? I thought semi-displacement hulls are supposed to run happily at a range of speeds, from displacement speeds up to typically 12-18 knots? That post about the Regatta's hull didn't sound good. I do like the look of the Bosun though, a bit more traditional than many modern designs.

Bigger semi-d hulls are common in the 5ton plus range, and because they have longer hulls and weigh more they transition between displacement and the low teens without much trim change. Unfortunately a short light boat will rear up at the bow and squat at the stern.

So small boats work better as a simple vee section that pops straight up onto the plane without that slow transition through the difficult low teens hump speed.

The smallest i can think of was The old Teal sea angling boat which was semi-d at 15' and 500kg and went on the plane with just 50hp; I think it was renamed Endevour, but was light and had lots of power for its size.

 

[deepsix]

Interesting stuff, cheers. So, with these smaller, circa 20ft boats, how do the hull designs actually differ between what they market as semi-displacement and planing? Looking at the photos, the Bosun's hull looks quite different to many others I have looked at. I did read that trim tabs are supposed to help the Bosun a lot, both with getting up on the plane and also stability once there. Must try to go for a sea trial.

 

[rustybarge]

Interesting stuff, cheers. So, with these smaller, circa 20ft boats, how do the hull designs actually differ between what they market as semi-displacement and planing? Looking at the photos, the Bosun's hull looks quite different to many others I have looked at. I did read that trim tabs are supposed to help the Bosun a lot, both with getting up on the plane and also stability once there. Must try to go for a sea trial.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't think of a single modern small under 20' semi-d boat still in production, but of course there are hundreds and hundreds of planing designs. Why? Semi-d are old designs based around low output engines from the 1950's & 60's. Getting a small light boat to behave in that transition zone is virtually impossible, so modern boats zap through it straight onto the plane with 80-100hp/ton.

That leaves you with the modern ' peche promenade' boats like the MF 625, Antares and the Ocqiteau range, with perhaps the small Rhea's which are very pretty boats based on traditional Breton fishing boats.

 

[deepsix]

Good point. I think the Orkney Pilot House boats used to be marketed as semi-displacement or semi-planing hulls. How do the modern boats behave at lower speeds, when planing is not possible due to the sea conditions? The appeal of the Bosun is the traditional look and the accommodation layout for family use. Thinking more along the lines of leisurely cruising at 7-8 knots but the ability to go at say 14-18 knots as an when required.

 

[rustybarge]

Good point. I think the Orkney Pilot House boats used to be marketed as semi-displacement or semi-planing hulls. How do the modern boats behave at lower speeds, when planing is not possible due to the sea conditions? The appeal of the Bosun is the traditional look and the accommodation layout for family use. Thinking more along the lines of leisurely cruising at 7-8 knots but the ability to go at say 14-18 knots as an when required.

The Scandinavians are genius' at semi- planing hulls, ie: slow planing boats. The Botnia , Finnmaster and Aquador can all stay on the plane at 10-11kts, which is the Max speed any sane person wound want to cruise in choppy conditions In a small boat. A typical planing hull can only go 8kts or15kts, nothing inbetween; so the Scandinavians use a nearly flat deadrise at the transom to give plenty of lift at slow speeds.

Have a look at the finnmaster 6.1, its got a very good reputation for a smooth ride and has standing headroom in the cabin with ' bow rider' Open seating forward.

 

[deepsix]

I will thanks. Appreciate the useful information and tips. Looking forward to viewing the Bosun this weekend anyway but will try to view some other boats too.

 

[AllanG]

Have a look at the finnmaster 6.1, its got a very good reputation for a smooth ride and has standing headroom in the cabin with ' bow rider' Open seating forward.

I have a Finnmaster 61CA, which I'm very pleased with, and the cabin space is like a tardis, especially as the boat is only 6m long. I also love that it has both aft and forward cockpit areas, which gives great flexibility for outside seating.

 

[rustybarge]

I have a Finnmaster 61CA, which I'm very pleased with, and the cabin space is like a tardis, especially as the boat is only 6m long. I also love that it has both aft and forward cockpit areas, which gives great flexibility for outside seating.

I looked at one and was very impressed with the layout of the boat, but I bought a Cheetah 7mtr Catamaran instead. Lol. its weird how we all seem to end up with stuff we never meant to buy...

What ob power do you have?

 

[AllanG]

I looked at one and was very impressed with the layout of the boat, but I bought a Cheetah 7mtr Catamaran instead. Lol. its weird how we all seem to end up with stuff we never meant to buy...

What ob power do you have?

Mines got the Honda 135 hp outboard, which gives approx 34 knots top speed, which is too fast for me , so I usually cruise around 22-24 knots!!

Must say, I like the look of the Cheetah cat.

 

[rustybarge]

Mines got the Honda 135 hp outboard, which gives approx 34 knots top speed, which is too fast for me , so I usually cruise around 22-24 knots!!

Must say, I like the look of the Cheetah cat.

The Cheetah is really a work boat used by inshore fishermen, and the hull moulding reflects that heritage: rough and ready, but very strong. They look a bit out of place in a marina environment with slick liesure boats. I pootle around the river in mine, but they go well in moderate chop.

With the cost of marina charges trailer boats make more and more sense ...

 

[deepsix]

I did a little more research regarding the Bosun (& older Pilot) getting up on the plane and it seems that trim tabs are the key to this. Apparently the Bosun can be up on the plane at 12 knots with a proper set of tabs deployed and a 75hp outboard. Max speed would be about 22 knots in calm seas.