Hardy motor sailor 20. Can I put a 90hp outboard on it? It has a 14hp inboard fitted.

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Nairn-sailor

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Hi there I am looking at a nice Hardy motor sailor 20 with sails and a 14 hp Betamarine inboard engine. The owner says it will go about 5 knots with the inboard engine. If I want to go a decent distance, like Nairn to Mallaig through the Caledonian canal, I would need more speed to not make it take so long. So is it possible to fit a 90hp outboard so I can get a decent speed maybe 12 knots? The owner didn't not know much about the sails so was wondering if the sails would give a decent speed( I know it depends on the strenght of wind but as I have never used a sail I was wondering how good they would be) thanks James
 
You can stick what you want on the back but the hull speed will be about 6 knots and no matter how many horses are pushing it, that's all it will do. The only thing that will increase is your fuel consumption. And what is the speed limit in the Caledonian Canal anyway? Nice troll though...
 
Sounds like the boat is wrong for you ... and there is no way that the sails on that hull will get you more than 5-6 knots ... the same restrictions (hydrodynamic) on that hull shape (under water profile) with motor or both motor and sail .... absolutely pointless to try to put a 90 HP on the back of it .... and the stern will need some serious strengthening with a new bracket etc., for no other outcome than making the boat un-attractive for future buyers.

Presume it is the one lying in Nairn, so makes it attractive for you ??... There is an Orkney Orkadian 20 for sale in Banff which will be better for your intended use... but bigger engine = bigger price.

Worth noting that the canal stretches of the Caledonian (22 - 25 miles) does have a speed restriction of 5 knots....

Good luck !
 
Thank you all very much for your replies as that was the information I was looking for. The boat was made for that speed so I will get thinking of it's fast enough or not. I knew parts of the Caledonian canal had speed limits it just think 5-6 knots will take me forever to get to places, so will have to think if that is okay or too slow. I preferred the size of boat, where the kids can walk right around on the walkways and we can sleep in it. Bigger engine = more money I get that too. Where is the one in Banff for sale at?
 
Thanks I will look at other boats or see if 5-6 knots is fast enough. That is a great boat but at £15,500 just too expansive. Thanks.
 
Thanks that's the information I neede to know, that the hull speed is 5-6 knots and what the boat was made for. I like the safety of the walkways for the kids and the fact we can sleep in it so will have to decide if that's fast enough. Thanks.
 
Thanks for the information it's exactly what I needed to know and really like the safety of the walkways for the kids and the fact we can sleep in it but it's just the speed. But I will think about it, it's just even to go to Findhorn or Cromarty is 2 hours one way. I was in Banff recently too! Where is the Orkney Orkadian 20 advertised? Thanks james
 
Thanks Divemaster1 I found the Orkney in Banff on gumtree, wow cruising at 24 knots and a nice safe spacious boat. Well over my budget but thanks at least I know my options now.
 
If you know nothing about sailing and 4-6 knots does not interest you, then forget looking at boats with a mast on top (except perhaps a macgregor 26). They do have the advantage though of being near silent when sailing and obviously no fuel consumption when sailing.

You have to decide if your boating is about the journey, or about getting somewhere (i.e about the destination)

Nairn to Cromarty is just over 2 hours at 5 knots. You need to leave Nairn as soon as the tide allows you out to stand a chance of getting to Cromarty before the tide turns. Progress into the Cromarty firth against the tide will painfully slow (done it once making 1 knot over the ground engine at full tilt)

There are not many places to get fuel on the Calley, certainly not petrol, so if planning to take a boat with an OB through you need to carry quite a lot of fuel.
 
Last edited:
Nairn-sailor said:
Thanks Divemaster1 I found the Orkney in Banff on gumtree, wow cruising at 24 knots and a nice safe spacious boat. Well over my budget but thanks at least I know my options now.
Click to expand...

If you bought the one in Nairn and then added a 90 HP engine on it etc., you would have spent a lot more £££ than on the Orkney.... a bit more research needed I believe... :)

Good luck !!
 
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