Almost all the Pioner Multi’s sold are configured as a complete boat package, with a remote steering engine, console and seat. It is this Pioner Multi model that is described here.
The Pioner Multi has the seat and console located right back at the stern of the boat, leaving the entire front area of the Multi clear for either passengers or freight. The main Pioner Multi’s rear seat is a double bench stretching across the whole stern, with the helmsman seated to starboard (that is on the right if you are a land-lubber) and with a passenger on the port (left hand) side. The raised console is situated directly in front of the helmsman, normally with the wheel directly ahead and throttle controls safely tucked down to one side. The large windscreen shown in many Pioner Multi photos is an optional extra, however the Multi screen is one feature that is excellent at keeping spray and especially wind chill off the helmsman (or helmswoman). Over the back (stern) of the Pioner Multi can be fitted the optional A frame, which is ideal for mounting navigation lights and/or electronics, ariels etc.
The entire front section of the Pioner Multi is open and flat, an ideal deck area. The rear helming position is ideal for keeping an eye on passengers in the front, in accordance with the latest RYA guidelines. At the bow is the unique Pioner Multi ramp, giving the Pioner Multi to perform as a mini-landing craft. The Pioner Multi’s bow is made from tough materials and will withstand beach landings. This allows easy personnel access, including ambient disabled or easy loading of freight into the Pioner Multi.
The Pioner Multi is made throughout with tough durable materials that literally last for decades in club use, or years in workboat use. Therefore a new Pioner Multi can be relied on to give years of sterling service (or in the case of our local Otley Sailing Club, numerous decades of service (please take the hint lads).
The Pioner Multi has a length overall of 5m 5cm long by 2m 3cm wide (approx. 16 ½ feet long by 6 feet wide).
The Pioner Multi is rated to a maximum of eight persons, or carrying a total payload of 1,160kg (approx. 1 ton) when used as a workboat.
The Pioner Multi is rated for Category C waters, so it can be used safely in inshore and estuary workboat roles
The Pioner Multi can be used safely on all UK, Irish and European inland waterway and lakes.
The Pioner Multi is normally fitted with single long-shaft outboard engine. The Pioner Multi can be fitted with an outboard engine of up to 80hp, however in practice many Pioner Multi models used inland are used very successfully with smaller outboard engines. This is simply because the 80hp rated outboard engine is sized for a Pioner Multi workboat carrying the full load capacity over long distance and operating on choppy inshore waters. Many Pioner Multi owners will not need such speed and power.
For the “lower powered” Pioner Multi’s they are often being used as watersports club support boats. Therefore the Suzuki DF40 or Suzuki DF50 outboard engine is a firm favourite with all the sailing clubs, if for no other reason than good fuel economy. The Suzuki outboards on the Pioner Multi are economical to run and buy, practical to use and easy to service. The Honda's and Yamaha's of the same 40hp and 50hp class are also very well liked and prupular. However Marines and Tohatsu are also very popular on club-operated Pioner Multis, simpy becuase of lower cost and depedability. This size of Honda, Yamaha, Mariner, Tohatsu or Suzuki outboard engine is also easy to control for relatively inexperienced volunteer crew. Quite frankly any of the reputable brands of outboard engine of the 40hp or 50hp rating will work well in club use.
However on the larger Pioneer Multi workboats, it is often a choice between Yamaha, Tohatsu and Suzuki, the Yamaha F70 being a very firm favourite. However the Tohastu's are very firm gfavourites in the Uk workboat market, expecailly the "construction related" market, where the ease of construction of the Tohatsu engines means it can often be fixed by a "plant fitter" without needing a specailst call out.
Yamaha are often used on the Pioner Multi’s for the export market and/or the commercial market simply because of wide-spread availability of Yamaha outboard spares in foregn climes (ie.e. a long way away from Yorkshire).
We can fit two-stroke outboard engines to Pioner Multi boats which are being used for commercail workboat use.H however there is a bit of a catch here....the "less economical" nature of two-stroke engines means that most (not all) commercial operators now prefer
Lightly loaded, a Pioner Multi with the maximum engine size fitted will run at just under 30 knots, however to be perfectly honest, most Multi’s will never achieve these speeds.
The Pioner Multi can be supplied with or without a trailer
The Pioner Multi 3 can be left long-term on the water if required (preferably with the outboard engine lilted-up or tilted-up out of the water).
The Pioner Multi 3 is normally supplied with a specialst bunk bar boat trailer (not rollers) so that the boat is floated off when being either slipway or beach launched. Almost all Pioner Multi 3 workboats will probably need a braked trailer, especially if being reguarly towed long distances. If the Pioner Multi 3 is being used to carry tools and stores when it is loaded on the road trailer then it is eessentail to have a braked trailer.
The Pioner Multi came occasionally be supplied with an unbraked road trailer if it is being used for occasional off-road use, say for example a sailimg club taking it a short distance to the slipway (but not on the public highway)
.
.
If the road trailer for your new Pioner Multi is being supplied as part of the complete Pioner Multi package, then it will come complete with all necessary tie down strap, winches and propeller bags.
The Pioner Multi on a road trailer can be easily towed behind almost all 4x4 vehicles and most of the largest estate cars.The apprximate all- up towing weight of a complete Pioner Multi boat engine and trailer is (very roughly) 1 ton.
