Scotto's new Haines Signature 543sf Project

[Scott Mitchell]

Surveyor - I agree that The Haines Group are leaders in fibreglass trailer boat design and manufacturing ( largest in our country ) . That is why I am stoked to have the opportunity to work with them on our new 543sf. As far as the reasoning for their use of timber where needed in their boats - you can again drop in and see them at their Wacol factory or give them a call

Will have some more updates later this week - Scotto

[Scott Mitchell]

Tested out the rod locker which features individual rod tubes and will safely carry 3 rods up to 12 feet each side ..



Transom mound finished with rear platform/step. One side will feature a 35 litre plumbed live well while the other side will house our crank battery.You can also see the "fold-up" cleats ..



Front casting deck has now been fitted - still waiting on hatch material to arrive .... Cardboard & tape was used to adjust the console height so we can get the base section made next.



Deck now fitted to hull and you can see the rear boarding step on the left. We will be fitting a 10ft Power-Pole Blade to the other side + trim tabs, squid lights, Hydrowave and three transducers ... Delivery now scheduled towards end of January

[stevej]

looks god but why all that effort and moulding costs to get so few rods in ?

[Prowl n Wolf]

Great looking boat Scott! I have a Haines Hunter 520 prowler which I love and can't see myself ever parting with but if I ever did that sig model will be on the list. Keep the build photos coming.

[Scott Mitchell]

looks god but why all that effort and moulding costs to get so few rods in ?

Steve - We have spaced them so that each tube/rack is usable and being able to store 6 combos that are not in use safely in the gunnels is generally enough for most. We will have additional rod racks on the back of the lean seat for those that are being used as well

Not long to go now - Scotto

[Fish Face]

So what is the hatch material Scotty ? Starboard / plastic ? Any reason they didn't make moulded lids so it could all be made out of glass ?

[GBC]

1. Who stole the bilge?
2. No 'toes under' coamings anymore?
3. Rigger mounts anywhere? Not the easiest things to retrofit if you decide you might want them later.
4. The bait tank will be piped back overboard or have they worked out how to make this hull self drain?
5. Perfect spot for a recessed grab rail above the top rod holder. They are always handy.

[surveyor]

Hi Scott boat is looking awesome
I believe the hatch covers shown are mdf plugs for he glass molds
I agree with the handrail I assume that's the plan
toe under coaming?? don't think its important for this kind of fishing (less usual in moulded liners )
best of all its how scott wants it cant wait to see it done

[Scott Mitchell]

So what is the hatch material Scotty ? Starboard / plastic ? Any reason they didn't make moulded lids so it could all be made out of glass ?

Fishface - The hatches will all be starboard - reasons being cost and time to build - I NEED a boat by end of January :-)

Hang'n out now - Scotto

[Scott Mitchell]

1. Who stole the bilge?
2. No 'toes under' coamings anymore?
3. Rigger mounts anywhere? Not the easiest things to retrofit if you decide you might want them later.
4. The bait tank will be piped back overboard or have they worked out how to make this hull self drain?
5. Perfect spot for a recessed grab rail above the top rod holder. They are always handy.

GBC

In order -

1) There are two bilge sumps, one up the front underneath the live well/kill tank with plumbing overboard - second one at transom. This boat does not have a self draining deck.

2) No toe under coamings - not sure I have even fished in a boat with them and don't see a need for them for the style of fishing I will be doing in this boat...
3) Rigger mounts can be easily fitted with your original order - best you fit them then if not sure about wanting them later In saying that the team at The Haines Group I am sure would be able to fit them for you afterwards as well.

4) Both bait tank options are drained overboard as per 1)

5) A grab rail could easily be fitted across top of the rod holders - I am just not a fan of any rails on the gunnels. I will have them fitted to console and generally only ever fish two up - 3 at most.

This model will be available in a number of configurations due to build & design - from a basic tiller to full blown sportfishing centre console :-)

Bring it on - Scotto

[GBC]

1. AFT BILGE:
So there's a hatch to be cut into the rear liner? Make it a really BIG one - take it from someone who has lived with one. Better still, cut that mid section right out and pinchweld it - much better for stuffing about with bilge/deckwash/bait tank pumps etc.
FOREWARD BILGE:
The rear two hatches in the casting deck don't have liner under them? Just hull? The front two drain into the hull and the kill tank will dain overboard, but no water can make it to the rear bilge area? Not a criticism just trying to get my head around it.
2. Nothing further, but if you've ever fished a polycraft in swell - that's what Signature has just done to offshore fishos with that liner.
3. I've already got one - it has riggers - there is no flat section/backing/thickening on either of our liners to suggest any thought has been put into them - now is the time if they are going to offer 1000 different layups like the 495, to make one that is a bona fide trailer game boat - version 1001.
4. done
5. Your boat, your show but if this is R&D for a production run, that's why I piped up - it is the right place for a rail - esp for crew - they like to be driven quick.

All in all looking good.

[Scott Mitchell]

1. AFT BILGE:
So there's a hatch to be cut into the rear liner? Make it a really BIG one - take it from someone who has lived with one. Better still, cut that mid section right out and pinchweld it - much better for stuffing about with bilge/deckwash/bait tank pumps etc.
FOREWARD BILGE:
The rear two hatches in the casting deck don't have liner under them? Just hull? The front two drain into the hull and the kill tank will dain overboard, but no water can make it to the rear bilge area? Not a criticism just trying to get my head around it.
2. Nothing further, but if you've ever fished a polycraft in swell - that's what Signature has just done to offshore fishos with that liner.
3. I've already got one - it has riggers - there is no flat section/backing/thickening on either of our liners to suggest any thought has been put into them - now is the time if they are going to offer 1000 different layups like the 495, to make one that is a bona fide trailer game boat - version 1001.
4. done
5. Your boat, your show but if this is R&D for a production run, that's why I piped up - it is the right place for a rail - esp for crew - they like to be driven quick.

All in all looking good.

GBC - I appreciate your feedback


1) The rear bilge sump is open underneath the rear casting deck and can be accessed from either side of casting deck depending one what options you choose. I will have a live well on one side - and crank battery on the other. So I would only need to remove the battery to access the sump. The transom sump is formed in the deck liner and is open at top. Same with the two small hatches in front casting deck - these allow access to front sump area where I will have another pump for the front live well/pick up + deck wash.


2) I have spent a fair bit of time fishing in a mates 4.5 CC Poly and will suggest our sides are much higher and will also have padded gunnels :-)

3) Again - this option can be done upon original order - or re-fitted by the factory afterwards if needed.

4)

5) I drive to get the best economy & my crew are sharing the fuel bill

You can arrange a tour of the Wacol factory at any time by calling the team at The Haines Group on 07 3271 4400 - Its a great way to see how it all goes together and appreciate the quality that goes into each & every Signature

Hang'n to post photos of it wet - Scotto

[Scott Mitchell]

All coming together now - Love the hull colour



Bennett Trim tabs & 10ft "Blade" Power Pole fitted .... more updates to come as all the "Gadgets" are fitted

Won't be boatless for much longer - Scotto

[Jarrah Jack]

Why are the tabs there and not further out Scott?

[Chimo]

1 Probably because of the port step and to avoid having to cut a hole in it. Possibly easier to mount electric tabs even if a hole has to be cut.
2 Or saving the less angled outer bits of the transom to hang things off.

C
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