Scotto's new Haines Signature 543sf Project

[Scott Mitchell]

With our fantastic Haines Signature 485sf now in safe hands with her new owner, it's time to focus on our exciting new project.

I cannot say how privileged I am to have the opportunity to work with our countries largest fibreglass trailer boat manufacture again "The Haines Group " With aim being to build the Ultimate 5.4 metre specialist sport fishing centre console !

This will all start with what many have described as the best 5.4 metre (17 foot) deep vee hulls ever produced in Australia , The Haines Signature 543 F - which incorporates Haines Signature’s time proven “variable deadrise” hull. The Haines group are consistently refining thier hulls with the 543 being a 3rd generation to that used by adventurer Hans Tholstrup on his epic voyage from Darwin to Japan!

Hans Tholstrup completed that extraordinary adventure, pushing himself and his equipment to the limit as he undertook the impossible: taking a stock standard, 5.4 m Haines Signature powered by a 90 hp 4-stroke, on a 7,500 km odyssy, from Darwin to Okinawa, Japan !!!



The whole concept started after I had fished in a number of mates boats all around the five and a half metre mark running motor sizes between 90 - 150 hp and I noted that they where using little more fuel than I was with our 60 on the 485sf. This got me thinking that I could go larger in boat size to achieve a little more comfort in rough conditions as well as allowing us to run further afield in safely. This was due mostly to the larger engines all running lower rev ranges to achieve a similar cruising speed of around 22-24 knots. Fuel economy is critical here in Hervey Bay as we tend to travel long distances regularly - with 100-200 km round trip days being common. I also liked the idea of having some more deck and storage space for camping out over night on extended trips with a slightly larger boat.

Having already owned a fantastic Skeeter Bay boat and fished from a number of other US made specialist sportfishing boats I started to look again at what was available off shore. As great as many of these boats are I noted that many still lacked key features that I am sure many of us would like to see in a specialist sportfishing centre console.



Having been so happy with our amazing Haines Signature 485sf we started talking with the Team again at The Haines Group who agreed that it was time to build a specialist sportfishing machine

[Scott Mitchell]

The Haines Signature 540 F / 542 F / 543F series has long been respected as one of the best deep vee fibreglass hulls in its class of boat in the country. It’s soft, dry under normal circumstances, very stable at rest and an absolute delight to handle in rough and tumble offshore conditions.



Many have stated that very few other boats perform as well as this hull on the market in this class, and very few in the sizes up or down, for that matter !



The patented the Signature Deadrise Hull "SVDH" This world patented technology offers unique advantages over the traditional vee bottom hull which will both save you money and enhance your enjoyment when out on the water. The Signature Variable Deadrise Hull "SVDH" gives real stability at rest compared to other deep vee hulls and lower planing speeds for a flatter, safer, drier, more economical ride. The hull design has another unique feature, the way the hull manipulates the water. Water flows over the warped hull created by the concave section and as water cannot be compressed it creates enormous amounts of lift. Enough lift to obtain planing speeds as low as 4.5 knots on even the longest models.

This all adds up to less power being required to achieve the same performance of other hulls resulting in a reduced initial purchase price and monetary saving every time you go out on the water through lower fuel costs.



The benefits don't stop there as the low planing speed makes towing water toys with the kids a breeze and should you get caught out in the rough you will not be constantly fighting the throttle trying to find that balance between keeping the plane but not going too fast for the conditions. The Signature Variable Deadrise Hull "SVDH" ensures your boat will be just as happy in a following sea as in a head or quartering sea.

[Scott Mitchell]

The innovation doesn't stop with the hull, it just starts there. The hull takes care of the business, the rest of the boat takes care of you and your families comfort. The whole package is bound together by superior construction materials and methods that have stood the test of time and are continually under scrutiny for improvement.

Another significant feature is the use of PuFF (Polyurethane foam filled) in all Signature models. While still in the mold, special cavities within the hull are pressure injected with high density polyurethane foam. This non absorbent material provides positive buoyancy, added strength and an outstandingly quiet ride.



We have been able to squeeze a 220 litre tank under the floor to allow fantastic range for a boat of this size which will be matched with the new Suzuki DF 140 A.



This is the deck Plus showing where the 220 litre fuel tank will sit under the floor with space for rigging to the centre console.



This is a lean seat we are looking at modifying which has a cooler built-in under the cushion and would allow a larger cooler or tackle bags to be stored underneath as well. We're also look at adding a rod rack to carry extra rods on top of the 6 ( 3 x each side ) that we will have build into the gunnels.
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[Scott Mitchell]

This is the front casting deck which is approx 1.8 metres long so you can sleep comfortably on it when needed. It also features 2 large storage wells which will feature gas struts , a HUGE kill tank or plumbed /insulated live well, plus two more storage bulkheads. There is also a large anchor well on the bow with provision to mount an electric motor on either the port or starboard sides .



Starting to come together now for those of us who need to "visualise" stuff



This hull is only being used to build the deck plug and will be destroyed once the deck mould is finished.



Console Rough with right hand off-set on wheel and control box so passengers will have a better standing position while travelling.I am interested in peoples thoughts on what side the wheel & control box should be off-set ?



This is a really cool pic. This is stage one of the spray coat process. Followed by a sand and another spray a few more times.

I will also declare now that - Yes I will receive a "discount" on this new rig in return for my design & marketing assistance.I will continue to post updates for those interested in the finished product which should be in the water before Christmas

[Horse]

It should be a very nice boat Scott. Any idea what it would cost without mates rates?

[Scott Mitchell]

Horse - I am not sure of the price yet - but believe it will be competitive with any comparable US import.

Thanks Scotto

[FisHard]

Going to be an awesome rig mate! I was at the Haines factory a couple of weeks ago (delivering chairs for their boardroom- perhaps you've sat in them?) and got to meet John Haines jnr. As a Suzuki and Seafarer owner, I expressed interest in the setup and John instantly arranged a factory tour for me and my Offsider. Cool!! I'm pretty sure we saw your boat in the development stage??
Can't wait to see the end result!

[Scott Mitchell]

Yeah - I'm stoked to have the opportunity and can't wait to get it in the water !!!

Bring it on - Scotto

[Horse]

I could see one of them ending up as a pocket game boat. Can't wait to see it finished.
As for wheel and controls I prefer throttle/gear shift to be right hand side and significantly recessed. Wheel in the centre always looks better to me

[FisHard]

Go high with the steering wheel too. On my 6.2m Venom, it's too low and annoying!

[perko]

Looks the goods. Do Haines signature use wood in their transoms?

[FisHard]

Hey, who had the "So many fish, So little Time" motto first out of you two???

[Horse]

Hey, who had the "So many fish, So little Time" motto first out of you two???

No idea. I made it up but great minds think alike.

[Scott Mitchell]

Looks the goods. Do Haines signature use wood in their transoms?

I don't believe there is any wood in the RIVAL boat builds Perko ?

Regards Scotto

[Scott Mitchell]

And "How Good Is Hervey Bay "

So many fish .... Scotto