Haines Hunter 560 Classic Boat Review

Readers looking for a new fishing boat with a bit more bling and comfort will love the new Haines Hunter 560 Classic. 3 photo(s) available - click on photo to enlarge Haines Hunter didn’t become an Australian icon boat brands by accident. Over the decades the double H brand has survived many a market downturn because it’s stuck to the golden formula of a classic deep Vee hull built solid and well. It’s not rocket science why this formula keeps working. The fact is Haines Hunter doesn’t try to appeal everybody. But it does attract a steady following among people who appreciate a quality-built boat with superior rough water ride. The current CEO of Haines Hunter, John Haber, knows better than most why Haines Hunter does so well. He saw the previous company owners had wandered from the brand’s traditional customer base and in recent years he’s strengthened the range's fishing appeal. The upgrading of the whole range has seen hulls made stronger and bit heavier so they ride better as well. Haber also moved operations from Queensland to a brand new, state-of-the-art factory in Victoria. This not only signalled a fresh beginning for the company but also gave it a better foothold in the market of Victoria. And since Victorian fishos have traditionally been more inclined to fibreglass boats than other states, this has been a happy outcome. Places like Port Phillip produce bone-crunching wave chop so people around these part appreciate a solid deep Vee boat like the Haines Hunter. From its Melbourne base Haines Hunter has done some impressive R&D work on new models. Along the way it’s won a number of industry awards and lifted its public image. At the same time Haber’s team has been careful to keep the mainstream ‘family’ boatie happy. Apart from the Profish range, which we have reviewed on several occasion in this magazine, they’re created the Classic range to appeal to the general boatie who wants comfort and style. The Haines Hunter 560 Classic, featured here is spot on in this regard. It’s a nicely styled boat with a few more luxury touches than is offered in the Haines Hunter Profish range. Features like plush upholstery, full interior carpet and deluxe trim make the Classic a great boat for pleasure cruising. Indeed, the Haines Hunter 560 Classic would be a terrific craft for the empty-nester couple who just wants to cruise the waterway. It’s big enough to do offshore work, but not too big to tow or handle on/off the trailer. Early this summer I got the chance to put the 560 Classic through its paces with Sydney agent, Huett Marine. Sales manager, Craig Huett, personally loves the boat for family boating, and his eight-year-old daughter Georgia came along to prove the point. She is obviously a big fan of the 560 Classic too and reckons the comfy cabin with the bunk infill makes a great play area for kids. Compared to the 575 Profish I’d previously tested this is a more classy boat and ideal for cruising and seeing the sights. You may not even get the chance to wet a line, but if you do she is well-equipped with six-pack overhead rod rack and four stainless steel rod holders. More about the fishing attributes shortly, but as you can see here the 560 Classic is a very stylish craft with black topsides, stainless steel bowrail and smart topside graphics. The cabin below will allow you to catch a nap below, or even sleep overnight because these are proper-sized bunks. Plus there’s the option of a chemical, or electric toilet in the cabin. Price as tested is $65,000 including the dual-axle Tinka trailer, rear lounge, 115hp Evinrude ETEC and inshore safety gear.

Design:

You won’t miss the 560 Classic coming with her jet black topsides and crisp white decks. She is a beauty on the trailer with those sensually curved deck lines and handsome, deep Vee hull. The 560 Classic measures 5.6m overall length, 2.4m wide and has a 2.2m height to top of windscreen. Obviously, the hull is a bit deeper than most craft this size because of the deep Vee design. The hull has a constant 21-degree deep Vee deadrise from bow shoulders to transom so no wonder the ride is exceptionally smooth in rough water. The sharp-edge bottom strakes also ensure most spray exits in the wake. Sitting on her trailer you can see how big this boat is and why there is a deep, safe cockpit for fishing, or family boating. Features of the Classic hull include the small spray-deflecting spray chine edge above the chine edge. The bottom of the keel is also rounded into a mini runner plank but otherwise this is very much an undiluted deep Vee craft. The hull features also features a square-cut transom that has the benefit of keeping the fishing cockpit quite close to the transom. The cuddy is moulded smoothly into the deck and doesn’t have window ports. This creates a very aerodynamic appearance that also enhances the sporty feel of the boat. Structurally, there’s no question this is a well-built boat. The fibreglass hull features a solid hull layup with plenty of fibreglass ‘meat’ to ensure she stands up to seriously hard work offshore. You also get a full fibreglass stringer system and foam-filled hull to improve safety. The boat is also backed with a seven-year warranty, which just shows how confident the company is in the strength of this craft. Other aspects of the 560 Classic include the curved glass windscreen that gives it a very classy appearance. The boat also has a stainless steel boarding ladder (portside) and a deep cockpit that drains into a transom sump where there’s an automatic bilge pump. Total road trail weight is about 1600- 1700kg, which is pretty suitable for popular SUVs like Toyota Kluger, Ford Territory or Jeep Cherokee.

Performance:

We’ve had more than a bit of rain about this summer, which has made scheduling boat tests quite frustrating. However, the day we tested this baby we just went ahead because we knew we had the comfort and protection of the cuddy cab. Sitting snugly in our plush-padded pedestal seats we were well sheltered by the high, curved windscreen from the chilly wind and less than pleasant day. And if conditions had become even less friendly and started to rain we were well prepared. The boat was fitted with a bimini top plus side/front clears to keep us fully sheltered. So this was a great boat for going out on the sort of marginal weather days we seem to be copping this summer. Even with a bit of chill in the air we enjoyed our test session around the peaceful waters of Pittwater and Broken Bay estuary. There wasn’t much in the way of wave chop so we travelled pretty much at top speed. The 560 Classic is a really an enjoyable boat to drive at speed, handling very responsively to the helm and sitting nicely as you jump any waves or boat wake. There was little swell offshore so there wasn’t much point going out there to waste fuel. So we concentrated on a fast run about the bay enjoying the boat’s refined handling and very comfortable ride. In typical Haines Hunter fashion the 560 Classic just glides through fast turns effortlessly. It jumped over the camera boat’s wake with ease and confirmed why it is one of the great Haines Hunter pedigree models. If I had a criticism it’s the fact that fuel consumption is inevitably going to be a bit higher with a heavy deep Vee hull. That said I reckon most sensible boaties will opt for a bit more fuel burn if it means a softer ride. The helm station is very comfortable and gives you a modern curved dash area with space to fit flush-mounted sounder/chartplotters and marine radios. You also have a comfortable bucket seat, moulded footrests and a really nice sports steering wheel running on mechanical, non-feedback steering. A hydraulic steering system is an option that you certainly would consider. I found the curved windscreen provides an easy view from the helm and the adjustable seat allowed me to move easily from the seated to the standing position as I drove along. At-rest stability is more than adequate for offshore fishing and I really like the deep internal freeboard that allows you to safely brace your body against the sides when fishing.

Power:

The 560 Classic is rated for single outboards 115hp-150hp, however, performance is quite adequate with the smaller size 115hp motor as our test confirmed. With the boat fitted up with the Evinrude 115hp ETEC we got some quite decent speed figures as the following GPS numbers attest: 3500rpm 16 knots 4500rpm 24 knots 5500rpm 30 knots 5600rpm 31 knots These are pretty good figures and would suit most general boating around the bay. However, for longer range offshore work you might like to up the power a bit so you can overcome adverse tides and sea conditions. Interestingly, this boat was eventually sold with a 150hp ETEC and hydraulic steering added. Its top speed was 41 knots! I would like to see it tested with perhaps the Suzuki 140hp four-stroke, or maybe the Evinrude 130hp ETEC. The latter is essentially the same motor block as the 115hp ETEC so you delivers more top end speed for no more transom weight. And talking about power the 560 Classic comes with a 150-litre fuel tank as standard. This should cover most fishing trips offshore, especially with the fuel-thrifty ETEC. The fuel tank includes a breather line, deck filler and water-separator in the fuel line. You also get dual batteries, navigation and cockpit lights.

Deck layout:

The Classic boats come with a high-quality deck fit-out that includes a stainless steel bow rail, overhead stainless steel rod rack and retractable stainless steel deck cleats. Up front there’s a moulded bowsprit incorporating a bow roller and a moulded side-opening hatch that includes recessed anchor cleat and anchor well. The whole front end of the boat is very clean and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The rails plus narrow side decks allow you to move around on the foredeck with some safety. However, on most occasions offshore you’d attend to the anchor via the safety of the foredeck hatch. Moving back you find the curved windscreen with chromed frame and navigation lights. Behind this is the cockpit with deep-sided coamings and attractive, moulded dash with glovebox on the passenger side. On the helm side of the dash is a 6-ganger water-proof switch panel and heads-up instrument panel. The cockpit has deep moulded coaming sides and raised side pockets that also incorporate rod racks and courtesy lights. The pockets also have moulded footsteps to make it easier to step from the side deck to the cockpit. The interior has a full carpet that can be removable. There is also a very comfortable three-seater lounge. This has a folding base and forms a nice fishing knee pad when folded down. The interior works well and my only criticism is the lack of a cover over the steering instruments panel in the cabin. I would also like to see a rear transom door, or step-through with a three-quarter lounge to improve onboard access. For fishing you get four decent-sized rod holders, pop-up mooring cleats, stern bait wells in each stern quarter and an overhead rod rack. You can also upgrade one of the bait wells with a live-bait pump and deck wash. Other fishing gear you can add include outriggers for trolling, electric anchor winch, EPIRB safety beacon, marine radio, fire extinguisher and GPS chartplotter. Depending on your style of fishing you might like to tick the berley bucket as well.

Verdict:

I reckon Haines Hunter is right on the money with the 560 Classic and her sisters. They give you a boat that’s very suitable for family cruising and has a touch more comfort and luxury than the average trailer boat. At the same time the 560 Classic is every bit as suitable for serious bay fishing as her Profish counterparts. I guess the choice is up to you. If you are really only going fishing with your mates then perhaps the Profish is the boat for you. However, if you are intending to do a bit of pleasure cruising with the wife and kids you might like a boat like the 560 Classic. It looks good on the water and delivers real cruising comfort. You can also option this boat further in the cruising direction with factory options like a rear cockpit table, under bunk toilet, padded coamings and moulded side walls within the cockpit.

BOAT TEST ANALYSIS

Boat supplied with Evinrude 115hp E TEC, braked trailer, SST rod rack, bimini with clears, coloured topsides, rear passenger lounge, bunk in-fill in cabin, transom ladder, cockpit lights, deluxe pedestal seats, tie-downs and inshore safety and rego. Price $65,000 Huett Marine ph 02 9456 1444. SPECIFICATION CHART Brand Haines Hunter Baysport Clearwater Signature Haines Hunter Model 560 Classic 575Offshore 1900 543F 575Profish Material fibreglass fibreglass fibreglass fibreglass fibreglass Style cuddy cuddy cuddy cuddy cuddy Length 5.6m 5.7m 5.8m 5.5m 5.9m Beam 2.4m 2.4m 2.2m 2.1m 2.25m Rated power 150hp 150hp 200hp 115hp 150hp Power as tested Suzuki115 Evinrude130 Hull weight Evinrude115 870kg Evinrude150 Yamaha130 820kg 850kg 600kg 850kg Fuel capacity 200L 145L 120L 100L 160L STAR RATING Finish Helm Set-up Fitout Fishability Ride Safety Features Dryness Value for Money *Data ESTIMATED by the TBF team when accurate information is unavailable. Maximum star rating 5 stars. 46 Trailerboat Fisherman