A great little boat that performs well beyond its size - the Haines Hunter 445F is definitely one of the trailer boat classics. Nick Brown relates the story of his own 445F.
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My father and I originally owned two Haines 445F’s back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. At the time we mainly fished Broken Bay spinning and fly fishing for pelagics such as mackerel tuna, bonito, kingfish, frigates, tailor and salmon. When the weather was kind, we headed east offshore trolling lures for stripies, small yellowfin and dolphin fish.
The success of these boats as a great inshore/offshore performer went way beyond their size. For this reason I purchased my current and third Haines 445F about 10 years ago since I moved up the coast to Port Stephens.
Affectionately called, Sushi Bar, I have fished her in some ordinary weather over the years as far offshore as the 23 nautical mile trek to the marlin grounds off Port Stephens. And we’ve done regular missions north of Broughton Island up towards Seal Rocks.
I have also taken Sushi Bar to places as far away as South West Rocks, Hat Head and Crowdy Head during my annual holidays. Yet, despite the weather I’ve always felt safe in this boat. I reckon Sushi Bar loves “being a boat” and can certainly mix it with much bigger vessels offshore.
When I first bought Sushi Bar it had an old Mercury 60hp red band. After fishing a few years with this outboard I knew I needed a more reliable motor, especially when heading well offshore. Budget restraints at the time meant that I was limited to buying a second-hand motor unit, so I started looking through the motors for sale ads.
I eventually found a 70hp 2000 model oil-injected Yamaha in excellent condition. It has since delivered hundreds of hours of trouble free boating, and has proven to be the perfect match for the Haines 445F hull. It is quite an economical engine, and I just carry the red plastic Yamaha fuel tanks. However, I always keep a spare 10 litres under the front console seat.
While I attached another rod rack to the side of the console, fitted a new large plastic berley bucket, replaced the trailer winch, and spliced anchor rope, I am not able to take credit for the majority of modifications and sprucing up of my boat. My father and his array of handy mates did most of the other work when the boat was left at his property.
Some of the new additions included a complete re-wiring, new bilges and homemade plumbing for the livebait tank and fuel well, old bathtub handles fitted as gunwale hand rails, and laying of marine carpet.
A large padded fish box doubles as a seat behind the console. This fish box fits into a rectangular bracket with latches so it holds the box in place.
Stainless rod holders were fitted to replace the original plastic versions. I also have a removable cutting board in a centre holder at the stern for all my bait work.
The local stainless guys did me up a nice new, solid console grab rail at the time. Meanwhile, the marine chandlery people re-upholstered the front seat and padded fish box seat.
Like a lot fishos my budget for swish new electronics isn’t flash. I am currently running a handheld Garmin GPS and a Furuno LS-4100 dual frequency sounder. A chart plotter/sounder combo would be preferable, but both of these units do the job nicely none the less. A Canon downrigger has also been fitted to the port side for trolling live baits.
The livebait tank is a beauty. It was modified already when I bought the boat second hand. It has been fibreglassed all the way to the floor and holds plenty of slimies and yakkas.
Sushi Bar has amassed some creditable captures. These include Port Stephens and South West Rocks marlin, the best two being an estimated 100kg black and 70kg striped marlin (both released). It has also scored kingfish to 22kg, longtail tuna to 27kg and plenty of snapper to eight kilo. In fact snapper on plastics would have to currently be one of my favourite styles of fishing, although I am also partial to a good bottom bashing session for tasty species like sand flathead and nannygai!
There are not many things I don’t like about this boat. It is small enough to be easily handled by myself, and beach launched from various spots around my home base at Port Stephens. Being fibreglass means being a bit more careful about not knocking the gel coat around too much, however the advantage is that it rides softer and better than any tinny.
With the exception of the occasional mulloway session in the Port or Hunter River and a few estuary trips with my young fellas (who are only 3 and 6), 90% of my fishing is east of the heads. An electric could easily be fitted to the front for those keen on estuary spinning, and the boat would be just at home on a bass or barra dam.
Like all centre consoles it can be a touch wet at times, although spray dodgers fitted to the bow rails help keep off some of the chop. With no bimini, T top cover, or fold down canopy you are also exposed to the elements. But luxuries aside this is what the boat is designed for – pure fishing. And that is why I like it so much!
Note: For those interested, Formula boats currently make an excellent 15 foot centre console based around the original Haines 445F. Check these out if you are in the new boat market, or keep your eyes peeled for a second hand original.
