An all-new Haines Hunter 700 for trailerboat game fishing

While it’s been designed as an upgrade for the popular 680 Patriot model, the new Haines Hunter 700 (now in build in the Melbourne yard) comprises new construction methods, fresh design, more fuel and horsepower and, importantly, even greater offshore fishability.

"There is no questioning that game fishing is back in a big way, maybe bigger than ever. Huge swordfish, massive tuna, days where anglers are catching double-digit figures of marlin and 90km trips out to the shelf are becoming the norm," explains John Haber, the Managing Director of Haines Hunter.

"We wanted to make a boat that offered the ultimate fishing platform for this style of fishing without it being so big that you need an F-Truck to tow it or a redesign of your house to store it."

NEW FIBREGLASS MATRIX
Designed over a two-year period by the Haines Hunter R&D team, with input and ideas from experienced Haines Hunter operators and anglers, the all-new 700 is Haines Hunter’s most innovative boat in many years.

The new all-fibreglass matrix-stringer system is a first for the yard. It creates more room under the floor for fuel, while cutting down on unnecessary weight, Mr Haber explains.

"We have developed an all-new Haines Hunter unidirectional fiberglass matrix system for the 700.

"We wanted to build a big boat, that could handle a big fuel tank and big engines, but we wanted to come in under at 3.5 tonne.

"The fiberglass stringer system has allowed us to keep the weight down, but still provide a very soft boat that has the weight to not get pushed around in a big sea."

The 700 can be fitted with either twin or single engines up to 400hp, with fuel capacity of 380 litres to suit long-range fishing applications.

We can now report that the first boat in build will have twin 200hp outboards.

BIG FISHING FEATURES
Based on the premise that bigger is better, the 700 has some upscaled fishing features including abundant cockpit space, huge underfloor fish wells, big twin live wells, a large dash area for housing electronics, and a self-draining deck for rough-water boating.

At rest, the 700 is said to offer superior stability without compromising Haines Hunter’s renowned soft ride from its 21-degree Performance Deadrise Vee. The boat is fully foam filled.

Optimal performance will be achieved via built-in Lenco trim tabs for improved control and performance as opposed to bolt-on systems. As it leaves the Derrimut factory in Melbourne, the new 700 will have been designed for serious offshore fishing and loaded as a special show boat.

Slotting perfectly between our 675 and 760, the 700 teams a host of new design and structural features for hardcore fishers with good walkaround cabin access and room to sleep aboard.

The all-new 700 will be available in the R-Series, an Enclosed and Hardtop and is scheduled to appear at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show from June 16-19.

More at Haines Hunter.