Haines Hunter 625SC Phoenix

Haines Hunter's new 625SC Phoenix is a relatively low-profile boat sporting sleek contours, yet maintaining a somewhat solid and chunky appearance. Matched to the tinted slimline cabin windows is a sweptback windscreen that continues the boat's fast lines all the way to the transom.

Based on a deep-vee hull with 20° of deadrise, the sharp entry on the forefoot flares aft to form pronounced reverse chines, which are interesting additions to what Haines Hunter describe as one of their 'Pleasure Series' of boats.

The vee hull stops approximately 700mm from the engine mount built into the huge full-width pod, which is rebated up from the keel line. The underside of the pod is below the surface when the boat is under way at slow speed or dead in the water.

Viewed side on, there's a platform-effect, as the upper mould and pod overhang the hull proper.

The typically deep forefoot and vee of the Haines Hunter boats are invaluable in chop and high-speed running through waves. This is common knowledge among those who fish, work and play in rough water, but, in some cases, deep-vee boats roll around at anchor, making for uncomfortable fishing. Haines Hunter has addressed this problem while retaining its deep-vee.

PLANE TO SEE
The pronounced reverse chines provide extra planing area to compensate for the loss of planing area caused by the rebate of the full-length engine pod. Extra planing area allows the boat to get on the plane quicker and remain there at slower speeds. Both of these factors result in reduced engine wear and tear and improved fuel economy. The dramatic reverse chines provide extra stability at slow speeds and at anchor. Cornering at speed, the hull retains a nearly flat attitude, leaning slightly inwards rather than heeling over into a tight, high-speed turn.

A shorter keel line gives the hull a smaller turning circle, making it highly responsive at various speeds. A shorter keel line on the plane equates to less drag in the water and less pressure on the wallet at the fuel bowser. At the other end of the spectrum, the big pod submerges at slow speeds and, when see-sawing through chop, gives the boat longitudinal stability as well. At anchor, passengers embarking and disembarking over the boarding platform experience sure-footing, as the big pod acts like a pontoon.

To get all these important features into the one package is brilliant, making this boat one of the most versatile and comfortable on the market for those who divide their leisure time between fishing, family boating, diving and skiing.

From bow to stern, this is how we viewed the Phoenix. The deck moulding of the boat is quite high and drops sharply at the bow and along the forequarters. Running off the high point at the bow is a powdercoated aluminium bowsprit, to which a stainless bowroller is attached. The entire unit is supported by an aluminium strut fixed to the hull below.

A split bollard is aft of the bowsprit and the anchorwell.

The anchorwell hatch is elongated across the bow section, but is not very deep longitudinally. It has a finger hole for opening and a rope feed to the starboard side. It allows the entry of a reasonable-sized Danforth anchor, but, if contemplating reef work, a large four-pronged pick would not fit through the opening. A sleeve fixed to the bowrail is the only option for storing such an anchor. A stainless cleat is fitted either side of the anchorwell.

Stainless steel grabrails fixed to the bow run aft to a point halfway along the sides of the windscreen. Access to the foredeck is via an opening centre in the windscreen or via a tinted circular hatch in the roof of the cabin.

Access to the cabin is via a step-down well with a lift-up lid on the face of the dash over the companionway. The lid is held open with a rigid spring. When closed, it's recessed and finished in non-slip ripple to provide a second step through the windscreen to the foredeck. The first step is moulded into the bulkhead on the port side of the companionway.

INNER SANCTUM
Once inside the cabin, cushions form a typical V-berth with a portable toilet installed under the forward cushion. Importantly, the bases of these cushions are of nylon construction that won't deteriorate with moisture. Storage is provided under the cushions. The walls of the cabin are clad in soft carpet and the electronics behind the dash are shrouded in carpet held in place by Velcro edging, which allows easy access for maintenance.

Bright, compact lighting is installed behind either side of the bulkhead, and sidepockets with padded walls surround the cabin on both sides.

Headroom is limited in this cabin and a person of 175cm will have their head touching the ceiling with neck bent. Considering the market this boat is aimed at, this small detail is easily passed over.

Behind the portside windscreen on the dash, a nylon hatch opens into a bunged compartment for odds and ends. An insulated lining would turn this little compartment into a six-pack sized cooler for drinks or sandwiches.

At the helm, VDO instruments fit neatly into a contoured brow raised slightly above the surrounding dash area. A flat circular section forward of that would hold a compass (not fitted). The remote engine controls are at hand and low profile, fitted on the starboard wall of the cockpit. Steering on this boat is Sea Star hydraulic, running a bulls-horn style front mount steering kit that effortlessly pushes and pulls the 130hp Honda four-stroke.

Seating for skipper and passenger is on padded wraparound swivel seats, the bases of which are Reelax brand with fore and aft adjustment.

Phoenix 625SCs off the production line from the time of writing will be fitted standard with a stereo CD player which was not available for the test.

Along each wall of the cockpit an upper and lower sidepocket provides heaps of carpeted storage space.

The available floor space in the 625 allows four people to fish out of the sides. The rear section is interrupted with a stern seat, the back of which is neatly and heavily upholstered, forming part of the rear bulkhead. The base of the seat sits on a honeycomb marine plywood frame fixed to the floor. When left in place, two padded inserts in the base cushion can be removed for people to step onto the hard bases when climbing over the transom to access the boarding platforms. If using the boat predominantly for fishing, the rear seat would be best left out to allow one to lean against the transom. With the seat base removed, the battery looks quite lonely in the cavernous space that stretches across the width of the boat.

The floor has two large storage lift-out hatches running down its centreline. These storage areas are bunged and may be drained into the bilge.

The port boarding platform has a fold down stainless steel ladder fitted and a stainless steel grabrail on each coaming. Fuel filler and breathers are external on the starboard side.

TIGHT TURNS
On test day, there was only a slight breeze and, picking our way out the Southport Seaway, the conditions were best described as short and choppy. With no swell to put pressure on the Phoenix, we concentrated on pushing the boat through tight turns, running with, against and across the chop and anything extra we could generate. The boat was extremely dry, with only a small amount of wind-blown spray landing on the rear seat and none on the windscreen.

Its flat attitude, attributed to those large reverse chines, proved to be no problem at all during tight high speed cornering over the chop. On high speed turns there was no evidence of cavitation.The 130hp Honda pushed the boat easily, quietly and no doubt economically. At 4000rpm we travelled at a GPS-recorded speed of 44kmh. Wide open throttle registered a top speed of 67.5kmh at 5800rpm.

Replaying the above information recorded at the time on a hand-held dictaphone, one realises just how quiet these big four-stroke engines are. There is very little background noise, even at full throttle, when compared with a two-stroke.

Engine quietness combined with the great design features, quality finish and handling of the Phoenix 625SC resulted in a very impressive package. We walked away from the ramp thinking this boat held its own among the huge array of boats aimed at recreational users, and will be a benchmark to which others aspire.