Haines Hunter 650 Horizon

Take a look around your local boat ramp, and you'll see that the wheels of change are turning. Trailerboaters are evolving. Boaties who spend much of their leisure time onboard their craft and want to entertain family and friends on the water are clamouring for flexible boats with features that cater to both fishing functionality and comfort.

Now, boatbuilders are beginning to deliver, particularly in the six-metre-plus range of trailerboats. Hard-core fishing platforms were once the norm and while they still hold the majority of the market share, fishing boat models are now appearing with a softer touch and comfort features to appeal to the entire boating family. Cruise Craft has had a strong hold on this niche for some time and Whittley also aims many of its boats fair and square at that sector.

Haines Hunter, whose full-blown hard-core fishing boats need no introduction, has evolved its 650 Classic, released last year, to incorporate a touch of elegance while still retaining its prowess in the offshore fishing department.

CLEVER DETAIL
The thoughtful detailing on the Haines Hunter 650 Horizon begins with the quality components used throughout, from the hatch hinges to the bowsprit, which features a stainless-steel gate to hold the Muir-winch-drawn plough anchor.

The cabin area has good head height even to its most forward extremities. This results in a bulbous brow externally, which offers enough room for a sun worshipper to lounge about on the foredeck.

An ample skylight hatch in the cabin allows for easy access to the foredeck should you want to leave the plush comfort inside. And it is very plush, with soft linings throughout, a small vanity bar on the back of the helm bulkhead that may be optionally plumbed, and a mirror on the forward bulkhead that gives an optical illusion of double the space.

A third person may sleep in the cabin using the transverse bunk that runs down the portside under the galley. This would be a brilliant tackle stowage area with rodracks on the vertical walls if the owner would prefer more storage space.

The berths have soft-lined stowage areas below. A marine toilet sits in the vee between berths and is covered by an infill.

QUALITY COMFORTS
At the helm station, a hardened glass windscreen has a solid surrounding grabrail. The helm's swept-back lines are complemented by some seriously sturdy stainless-steel work in the bimini, which is collapsible for long-distance towing, and also features a rocket launcher.

The helm seat sits on an aft-opening fibreglass module which can be used for storing safety gear. The seat swivels to face astern for more sitting room in the shade during dining. The front passenger's side seat is also sits on a module.

This portside module forms the galley bench and houses a small gas stove secreted behind hatches and a serviceable plumbed sink on the aft end. There is plenty of room in the pantry below for condiments and washing detergents.

The cockpit has a contoured tabletop that is easily removed and disassembled for stowage. When in place, an L-shaped lounge in the starboard corner is complemented by another, which has a drop down base, opposite.

When the feed bell goes, a family of five would have plenty of room to relax and eat and this entire set up is easily transformed afterwards to a recreational play or fishing area. At night, an optional infill over the table makes the dining area into a double berth giving that family comfortable and roomy overnight accommodation.

A big underfloor killtank/wet beach gear tank will keep the sand out of the cockpit most of the time.

Access astern is via a natty half door that opens inwards and drops down to form a step, allowing thoroughfare through the transom bulkhead to a drop-down ladder which will get you onto the beach.

ON THE HORIZON
On the run, the 650 Horizon, like its brother the Classic, is a fun machine and easy to handle. Holeshot was steady with four large adults and two children aboard and with the 150hp Yamaha four-stroke wound out to 6100rpm the hand-held GPS registered 74kmh. Some ventilation at the prop was evident on tight slow turns on the plane but it felt like a lowering of the engine one bolt hole on the transom would fix this. With a maximum rating of 230hp, this would be one incredible boat. For the family and average fisher, 150 horses are ample on the Horizon.

With 30kmh south easterlies ripping along the Broadwater there was enough big chop and boat wash to prove this hull just doesn't have any bad habits and is soft riding and dry to boot. This is a boat that is at the upper end of its class in finish and detail and has been configured well to cater for the diverse activities that keep a family boating together.

Well worth a second look.


HIGHS