HAINES HUNTER PROJECT BOAT (PT 3): A 445R runabout conversion to a centre console

To help unclutter my mind, and visualise my ultimate 445R rebuild into a centre console, I began taking everything out. Carpet, seats, basically anything not needed. This was to be revealing in more ways than one…

Upon ripping the carpet out I noted the subfloor was spongy and also discovered a few protruding nails, (maybe it was built on a Friday?).

Initially, the sight of this worried me but I then remember similar accounts on the Haines Hunter forums. It seemed like it was pretty common, as other people had discovered the same things (and a lot worse) when doing their rebuild projects.  

Interestingly, I had the boat stored up at a friend’s factory out of the weather, where it spent a few months. Here the boat got a chance to dry out. But strangely enough, the floor became quite spongy and brittle.

As the boat dried out further, it became more obvious that moisture had probably masked the true state of the floor.

SELLING THE OLD BITS
Once removed, the seats opened up more space than I imagines.  I decided I would try and sell what was still useful to assist funding the project… no point throwing money away.

The windscreen, seats, canopy and bow rail were all removed. As I got around to listing these items, I did some research again.

I was surprised how keen people were to purchase replacement items, either due to them being genuine Haines Hunter parts than an existing owner wanted to replace, or because a recreational boater just needing a solution at the time.

I found the key here was not to put a silly value on the parts and just price them to go and then move on without haggling. These bits all went relatively quickly.’

The windscreen and canopy went within a week or so at $125; the genuine back-to-back seats followed a week later or $100 for the pair; and the bow rail went soon after at $200.

So $425 was realised towards a new fuel tank or something to be purchased later. I have since sold other stuff, which won’t be needed.

I have hung onto the deck fittings, auxiliary bracket, bait board, ropes, fuel tanks and ladder for now. I spoke with my shipwright and he said just take as much out as possible, as it would mean less time and cost his end.

TIP: Ensure the project you handover to your builder has the non-critical items removed so they can just get on with the job.  

The glue, which remained behind from the carpet, seemed troublesome to remove. But the builder said to leave it in situ. They could address that much faster than me.

DE-RIGGING THE BOAT
I value a long-term relationship with my marine mechanic. I once called him on Melbourne Cup Day (public holiday) and he answered and talked me through an issue while in limp mode at sea. I worded him up about my project boat.

Meantime, my shipwright indicated after Easter was the best time for him to start the major work. The plan was to leave it with the builder so he could take his time with a top job and allow me time to change and swap my mind. Remember, rebuilds are a work in progress.

Having the boat stored undercover enabled me to visit a couple time, remove more stuff, and measure up. I then started second-guessing and flip flopping between ideas.

ENGINE OFF
De-rigging of the engine meant unbolting it and removing the corresponding steering cables and gauges.  The gear needed is a mobile hoist/crane and ideally a wheel or engine stand to drop the engine on once removed.

We did this job using a forklift and then making a soft bed on a pallet for the engine to rest securely. It took about an hour of work and then it was done.

The next couple hours was going over the internal positioning of the required rigging space so I could give the shipwright a drawing of how we wanted things provisioned for the re-rigging later… after the floor, transom, casting deck and top deck were rebuilt.

MORE POWER?
Let’s talk about the engine for a minute. I started the 2014 60hp four-stroke when I got home and it idled smoothly and quietly. Four-stroke engines are really quite amazing and this had been the bonus of the purchase, because I had an almost-new outboard.

Initially, I was uncertain if the 60hp would be enough power in the long run, partially due to all the projects I’d seen with heavier hulls being laid up with extra glass added and owners swinging bigger engines 90-115hp.

They were pursuing a higher top-end speed, but the reality was these original 445 and 146 Haines Hunter hulls were all powered with a lot less HP back in the day. Never mind, this would do for now!

Besides, feedback from those who had the same engine with similar-size boats reported good things on power and economy. For example, one report talked of 28 knots (50km/h) for 12 litres per hour on a 445C (cabin version), with two adults and gear. So I wasn’t too fussed.

When I purchased my 445R, I made sure all the engine paperwork was supplied, including the maintenance book.  I also made some inquiries as to the remaining warranty of the engine via Mercury Australia.

I had inquired about the bonus option offered by their 3 + 2 warranty policy. The engine was inside the automatic three-year warranty, with a few months still to go. I had inquired to get the engine serviced before the 2016 year end, essentially to qualify for the extra two years. But they refused, mainly due to the last service interval in 2015 being more than 18-months ago.

Despite the engine having only 12 hours on the clock, it had been serviced twice in its short life. On balance, this decision regarding warranty seemed a bit unfair to me and contradicted other advice I had been given. Let’s just say, buyer beware when establishing what applies or what doesn’t over warranty terms!

MECHANICAL STUFF
At this point, after everything was removed, it was time to talk to the mechanic about the layout and the rebuild considerations.

We had to decide on the space and positioning to wire electronics, run the fuel lines, steering cables, plumbing for water intakes and drains.

Consider what you may want to do in the future and build in additional capacity.

While I entertained many ideas, in the end I went with — keep it simple. I also bounced ideas off a respected and knowledgeable friend.

With the mechanic’s input, I made schematic drawings of the key gear and wrote down the fit-out requirement to share and transfer to the builder.  

The stripped boat, now back on the trailer, was almost ready for the transformation. Next chapter see’s the hull get a work over and ripped up ready for being re-born!

NEXT: Part 4 in the fortnightly series — OLD SCHOOL HAINES HUNTER Haines 445 Runabout conversion to a Centre Console — sees Dan and co give the hull some serious attention.

Check out some 300 Haines Hunter boats listed for sale on our sites with this Haines Hunter search. And if you want to sell an old rig, ads for boats up to $7500 are free on our sites.