HAINES HUNTER PROJECT BOAT (PT 7): A 445R runabout conversion to a centre console

Sure, the trailer that came with my Haines Hunter 445R project boat had got the tub safely home from Newcastle to Melbourne, completed several trips to Bairnsdale during the rebuild, and wasn’t showing signs of letting me down anytime soon.

But while old trailer had proven super reliable and had not skipped a beat, it looked like an ugly duckling under the newly wrapped boat.

The copious amounts of Alko tape applied to some parts of the trailer may also have been masking a potentially an unknown condition.

Aesthetically, the trailer let the Haines Hunter 445R project boat rebuild down. No two ways about it, it had to be retired!

Here’s what my research into trailers turned up.

TRAILER RESEARCH
I had researched trailers far and wide and, during the process, I learnt that, while there are many decent second-hand trailers out there, by the time you convert or replace parts, match it all up and balance it out, the initial savings can be eroded.

I saw some sensational trailers with considerable bling, both galvanised and alloy materials, but usually with price tags to match.

My research and browsing lead me to believe there might be more trailer retailers than boat builders in Australia!

There are certainly lots of imported boat trailers competing with locally-built traditional brand names these days.

TELWATER ALLOY TRAILER
Long story short, I managed to source a new alloy trailer manufactured by Telwater, which transports several leading boat brands including Quintrex, Stacer, Savage and Yellowfin.

A local marine dealer had the trailer for sale as excess stock with three years’ warranty provided.

The Telwater trailer was alloy, which meant minimal maintenance, it was light and it was new!

Replacing the parts it was supplied with, which were intended for an alloy hull, was the first thing.

For my fibreglass boat, I needed a keel roller rack fabricated up the middle, but there wasn’t much else to do.

The trailer was functional and set up just how I wanted it (insert . The engine was refitted as it was time to transfer the revamped boat to its new cradle. Off I went!

TRAILER CONVERSION
Luckily, I had access to a car hoist and had a couple mates to assist, which made the set up a lot easier.

The boat was hoisted off the old trailer and then the new one slid into place. We made some adjustments to the bunk heights and widths and eased her back on and off a few times, as we wanted to make sure it was all centred and was sitting on the keel rollers squarely.

A few adjustments were needed to the leaning post and the jockey wheel positions to balance the boat and that was about it.

We will see how the boat travels and performs when launching and retrieving — when that magic day comes that’s what matters most.

THE RIG IS ALMOST READY
The new trailer has completed the boat-motor-trailer trifecta — what remains next is the re-rigging and fit up of the engine, electronics and stainless fabrication.

Time is running out to get the job completed, but it looks like I'll be in the water for holidays. There is now a bright light at the end of the tunnel and, after all this hard work, I'm just so keen to splash it and go fishing.

NEXT: Part 8 in the series HAINES HUNTER PROJECT BOAT: A
445 Runabout conversion to a Centre Console, looks at the final electronic fit-up. Stay tuned.
 
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.