Haines Hunter V17

It's funny how many boaters come full circle when it comes to boat ownership. There's a lot of people out there that start small, work their way up to big boats and then eventually downsize to a more manageable craft.

The expense of running and maintaining big boats is one reason, while some older people can find manhandling maxi-trailerboats on and off the trailer more difficult to manage.

The cost of housing can also leave some keen boaties with less available cash to spend on a boat, and storage space is another consideration - especially in metro areas.

The R&D team at Haines Hunter went to work to design a boat that addresses some of these concerns; something that's not too expensive, easy to handle, big enough to accommodate a decent gathering of people without being too big to fit in the average suburban garage.

Their answer is the V17R Legend Runabout, which TB got a chance to drive on the Gold Coast before it got shipped to the Sydney Boat Show. In the end, Haines Hunter decided to revitalise one of its own classic hull shapes from yesteryear. Check out Terry Buddell's Classic Boats column for more on the lineage of this particular model.

FUN IN THE SUN
This no-frills runabout gives the impression of leaning more towards a speedboat, with its raked windscreen and low-profile canopy, but there are enough practical trimmings inside to qualify it as a comfortable family dayboat.

Featuring an opening walk-through screen, access to the bow section is achieved by folding back a long hatch allowing you to stand directly over the anchor well, which is a box arrangement 'glassed to the inside the boat at floor level. The rope feeds out and may be tied off on the split bollard. The anchor well drains through a hole approximately 20mm in diameter onto the carpet, which is not very practicable. To keep the inside clean it is preferable that the anchor well drains overboard. On a hull of this size, there can be issues with splashback, but a manifold or one-way valve setup could overcome this.

Storage boxes are situated on either side of the companionway leading to the bowsprit. They are high-sided and make an ideal place for stowage of life jackets and safety gear. The aft ends of these bins form a footrest for the skipper and passenger.

DAILY DRIVER
Instrumentation is wrapped around a neat dashboard behind the steering wheel. There is a flat section for the possible installation of a gimbal-mounted fishfinder or GPS, but its location would block out the view of some of the instruments.

The sloping facia of this flat section might be large enough for flush mounting a small sounder, but depending on the height of the skipper, the steering wheel might obscure the screen. A review of the layout of the instrumentation before purchase will resolve this minor issue.

On the passenger-side module, a large glove compartment is available to store personal belongings. A can-sized drinkholder is recessed into each module.

The inner liner on the port and starboard sides of the cockpit are upholstered, and an opening in the centre provides access into the sidepockets - there are also racks installed for holding paddles, gaffs, boat hooks and the like.

In each aft corner a recess into the liner has a padded back and a removable padded seat. With the seat removed anglers can feel comfortable and safe tucked in here when bobbing at anchor and drowning a bait.

ALFRESCO DINING
The centre of the transom bulkhead is deeply recessed to allow for the extra bulk of a four-stroke cowl when tilted up. A collapsible dining table with folding legs and two drinkholders is incorporated into the stern, which is a neat idea. With the table in the upright position, access to the bilge and the automatic bilge pump is gained.

The battery and oil bottle (filled from the engine well via a screw cap) sits on deck level while the fuel filter is below that, on the wall of the bilge.

Wet bathers and sandy beach towels can be stowed in the central sub-floor locker in the deck, which is drained into the bilge when required. Other wet stowage areas are under hatches in the port and starboard transom bulkhead. These drain externally and may be plumbed for live bait or used as non-insulated iceboxes. Two stainless steel rodholders between them may be removed for the installation of a skipole, and other rodholders are located on the gunwales along with cleats that are mounted in rebates on the corners of the mould.

Two duckboards sit either side of the engine and allow easier boarding and disembarking over the transom. Ski rope anchorages are also located here.

POWER TO SPARE
Pumping out 115 ponies, the Yamaha V4 Saltwater Series powerplant was at the top end of the hull's capacity and sent the Legend along at a cracking 77kmh at 5900rpm. Getting there was effortless, and the holeshot brilliant.

To cut back on fuel consumption, the V17 lopes along at a lazy 29kmh with the motor purring at 3000rpm.

Perfect trim on the engine was necessary to manage the torque at the wheel, which is not unusual for a motor of this size fitted with mechanical steering. In high-speed tight turns, the engine had to be trimmed right in to prevent cavitation, at which time torque at the helm became an issue when steering out of it. If you're looking to buy this boat for skiing and generally turning fuel into bubbles, do yourself a favour - spend a little more and install hydraulic steering. Your arms will thank you for it!

MULTIPURPOSE
Although this boat is not made for serious sportsfishers, with a bit of fiddling you could still use the V17 to chase a wide range of fish. The main issues for fitting out the boat for fishing are as follows: dashboard space for larger fishfinders and GPS units is just not available, and the drainage of the anchor well requires addressing. This won't worry the average weekend angler, who'll appreciate how much brand new boat they get for $33,900. They will be even happier after spending just $750 more at the time of purchase for hydraulic steering.

In all, the V17 is a sweet handling, reasonably appointed and very well finished Aussie-built boat that's well within reach of the average family.