Haines Signature 543F

Signature rewritten

A few trends in marine manufacturing follow to a certain extent those of the auto industry. Take the shape of boats, for instance, that have gone from square-cabin fronts, windscreens and transoms to more rounded aesthetic lines of curved glass and Perspex and swept-down coamings. It is like the transition from a 1964 Holden EH Premier to the latest Holden Calais.

Haines Signature 542F was first launched back in 2002 and while that is a long way from 1964, it featured slightly squarish lines trendy of that era with a well-proven hull that offered the sort of performance you would be silly to retire even in this day.

So, the Haines Group revisited the topside of this boat and rebadged it the 543F which we have tested for you here. As well as giving it softer curves, the dashboard has been revisited to remove some of the rear bulk from the cabin. The Perspex screen is now hardened glass and modifications to the anchor well allow for installation of a variety of winch brands. A half-height transom door is also part of the new model and yes, sitting on an unchanged, well-proven hull.

HAINES HERITAGE
With many of The Haines Group boats, stowage areas are abundant and the 543F is no different. The cockpit layout is serviceable with a rebate in the liner next to the passenger for an EPIRB and fire extinguisher, and sidepockets are large with a tackle locker built into the aft end of the structure. Rods and gaffs can be strapped down on racks fixed inside the pockets, and if they are over-length, holes in the bulkhead ends of the pockets will accommodate butts or tips.

The gunwale height midway along the cockpit is about 80cm high offering a good lean when fishing at sea. There is plenty of foot space under the sidepockets for stability and alloy non-slip foot treads are fixed to the deck for added safety. A prominent foot step either side assists one to climb over the gunwales without having to stand on the fascia of the sidepockets, and a long safety handle is rebated into the inner edge of the coaming.

A nylon door closes the aperture of the step-through transom and is firm and rattle-free when closed. Over the back, a small boarding platform is situated either side of the 115hp four-stroke Suzuki with that on the port side sporting a fold-down telescopic boarding ladder.

A practical and removable bait rigging station sits in post holes on the mid-transom bulkhead with a good-sized transom livebait tank within easy reach.

Four rodholders are rebated into the side coamings and you can stow a couple more on the bait rigging station, plus six overhead in a sturdy rack which makes up part of the canvas canopy frame.

DASHING HELM
At the helm the wheel and instruments are mounted in a stylish panel with a soft upholstered top. This panel is hinged at the bottom and when unclipped at the top, swings opens to access the rear for maintenance. The wiring looms are hidden from occupants in the cabin due to the bulkhead being solid behind this panel.

A black liner is fixed to the top of the dash and alleviates any glare from the white gelcoat. A rebate in the top, above the entry to the cabin, is a handy place to throw the odds and ends like mobiles, sun block and the like.

Entry down into the cabin is via a rebate in the deck that curves around the helm bulkhead. For a boat under five and a half metres, the cabin room is exceptional, with head clearance of about 10cm above a 180cm person seated on the vee-berth. A partition in the leg well is removable to open up that area further if the optional portable toilet in the fore end of that space is not installed.

Should you go for the head, it can be secreted under a hinged nylon hatch which is strong enough to stand on with the torso out through the roof hatch to work the ground tackle manually.

Another lift-off hatch farther forward offers more stowage, albeit small in volume and there is extra stowage space under the side cushions.

To keep the gunwales uncluttered for easy fishing, the stern light post base has been repositioned to a spot in front of the windscreen. Its base protrudes into the cabin and with a sharp hard plastic finish it will create a few scalp injuries unless modified.

PERFORMANCE HIGH
If we were happy with the space in the cockpit and cabin of this small boat, we were ecstatic with its performance offshore from the Gold Coast. A small swell was running into the Seaway, but plenty of waves in the form of small chop from multiple directions showed us why The Haines Group have hung onto this hull bottom.

It offered a quiet ride with minimal wave-slap noise emanating into the cockpit and gave a very soft landing off waves and large-boat wash. With manual cable steering fitted, there were no glaring torque issues at the helm other than the usual tightness associated with full-trim-in when accelerating for a quick holeshot or hard and fast turns. Once trimmed this was a dream boat to drive and dry to boot.

If there was ever a line-up of under 5.5m cabin boats that offer the maximum amount of cockpit fishing space, roomy cabin for the kids and still produce a soft and quiet ride, this 543F will surely be up among the best of them.

NOT SO MUCH