Haines Signature 550F: Fishing Boat Review

The Haines Group has launched a new cuddy cabin to replace its long running 543F. Bigger, wider and with a greater fuel range, the new 550F is a worthy successor to what has been one of the company’s all-time best-selling models. We tested this excellent new family fishing boat with power from Suzuki’s evergreen 140hp four-stroke outboard.

OVERVIEW
- A hard act to follow
During the 2016 Gold Coast Marine Expo, leading fibreglass trailerboat manufacturer, The Haines Group, debuted a brand new Signature model called the 550F. The new rig will ultimately replace the brand’s mid-sized and very successful 543F cuddy cabin – although the two boats will be sold concurrently for a period.

The new model needs to be a success, as the 543F and its forerunners, the 542F and original 540F, are regarded by many people as modern classics; hundreds having been sold over a period spanning two decades.

The original Haines Signature 540F was released in 1997. Subsequent models have all been based around the same, very soft riding variable deadrise vee hull, but with modifications and tweaks to the cabin and interior layout. The new 550F is not a further improved version of the 543, but an entirely new boat – albeit with a longer, wider hull that is based on the larger 575F.

Following the Gold Coast Marine Expo we were given the opportunity to test the new 550F to see how it compares with its predecessor.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Budget friendly for families
The Signature 550F has been designed as a budget-friendly family fisher. The standard or basic boat package is priced within reach of most people at just under $57k with a Suzuki DF140ATX (extra-longshaft) four-stroke outboard and tandem axle Dunbier trailer.

In achieving this excellent price The Haines Group has had to omit a few features, but the basic boat still has plenty of equipment – including a vee berth, open-plan forward cabin, curved, safety glass windscreen, dual deluxe, height-adjustable pedestal helm chairs, a decent-sized rear cockpit with side-storage pockets, starboard side live bait tank, and a compact, space-efficient rear transom layout with plenty of cockpit freeboard.

The test boat was rigged as a demonstrator with plenty of optional equipment. This included the overhead bimini with front and side curtains, rocket launcher rod rack and stainless-steel framework, deluxe, folding transom bait board, raw-water deck wash, live-bait-tank plumbing, bow rails, passenger moulded-side-storage compartment, recessed cockpit lighting, hydraulic steering upgrade, porta-potti toilet, transom steps and boarding ladder, two-tone hull and deck, a fold-down (and removable) rear bench seat, and a Furuno NavNet TZTL12F multi-function touch screen display with 600w through-hull transducer and Australia-wide mapping.

Packaged with the same Suzuki 140hp four-stroke and tandem-axle Dunbier braked trailer the test boat package comes in at $79,990. This is a fair bit more than the standard boat price, but that is the whole point. With such a large range of options, customers can pick out, and pay for only the gear they really want – and leave the rest behind.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
-  If it ain’t broke. . .
The design and layout of the interior does not differ greatly to the 550F’s predecessor. When you are on to a good thing stick to it, right?

Having made that comment, the helm and dash area has received a make-over. There is now a separate fascia moulding that can be folded/hinged out from the top (see pic) for ready access to the wiring for servicing and easy installation of after-market electronics gear – such as the big 12in Furuno display fitted to the test rig.

This also means there is no messy or exposed wiring behind the helm in the cabin; it is all neatly contained in a recess behind the new fascia moulding.

Other dash features include a port side glove compartment and a black painted finish to the top of the dash to reduce glare and reflection from the sun beaming down through the curved, safety glass windscreen – a nice touch.

We made mention earlier that the standard pedestal helm chairs are height adjustable. Well, they also swivel 360 degrees, slide fore and aft, and have a front, flip-up bolster so you can easily adjust the seat and helm position to drive while standing up - or sitting down.

We found the side-mounted Suzuki throttle lever to be positioned a little too far aft, and there were no footrests. The general layout of the helm was otherwise excellent.

Like its predecessor the new 550F has a half bulkhead separating the helm from the forward cabin area. You gain access to the cabin by ducking under the dash on the port side, after which the cabin opens up nicely. It is roomier than it looks from the outside, with ample headroom above the near full length vinyl upholstered berths.

There is storage space in two shallow underberth lockers, a small sub-floor locker, and in the surrounding cabin side pockets – which are wide enough for stowing inflatable life jackets, clothing, towels, etc.

The side pockets are nicely padded so you can sit in the cabin and lean back comfortably. Not sure about the cream colour of the upholstery, however, as we expect it will be difficult to keep clean.

Cabin options include an in-fill board and cushion to convert the two single berths/seats into a reasonably sized double berth. A porta-pottie chemical toilet can also be fitted under the centre berth cushion.

A fibreglass hatch in the forepeak provides easy access to the foredeck for anchoring, though you can also climb around the cabin sides.

The cabin hatch has a single gas strut which holds it securely open so you can climb up through it. It needs the strut as the hatch is large and doubles as the lid for the anchor well.

It will be easy enough to anchor the boat manually while standing in the forward hatchway, although the large anchor well is set-up to take an optional electric anchor winch, operated from the helm.

Like the rear cockpit, the cabin ceiling and surrounds have a flow-coated fibreglass finish to keep costs down – though carpet is optional.

COCKPIT AND TRANSOM
- Efficient, safe, space saving design
We have always been fans of the compact transom layouts used with Haines Signature’s fishing boat models. Back in the late 1990s, when most other brands were persisting with ugly full and half-pod outboard wells to gain cockpit fishing space, John Haines opted for a much simpler approach.

Instead of moving the outboard well further aft, Haines reduced the size of the outboard well, then compensated for the smaller size by hinging the top part of the transom wall so that it folded forward. This then provided the space needed for the powerhead of the outboard when it was fully tilted.

A variation of the original John Haines compact transom/outboard well has been retained for the new Signature 550F – and it works a treat. The design is taken once step further with the new model, in that the optional bait board fitted to the test rig is also designed to fold down. This way the bait board does not need to be removed to fully tilt the Suzuki 140hp outboard.

The short, compact design of the transom enables an angler to stand and fish over the stern — and over the top of the outboard engine — thereby reducing the risk of entangling a fishing line around the outboard leg and propeller.

The rear cockpit itself is spacious and uncluttered. There is space for three anglers, 750 – 800mm high cockpit freeboard and the full-length side storage pockets are elevated above the floor to provide foot rails underneath.

Horizontal rod racks for smaller outfits are built into the side decks, above the side storage pockets.

Four included stainless steel rod holders (with caps) are flush-fitted into the relatively narrow side coamings, which also have recessed hand rails and stern cleats.

A neat feature for fishermen and family buyers is the optional three-quarter width padded rear bench seat. It folds out and down from a flush position in the rear transom wall. With the padded back-rest/transom bolster, the seat is comfortable and can also be removed as required.

The 550F can be set up for live bait fishing as it has a good-sized bait tank at the transom on the starboard side. The tank is semi-circular in shape with no hard edges to damage baits. Plumbing is optional.

The transom door over on the port side is another option, as are the rear boarding steps and ladder.

The 550F does not have a proper kill tank (due to the up-sized 177l underfloor fuel tank), but there is a square shaped, insulated icebox under the floor between the pedestal helm chairs.

ON THE WATER
- New hull, proven variable deadrise design
Haines Signature’s VDH or Variable Deadrise Hull has been a key feature of all Signature models stretching way back to 1992. The design was introduced with the launch of the classic Signature 492F and has always been very effective with small- to mid-sized Signature models — including the new 550F.

On the water, the new model is comfortable in chop, stable at rest and underway. It is wider in the beam than its predecessor and has a broader keel plank for quicker hole-shots and more stern lift, which in turn now allows it to carry heavier outboards engines, albeit to a maximum weight of 220kg.

The 550F is a good handling, well-balanced boat. It can double as a social ski rig as it is manoeuvrable at speed, quick to plane from a stand-still, and it corners tightly and without cavitation from the Suzuki 140hp four-stroke.

We achieved a top speed of 35.8 knots with the in-line four-cylinder, four-stroke Suzuki on the transom, which is about perfect for this boat package.

Unsurprisingly, the Suzuki was most economical when running at 4000rpm and a speed of 19.5 knots. At this point, the smooth-running 140hp four-stroke was burning 15.2 litres per hour for a maximum range on the 177l fuel tank (less 5 per cent for line losses, etc) of 215.72 nautical miles – more than enough for a full day’s fishing offshore.

VERDICT
-  Ripper new family/fishing cuddy and worthy successor to a classic
Haines Signature has not re-invented the wheel with its new 550F, but the new boat package is an excellent craft, with significant improvements over its predecessor. The new hull is wider, better balanced, and has more lift and buoyancy in the stern. It is more stable, yet retains a comfortable ride.

The 550F is also a very usable boat, and an excellent all-rounder. It is big enough for serious coastal fishing trips, yet small enough for a family to handle at the boat ramp and out on the bay or harbour.

LIKES
>> Excellent all-round performance
>> Good stability
>> Deep, uncluttered cockpit
>> Space-saving transom layout
>> Competitive base price

NOT SO MUCH
>> No helmsman foot-rest
>> Battery on floor, not elevated
>> Cream berth cushions may be difficult to keep clean

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.74/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.6/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.9/5.0
On the water performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.7/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
3.5kts (6.5km/h) @ 1000rpm
4.5kts (8.3km/h)@ 1500rpm
5.3kts (9.8km/h) @ 2000rpm
6.4kts (11.8km/h) @ 2500rpm
7.1kts (13.1km/h) @ 3000rpm
12.6kts (23.3km/h) @ 3500rpm
19.5kts (36.1km/h) @ 4000rpm
22.5kts (41.6km/h) @ 4500rpm
26.9kts (49.8km/h) @ 5000rpm
30.6kts (56.6km/h) @ 5500rpm
33.7kts (62.3km/h) @ 6000rpm
35.8kts (66.2km/h) @ 6300rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
1.6 l/ph @ 1000rpm
2.6 l/ph @ 1500rpm
4.5 l/ph @ 2000rpm
8.2 l/ph @ 2500rpm
10.4 l/ph @ 3000rpm
14.4 l/ph @ 3500rpm
15.2 l/ph @ 4000rpm
18.2 l/ph @ 4500rpm
27.5 l/ph @ 5000rpm
32.1 l/ph @ 5500rpm
42.2 l/ph @ 6000rpm
46.3 l/ph @ 6300rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 177l FUEL TANK: 215.72nm @ 4000rpm

Specifications: Haines Signature 550F
Price as tested: $79,990 including Suzuki 140hp extra-longshaft (25in) four-stroke outboard, Dunbier tandem-axle braked trailer, bimini top with front and side clears, stainless-steel rocket launcher, hydraulic steering, Furuno NavNet TZTL12F multi-function touchscreen display with 600watt through-hull transducer and Aus wide map, two-tone gelcoat to hull and deck, bow rail, coaming passenger-side storage box, boarding steps and ladder, recessed cockpit lighting, live bait tank plumbing, deck wash, folding rear lounge, deluxe bait board, chemical toilet, upgrade to stainless steel propeller and boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $56,990 including standard boat with Suzuki 140hp extra-longshaft (25in) four-stroke outboard, Dunbier tandem-axle trailer, boat and trailer registrations.

Hull length: 5.5m
Beam: 2.41m
Hull weight: 1000kg
Towing weight:  1,780kg (dry)
Deadrise: 21 – 33 degrees
Maximum power: 150hp
Maximum engine weight: 220kg
Engine as tested: Suzuki 140hp four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 177 litres
Length on trailer: Approx. 7.0m
Height on trailer: Approx. 2.33
Maximum Persons: Seven

Supplied by:
The Haines Group
Locate a dealer at http://www.signatureboats.com.