Haines Signature 575RF

In fact, the all-new Signature 575RF is the Haines Group’s first completely new boat since the passing of company founder and boating legend John Haines Senior in 2009. You could say it’s been a long time coming, but good things come to those who wait and, we hoped, wet a line.

Slotting comfortably between the company’s popular 543RF and 600RF, the 575RF features a completely new take on the company’s variable-deadrise hull. It looks unconventional head on, as revealed in our previous news story.

We’ll get to our on-water impressions, meantime, a line or two from the revered Gold Coast yard.

 "We feel we have achieved the perfect combination of performance through the water under power and stability at rest, developing arguably the most stable fishing platform ever," John Haines Junior told Boatsales and BoatPoint during the new Signature’s official unveiling at the Sydney International Boat Show on August 2.

"Not only does the 575RF boast the most stable platform but also the largest for its size, while still remaining comfortably within legal towing limits," he added. Indeed, the all-up towing weight of 1900kg (including fuel) means the 575RF isn’t a handful to lug, launch and retrieve with a modest four-wheeler or family wagon.

Meantime, The RF or Runabout Fisher is a good configuration for serious fishing since you get a big cockpit instead of lots of infrequently-used cabin space. That said, the 575RF is more than just a runabout, as there is a walkthrough ‘cuddy’ offering dry storage, short bunks or kids’ beds, an optional portable toilet, and general weather protection.

Indeed, you should be able to lure mum aboard the 575RF, but without compromising that all-important ‘fishability.’ And that’s important when there are an estimated four million anglers in Australia and a lot more mums.

Even Blind Freddy could see the extra fruit on our 575RF demonstrator meant it was optioned for serious fishing. Specifically, the boat included the outboard upgrade, Garmin electronics, side-pocket inserts -- they create a second storage tier -- bow rail (split), targa with (fold-down) rocket launcher and bimini, cockpit lights, bunk cushions, live-bait tank and deck wash, bait board, swim ladder, Portapotti and a bit more.

But for us it was the standard of finish and what you don’t see underfloor that makes the Signature product befitting of its price tag and a real sparring partner for imported sportfishers. The 575RF’s mouldings were exact, the stainless work impeccable, the hull foam filled, and the small GRP items like hatches produced mainly via a closed-mould process that gives a great finish.

Meantime, cold-climate Victorian boaters might consider two other options: clears between the targa and windscreen for total weather protection, and an electric anchor winch or windlass so you don’t need to leave the helm when snapper fishing. Provision is provided for mounting a windlass. We’d have outriggers instead in our Bermagui and northward-bound sportfisher.

Conversely, some hardcore anglers mightn’t like the twin swim steps either side of the outboard. They could be seen as an impediment when fighting a deep-slugging fish. There is a fold-up swim ladder on the step to port as well. That said, we’d mount a berley pot in the starboard step.

Thankfully, the steps didn’t dig in like you might think in reverse. And line clearance isn’t really such an issue since the Signature team pushed the splash well/transom back as far as they could in the cockpit.

The live-bait tank in the starboard corner isn’t the biggest around, but it should serve the purpose of most local anglers. There were four rod holders in the gunwales, as usual, with the optional rocket launcher beefed up to run a shotgun or long flat lines. We’d mount outriggers off the structure rather than deck, too.

The bait board, with sink, lure and tackle storage, washable lid, three rod holders and drink holders, plus knife holders, is a rather clever bit of work. It’s high enough that you can operate without doing in your back.

The 575RF also has a two/three person rear lounge that snaps away with a virtual single-handed movement. Bravo. Once you hook up, you can clear the decks in no time. The small storage net on its leading edge could, however, foul hooks.

Behind this lounge was a tidy bilge with Johnson pump and common plumbing line running through to the huge underfloor fish box, with 180-litre capacity and bifold/removable lid, and cabin footwell that you’d bung closed when storing fish.

Twin tackle-tray inserts are recessed into the hull sides, while the optional side-pocket inserts included integrated moulded fish measuring ‘tapes.’ A nice touch. Toe kicks and thigh support make leaning outboard to fight or trace a fish just as reassuring.

Underfloor again, the 220-litre long-range fuel tank can be accessed/removed by unscrewing some self tappers in the grippy non-skid floor panel and trimming the Sikaflex. We like that you can actually remove it without having to cut the fibreglass floor.

We noted storage for personal effects here and there and, with the upgraded side pockets, room to stow safety gear including EPIRB and extinguisher either side of the Signature helm seats.

The wide-load (our term) helm seats are high backed and very accommodating. The seats slide and swivel and include storage nets. Nearby, moulded side steps assist with exiting the boat onto, say, a wharf, just as we did.

There is a built-in icebox/glove box ahead of the co-pilot that has an overboard drain, a ledge for your phone at the dash, while the Australian-made Alfab windscreen is a terrific bit of work, strong enough to double as a grab rail, and without a drop of distortion.

Grab rails exists in the cockpit for crew; LED lights and an overhead cockpit light were provided and, we’re told, illuminate the decks nicely before sun up… when our 575RF first hit the water.

The centre windscreen pane and full-length foredeck hatch open to grant unfettered walk-through access to the anchor locker and bow sprit.

We closed the hatches and lolled about the cabin, noting dry storage, portable loo, and seated headroom. Kids or sick crew can recoup here. Optional cushions add to the comforts.

Tucking our heads under the transom, we also noted good access to the fuel/water separator. But we’d definitely want a cover over the dash wiring in the cabin. It’s visually pleasing while also averting potential damage.

That said, it was nice to see labelled fuses and the tin wiring installation rates as excellent.

The stainless-steel work is another highlight from the in-house artisans who have been with Haines Marine for 21 years. Deck gear including the recessed cleats is all through-bolted.

This Signature Variable Deadrise Hull (SVDH) is, as touched on, different by design. It’s sharp forefoot quickly broadens into a forward ‘keel’ that appears to have the effect of providing extra lift.

But the boat is willing to plane at low speeds due more to the lift of its running surface with aggressive strakes that trap water/energy.

The hull itself is solid GRP, with a fully moulded liner bonded to the hull sides, and the voids and stringers foam filled, we’re told. This creates a monocoque or one-piece structure.

The boat is backed by a 10-year structural warranty. But along with reducing noise and adding strength, the foam has the added benefit of insulating the in-floor fish box.

In short, the Haines Group has invested millions in its boat-building technology which, it must be said, is truly world class. The increased use of closed moulds for details like seat bases, the bait board and lounge base are a step in the right direction and the yard has held its prices for the past four years, too.

We had to check our outboard was running such was the Suzuki 175’s smoothness. The big-block 2867cc outboard claims to have the best power-to-weight in its class, with variable valve timing, 44 amp high-output alternator and multipoint fuel injection. Read oodles of grunt, running refinement and no smoke at all.

Spinning a 15¼ x 21in three-blade stainless-steel prop produced a WOT on this boat -- with four adults and a little gear -- of 6100rpm, which is smack as the engine maker desires. Somewhere amid the eye-watering runs we spotted 37 knots and climbing. Back around 4500rpm one could cruise in calm water around 25 knots.

The boat seemed quite lively. With a touch of negative trim, it was less likely to porpoise and, at the desirable economical setting of 4000rpm, we noted early-20 knot cruise speeds. That’s just a nice speed at sea, allowing you to spot fish on the way to grounds, saving your tackle and back from damage.

With that touch on in-trim we copped an odd lashing of spray from the forward quarter but managed to keep the boat glued to the water. Then we tugged on the reins and headed out to our fishing grounds at around 15 knots at 3500rpm.

Amazingly, this hull will plane right down to 8 knots. This means you might be able to troll frugally at planing speeds. It could also be handy in heavy weather as you shouldn’t have to ride the throttle as often as traditional deep-vee hulls.

I thought the freeboard up front, astern and throughout the cockpit added to the sense of security on a day where there was some weather about, with a brisk winter south westerly, some 1.5 metres of swell and cross sea. It was entirely fishable but not a day in which you could head east at breakneck speeds in this boat.

When quizzed, John Haines Junior told BoatPoint and Boatsales that his late dad did most of the revolutionary work with their patented concave variable deadrise hull. Unlike convex hulls, the Signature model displaces and places water neatly to the side. The water can be seen curling away in most running shots, Haines says.

This 575RF hull is, however, more of a departure than others, with a "kicker" or step just behind the entry. Haines calls it an anti-sneeze device to stop spray being squeezed forward.

Meantime, there’s a sharp entry to cleave the swell, a Delta plank, and quite a flat run to the chines for stability. In short, there’s a lot going on and the boat makes good use of water flow and energy to derive its exceptional lift.

Underway, it isn’t a greyhound but more of a workhorse that will return some very comfortable and economical cruise speeds. I think the average aspiring boater will be happy running the boat where it’s both dry and comfortable. It’s more a thinking-man’s ride than a young-gun thing.

At factory level, we like the fact you can build a 575RF with all the fishing features integrated into the design. You might also note that Suzuki outboards, imported by the Haines Group, are gaining commercial acceptance and in use by charter operators, crabbers, water police and hire boats, too.

We’re not sure if this is the holy grail of fishing boats but it is a stellar example of what one of our better Australian trailerboat builders can do, especially in the fit and finish department.

The all-important price remains competitive in the face of all the imports that usually come with much, much higher running costs. And we have it from the horse’s mouth that more big Signature launches are planned. Watch this space.