Haines Traveler TS170

The name Haines has been synonymous with Australian boatbuilding since 1959 when brothers John and Garry started producing fibreglass boats in Brisbane under the name of Haines Hunter. Over the ensuing years they produced many, many models for just as many applications - with Garry and John putting some to the test in offshore racing.

However, a corporate takeover in 1980 saw Haines Hunter go in a different direction with others at the helm, leaving John Haines to reform in 1983 to produce the 'Signature' range of boats. In 1988 they 'bought back the farm', their original factory. From this factory, they now manufacture a wide range of Signature boats as well as the Haines Traveler series of boats. In all, including model variations, there are 60 different boats under the banner of Haines Marine Industries. This is not to mention the range of displacement catamarans, from 36-60ft, that the Haines family market under the Signature brand.

WON'T BREAK THE BANK
The Traveler series is a range of boats aimed at the more budget-conscious boat buyer. We recently tested the TS170 - a pocket rocket skiboat that won't break the bank balance.

Tied to a floating pontoon at Runaway Bay Marina on the Gold Coast, the stern of the TS170's hull sat relatively low in the water, while its sleek lines made the bulk of the 140hp Mercury outboard look particularly imposing.

Closer inspection revealed the TS170 to be a practical, purpose-built, no-frills skiboat.

The TS170's helmseat slides on a track fore and aft. The low profile of the dash is such that it was easier to slide the seat back, jump in, then slide forward to take control of the foot-throttle. The gearshift was a standard side mount Mercury type with the throttle linkage removed. Forward and reverse gears as well as trim and tilt still functioned from this remote control.

The passenger/observer seat faces aft, and fibreglass storage boxes extend down either side toward the stern. Further storage in the form of a shallow fibreglass tray under the low-profile, full-width transom seat is an ideal place for stowing things like ski ropes. The backrest of this seat is hinged and opens upwards, revealing the bilge where the outboard motor oil reservoir is located in a recessed well. The battery is secured to one side. There is enough free space here to stow buckets, spare oil bottles and spare lifejackets if need be.

Two flush-mounted hatches in the port and starboard transom coamings are smooth to allow a skier to slide aboard over the transom. The hatches also offer further storage for ropes and shorter items. Oil and fuel fillers are located externally in the enginewell.

Taking the Traveler for a spin around the Southport Broadwater, we traversed the usual boat wash from other much larger craft. In spite of this, the 22.5° deadrise on this hull gave it a noticeably smooth ride. Also noticeable was how quiet the carburetted Mercury was for a big two-stroke. Even cruising at 3800rpm, passenger and observer could talk freely without excessive noise drowning them out.

The coastguard no doubt raised an eyebrow or two when we took the Traveler out through the Seaway entrance into the prevailing ocean swells. This is certainly not a skiboat's normal domain - and no doubt the TS170's low profile was lost in the troughs more often than not.

THE NEED FOR SPEED
At speed we had a couple of hard landings off the top of big waves but, considering the boat we were in and where we were, we experienced nothing too alarming.

We ran the boat back into calmer waters with Gary Haines at the helm pushing the TS170 over some big wash at full throttle - obviously reliving his offshore racing days. There was not too much hull left in the water as he twitched the wheel left to right while we negotiated wash and chop from different directions at over 90kmh.

We didn't test the towing torque, but apparently the TS170 will easily pull two skiers on single skis. Pulling back on the throttle, the transom settles back down and creates a nice wake with a curling tip for those wanting to wakeboard. The bulk of the big Mercury held the transom low in the water and added to the wash for that application.

The GPS revealed a top speed of 94kmh at 5500rpm, which was quite a rush. Even at a more fuel-efficient 4000rpm, the TS170 was still cranking at around 68kmh.

This particular hull design has been around for some time. In 1985 it was winning offshore powerboat races in the 1.5lt class with 85hp motors attached.

It has since towed winning skiers in many other races. Haines Marine Industries has adhered to the old adage 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' by including this hull in its Traveler range.

Haines' goal with the Traveler range of boats is to produce a no-nonsense, no-frills boat that offers the buyer true value for money. It would appear they have reached that goal with the TS170.

Indeed, what you see is what you get - a boat built for skiing, wakeboarding or just all round high-speed fun at an affordable price.