Haines Traveller TF200

Fitted out with a Garmin 5008 which has a good-sized viewing screen, there was more than enough room to fit some of the largest flush-mounted cabinets to the flat fascia, Above this section of the dash another large brow hosted Garmin instrumentation that displayed engine functionality in bright, bold and easy-to-read figures.

Seating for the passenger and the skipper is mounted on stainless steel risers attached to the deck and the cabin liner. Waeco’s Cool Ice ice box of about 110 litres slides under each seat and they protrude far enough to second as a short seat or step to climb onto the gunwale to access the walk around.

The wrap-around windscreen is toughened glass and a substantial hand rail sits off the rear of the top side.

The canvas bimini and clears are pulled taut over a stainless-steel framework and across the rear top rail six rods may be stowed in the rocket launcher.

At the bow a Stress Free freefall anchor winch is installed in the forward locker and the rope and chain exits this hatch via its own hawse pipe.

Running abeam against the transom bulkhead but stopping short of the walk through transom door, a padded lounge base folds up flush underneath a padded thigh cushion. The latter remains a permanent fixture but the seat base may be removed if required. It does have the ability to fold down along with a segment of the transom bulkhead to allow big engine cowls to tilt fully forward should they need to intrude into the cockpit space. When folded down, it provides comfortable seating for up to three people.

The live-bait tank is plumbed into the starboard corner of the transom bulkhead and in the opposite corner the fibre door opens to access a three-quarter height opening leading out onto the boarding platform. Here a telescopic ladder folds up and lies in a rebate on the top of the platform.

A kill tank in the deck of about 160 litres is available under the deck.

The entrance to the cabin is large and will allow easy passage for a large adult and keep the area inside well ventilated.

Each side of the V-berth is wide with storage under the cushions and the forward cushion lifts back to reveal a portable toilet. The leg well here is also larger than average and ideal to stow tackle boxes when underway.

The hull design looks classic, especially towards the stern where the bold round curves coming down off the coamings give it a cabriolet look.

Typical of all boats coming from The Haines Group the top shell is glued to the hull with methylmethacrilate and all of the voids inside are foam filled. There is no timber used in the hull construction of this boat; rather all stringers and cross beams are of fibreglass construction.

The fuel tank of 180 litres is constructed from poly-ethylene so as to comply with stringent CE certification.

A downside to the design of the deck was the protrusion of the fuel tank plumbing coming from the deck up under the transom bulkhead. This plumbing should have a protective cover to avoid damage from gnashing teeth of bities when they come on board and anything else that may slide about when in rough seas.

Should you be a regular offshore fisher and likely to be carrying excessive payloads of people and gear, you should consider opting up to its maximum recommended horsepower of 175.

Twenty knots of easterly wind blowing into Raby Bay pushed up close swell to over a metre which proved interesting.

The ride through that lot in the TF200 is as good as one is going to get in a boat that size. There was no ‘banging’ to contend with and the ride was relatively soft and dry.  Manoeuvrability was also good and when running along the swell the steering was direct and positive with no side slip. Running with the sea was also good and the boat didn't feel like broaching, even when pushed hard through the troughs.

This is a smart boat and considering its good performance with relatively low horsepower, will be ideal for the budget-conscious both at the point of sale and the petrol pump.

Supplied by:` 
The Haines Group
PO Box 820, Mt Ommaney, Qld 4074
Telephone: (07) 3271 4400
Email: mbeeson@thehainesgroup.com

Website: www.thehainesgroup.com