On the opening day of the 45th Sydney International Boat Show, revered Australian trailerboat builder Signature unveiled its new 575RF and, from this point on, a whole new company strategy.
The famous Australian builder, owned and operator by the Haines family, is reinventing itself with three new key ranges: Core fishing (the focus), Sports and Cruisers.
John Haines Junior (opening photo) addressed the media with vigour and drive, promising some exciting developments for serious fishers who covet craft designed and built by his famous family.
Ushering in the new Core Fishing line-up, the new 575RF is a revolutionary boat from the keel up, with a completely redesigned deck. It joins the existing 502RF, popular 543RF, and 600RF in model designation only.
There’s a new full-width internal liner bonded to the hull at the gunwales, a new windscreen, 220-litre long-range fuel tank, big kill tank, fold-up rear lounge, walkthrough rear transom door, and new bunk structure that results in a huge cockpit.
But perhaps the most fascinating addition is the Generation VII variable deadrise hull that "is pretty close to the Holy Grail in respect of ride comfort and stability at rest."
Incidentally, the first variable deadrise Signature hull was introduced on the 1950L in 1987. All Signature boats sport this hull and are now pumped with foam floatation.
Angling and television celebrity Paul Worsteling was on hand and admitted after many years in tinnies it was time to get a better-riding fibreglass boat.
The first Paul Worsteling Signature fishing boat will be released next year. Watch this space, as we plan to document its creation via video instalments.
Meantime, the new 575RF sells from $61,999 with a 140hp Suzuki outboard. Another Australian boat builder on the rebound. Great news!