Jeff Webster•29 Mar 2012

REVIEW

Signature 580 Bowrider

A great family all-rounder from one of Australia's best-known brands

LIKES

- Sporty handling

- Soft ride

- High cockpit freeboard (safe for kids)

- Plenty of seating

- Great fun to drive

- Easy boarding from the beach

- Can double as a casual fishing boat

NOT SO MUCH

- A bit too much power for beginners

- Could use more hand holds/grab rails

- Fit & finish not quite up to best US standard

OVERVIEW

- A sporty performer with a pedigree stretching back decades

The Haines Group has been producing bowriders since the late-1980s so you can bet they have learned a thing or two over the years about their design.

Today’s the company’s Signature bowrider range has been refined into three models: the 535BR, 580BR, and 600BR. For this test we were able to secure the middle model, the award winning 580BR, which has been around some time but somehow flew under our boat-test radar.

Indeed, my first run in the 580BR was during its original launch back in 2006. I was impressed with the boat back then and my opinion has not changed after this most recent test. The 580BR is great fun to drive, the hull handles beautifully, and it easily deals with short, sharp, bay chop.

The American-manufactured bowriders may lead the field with regard to interior glitz and glamour, but few can match the Signature 580BR with regard to quality of ride and performance.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

- Added value with the Signature Synergy Pack

The 580BR on test is one of several boats in the Haines Signature boat range that is rigged up as a turnkey “Synergy” package at factory level. Priced from $57,793, the package comes complete with Suzuki four-stroke outboard, Dunbier Trailer, safety gear and registrations.

If a packaged boat is not your thing, you can buy the hull from your local Signature dealer and choose your own options, brand of engine and trailer -- but the cost is likely to be higher for a similar specified boat.

The standard engine with the 580BR Synergy package is Suzuki’s venerable DF140, an outboard that is renowned for its durability. The test boat, however, was upgraded with a substantially more powerful Suzuki 175hp V6 four stroke.

The engine upgrade and additional options like the factory bimini, Garmin digital instrumentation, ski pole, interior lighting, etc., lift the price of the test boat to $66,546.

With regard to interior equipment, the 580BR is well specified. Some of the standard features include a fore and aft sliding helm seat, hydraulic steering, GME stereo, premium seating, full carpets, carbon fibre-look side paneling and dash inserts, drink holders, bilge pump, 12 volt power socket, and a two-tone hull and deck.

INTERIOR LAYOUT

- Form and function prevails

The 580BR has a traditional bowrider seating compartment that can accommodate four people, but is best with two.

Two storage lockers are provided underneath the bow seat cushions for items like beach towels, etc.

A proper-sized anchor well is situated in the forepeak, along with a cleat and bow roller. I make special mention of the anchor well here because many US branded bowriders have no anchor well at all.

The bowrider compartment is accessed via a centre-opening windscreen -- though there is no door or wind-dam underneath to separate the helm from the bow area.

The helm and passenger consoles are designed with both form and function in mind. The curvy, shapely design of the consoles is attractive and the flat black paint finish is non-reflective for better visibility.

Carbon fibre-look dash inserts and padded instrument anti-glare covers are a nice touch.

Drink holders are located in the console and up in the bowrider compartment.

The helm position is one of the best I have come across in a bowrider. The sports steering wheel tilts to suit different drivers and the deluxe pedestal-mounted helm chair slides fore and aft, so you can sit with the steering wheel and throttle within a comfortable reach.

The wide, well-padded helm seat cushions offer very good leg and thigh support, while footrests are positioned in just the right spot under the dash.

Visibility forward through the curved windscreen is excellent and the windscreen height is just right.

The aft cockpit in the 580BR is large and deep, with cockpit freeboard around the 800mm mark along the sides to keep the youngsters safely ensconced.

The fully carpeted cockpit is flanked by above floor (and upholstered) side storage pockets, while a lift-out rear lounge stretches across the stern of the boat.

The stern layout differs -- and to my way of thinking -- is more versatile than many of the competing US branded bowriders.

Removing the rear lounge in the Signature opens up a whole lot of rear-cockpit space. In fact, there’s more than enough to make the boat usable for fishing. This is not generally possible with US made bowriders as most are sterndrive powered and have a large internal engine box that is normally converted into a full-width sun lounge.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE

- Not for the faint of heart

Fitted with the optional and maximum power Suzuki 175hp V6 four stroke, the test boat was something of a rocket ship, accelerating to a top speed of 42 knots or around 79km/h.

That said, the boat/engine combination was not perfectly set up as I did note some propeller ventilation during cornering -- even with full negative trim. I suspect that lowering the motor one notch or bolt hole on the transom would improve the boat in this regard.

Otherwise, the 23in pitch, three-blade stainless steel propeller had plenty of bite, launching the boat quickly from get-go.

For experienced boaters the added power and performance of the 175hp engine is worth the extra dollars -- but if you are a first-time boat buyer then I would recommend sticking with the standard 140hp motor.

The smaller engine will make the boat easier for novice skippers to handle, and the package will cost less to buy and to run.

ON THE WATER

- Solid performer inshore and offshore

In the Signature boat range there are three models that use the 580 series variable deadrise, concave hull design: the 580C and 580F cuddy cabin boats and this bowrider.

I have tested all three models and believe the bowrider to be the best of the group with regard to handling, ride and stability. In all three areas, the 580BR is very good. The boat is rock solid at rest, runs dry underway, and is simply not bothered by choppy waters.

The test boat was not perfectly set-up, but I have been in others that confirm the 580BR as one of the best handling (and most fun to drive) bowriders on the market.

VERDICT

- Versatile is the word

The Haines Signature 580BR stands out among local boat manufacturers for its quality construction, great handling and sporty performance. But to my mind the key to the success of the 580BR is its versatility.

Most bowriders in the 5.2m to 5.8m size range are designed for inshore waters, for lazy days on the harbour, social skiing, swimming and sunbathing. The Signature can do all of these things, but it can also go fishing.

Remove the rear bench seat, chuck in the tackle box and a few rod holders, and the 580BR is more than capable of running offshore to chase a feed to bring home for dinner.

PERFORMANCE

13.5kts (25km/h) @ 3000rpm

26.8kts (50km/h) @ 4000rpm

38.1kts (70km/h) @ 5000rpm

42.5kts (79km/h) @ 6100rpm (WOT)

RATINGS

Overall rating: 4.8/5.0

Mechanical/equipment: 4.9/5.0

Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0

On the water Performance: 4.8/5.0

Value for money: 4.6/5.0

X-factor: 4.7/5.0

Specifications:

Price: $66,546 including 175hp engine upgrade, Dunbier tandem-axle trailer, Garmin digital instrumentation, bow tonneau, factory bimini, ski pole, cockpit lighting, inshore safety gear pack, anchor, boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $57,793 with 140hp Suzuki four stroke

LOA: 5.8m inc. bowsprit

Beam: 2.32m

Hull weight: Approx. 650kg

Towing weight: Approx. 1,700kg

Deadrise: 21-33 degrees

Maximum power: 175hp

Engine as tested: Suzuki 175hp V6 four stroke

Fuel: 130 litres

People Day: Eight/600kg

Maximum load: incl. gear 800kg

Supplied by:

Game & Leisure Boats

Factory 1, Runaway Bay Marina

247 Bayview Street

Runaway Bay QLD 4216.

Phone: (07) 5577 5811.

See www.gandlb.com.au

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Signature 580 Bowrider

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