Which Haines Signature boat should I buy?

Brisbane’s Haines Signature has been at the forefront of Australian trailer boat design for decades. This Brisbane-based fibreglass boat-maker is renowned for its full-featured, smooth-riding family boats and coastal fishing rigs.

Haines Signature hulls are unique, too, featuring a patented concave, variable deadrise hull design that provides a smooth ride coupled with excellent stability.

Since 1992, all Haines Signature boats have been equipped with the now classic VDH – Variable Deadrise Hull – but what are the best, most sought-after models?

Here’s our guide to the five most popular Haines Signature boats which people are searching for on boatsales.

Haines Signature has trimmed its bowrider offerings in recent years, but it has kept one of the most popular models in the line-up – the 550BR.

Formerly known as the 535BR, the current 550BR is a versatile family sports bowrider.

Key features include a moulded fibreglass U-shaped seating area up forward, a pair of bolstered pedestal helm chairs and a full-width aft bench seat.

Equipped with outboard engines between 100hp and 150hp, the 550BR is a fast, sporty, smooth-riding performance bowrider for up to six people.

The 550BR also has ski boat-like handling, making it ideal for mixed towsports as well as day cruising with family and friends.

With a package towing weight of about 1445kg, the 550BR is easy to tow behind a mid-size family SUV.

The current-model 525F can trace its lineage back to the classic 1992 Haines Signature 492F – a craft I have personally owned and one of the first of the Haines Signatures to feature the Variable Deadrise Hull.

When it launched, the original model was revolutionary and immediately shot to the top of the charts in the entry-level cuddy cabin boat market.

Today’s 525F is similar in design and concept to the original boat but has naturally been improved and refined to make it as good as it can be.

And it is good. The 525F is a terrific entry-level cuddy cabin with a smooth-riding, stable, seaworthy hull, along with a two-berth open cabin, a high protective helm station, and a high-freeboard aft cockpit.

Rated for a single outboard engine up to 140hp (but best with a lighter weight 100hp to 115hp), the Haines Signature 525F is a fun family boat and nearshore fishing rig.

The 540F is another of Haines Signature’s classic cuddy cabin fishing boats, making its debut back in 1997 and following the equally popular 530/532F.

The 540F is no longer in production, and due to their popularity are scarce as hen’s teeth on the used boat market.

Several newer versions are also available, such as the subsequent 542F, the 543F, and the very latest new boat offering, the 545F.

The original 540F was quite a simple boat featuring a low-profile open cuddy cabin, a large aft cockpit, and an ultra-soft-riding variable deadrise hull.

The 540F worked best with modest engine power, hence its maximum power rating of a single 140hp extra-longshaft outboard engine.

Capitalising on the success of the 540/542/543 series cuddy cabins, Haines Signature launched a purpose-designed side console fishing boat called the 543SF.

The 543SF remains a current model today and is available in side and centre console layouts.

The two models sit alongside the 2021 640SF side and centre console models, and the range-topping 788SF centre console offshore sport fisher.

Measuring 5.33 metres in hull length and just 2.13 metres wide, the 543SF is a versatile side console boat large enough to roam offshore waters, yet compact enough to serve double duty as an estuary and freshwater impoundment fishing rig.

Similar to the original 540F cuddy cabin, the 543SF has a smooth-riding 21-to-33-degree variable deadrise hull rated for a single extra-longshaft outboard engine to a maximum of 150hp.

Key interior features include a moulded front casting deck, short aft deck, bait tank, kill tank, trolling motor plate, horizontal rod racks and more.

Formerly known as the 602F, the current model Haines Signature 640F is a superb coastal offshore fishing boat.

This is a craft you buy if you want to go offshore game fishing for tuna, marlin, mackerel and more.

The 640F is a half-cabin boat available with, or without, a fully enclosed hardtop and full-height surrounding front windscreen.

Some anglers like an open boat with just a bimini cover for shelter but, for me, the hardtop model is the best choice for gamefishing as it provides all-weather protection.

The 640F is a stunning fishing rig with a two-berth front lockable cabin with a toilet, a full shelter helm station, and a deep, uncluttered aft cockpit with a fold-down bench seat, transom bait tank, rod holders, wide side decks and more.

The 640F also has a terrific variable deadrise fibreglass hull to get you smoothly and safely out to the offshore fishing grounds and back again.