Haines Hunter 650 Classic

2005 Haines Hunter 650 Classic Cruiser with the lot is now for sale with DBY Boatsales.

Fishos love a big cockpit, and boy, does this boat have some room to move. You could drop one of those big fibreglass iceboxes in the middle of this space and still have plenty of room to move around.

This Aussie boatbuilder has also designed a fold-out rear lounge that doesn't smash into your knees or
limit access to the stern. It locks flush into the bulkhead wall and you won't know it's there till you need it.

There's thick padding all the way round the coamings (including transom), encased in durable colour-coded marine-grade vinyl. This doesn't hinder access to the generously proportioned sidepockets, which trace both cockpit walls, complementing two large ones just aft of the helm and passenger positions.

There are rod and gaff racks beneath the sidepockets; full aluminium toerails trace cockpit, and you can tuck your feet underneath the cockpit walls to brace yourself when fishing the reefs.

The cockpit is self-bailing and drains into the bilge. Any water gets pumped overboard by a high-flow bilge pump, and the carpets clip in and out to make washing easier.

There's an extra-long raw-water deckhand hose with high-pressure shower rose so you can wash the boat down anytime.

The livebait tank is huge and has rounded corners, drains overboard and comes with high-flow plumbing, whilst a baitboard mounts on the side.

In keeping with this boat's purpose, all cleats are recessed; there's a neat inward-folding transom door with deep s/s boarding ladder on the boarding platform; four top-grade stainless rodholders sit in the coamings; and there are moulded recesses for fire extinguisher and EPIRB.

Anglers and romantics are going to love the stainless-steel courtesy lights in the cockpit: they illuminate the area and don't throw glare into the water or your face.

Below decks you'll find a 210L fuel tank fed by a deck filler with breather: with a four-stroke Yamaha 225hp on the back you can expect to cover a heap of sea miles without needing to crack open the wallet too often.

The twin battery rack is up off the floor and is accessed through a vinyl curtain behind the stern lounge; as are the
fuel filters and isolation switches. All wiring is loomed and colour-coded - the engineering throughout this boat is heavy duty and well thought out.

Overall, the cockpit is very well presented: things like hinges, cleats and other fittings are either chrome-coated brass or stainless steel; the insides of hatches are neat; and the storage bin interiors are polished 'glass, not flow-coat.

It's obvious that Haines Hunter did some research on what anglers want from a helm station. Priority is given to a Raymarine C series flush-mounted depthsounder/fishfinder and chartplotter unit, which is directly in front of the driver just below eye level - right where you want it.

Engine gauges are positioned neatly about this electronics suite in a carbon-fibre fascia; the throttle falls comfortably to hand; and the steering is hydraulic.

A flush-mount VHF radio sits above the wheel - not tucked away in the cabin. In fact, those all-important electronic accessories are incorporated at the factory and not tacked on haphazardly wherever they'll fit at some later stage.

The helm and passenger pedestal seats swivel and slide so you can stand when driving. There are footrests to brace against, the passenger gets a grabrail, and there's another that traces the lovely Taylor-made safety-glass screen.

Vision and headroom are great; comfort levels, finish and design cohesion are above average. This boat has full canvas covers including windscreen, cockpit and targa top.

The stainless targa top is turned at the factory and is topped with a six-place rocket launcher for rods stowage.

The cabin interior is light, airy and comfortable. Bunks measure 1.9m and with a drop-in infill they convert into a spacious double berth.

The storage bins below the cushions have lights, the sidepockets tracing the cabin walls are padded for comfort, and the footwell is nice and deep, promoting better headroom. A hatch in the front gives access to the electric windlass, and there's an enormous hatch you can crawl through to get on deck.

Toilet is under the bed and you can sit upright and close the cabin door for privacy and it can be locked.

It's an electric loo with a macerator, and when not in use you can drop an infill cushion over it.

As far as cabins go, the Haines Hunter 650's is a beauty. It's got space, it's got comfort and it's got light and air. And it's finished neatly and tastefully.

Up front, the deck is traced by an extra-heavy-duty inch-thick stainless bowrail and has a deep anchor locker and a plough anchor-carrying bowsprit serviced by an electric windlass. Access to the deck is via wide cabin walkarounds or through the front hatch.

This boat is powered by Yamaha's excellent 225hp four-stroke, which is quiet, smooth and smoke-free.

The boat returns top-end speeds in the low-80s at around 5800rpm, according to Haines Hunter, and easily maintains cruise at lower revolutions. .

This hull delivers one of the flattest, smoothest transitions to the plane in the business. Apply throttle and the boat slides imperceptibly out of the hole and runs out to a quiet, smooth and comfortable cruise, holding it down to 25kmh and 2500rpm.

The incredible lift generated by the hull means the boat will hold low-speed plane in rough conditions, meaning you won't have to juggle the throttle constantly to keep the boat out of the hole in heavy weather.

For sale with DBY Boat Sales Pittwater office. For inventory and high resolution photos, call +61 2 9999 3311 or email us at sales@dbyboatsales.com.au