Review: Haines Signature 675 Offshore
At the big end of the trailerboat market is the Haines Signature 675 Offshore
With electronic gear shifting and throttle, and electronic power steering, running this boat is like handling a small dinghy — very manoeuvrable and with absolutely minimum effort required to handle it at the helm.
The dash is laid out with carbon fibre inserts and the steering can be adjusted to five angles. The dashboard is hinged and opens to avail one maintenance access behind, without having all the looms exposed inside the cabin.
The big 300hp four-stroke Suzuki didn’t change its tune all the way through our test. While very quiet, according to the onboard computer connected via NMEA2000 to the instrumentation, fuel consumption when cruising won’t break the bank either.
At WOT, this rig is capable of nearly 80kmh in smooth conditions.
There is a noticeable lack of timber used in the structure of this boat, with hatches being fibreglass, including those under the berths that access the stowage below.
Many compartments are scattered around the 675 Offshore and all feature rounded corners, so they are easily washed and dried. With no sharp crevices, the growth of mould is greatly reduced.
The cabin is accessed via a door that slides behind the helm. Once inside, the V-berth is wide enough to sleep two adults without installing the fibreglass infill that converts it to a double bed. The leg well is deep and a bi-fold door at its forward end accesses a portable toilet.
Seating consists of padded inserts in full-fibreglass shells mounted on a swivel and sliding base upon independent stainless steel frames. These ‘riser’ frames can house a Waeco 90lt Cool-Ice each side. The Waeco’s design is well thought out and the advantages displayed with this product have been seriously wanting in the icebox market.
A deep recess in the skipper’s side cabin liner houses the electric throttle, gear shift and the CD/radio player. Oddly, the VHF radio is installed in the rebate for the passenger, so if driving solo, one will have to leave the wheel to operate the radio. Behind the shift, the trim tab buttons are handy to the right arm. These are Bennett brand and featured LED lights indicating the angle of the trim tab.
In keeping with the theme of more and more stowage area, the sidepockets are huge, about 230mm front to back with hinged fascias that allow larger objects such as tackle boxes to be installed and then retained by a bungy strap holding the fascia closed.
The 675 features one of the deepest cockpits in a trailerboat, making it brilliant for a family getaway without worrying about the height of the coamings and youngsters toppling overboard.
The canopy frame is of high quality and covers a good part of the cockpit. An awning slides out from it and goes all the way back to a point above the front side of the transom bulkhead, giving the maximum amount of shade possible.
Over the back of the transom bulkhead, a stainless steel rack holds a pair of fenders or 88ft³ dive tanks. Nicely thought out that!
SPECIFICATIONS
Price as tested: $131,081
Material: Fibreglass
Length overall: 6.89m
Beam: 2.5m
Weight: 1200kg (hull); 2.5t (BMT)
Engine: Suzuki DF300 DOHC
V6 24-valve Multi Point Sequential EFI four-stroke outboard
SUPPLIED BY
Springwood Marine,
3445 Pacific Highway,
Springwood, Qld, 4127
Phone: (07) 3884 7250
Fax: (07) 3884 7290