Trade-A-Boat – April 2018

Haines Hunter 700

facts&figures

PRICE AS TESTED

$196,000 (ENCLOSED)

OPTIONS FITTED

Electronics, Ultralon decking, baitboard,

Rockford Fosgate Sound system, toilet,

alloy trailer, rear lounge, and more

PRICED FROM

$165,000 (ENCLOSED), $150,000 (R)

GENERAL

MATERIALGRP

TYPEPlaning monohull

LENGTH7.23m overall

BEAM2.5m

WEIGHT1500kg hull

DEADRISE21°

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 7

FUEL380lt

REC. MAX HP 400

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL2 x Yamaha F200

TYPEInline four-cylinder fuel-injected

four-stroke outboard

RATED HP200 (each)

DISPLACEMENT2785cc

WEIGHT221kg (each)

GEAR RATIO1.86:1

PROPELLER14.25in x 17in

SUPPLIED BY

MARINA BAYSIDE

1-13 Mangrove Lane,

Taren Point, NSW, 2229

PHONE(02) 9524 0044

[email protected]

WEBmarinabayside.com.au

PORT PHILLIP BOATING CENTRE

Factory 2, 10 Wallace Ave,

Point Cook, VIC, 3030

PHONE(03) 9369 0099

EMAILsales@portphillipboatingcentre.

com.au

WEBportphillipboatingcenter.com.au

notches took care of that.
Because the driving position is so
high above the water and the screen
deflects wind so effectively, there is
little appreciation of how fast you
travel. It’s only at 25kts before you
get any sensation of speed and even
when flat-out across the bay, it was
a surprise to see the readout on the
GPS hitting 44kts.
Not long after getting off the water,
I got a call from Marina Bayside
in Sydney, and it turns out they
discovered a set of engines with
conflicting trim angles. According
to Alex, the intermittent leaning
problem on the enclosed version was
solved.

THE WRAP
The 700 is a different experience to
most boats, and you need to respect

the 400 healthy horses pushing

things along. Mind you, while a lot

of more gung-ho drivers will relish

that sort of power, a single 300

or probably even a 250 would be

enough. It will take new owners a

few hours behind the wheel and in

different conditions to feel confident

and it needs the tabs to keep it on

track. But once mastered, you can

cover long distances in quick time.

At the risk of offending the cheer

squad, I reckon the 700 isn’t for

everyone and at around $200,000

with a suite of electronics, not

everyone can afford one. It’s for

serious offshore adventurers looking

to tackle big seas and big oceans. If

you want to put in the time, it will

reward you, and in the right hands, it

can sure put a big smile on your face

when given its head.

HIGHS

• High-quality gelcoat finish and
  mouldings


• Heavy-duty quality fittings


• Soft ride


• Big, safe boat for rough conditions and
  long distances

LOWS

• Bi-fold door to cabin needs a better
  fixture to keep it open


• No clear windows on bait tanks

tradeboats.com.au 117

Haines Hunter 700