Haines Hunter Breeze

I am searching and saving, searching and saving for my first real boat and started looking at the 4.8m trailcraft then the 5m trailcrafts and quintrex and think I have settled on the boat that will be my target which is the Haines Hunter Breeze in the 5-5.3m around the 2003-2005 vintage.

At first I was hesitant to get a glass boat first up but with young kids I just don't want them getting belted when we get caught in a breeze and I'd like to head out deep with my bro and mates knowing it will be in relative comfort. I also want something I can solo launch and retrieve, use for some ski biscuiting and still take up river chasing dem breams.

Does anyone have the Haines Hunter Breeze in the 5-5.3m range and can give me some insight into how they handle average seas, how easy they are to solo launch and retrieve and what size donk would be the absolute minimum I should be looking at as well as anything else about them. I've found one with a nice hull but it's got a 70hp on the back which to me seems well underpowered.

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Honourary Pies member for a while


Posts: 250

Date Joined: 28/05/11

Hi mateI have a haines hunter

Fri, 2015-05-29 08:30

Hi mate

I have a haines hunter 530 classic with 115hp

The Classic is basically a more luxury version of the breeze ( fully lined carpet etc ) but is exactly same hull as the breeze.

Great boat. Excellent ride even with some chop, like any boat less comfortable when more than 15knotd though.. Stability not too bad given its a deep vee hull. Solo launch be fine. Fishes 2 comfortable, 3 adults bit crowded. Regularly fish out to 20-25km offshore inn the right conditions. In this size range for a glass cabin boat it's one of the best. I tried the haines signature 543f and was terrible ride compared with the hunter though little more stable at rest.

i wouldn't recommend anything less than115hp, anything less would struggle. The haines hunters are heavy hulls and deep V so need decent power. 70hp would be terrible.

one thing to check for when buying is that the trailer is legal. These boats with full tank fuel have total boat/trailer/motor weight of approx 1400-1500kg so need to ensure this is within trailer rating. The one I bought was on trailer rated to 1200kg, so i had to buy new trailer.

Good luck

Joycey

Shag's picture

Posts: 776

Date Joined: 15/10/06

510 breeze

Fri, 2015-05-29 09:09

 I had the 510 breeze and loved it perfect size for 1 person launch had a 80 yamaha on it went great terrific in most weather to 

 

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Before you can become a Master Fisherman You must be a Master Baiter

Posts: 8016

Date Joined: 07/05/12

Looks like I'm onto something

Fri, 2015-05-29 09:35

Looks like I'm onto something after 2 months of research. The one I was looking at with the 70hp was the 5m model but I just feel like I'd want that bit of extra grunt especially if I am going to do some skiing behind it

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Honourary Pies member for a while

Posts: 250

Date Joined: 28/05/11

 115hp was for 5.3m, 70hp

Fri, 2015-05-29 10:19

 115hp was for 5.3m, 70hp might be ok for 5m

 

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Date Joined: 07/05/12

Just dropped in for another

Fri, 2015-05-29 11:11

Just dropped in for another look and it's actually a 2004 2 stroke with 350 hours on it

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Guardy's picture

Posts: 381

Date Joined: 09/08/12

580 Breeze

Fri, 2015-05-29 09:51

 Mine is a little larger at 580 with a 150hp Optimax that is ok to launch single handed but so long as there is not too much breeze when recovering it, it is fine. Handles the sea ok but I would prefer a bigger boat if the conditions worsen but then so does everyone.

top notch's picture

Posts: 29

Date Joined: 05/09/11

520 Breeze

Fri, 2015-05-29 14:04

 I had a 520 breeze and was a real good rig. I ended up upgrading it last year for 610 Bar Crusher but i was very happy with the Breeze. Was capable of going out 20 odd mile and just as capable in the shallows at Walpole. A great alround boat and im sure if you got on you would be very pleased with it. I had a 90 honda on the back of mine.