HAINES HUNTER 490 PRO STRIKE

By Warren Steptoe

Perhaps the hottest news since the original Quintrex Hornet, Haines Hunter's new 490 Pro Strike takes on the imports with a distinct Aussie style.

Haines Hunter's 490 Pro Strike must surely be the most eagerly awaited new boat in years. It was quite some time in the making, with insiders at Haines Hunter predicting its release for some months before anyone outside the company actually saw it.

The rumour mill had Team Shimano involved, and rod building maestro Ian Miller's name was being mentioned too. After testing a string of new releases from Haines Hunter over the last couple of years, I guessed they were simply getting this new bass boat up to what they considered par. That’s if the high degree of excellence evident in other new models preceding the 490 Pro Strike was anything to go by.

When we finally saw the new boat at a press day on the Gold Coast, no-one was disappointed. While stepping onto new turf locally, at the same time the new 490 Pro Strike takes on the glamorous imports we're seeing more and more of lately — and stands toe-to-toe with them.

While somewhat reminiscent of every good ol' boy's favourite toy in some ways (yes, metal flake paint is an option!), in others there's a distinctive Aussie character to the 490 Pro Strike. This is typified in the way its live wells are set up to meet our tournament standards, and that some of the storage bins can be insulated to keep a few stubbies cold…

No, not a racing motorbike, the Navman fishing electronics give it away as the Pro Strike's instrument panel.

As you can see, Haines Hunter's new 490 Pro Strike is low-slung — lower slung than most Aussie bass, barra and bream boats. This may actually lose a few brownie points in circles where rock bars are a normal part of going fishing, and standing up to improve vision into the water while negotiating same is common practice.

People nervous about crocs clambering aboard may also feel some concern about the boat being so low. I guess this refers rather specifically to certain northern areas where saurians come in extra large value packs and lay about on nasty rock bars.

Everyone else though, will join the bunch of normally blasé journos who were more excited than I've ever seen them about taking the 490 Pro Strike out onto the Southport Broadwater for a spin.

Seated in the 490 Pro Strike, your eyeline is indeed low to the water; however, on the relatively open spaces it could be let right off the leash. At the helm that cool looking aero screen does a fair job of deflecting slipstream up over your head, but in the passenger seats, wearing wrap-around sunnies to keep the blasting air flow out of your eyes quickly becomes a wonderful idea.

For the hoons amongst us (and that's everybody I know), with a 150 hp 4 stroke Yamaha perched on its backside, the 490 Pro Strike got out of the water like a ski boat. Thrown into tight turns it handles with all the verve of a bloody good ski boat. Fun? Absolutely! There’s a definite upside for tournament freaks who, in the heat of competition, will be able to take advantage of the 490 Pro Strike's nimble cornering and quicker than just about everybody else’s point-to-point capabilities.

The Pro Strike’s bow features a flush-mounted sounder and a slot in the deck for the foot control.

A serious boat tester would tell you the 490 Pro Strike has impeccable manners at speed, and has quite a forgiving nature. I think this is perhaps its best asset in at-speed handling. With all due respect, few keen fishos have the kind of skills necessary to stretch this boat's legs, and the 490 Pro Strike being so forgiving is likely to save the day when enthusiasm approaches its limits, albeit blissfully unaware…

On the press day I measured a top speed of 47.4 kts, with a motor still freeing up from being brand new and with work yet to be done on exact mounting height and propeller selection. More importantly to budget-minded fishos, during testing Haines Hunter's design team recorded top speeds around 35 kts with 90 hp 2 stroke motors. So the hull apparently runs very well with less power than the whopping great 150 Yammie fitted here.

The hull is rated to a 150 hp maximum, 2 or 4 stroke, making it a fair guess that a power choice from 90 up to the maximum for 2 strokes, and probably 100 or 115 up to the maximum for 4 strokes would satisfy most people. Apart from those dedicated to the ultimate yee-hah experience!

Seated at the wheel, the ergonomics of the tilt adjustable and very cool Italian steering wheel and motor controls left nothing to be desired. Both engine instrumentation and fishing electronics are positioned appropriately, and speaking of fishing electronics, there's a second fish finder set into the bow for usage while fishing. An adjustable helm seat is on Haines Hunter's options list, although I found the test boat fine as it was.

Given the potential G forces in turns that the 490 Pro Strike's nimble handling encourages, it was reassuring to find strategically-placed grab straps for the passengers. A sense of security in tight turns is also offered by clever design in the foot rest which runs across the bulkhead in front of the seats. This is angled so you can brace your feet against it, using your leg muscles to keep yourself securely in your seat.

Storage, storage everywhere. The 120 L tournament spec’ live well is strategically placed to have minimal effect on trim when full of water.

Haines Hunter's development process included a lot of work with the hull. So much so that they now offer a 7 year warranty period for their whole range. This is (I think) an industry first in this country.

In its final form the 490 Pro Strike hull features a 2.25 m beam and weighs 580 kg. Deadrise at the transom is curved rather than a fixed angle and the chines are wide and turned down.

From a standing start the 490 Pro Strike lifts its bows before climbing onto the plane, although it doesn't particularly like low planing speeds, and prefers to get up and go rather than cruise about slowly. On rough water it handles chop up to a certain height well. This, along with its low profile, clearly defines the 490 Pro Strike as an enclosed water boat to my mind. This is entirely appropriate because that's where we fish for barra, bass and bream, although those contemplating a boat to fish where runs along an unprotected coastline to get to the fishing are the norm, may not agree.

Aside from that, as a fishing platform for enclosed water, the 490 Pro Strike works very well indeed. At one stage during the Gold Coast press day I noted a trio of beefy boating journos standing along one side without causing the boat to lean disconcertingly.

The casting decks have extend as far in every direction as possible to maximise fishing space and with the high inherent stability of the hull while at rest, every bit of this space is usable. Take a look at the pics and you'll see that casting decks comprise most of the boat's upper works, with only enough space left between them for those low-slung seats. There are mountings for lean posts in both forward and aft casting decks.

A mounting for an electric is built into the bows. It's hard to imagine many of these boats not being fitted with one. The foot control for the Minn Kota unit on the test boat slotted into a neat recess in the deck.

Below the bow deck, provision is made for enough battery power to run any electric. Our test boat featured a pair of Powerdive International's state-of-the-art absorbed glass mat batteries to keep the Minn Kota going.

From this perspective you can see how Haines Hunter have gone to some trouble to maximise space on the casting decks.

Along each side of the bow deck's under-deck space is a big rod locker. These are 8 feet long and have clip-in racks for up to 8 rods each side, although that will depend on the size reels mounted.

Centrally, a huge (200 L) storage locker's hatch lifts on a gas strut. A rapid charger unit for the AGM batteries was mounted in here. Underneath all the hatches is finished off with ’glass paneling and, in another major plus, all hatch openings have drains to keep storage space beneath them dry.

Under the aft casting deck, a 120 L live well sits across and behind the seats where its weight when full of water will have minimal effect on the boat's trim. This is fitted with a recirculation system complete with timer switch and strainers. A baffle amidships in the live well can be folded away if not needed.

Each side under the aft deck is more storage space with liftout moulded liners for access to cabling underneath. Two of these can be insulated to serve as iceboxes, while the others are sized to contain tackle trays.

Fine details come literally too numerous to mention, but some that do stand out include fastenings to hold rigged rods in place for a quick move from one fishing spot to another. And, in a similar vein, there’s a rack to store rods vertically if you prefer.

Another excellent feature is a clever splash panel incorporated into the aft deck to direct any water coming aboard after a sudden stop back through the engine well drains. Fly fishos will appreciate the use of pop-up flush cleats throughout.

In view of the possibility of this boat ending up in hands not totally intent on fishing, both a ski tower and a ski pole are included on the options list.

For most keen fishos though, the stock standard inventory leaves little to be desired. In fact the whole boat leaves little to be desired and when the asking price starting at around $35890 for a 490 Pro Strike powered by a 90 hp E-Tec is compared with the imported opposition, it's surprisingly affordable.

The test boat complete with all options and the 150 Yam 4 stroke was going for $42,000.

For more information see the Haines Hunter website: www.haineshunter.com.au