Haines Hunter 680SF / Encore

[leezor]

What sort of money should I expect to pay for a reasonable 1995-2000 680SF?
Can any owners give me any tips on what problems to look out for in this model?
My budget can't quite stretch to an Encore or Patriot, so the 680SF is the next best thing.
I plan on fitting the 225hp Suzuki 4 stroke from my SF20, so would also like to hear from anyone who has fitted a 4 stroke to a 680SF and if it altered the way the boat performed with the extra weight.

Cheers,

Lee

[boatboy50]

Hey Lee,

Check this one out. It's local to me if you want me to check it out first.

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/iteminfo/adnumber_WB2593167166_kw_haines_loc_locRZSQregtAVS CdistRZSQAVSCstateRZSQ9AVSCregRZSQ_off_1_sect_Mari ne_show_bnaRZSQFalseAVSCmoaRZSQFalseAVSCcmaRZSQFal seAVSCpsaRZSQFalseAVSCdaRZSQFalseAVSCpaRZSQFalseAV SCvtaRZSQFalse_sort_otRZSQ1BJDZfdRZSQSearchDisplay PriorityIndAVSCotRZSQ1BJDZfdRZSQFirstPublished_sqt _1_stpg_1_subs_Power_

Seasaw has a 680SF which he fitted a 225 Yam/4 to. PM him or search for some info. He was reasonably happy with the results from memory.

Don't go off the Seaswirl idea, i'm still working on it!

The Haines IMHO comes a distant second to the Swirl.

Regards

Darren

[ashleyhj74]

Just check around the foot of the bunks for cracking. We bought a new one in the mid 90's and it cracked there, it was all fixed under warranty (nothing huge/major, but yeah worth lookin at if its been cracked for a while). We looked at another one the other week (was thinkin of sellin my spearfish) and it had the same cracks in the same spots (i'm keepin my spearfish :) ).

[julian1]

check the underside for stress fractures in the gelcoat mine had heaps of these, also the floor over the fuel tank can be soft , also i would be concerned about the weight of the 4 stroke on a SF, i would try an extend the budget to an Encore as the full pod would be much more boyant for the 4 stroke plus the hull is longer. The 680SF would have been a terrible boat without trim tabs

[leezor]

Thanks for the info guys, will keep an eye out for these problems when doing an inspection.

Darren, keep working on the Striper mate, this will be my 6th boat in 2 years so really need to get it right this time. I doubt the minister will give me another chance after this one. Give me the word and I will fly down for a test run ;)

Julian, there is a 97 680SF up this way for sale for under $40k, as you said though I am also a little concerned about the transom setup with my donk. It looks like Haines really changed the layout of the 680 after 2001, the later models are much easier on the eye as well.

[julian1]

the only issue i can see with the Encore's onwards is its so far from the transom to the back of the outboard you would barely reach it witha game rod :-/
you should be able to find an Encore for low 50's and you will get/should $5,000 for the outboard. it should hold its value very well

[captain rednut]

hi lee you have choose a good hull go for it thanks cr