haines 620sf vs southwind 655sf

[johnoSA]

Hi all!! I have just joined Ausfish,have had numerous looks without being a member, looking forward to being one looks fantastic. I was just wondering if any one could help me out? Iam ready to buy my first blue water boat & i have been looking at the haines 620sf & the southwind 655sf being from South Australia im not finding many people who know about these two boats. Can anyone help me out with info on these two boats in question, ie performance and price???? it has also been really difficult to find either of these two boats in South Oz.Cheers!!

[Noelm]

pretty difficult to get opinions on two boats, anyone who owns either will tell you it is the best boat ever, far better to make a list of what you REALLY want in your boat, as in cabin, sleeping, fishing room, skiing, HP needed, anything, but be honest, then compare both boats you are intersted in and see what fits you best, both boats come from reputable makers, not too sure how you came to compare those two, when they are not easy to find in your state, but I guess you may have seen them on TV or something?

[death_ship]

the haines 620 is a good hull but wouldnt know about the southwind

[johnoSA]

hi Noelm, good points taken.Im after a boat with fishing room nd a half decent amount of room for a over nighter. After a fair bit of research i have found that these two rigs are most suited ton my requirements, i am also open to other options!To be honest i have only seen 1 of each in the flesh.
I have a budget $40k to $50K!!!

[gofishin]

Hi JohnoSA, are you the guy that PW replies to in the letters section of the current F&B? (Just remember the name as I used to fish with a guy here in Brissy with the same name.)

Send a PM to leezor and boatboy50, I think they both had southwinds, but not sure if they were 655's.
cheers
Brendon

[boatboy50]

Hey John,

Do a search here for Southwind SF20 or SF655. Both use the same hulls.

I've owned about 15 boats (up to 26ft), and driven too many to remember. The SF20 hull would rank amoungst one of the best hulls i've ever driven. Sporty, smooth, efficient and solidly built.

I can't rank the SF/SR20 or 655 highly enough. I have owned 2, and would buy another in a heartbeat.

The SF620 is ok, but not the best Haines ever.

Regards

Darren

[johnoSA]

Thanks Darren!! I have found a southern star 675sf, any good?

[johnoSA]

Cheers Brendon, na mate not the same bloke never been to Brissy, wouldnt mind though. Hey mate would you know much about the southern star 675 sf, have found one.Any good??

[surveyor]

hi johno sa southernstar 675 is the same boat as southwind sf 640 (plenty of review if googled) and lweis 675 have the mold now
cheers

[TunaKing2008]

i own a southwind sf655 great boat easily one of the best handling bluewater boats ive ever been in had her out in some nasty weather. my boat is powered by a 175hp saltwater series 2 engine which is perfect for it giving over 40knots in good condition. my boat is set up for gamefishing with reelax outriggers and reelax rod holders. for its size it would be very hard to beat. 2 big plumbed live bait tanks in the rear can hold 8-10 big slimeys in them. underfloor kill tank big enough for yft or sbt to 20kg. 250lt fuel tank and a self draining deck what else could you want on a boat like this. i tow it with a ford falcon station wagon (6 cylinder au series) and it does the job easily the other good thing is that the boat when your on the water gives off a bigger than 6.5m feel rides well in the chop and trolls beautifully in all kinds of weather. here is a link that i found when i was looking for info before i bought mine. my boat is the same model and year looks identical to the one in the pick minus the trailerboat sticker.
http://boatpoint.ninemsn.com.au/reviews/older-than-1999/sports-cruiser/southwind/southwind-sf655-sportsfisherman-8919