Haines signature or barcrusher

[Sparky89]

Hi guys
I'm in the market for an all-round boat, something for dams, estuarys and inshore reef work, something i can take the misses and kids out in.
I'm open to suggestions but i've been looking at the haines signature 485sf and 543sf models aswell as the bar crusher 535xs in side or centre console.
Would anyone have any info on these models??? Cheers

[shakey55]

Can’t help you with those boats, but have a look at the Seafarer V-Sea (5 metre) fits into the category of what you are looking for.

http://seafarerboats.com/models/v-sea/

[ranmar850]

Argue with me here if you like, but the M&K probably won't like a CC. I speak from experience. How big are the kids? Mum will be worried about them falling over the side /getting sunburnt. And Barcrushers are hard-riding, noisy things. So unless they are already acclimatised to a tinny CC, you may put them off boating. If they are small, with even a small cuddy cab like the others you are talking about, they have somewhere to get out of the sun/have a sleep.
If this really is just a boy's fishing rig, and the family is only on occasionally, you can probably disregard.

[Jsmfun]

If you have small kids look up a Yatango 535 allrounder

[Andy56]

Compare the two boats yourself and the Signature wins, HANDS DOWN. High gunnels, sweet ride, max passengers allowed, pride on display. The Barcrusher is a dedicated fishing boat. Nothing more to say.

[jclay1773]

Go the signature, much nicer boat for the family and will still be a good fishing rig

[DaveR]

Buying a BC as a family boat is a bit like buying a Land Rover Defender as a family car. Your mates will love it but family won't be having a bar of it, no pun intended.

[BOBOAU]

Look at Bonito... ;)

[Ducksnutz]

I’ve owned both albeit different sizes to what you’re looking at.

The 560c crusher and a 632f signature. Both were great but as always there is compromise.

My kids were young when I had the barcrusher and to be honest, kids don’t care about ride,dryness etc..bla,bla,bla. They cared if we were going to tangalooma wrecks on the weekend!

As I got a little older, the appreciation of the ride in a glass boat became more important and honestly I would not go back.

Both are great Aussie boat builders and whatever you choose, enjoy it!