V19c Testimonial

Every time we talk about Haines hulls ol’ mate Dave Robinson bounces in by telling me that 19C’s were the best of the “Old School” bunch. Here’s what he had to say!

The good thing about the 19c’s is you enjoy the entire fishing trip, not just the ride to and from the grounds. It’s the perfect all-rounder for two people or a small family.

They are a rocket ship with a new lightweight 200HP four stroke. You can expect 85klm plus performance…. Or if you are a lunatic.. a 250HP Optimax power head will see over 105Klm WOT. (Sterndrive models had a max 180hp… rating, later model outboard models were 200HP max). A 150hp is enough power, but a 200hp turns them into a bucket of fun! They ride nearly as well as a V17L…. Without the hull rolling over when cornering. They are just a different beast than a V17L. It has a Less of a sports boat feel, however you feel like you are driving a battle ship in choppy conditions. The extra two feet of hull gives you a “big boat feel”. Excellent offshore capability with its 22 degree deep-V hull, 2.37 metre beam and just under 6 metre length.

I tried a few times to get them rocking, but the wife wasn’t up to it. That’s what makes the V19C so good… one week you are camping with the Mrs in a sheltered bay, and the next you can be 50 miles offshore trolling with the boys.

They are a great fishing platform and all that’s needed is a good bait board and you are off and racing. The V19C Haines Hunters are very stable in comparison to the V17L and have more weather protection than a V19R. They also offer great visibility, especially in comparison to a V19R with a wave breaker.

Dave hooked up to a large blue marlin but still telling us how much he loves his V19C’she’s had a couple!

I know I am going to upset the apple cart when I say this, but it always blew my mind to see pelicans buy a V19R, then spend over 20K on a wave breaker to get better weather protection… John Haines did it better by building the V19C. The steering position on a V19C is slightly further back, but I believe it makes the ride and vision from the helm feel is so much better.

Stability wise, the sterndrive version is even better at rest... but you do sacrifice a bit of deck space. The original Mercruiser 470 sterndrive’s were VERY fuel efficient, and you felt “locked in” by wedging yourself between the engine box and the side combing when fighting large fish. I feel that a V19C fitted with a new tech diesel would be a cracking good combo… however, probably not financially viable.

The major benefit is the full size cabin, with a full size V berth with bunk infill, toilet, small sink (20L fresh water manual pump) and cupboards on both sides- it is not just a day boat… you can comfortably do overnight trips to places like Lady Mulgrave island… In the outboard version, the additional deck space still allows for a good size mattress to fit on the back deck if additional sleeping space is required… or if you don’t want to share the V berth with your deck head. Alternatively, a large fishing esky can fit down the centre line of the boat with enough room for two burly fishermen to get around the boat.

Slightly less deck space than a V19R - approx 220mm less. Anchor locker is too shallow for below deck windlass fitment. Standard fuel capacity is lacking.

Most “Old School” V19C’s have undergone some terrific updates from the traditional layouts, many keen boaters still enjoy their great many attributes.

Old school boat of the year