Discovering your passion early in life is a gift, and if you can turn that into your job, it is a dream outcome. For John Haber, that is exactly the scenario, with his passion being fishing. John said he started going fishing as a young kid. ‘I used to go to a place just under the Westgate Bridge in Williamstown, and fish off the rocks for bream. I think that’s what really got me into the sport of fishing.’
After that, John had a friend who had a boat, so from then on it was a full-blown love affair. So much so, that he bought his first boat before he bought his first car. ‘The boat was a 5m Nova, and as I couldn’t tow it, my dad towed it around for me and I’d go fishing,’ says John. ‘I mostly fished in Port Phillip Bay, doing the snapper season and chasing whiting and squid. I have such great memories. It is amazing how many friends you make when you’ve got a boat!’
Dream buy
Fast forward a few years, and John bought a new boat, one that would set him on the path to his destiny. ‘When I was 20 or 21, I sold that Nova, and as I was in a fairly good job at the time, I saved enough money to buy a new one. I remember going to the boat show and, funnily enough, I didn’t actually consider a Haines Hunter because I thought maybe they were out of my price range. After the boat show I saw a story on the Haines Hunter 560F in a magazine and went to Gales Marine and bought one!’
The owner of Gales Marine at the time, Neil Gale, asked John if he would be happy to help out at the Melbourne Boat Show. Neil thought John would be great to answer potential buyers’ questions as he had done so much research on the brand and comparisons with other boats. John worked on the stand for many years.
As life moved on, John married and started a family. They later sold the boat as the home they moved into had no space for storage. Eventually, he was doing well enough in his own business to buy another Haines Hunter. ‘I decided to buy a 680 Patriot, known at the time as the 680 Encore,’ he says.
Dream job
A few months after taking delivery of the 680, the company that owned Haines Hunter and 11 other boatbuilding brands went into voluntary liquidation. John rang the factory to ask about warranty and was told the brand would survive. After speaking with his wife and flying to Queensland to inspect the manufacturing side of the business, he decided to put his hand up. John and his wife had the winning bid, and Haines Hunter was theirs.
Founded by the Haines family in 1966, the brand has now been part of John’s life for 26 years. ‘Haines Hunter has been consistently building good quality boats over a long period of time,’ he says. After taking over the business, the focus was on stabilising the brand, refining the model mix and investing heavily in research and development.
John established a purpose-built 3500sqm facility in Melbourne and relocated the operation from Queensland. Supported by a close-knit team, he introduced several innovations, including the Breeze range – a no-frills, solidly built boat designed to make ownership more accessible. ‘It should be a breeze to buy a Haines Hunter,’ he explains.
Dream boat
Attention then turned to developing more fisherman-friendly models, including updates to the 680 Patriot and the launch of the new 620 Patriot, which forms part of the 600 series. Described as the ultimate crossover walkaround, the 620 is easy to tow while remaining capable offshore and suited to multi-day adventures thanks to its long-range fuel tank.
Accommodation is a key feature, with space in the cabin for two. Fishing functionality has been enhanced with a new T-top arrangement and a helm designed to accommodate large-format electronics. Integrated storage solutions are built into the hull to keep the cockpit practical and uncluttered.
The 620 Patriot allows anglers to move confidently around the entire boat, casting and working structure from any angle. This versatility enables it to perform equally well offshore, inshore and on rivers, all in one platform.
Dream on
Despite challenges along the way, including a recent factory fire, the future remains bright. The business was back up and running within weeks. ‘We’re definitely back on track,’ says John. ‘That’s a tribute to the team.’
John remains deeply passionate about fishing. ‘I go fishing most weekends,’ he says. ‘Going out in the boat is a great way to meet up with your mates, clear out the cobwebs and enjoy life.’ With four daughters who also love fishing, some of his greatest moments are spent on the water together, creating memories to last a lifetime.
By Helen Hayes
Visit haineshunter.com.au.