The Captain jumps aboard the toughest, meanest V19 he’s ever seen.
The Captain has skippered everything from a 3.8m Polycraft to a 50ft flybridge, and has come to the conclusion that his ideal all-purpose rig is around the 19ft mark, or just shy of 6m. Fortunately, he’s spoilt for choice around this length. There’s the easy-on-the eye Edencraft, the built-like-a-brick-shithouse Bass Strait, and boats like the Seafarer Vagabond, CruiseCraft 595 and tasty 2000 Tournament. Missing is a good glass console around the 6m mark. Enter Jesse Hayman. He runs a successful plumbing business south of Sydney. [Captain’s note: It appears plumbers own all the best rigs on the water. Had The Captain known this earlier, he would surely have traded the quill for a dunny brush.]
When the blue overalls come off and the weekend warrior emerges, Jesse can be found down-rigging and casting from the front deck – usually all at once, with three mates on board.
NORTHERN INSPIRATION
Jesse found the inspiration for the console when he stumbled across a professional trout operation up north. They were running big horsepower engines in stripped-out V19 and V17 configurations. Jesse decided he needed one, eventually tracking down a model in Townsville, Queensland. It was half-built, with three rotted-out floors, and he paid too much for it, but he’s in good company there. The only problem was convincing his wife, who insisted Jesse sell his 5.2m Stacer. He agreed, then dragged out his 3.8m tinnie and went down-rigging around the rocky shoreline for the next few years while his mates got among marlin and tuna out wide.
Jesse doesn’t claim to be a boat builder – although he got good technical support from one – but smacking around 1.5m waves off Shell Harbour in his V19CC, you’d think this baby sat in the commercial class. The stringers have been extended and widened, the transom raised to 25 inches and the side-walls have double layers of glass. When asked about the contentious issue of under-floor foam, Jessie says, “I didn’t have the confidence in foam using my own skills – it’s a real recipe for disaster. I consulted many professionals and tried to stay off the internet. I didn’t want to plan out my weekend only to be put off by a comment on Facebook.”
FLOAT MY BOAT
In the event his V19CC gets knocked over by a wave, Jesse says a bit of foam will only marginally slow the sinking process. However, he has built watertight fibreglass compartments in the front cavities to give himself time to save the Tiagras. After a bit of testing, Jesse laid SeaDek on the floor and insides. He reckons the reduction in acoustics is amazing and the comfort levels are like sheepskin slippers on plush pile carpet. It’s also ideal for grip underfoot when leadering fish at the side of the boat. The Captain agrees, and this is now high on the shopping list for the fossilised fourfie – The Captain’s 445F project boat, Nub Tub.
Jesse added a casting deck for his ink-loving mate, Ronnie. When brought aboard, the squid are placed into one of the bait tanks either side of the transom one for squid, one for slimies. Other practical features include a box for seat and storage, a slick T-Top inspired by the Yank rigs, but built locally then powder-coated black. Steel plates sit under the feat of the T-top – there ain’t no vibes here. The big rod storage rack holds four 80W Tiagras low behind the helm seat. It’s all designed to keep weight low down for stability. There is Reelax gear everywhere. Jesse loves the action of the big poles, while 60kg rod holders are designed to put the brakes on 200kg-plus blues.
SAY HELLO TO 300 PONIES
His favourite part of the rig is the 4.2L 300HP Yamaha. Editors of magazines designed in the ’70s can take a Bex and lie down now, because this transom has been rated to 265kg. At trolling speeds (6-7 knots), Jesse says he’s using 9-10L per hour at 1700RPM. “The engine is barely working and this plays in my favour, giving a nice clear wash. On the downside, it’s a bit quick for down-rigging.”
He reckons you forget it’s there when trolling, but when you open it up and strut past 3000RPM, the big V6 reminds everyone on board that this boat is an animal. Cruise speed is 35 knots using 25-27L per hour, and top speed is 52 knots with a 20-inch prop. Jesse says the Yammie was the crowning glory. “It made the boat.” Supplying the glorious Yamaha is a 300L tank, moved as far forward as possible. To fit it, Jesse raised the floor to chine level, which also helped stiffen up the hull. The batteries sit further forward again, creating the perfect footprint for a classic V19 ride, with supreme stability for jigging.
SPONSORED PROS STEP OFF
When it came to electronics, Jesse didn’t listen to anyone who got their electronics for free. He went with Raymarine because of their good reputation and solid back-up service. A B175 through-hull tranny sits in the floor, feeding into a CP470 head unit. He’s marked kingies inshore and marlin offshore – and he rates his best fish a big dolly at 22kg. It flapped like a madwoman on board and he’s still wiping the blood from under the console and gunwales. He also snaffled two black marlin on New Year’s Day. Solid.
Setting off Jesse’s rig is a black-paint-overgal Easytow trailer. Sales manager Peter Taranto worked closely with Jesse to create a maintenance-free, smooth-touring rig, where strength was more important than weight considerations.
ORIGINS OF THE V19
The V19R and C models were hugely successful for the Haines brothers, kicking off in the 1960s. Their lines were borrowed from a Bertram 19, then branded Haines Hunters, “Haines” being the family name and “Hunt” attributed to the original designer, C. Raymond Hunt. The V19s proved a winner on the showroom floor as well as the waterski racing circuit, the petrol-head Haines brothers (John and Garry) bringing home the bacon in numerous races including the 1965 Sydney to Newcastle, in a boat named “Bertram 19” and the Port Phillip 100 in 1966 in a boat known as “Haines Hunter”. Both had twin Merc towers of power. Another Haines V19 that went on a winning streak went by the name of “Coal Truck”. She featured a big block. V19s are still winning as project boat pinups, often fitted with tough-as-fug wave-breakers then occasionally feminised with garish stickers and stainless overkill, but they’re a favorite for fishos due to huge deck space and tow-abilty behind the family car. The Captain’s crew has ridden in plenty of original models as well as a shed-load of offspring and can safely say it’s one of the most predictable, best behaved hull shapes around.
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