Haines Suzuki releases lightweight 60

HAINES Suzuki yesterday released its new generation DF40A, DF50A, DF60A and DF8 and 9.9hp four-stroke outboards to a contingent of Australian and New Zealand marine media. The day also saw two new Haines Signature models on the water, the 602F and 543F.

All up, 34 different boats were on hand from the Haines Group and its various Suzuki aligned dealers, local builders and rescue organisations. The various brands highlighted included Signature, Traveller, Walker Bay and boats from manufacturers such as Allison Alloy, Anglapro, Ocean Max, AMM, and others.

The new generation Suzuki DF60A was the main focus of yesterday's launch. Weighing in at 104kg the new four-stroke outboard weighs 42 per cent lighter than its predecessor model. This also makes the new Suzuki the lightest four stroke in its class.

Some of the features of the DF60A include a Lean Burn Control system that at cruising speed (4500 -5000 RPM) offers a 53 per cent reduction in fuel consumption compared with the previous model. The lean Burn system, which has been used in cars for many years, uses a computer to find the perfect fuel/air ratio, resulting in claimed superior fuel economy.

The inline three-cylinder engine features a double overhead camshaft arrangement (DOHC), four valves per cylinder, a maintenance free timing chain, and multi-point sequential fuel injection. The notably compact four-stroke also features a new electronic Tilt Limit System which allows the user to pre-program the exact position where the engine is trimmed up – handy for boats fitted with bait boards, etc. Another new feature is Suzuki's Easy Start system for trouble free key starts.

John Haines Jnr presented an update on Hanies Suzuki's market position, news on the company's new facility, along with paying tribute to his late father, John Haines Snr, who passed away last year. Haines also emphasised the company's renewed focus on its boat building.

“Now that we've established Suzuki so well, our efforts are firmly focused on boat building,” said Haines.

'The past two years has been very difficult, but we've focused on growing the brand and increasing our spend on R&D and infrastructure. We increased spending and introduced the RIVALE process into more boats, ” he said.

“Rather than lay off more staff we put more people in R&D and we now have the lowest staff turnover in the past 24 years.”

The company has introduced a 10-year structural warranty on Haines Signatures, up from five years, and a two-year comprehensive warranty, something it says no other Australian boat company can match.

Part of yesterday's presentation included a rundown on “grey” imports. Haines Suzuki made very clear that imported engines are not covered by Australian standards, will come with no dealer back-up or warranty , and also raised the potential legal problems that would leave an individual liable if any injury occurred from a grey import.

“By doing this it's affecting everyone in the industry, there's no warranty and they're not covered by Australian standards,” said Greg Haines.

Stay tuned to the July issue of Marine Business for more on Haines Suzuki and take time to watch the DF60A demonstration video below.