FREEDOM AND CONVENIENCE... Adventure Awaits
When invited to join the Haines Hunter team to experience the OP725 Overlander, I didn’t hesitate—especially when the plan was to circumnavigate Waiheke Island (a 100 nautical mile adventure, 185 kms), stopping for lunch at the impressive beachside Man ‘O’ War Restaurant and Vineyard. It was the perfect opportunity to use the boat for its intended purpose – adventure.
The Haines Hunter OP725 Overlander is the company’s first foray into the amphibious market, merging its premium, award-winning Sport Pursuit 725 (SP725) model with Anura’s proven S25 electric- over-hydraulic amphibious technology.
Built on Haines Hunter’s flagship SP 725 platform, the OP725 (with OP standing for Overlander Pursuit) positions itself as a high-end, production amphibious vessel. From the moment you step aboard, the refined craftsmanship and premium fit-out of the top-of-the- line SP725 are evident.
Even with the wheels down, accessing the stern is easy either side of the motor and finally onto the roomy boarding platform. Moving through the transom, you step over the hatch, which tidily houses the Anura electric-over-hydraulic pumps, hydraulic reservoir, and motor controlling the wheels.
Stepping into the UDEK-covered cockpit, it’s clear this boat is set up for serious fishing. It features six rod holders in the coamings, another six in the folding rocket launcher, and collapsible Haines Hunter factory game poles on either side. Additional rod storage is built into the side trays, featuring built-in steps for easier access to the side decks, offering access to the foredeck. Up on the foredeck, you’ll find a Viper drum winch and a split bow rail for easier boarding from the bow. Also added for the fisho, a live bait tank in the port transom, a starboard transom sink with 40 litres of fresh water, and optional hot water for overnighting and showering. A canvas backdrop provides additional weather protection and privacy when overnighting.
There’s comfortable seating for six, including the removable rear fish bins. If I had to request one extra, it would be a sliding seat with a bolster for the skipper, I’m getting fussy now, though. The interior is tastefully finished in Haines Hunter’s signature teak, with black vinyl-trimmed upholstery. A freezer sits under the queen seat to port, which can be easily adjusted to fridge temperature if desired. The starboard queen seat houses the 48V 60Ah lithium-ion batteries for
the Anura system. Throughout the cabin and cockpit, there are ample grab rails for safety and floodlights for early morning or evening outings.
At the helm, visibility is excellent, and the electronics setup ticks all the boxes. The Simrad NSS16 Evo3 displays the front wheel position when in land mode. The Overlander is also equipped with C-Zone digital switching and a convenient external C-Zone keyboard in the cockpit. The amphibious control joystick and display are within easy reach, along with the Yamaha Helm Master autohelm joystick. Overhead, a Uniden VHF radio and Fusion stereo system are neatly integrated into the newly designed hardtop. The upholstered dash with a windscreen demisting system is a nice standard feature – perfect for early winter morning adventures.
Thanks to the side windows and hatch, the cabin is naturally well-lit. Inside, you’ll find a generously sized V-berth, suitable for two adults or a cosy three, with the infill added. There’s ample storage under the bunks and in the side pockets. The enclosed head is a welcome addition, especially for those who appreciate privacy. Opposite, under a seating squab, is a twin- burner LPG cooker with a vented gas locker.
At just under 3.5 tons (including the trailer), the Overlander can be easily towed by a suitable vehicle. A recent road tour around New Zealand demonstrated just how transportable this vessel is.
AMPHIBIOUS INNOVATION
Adding an extra 600kg of Anura S25 amphibious workings to transform the SP725 into an amphibious vessel wasn’t just a matter of bolting on wheels, hydraulics, and electrics. The hull had to be engineered to withstand weight distribution across three external points. Structural reinforcing included the addition of carbon fibre to the hull and high-load areas to ensure strength without excessive weight gain. The Anura and Haines Hunter teams worked closely to make this integration seamless. Within the cabin, there is little visible evidence of the amphibious workings, as hydraulic hoses and electrical cables are neatly concealed within conduits in the lower side pockets.
The Overlander’s three-wheel-drive system allows it to travel on land at speeds of up to 9 kph. The quiet, user-friendly 48V Anura system offers up to 1.5 hours of runtime. By my calculations, that equates to an impressive 13.5 km of land travel. We tested the Overlander on loose sandy terrain of Garden Cove, which the Overlander handled effortlessly, with no sign of wheel spin.
PERFORMANCE
Haines Hunter’s long-standing motto, “The secret is in the ride,” has stood the test of time. Having experienced the SP725, I expected a similar ride from the Overlander, and I wasn’t disappointed. Despite the additional weight of the amphibious gear and extra batteries, the balanced 21-degree hull maintained a smooth, dry ride. Our day on the water was relatively calm, but the Overlander proved its seaworthiness as we passed through the notoriously choppy Motuihe Channel. While the Overlander is fitted with Lectrotab trim tabs, we barely needed them.
Approaching the beach was a breeze. The Overlander climbed ashore effortlessly as we pulled up to our lunch stop at Man ‘O’ War Restaurant and Vineyard (which, by the way, is a must visit if you are in the area – by road or sea). Departing, I was impressed by the Anura system’s tight turning lock.
With six people onboard and a full 240 litres of fuel, the Overlander, powered by a Yamaha 4.2-litre V6 350hp, had power to spare. At 6000rpm WOT, we reached a top speed of 40.8 knots. Under lighter loads, speeds of 44+ knots have been recorded.
At a cruising speed of 23 knots, running at 4000rpm, fuel consumption was 42.9 litres per hour. At this pace, the Overlander had a range of 129 nautical miles. There is also the option to fit a 250 or 300-hp engine.
SUMMARY
The Haines Hunter Overlander OP725 is an exciting fusion of marine and amphibious technology. This exceptionally well- handling 7.5-meter hardtop combines high-performance marine capabilities with seamless land mobility, offering versatility.
Its 21° deep-V hull ensures a dry, stable ride, making it suitable for everything from game fishing to leisure cruising. By eliminating the hassle of trailer boating, the OP725 extends a boatie’s active years on the water and enables solo adventures when the fish are biting but the mates are stuck at work. With the Overlander only released in March 2024 and eight units delivered before Christmas, demand is already strong – and now I know why!
SPECIFICATIONS
Make Haines Hunter
Model Overlander OP725
Priced from $461,998
Priced as tested $527,742
Hull Length 7.25m
LOA 8.5m Motor Down
Beam 2.5m
Height on wheels 3.0m
Max passengers 9
Engine range 250-350hp
Fuel capacity 240L
Wheel system Anura S25
PERFORMANCE DATA
RPM KNOTS LPH RANGE
500 2 2.6 185
1500 5.3 8.8 145
3500 13.1 38.9 81
5000 32.6 68.9 114
6000 40.1 129.5 74
