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Boat Mod Transformation Full Boat Mod Video

Boat Mod Transformation – Upgrading My Old Haines Signature

If you’re into fishing, you know your boat is like your second home—and every now and then, it deserves a serious upgrade. I recently gave my old Haines Signature a full makeover, using a mix of quality products and services to boost comfort, performance, and style. This boat mod wasn’t just for show—it’s now better set up for fishing, filming, and full-day missions on the water.

📹 Watch the full transformation video below to see everything that went into this build.

Why I Decided to Upgrade the Haines
After years of solid use, my old Haines Signature had earned a facelift. Between long days on the water filming for YouTube, chasing snapper, or just testing new rigs, the boat was due for a proper upgrade—something more practical, more comfortable, and fully decked out to match the Reedy’s style.

The goal was simple: keep the layout clean, modernise the setup, and kit it out with gear that makes life easier on the water—whether I’m filming, fishing solo, or out with the crew.

So here’s what went into it:

✅ New boat covers & clears

✅ Custom side inserts

✅ Boat Catch system

✅ Upgraded captain’s seat

✅ Custom welding work

✅ Lowrance Sounder upgrade with transducers, radar & compass

✅ Fusion marine sound system + subwoofer

✅ Custom transom sign by Artist Designs

✅ Scanstrut wireless phone charger

✅ Custom snapper rod racks

✅ Rear boat signage

✅ Spotlights – front & back

✅ Artdeck custom flooring

The end result? A functional, reliable, and good-looking rig that’s ready for anything—from filming episodes to chasing big reds in the bay.

The First Upgrade – Custom Rocket Launcher by Steve’s Custom Welding

One of the first things I tackled in this boat mod journey was getting a proper rocket launcher made. If you’re unfamiliar, a rocket launcher is a stainless steel rod rack mounted to the top of the boat’s canopy or targa. It’s used to hold rods upright and out of the way, giving you more room in the boat while still keeping rods close and ready.

I needed a setup that could handle a stack of rod holders—because when I’m out chasing different species like snapper, gummies, whiting, and squid, I run a fair few rods at once. The rocket launcher keeps everything neat and accessible, and it also allows space to mount clears down the track, which I was planning to add later.

So I visited Steve’s Custom Welding in Carrum Downs. I asked for thicker-grade offshore stainless, and he delivered—no fuss. I dropped the boat off and two days later it was done. He did a fantastic job and the welds are spot on.

✅ Tip from Me:

Ask as many questions as you need, and have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your boat. It’ll save you time and help the welder get it bang-on first go.

📍 Steve’s Custom Welding – Contact Details:

Location: Carrum Downs
Phone: (03) 8582 2049

Snapper Racks & Rod Storage – Built by Ocean Accessories

The second bit of kit I added to the boat was a proper set of snapper racks. These are a must-have for any serious snapper angler in Victoria. A snapper rack runs along the gunnels of the boat and holds your rods while they’re actively fishing—when they’re baited, lines are out, and you're waiting for that big bend. It lets you fish with up to 8 rods at once, spreading your baits out and covering more ground.

I went to Ocean Accessories, and Zoran was awesome to deal with. He took the time to explain everything and worked with me to get the best setup for how I fish. Along with the snapper racks, he also built me a set of combing racks, which are designed to hold rods vertically while travelling—either in the boat or in the car—to stop them from getting damaged.

Just to break it down:

  • Snapper rack = Holds rods while you’re fishing

  • Rocket launcher = Holds rods when you’re drifting or underway

  • Combing rack = Holds rods secure during transport

Zoran absolutely nailed it. The finish was top-shelf, and it’s clear he takes pride in the final result. If you want something custom that’s built right, I’d highly recommend Ocean Accessories.

📍 Ocean Accessories Facebook

Radar Mount & Extras – Stainless Work by Jeremy

This is why it’s important to really think through what you want on your boat before diving in. Later down the track, I decided to add a radar system, which meant I needed a custom radar mount welded onto the rocket launcher.

To be honest, if I knew the full process and cost involved from the start, I probably wouldn’t have gone ahead with it. Once you get a radar, you also need a compass to run it properly, and after using it, I’m still not sure it’s something I actually needed—it’s a lot of money that might’ve been better spent elsewhere.

That said, I still wanted the job done right, so I called Jeremy. He’s my go-to when I need stainless work done fast and done well. He welded the radar mount cleanly, and while he was at it, he also mounted my Plaztek bait board to the transom. Like the other guys I’ve used, his work is top-notch and he’s always easy to deal with.

If you’re in a pinch or need quality stainless work, Jeremy is one of the best around.

📍 Jeremy Stainless – Contact Details:

Jeremy – Stainless Fabrication
Phone: 0458 115 005

Fusion Marine Stereo System – Fully Integrated with Lowrance

A big part of this boat upgrade was getting the audio setup dialled in. I went with a full Fusion marine stereo system, backed by two marine-grade amps, two 8-inch Kicker subwoofers, and four 6x9 Fusion speakers. It sounds unreal out on the water—clean, loud, and built to last.

Here’s the best part: the entire stereo is fully integrated into the NMEA 2000 network, so I can control everything directly through my Lowrance HDS PRO sounder. No need for extra remotes or head units—the whole system runs seamlessly through the sounder screen. Whether I’m adjusting volume, changing tracks, or switching sources, it’s all at my fingertips while fishing.

✅ Quick Tips:

  • Use marine-grade wiring from the start—it’ll save you fixing headaches later.

  • Wire it properly once and you won’t be pulling your hair out down the track.

  • We made a custom marine ply cabinet up the front of the boat to keep the amps and wiring protected from salt, spray, and weather.

If you spend long hours on the water, this is one upgrade that’s worth every cent—sound that performs, even at 30 knots.

Scanstrut ROKK Wireless Phone Charger – Locked & Loaded

Next up in the build was the Scanstrut ROKK wireless phone charger—and this little bit of kit is a game changer.

It locks your phone in place, even when it’s rough as guts out there. No cables, no sliding around the dash, no dramas—just solid, wireless charging that actually works in real-world conditions.

Whether I’m checking tides, filming, or running mapping apps on my phone, it stays secure and fully charged all day.

✅ Why I Rate It:

  • Holds tight in chop and swell

  • Charges wirelessly—no cords to mess around with

  • Always ready when you need it most

If you’re doing long sessions or filming like I do, it’s one of those small upgrades that makes a big difference.

Clears & Covers – Fitted by AVTEK Covers Cranbourne

The next upgrade was a set of clears and covers to help keep the weather out and make winter sessions way more comfortable.

Michael at AVTEK Covers in Cranbourne was extremely helpful from start to finish. He listened to what I needed, made a few suggestions, and absolutely nailed the job. The fit and finish are spot-on, and they’ve held up perfectly—even in rough conditions and bad weather.

✅ Why I Recommend AVTEK:

  • Great communication

  • Clean, tight workmanship

  • Fast turnaround

If you’re looking for clears or custom covers, Michael’s your man.

📍 AVTEK Covers – Contact Details:

Location: Cranbourne West
Phone: (03) 5995 2722
Website: https://avtekcovers.com.au

Windscreen Upgrade – Fitted by Plasview (Taylor Made Agent)

One of the last upgrades I did was replacing the old windscreen, and I went with the team at Plasview Windscreens. They’re the Australian agent for Taylor Made Systems (USA), so I knew I’d be getting something tough and reliable.

I went with a custom-fit Taylor Made windscreen, which is built using curved toughened glass and high-quality aluminium framing. It’s a proper step up from the standard gear—strong, sharp-looking, and designed to suit both fishing and cruising.

Plasview offers two main series:

  • The Vista Series – great for sports boats, with anodised or powder-coated finishes

  • The 7000 Series – perfect for fishing boats, using moulded acrylic/perspex panels and medium-weight aluminium framing

I was stoked with the job. The fit was spot-on and the finish ties in perfectly with the rest of the boat.

Custom Flooring – Artdeck by Artistic Signs (Rosebud)

The next big upgrade was the flooring, and for that I went with Artdeck, installed by Artistic Signs P/L in Rosebud.

Now this one—you’re best off watching the video. It honestly speaks for itself.

But just to give you an idea, it was way more than just slapping down some deck foam. The boys prepped everything properly, making sure the surface was clean, smooth, and ready to last. The finish is unreal—grippy when wet, easy to clean, and makes the whole boat feel next level.

They also did the custom sign on the back of the boat, tying everything together with a clean, professional look.

📍 Artistic Signs P/L – Contact Details:

Location: Rosebud, VIC
Phone: (03) 5902 9381

If you’re looking for flooring that looks the part and is built to handle fishing, filming, and family time—these guys have you covered.

Plaztek Bait Board – 2 Drawer + Bait Defrost Bin Setup

The last piece of the puzzle for my boat mod was a proper bait board setup—and I went with the Plaztek 2 Drawer Bait Board with a built-in Bait Defrost Bin.

It’s an absolute weapon. The finish is unreal and it’s got everything I need at my fingertips—drawers for tackle, knives, bait, scissors, and a dedicated bin to defrost bait on the go. It’s made from high-quality Plaztek material, so it’s lightweight, tough as nails, and easy to keep clean after a full session on the water.

This bait board ties the whole deck layout together and keeps the workstation organised while I’m fishing or filming.

If you’re chasing a bait board that’s more than just a slab of plastic—this is the one.

🎥 Watch the Full Boat Mod Video

Take a look at the full transformation of my old Haines Signature—from stainless upgrades to flooring, electronics, sound system, and more. This video runs through every step of the build, the gear I used, and the local legends who helped make it happen.

More From the Build

As part of this transformation, I also upgraded the outboard to a brand new Mercury 150HP FourStroke. If you're curious about performance, fuel economy, and how it changed the ride — check out the full review here:

👉 Mercury 150HP FourStroke Review

Planning Your Own Setup?

Don’t forget to use the Reedy’s Bite Guide™ — a free tool to help you time your trips, understand tides, and plan your next fishing mission.

🎣 Launch the Bite Guide™ here