From the classifieds: Quintrex 390F Explorer
One of the cheapest ways onto the water is via a tinnie such as the Quintrex 390 ExplorerThe iconic Quintrex Explorer range has been around since the 1990s, so the fact it is still around today is testament to how they’ve grown on anglers seeking good, cheap boat.
Over time, the Explorer has also proven itself time and time again as a tender, and even a car topper.
They’re versatile, too, able to fish bays when conditions suit, and small enough to venture up creeks to find untapped waters.
Older boats feature a traditional tinnie bow, but in 2015 the Explorer range underwent a complete makeover to feature a more punt-like pickle fork bow.
This allowed Quintrex to build the bow as a stable casting platform, as well as increase storage space in the Explorer’s limited length.
But there were other improvements. Chief among them were wider chines running high and forward to the flattest part of the bow, and higher topsides providing more internal freeboard. The new, flatter flared bow was also better at keeping spray out of the boat, improving the comfort of anyone seated inside it.
The 2015-on Quintrex Explorer range came standard with front and rear bench seats, with more feature-trich Trophy series boats adding casting platforms, relocatable pedestal seats, carpet and rod holders.
The big seller among the Quintrex Explorer range has always been the 390F.
When new, the Quintrex 390F Explorer was available for just over $10,000 fitted with a 25hp Evinrude E-TEC DFI two-stroke longshaft outboard engine and sitting on a Quintrex gavanised steel trailer.
If you’re hunting around now for a good used example, chase one of the Outback models. These were the range-toppers of the 390F line, and owners usually dipped a bit deeper into their pockets to gain a more user-friendly package.
Options to watch out for are the 30hp Evinrude upgrade, a carpeted centre section, battery holders built into the transom, and a trolling motor mount fitted to the bow.
Some boats may also have upgraded to the thicker 2mm hull plate, compared with the default 1.6mm.
Look to see what solutions previous owners have had to the unlined anchor well. A strip of carpet is sometimes al that is needed to calm things down.
This one listed on boatsales.com.au for $7500 is set up as a nice, easy-to-use fishing rig, and includes an electric-start 30hp Suzuki two-stroke outboard engine with very low running hours, and a Garmin GPS fishfinder.
Someone will be getting themselves a bargain.
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