Quintrex 420 Busta 2024 review

Quintrex has an enormous range of alloy tinnies and open boats with configurations ranging from tiller-steer through to side console, centre console, and even rear console.

Entry models that are designed to accept a tiller-steer outboard start at 3.10m with the 310 Dart car topper, and range up to the 20ft long 600 Fish Seeker open boat.

The most popular of the heavy-duty (non cartopper) models is unquestionably the 420 Busta, followed closely by its larger 440 Busta sibling.

Importantly, the 420 Busta is also now the smallest, cheapest Quintrex you can buy that is equipped with the smooth riding, variable deadrise Quintrex Blade hull.

The Busta also now has smooth, plate-look alloy topsides in place of the clinker-panelled finish of earlier Busta models.

For this review, we secured a standard, non-painted 420 Busta, paired with the maximum power Mercury 50hp longshaft four-stroke electric-start outboard.

The 420 Busta will work pretty well with outboard engines down to about 30hp, but as a mid-range starting point, I’d be fitting a 40hp outboard.

To that end, rigged with a manual-start Mercury 40hp longshaft outboard and a Quintrex alloy trailer, Tweed Coast Marine has 420 Busta packages starting at $18,990.

This package also includes an inshore safety gear pack as well as 12 months boat and trailer registrations.

Our test boat was optioned with the larger Mercury 50hp motor with electric-start and power trim and tilt.

With the required extra rigging, battery, battery box, etc., the as-tested package price rises to $23,990.

There were no factory options on the test boat package, but you can order the boat with hull paint or a vinyl hull wrap, and with an overhead bimini cover.

With regard to standard features, the 420 Busta is nicely appointed.

In addition to the highlight features such as the low-floor, casting deck and rear seat thwart, the 420 Busta comes with transom transducer bracket, bow and stern rails, solid transom corners, nylon anchor storage bin, double-towing eye, rear boarding step, and a large plastic drain bung.

The 420 Busta is 4.29m long and has a maximum beam of 2.09m.

The bare hull weighs 253kg. Rigged with the Mercury 50hp four-stroke electric start outboard, battery and Quintrex trailer, I expect the package to weigh in the vicinity of 550kg – 650kg.

The latest 420 Busta is sturdier than its predecessor. The hull, transom and topsides are all now made using 3mm thick marine grade aluminium.

The exterior alloy sheeting is reinforced with an internal cross-rib structure, a full length keel, solid transom corners, and a full-width, welded transom seat thwart.

The transom has bracing struts and gussets to counter the weight and thrust of a single longshaft outboard engine to a maximum of 50hp outboard – or 130kg in weight.

The aft seat thwart and underfloor spaces are filled with sufficient foam-buoyancy to meet Australia’s Basic flotation standard.

The 420 Busta is fitted with the renowned Quintrex Blade hull which has a variable deadrise to provide a smooth ride coupled with excellent stability.

The 420 Busta is a classic vee-bottom alloy open tinnie, complete with high topsides and enough interior freeboard to run safely on choppy bays and harbours.

Unlike traditional, bare-bones alloy tinnies, however, the 420 Busta comes standard with an elevated, carpeted front casting deck, and with a low floor stretching between the front deck and the stern seat thwart.

Beneath the front deck there is a large storage space with a carpeted false-floor.

Gear stowed in this compartment can still get wet - but the slightly raised secondary floor should keep your stuff away from any water sloshing back and forth underneath.

Further forward is a reinforced foredeck with a nylon anchorwell bin, welded tie-off cleat, and a pair of bow rails.

The centre cockpit area is long and deep. The flat, carpeted plywood floor is grippy underfoot, and allows you to walk about safely.

Welded side pockets provide storage space for deck lines, fenders and fishing tackle.

Behind the full width thwart bench seat there is a battery storage rack on the starboard side, and a fuel tank rack/pad over to port.

One gripe I have with the transom layout is that the external grab/carry handles are located inboard next to the outboard well – rather than out on each of the transom corners.

The 420 Busta is, arguably, the softest riding boat in its class. The Busta’s variable deadrise Quintrex Blade hull is a cut (pun intended) above the rest, as it delivers a superior ride in choppy bay waters.

The Busta is also stable at rest, dry in blustery conditions, and generally well mannered.

Paired with the maximum power Mercury 50hp four-stroke motor, and the Busta is also decently quick, accelerating briskly to a top speed of 27.5 knots (50.9 km/h).

That said the Busta does run best with two or more people onboard when fitted with the maximum power and/or maximum weight engine.

When lightly laden, and with only the skipper seated aft (next to the big engine and heavy battery), the Busta will squat in the rear when accelerating onto the plane.

All small boats will do this of course – so the key here is to balance the boat better by putting more weight (people, gear, anchor, cooler box) up forward.

With the 420 Busta, I would also consider fitting a smaller, lighter 40hp outboard motor. This would save you a few bob – and take some weight off the transom.

The Quintrex 420 Busta is a terrific open tinnie and bay/harbour fishing boat. This budget boat package ticks all the boxes for boating newcomers, families and retirees.

The 420 Busta is big and comfortable enough to fish choppy inshore waters, yet small enough to handle on your own - and to stow at home in a garage or carport.

Model: Quintrex 420 Busta
Hull length: 4.21m
Beam: 2.09m
Hull weight: 253kg
Towing weight: 600kg (approx)
Bottom & transom alloy: 3.0mm
Topsides alloy: 3.0mm
Maximum power: 50hp longshaft (20”)
Maximum motor weight: 130kg
Engine as tested: Mercury 50hp four-stroke, electric-start, power trim/tilt
Fuel: 24L portable
Passengers: 4
Price from: $18,990 for an unpainted boat with a Mercury 40hp longshaft (20”) manual-start four-stroke outboard, a Quintrex single axle aluminium trailer (no brakes), inshore safety gear pack, and 12 month’s hull and trailer registrations.
Price as tested: $23,990. As above but with Mercury 50hp longshaft (20”) four-stroke outboard with electric-start and power-tilt with accompanying rigging, battery and battery box.
Supplied by: Tweed Coast Marine