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REVIEW
Quintrex 420 Hornet Trophy
Class-leading performance, lots of fishing kit and superior resale valueLIKES
- Soft, dry variable-deadrise hull
- Undersides of hatches all carpeted
- Roto-moulded storage bins and live-bait tank
- Solid build quality
- Wide beam for increased deck space and stability
NOT SO MUCH
- Vortex motor low-tech and unsophisticated – but keeps cost down
- No stern cleats or cockpit side pockets
OVERVIEW
- Quintrex Hornet range expands to nine models
Earlier this year, Quintrex announced major changes to its full model line-up and the release of several new models.
Among the new boats is the 420 Hornet Trophy, a deluxe-outfitted bream-, bass- and barra-style boat that should now be available at Quintrex dealers throughout Australia.
The 420 Hornet Trophy slots in between the entry 400 model and the 440 series boat. It is only marginally bigger than the 400, but has the wide beam and increased hull depth of the 440 series boat.
As you would expect, the 420 Hornet is relatively light in weight, easy to handle single-handed and will fit comfortably in the average suburban garage.
With the addition of the 420 Trophy there are now nine models in the Hornet range. They include the basic two-thwart, tiller-steer 400, 420 and 440 standard Hornets; the up-spec 400, 420 and 440 Hornet Trophy boats; and the F450, F481 and F500 deluxe side-console models.
PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Well equipped and lots of options
The Quintrex Hornets are the most popular and desirable boats in their class and they are priced accordingly. That said, you do get a lot of good gear and equipment included in the standard package, particularly with the Trophy models.
For example, the test boat’s Lowrance Mark-5X fishfinder and transducer-mounting bracket is included in the Trophy package.
There are many other standard features too – such as full carpet to the interior, bow and stern casting decks, an array of roto-moulded storage bins, bow and stern rails, extruded side decks (for easy install of rod holders, downrigger brackets, etc), two rod holders, bow roller and foredeck cleat, plumbed live-bait tank, and two lift-out/fold-down seats with five seat positions scattered around the boat.
You also get the key feature of the Hornets, the ultra-soft riding, remarkably stable Eclipse V-Flare hull bottom. The latter is an update of the variable-deadrise, concave hull bottom that has been envied by competitor brands for many years.
Fitted with a Vortex 40hp two-stroke, electric start, manual-tilt outboard, a single-axle Quintrex (unbraked) trailer, along with registrations and safety gear, the 420 Hornet Trophy BMT package was priced from $17,600 at Brisbane’s Springwood Marine.
The boat we tested had just one option: a vinyl hull-graphics wrap. This increases the cost a fair bit to $19,380.
Custom vinyl wraps are popular at present – but do you need one? Definitely not; I believe you would be better served with the addition of some of the other options – such as an electric trolling motor and bow-mounting platform.
As you would expect there are plenty of other options as well. Some of these include a bimini and storage envelope, extra storage bins, a large casting-deck live well, electronics including a stereo, marine radio and upgraded fishfinders, extra rod holders, a full side-console helm position (in place of the tiller-steer layout), along with an upgrade to an Evinrude E-Tec outboard engine.
INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Wide beam for more deck space, greater stability
There are no surprises with the layout of the 420 Hornet Trophy. Like most craft in this class, the interior has elevated bow and stern casting platforms separated by a lower, centre floor section. It works well for two or three anglers.
The floors in the 420 Hornet are made from plywood, but carpeted throughout. The bow platform has three storage areas including two lockers in the forepeak. One is for the anchor and the other is for general storage – or to hold a battery should you opt for a bow-mount electric trolling motor.
A large, roto-moulded plastic storage bin in the centre of the platform is the ideal spot for stowing lifejackets, flares, etc.
Commendably, all hatches are carpeted on both sides. The anchor locker also has a carpeted false-floor so the anchor does not rattle about.
On the bow, you’ll find a bow roller and guide and a cleat to tie-off the anchor or deck-line.
A single pedestal seat floor socket is situated on the casting platform and is designed to accept one of the two standard folding seats or the optional “lean” seat.
The centre cockpit area has additional seat sockets in the floor for moving the chairs about, along with another roto-moulded storage bin that doubles as a small ice box.
Moving further aft, the rear platform houses a plumbed live-bait tank on the port side, master battery in the centre and a 25L portable fuel tank to starboard.
A pipe-bracket for the helm chair is welded to the front face of the platform and the included Lowrance Mark-5X fishfinder is conveniently located an arm’s length away on the starboard side coaming.
From the helm chair, the outboard’s tiller arm and throttle is within an easy reach so I would expect you could run the boat quite some distance without getting tired.
Other features include rear coaming rails and transom corner carry/drag handles.
ON THE WATER
- Class-leading performance
The Eclipse V-Flare hull is an evolution of the flared, concave, variable-deadrise hull that has been the leading feature of Quintrex Hornets for many years. The hull has been tweaked and perfected with successive models and this is reflected in the excellent performance of the 420 Hornet Trophy.
The reasonably wide beam and reverse chines in the hull guarantee good stability in this craft, and the knife-like entry-point at the bow makes for a comfortable ride in choppy water.
The Eclipse V-Flare really is an excellent hull; a far cry from the crude, hard-riding, virtually flat-bottomed hulls of the early 1980s V-nose boats.
As noted, the Hornet’s stability at rest and underway is terrific and, with the engine drive-leg tucked in a tad, the boat turns on a dime without cavitation.
The test boat was packaged with a Chinese-made Vortex 40hp two-stroke outboard engine – and while it is hardly the latest in high-tech outboards, it will do the job for those on a budget.
Frankly, if it was my boat I would forego the custom vinyl wrap in favour of a more sophisticated, direct fuel injected Evinrude E-Tec 40hp outboard – which is a listed Quintrex option for the test boat.
With regard to the amount of power, 40hp is about spot on. The hull is rated to 50hp – but 40hp will be sufficient for most applications. The test rig accelerated strongly and the top speed attained was 26.1 knots.
VERDICT
- Another winner from Quintrex
The Quintrex 420 Hornet Trophy is a very well sorted, well equipped, quality product. Bream, bass and barra anglers will love the ride, performance and stability of the hull, and appreciate the spacious, uncluttered interior layout.
Hornets do command a price premium over competitor brands, but for the extra dollars you get class-leading performance, lots of standard kit, and solid re-sale value as evidenced with our listings.
Specifications:
Price as tested: $19,380 including Vortex 40hp two-stroke outboard, Quintrex single axle aluminium trailer, custom vinyl hull wrap, registrations and on-water costs.
Priced from: $17,600 with 40hp Vortex outboard, Quintrex trailer, registrations and on-water costs.
Length overall: 4.49m
Hull length: 4.25m
Beam: 1.98m
Depth: 910mmm
Deadrise: Variable
Hull weight: 295kg
Towing weight: Approx. 480kg
Length on trailer: 5.45m
Height on trailer: 1.27m
Bottom alloy: 3mm
Topside alloy: 3mm
Maximum power: 50hp
Maximum engine weight: 120kg
Engine as tested: Vortex 40hp two-stroke
Fuel: Portable tanks
Maximum Persons: Five (Basic Flotation)
Supplied by:
Springwood Marine
3366 Pacific Highway, Springwood QLD 4127
Phone: (07) 3297 8200.
Website: www.springwoodmarine.com.au
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Written byJeff Webster
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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