Quintrex 430 Fishabout

This is a small boat for small money and it will get the beginner fishing and the retiree relaxing.

The options department is chock-a-block of goodies should you wish to dress up this little package even further. As it sits on the trailer it is almost a ‘bare bones’ boat so there is plenty of room to move if you're thinking of upgrading.

The small power head on the 40hp Evinrude ETEC occupies only a little of the engine well that has been contoured in two levels -- the engine being on the lower. On each side in the well is a large flat area that will come in handy for the fisher or anyone else wanting to stow gear to free up valuable cockpit deck space. The first thing that comes to mind is one of the many aftermarket live-bait tanks that could be secured here.

With close proximity to the cranking battery there won’t be any need for monumental wiring jobs; simply a couple of battery clips to run an electric pump to plumb the tank. Drainage won’t be an issue either as the tank could just overflow into the engine well which is built to drain any wash that finds its way over the transom. Other receptacles such as small bins or an old milk crate tied down with elastic straps will find favour with those looking for more space.

A short pocket is fitted each side of the cockpit with the aft end stopping at the start of the transom bulkhead. Above both ends is a cup bracket in which a seat base support pole fits, locked in with a pin. This forms a forward-facing rear lounge across the beam of the cockpit but there are another two brackets forward that perform the same function. With the seat base locked in the latter set, one has a seat abeam from which to sit and fish facing fore or aft. When underway in rough water any bins and buckets sitting aft of the seat bench will be restrained from marching forward.

The two seats consisted of posts inserted into bases in the main cockpit deck while the area where the skipper's and passenger's legs dangled was rebated about 75mm. This made standing at the helm to steer a little more comfortable considering the height of the fixed steering wheel. People who are large in the leg and torso department would benefit from having the helm seat slightly aft of where it is now. In any case there are many aftermarket options available such as sliding bases that will cater for all shapes and sizes.

The front hull ribs come up the sides under the helm bulkhead and here a set of hooks would be handy on which to hang a cargo net of sorts behind which
lifejackets and other gear may be stowed out of the moisture. One of these is a worthwhile option from the factory.

The helm is fixed to a moulded plastic dashboard module which had a tray on the top and a shelf in its fascia in which small gear may be stowed. With the windscreen well forward there is ample room on the bow top for small-screen electronic cabinets in front of the skipper and the passenger whilst leaving the centre section vacant so crew can lean over and through the central opening window pane to work the ground tackle.

Happily though (and we don’t often see it) the marriage of the motor to this hull and the way it has been set up has been a success. There is minimal torque at the helm at various speeds or during manoeuvres (provided sensible trim is added to the equation) and this is achieved with mechanical non-return 4:1 ratio steering. We noted that an upgrade to hydraulic steering was available but really, unless you wanted to spend an extra $600 plus dollars, it is not required.

The hull is Quintrex’s relatively new ‘Blade’ design, having evolved from their long tried and successful Millennium style which has run its course. It features 2mm bottomsides and transom and 1.6mm on the topsides with a good amount of flare in the forequarters to fend off spray. A single concave pressing runs full length on the sides between the chines and the bulbous gunwales.

The decks are a water proof carpet covered plywood screwed down to bearers with no opening hatches.

Typically, when seated at the helm which is well forward on a hull, some of the bigger chop will cause a hard ride but there is nothing out of the ordinary here. Hence, optional seating that will allow larger people to stand when at the helm without the legs clashing with the seat would provide a better scenario for some.

What can we say? What you see is what you get and that is an entry level boat at an entry level price.

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