2020 Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro review

Similar to the larger 450 and 481 series Fishabout Pro models, the 430 Pro has a wider beam, welded side decks, integrated pod outboard engine well, and more flare in the topsides for a drier ride on the water.

We tested this diminutive, but capable all-rounder with a 60hp Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke outboard engine mounted on the updated transom.

With the addition of the three new Fishabout Pro models, the full Quintrex Fishabout runabout range now sits at eight models, stretching between 4.3 metres and 6.1 metres long.

Each of these versatile craft has a traditional forward windscreen, forward control configuration with a pair of pedestal helm chairs and a large rear cockpit with transom bench seating.

Having already tested the range-topping Quintrex 570 Fishabout and 610 Fishabout, we figured we should turn our attention to one of the entry models, hence this review on the all new Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro paired with a sporty 60hp Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke DFI outboard.

Brisbane Quintrex has Quintrex 430 Pro packages starting from $23,990 with a 40hp Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke outboard with stainless steel Viper propeller, an unbraked single-axle aluminium trailer, a Lowance Hook2-5 fishfinder/GPS with C-Map embedded chart, 12 months Queensland boat and trailer registrations, and an inshore safety gear pack.

As noted earlier, the Fishabout Pro models were upgraded last year with more standard inclusions, so that $24K price point represents pretty decent value.

The latest models get a bimini cover as standard, along with fully welded side decks, "hookless" cockpit carpet, dual transducer brackets, a two-position folding rear bench seat, bow and stern cleats, and a pair of plastic coaming rod holders.

Other standards included a newly designed, lean-through front windscreen and deck; windscreen grab rails; an open anchor well on the foredeck; port side dash glove box; cup holders; low-set bow and stern side rails; double towing eye; and a new, full-height podded transom with boarding platforms and a telescopic ladder.

Our test boat gained a larger 60hp Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke outboard engine, two-tone paint with black painted topsides, front and side clears, and ski hooks.

The driveaway price for the fully-kitted package rises to $27,359.

Quintrex has significantly improved the layout of the 430 Fishabout with the new Pro model. There's a lot more room inside because the transom has been completely redesigned with a podded style single engine well with integrated boarding platforms.

The previous model had a space wasting, inefficient full-width outboard engine well and a single transom step.

The new Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro is also a tad wider at 2.1 metres versus 1.9 metres compared with the model it replaces, and the overall length is boosted to 4.49 metres. This effectively gives you more boat for your money.

Internally, the layout of the new boat is similar in that it has a split-level carpeted plywood floor, with the rear cockpit elevated above the floor in the helm area. The recessed floor at the helm allows you to sit comfortably before the steering wheel, sheltered by the centre-opening windscreen.

The helm and dash layout is completely new. Instead of the former, full width roto-moulded plastic dash, the 430 Fishabout Pro has separate port and starboard dash moulds, separated by a recess or cut-out to make it easier to open the centre windscreen pane and lean through to the anchor well.

There also a step in the footwell in front of the windscreen's opening section so you can stand up higher and gain more reach.

The upgraded, lean-through windscreen layout makes it easy to pluck the anchor from the large, open anchor well, and to pass it over the bow and into the water.

The new dash/windscreen layout provides better access to the bow of the boat, but this improvement has come at the cost of dash space. There isn't as much flat dash area as before, although there is space at the helm for a bracket-mounted fish finder/GPS above the sporty looking steering wheel.

There's also a panel for engine instrumentation, and provision for a marine radio and switch panel.

The port side dash module is rigged for storage with quite a deep and useful glovebox along with an open storage nook. A pair of cup holders is mounted nearby, beneath a very useful passenger windscreen grab rail.

The Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro is fitted with the well-padded Quintrex Fish Sport chairs. These deluxe seats are removable and mounted on pedestal bases which can be cut to your preferred size/height. Our test boat's helm chair was well positioned and within a comfortable reach of the steering wheel and side-mounted throttle.

In the stern of the boat, a full-width bench seat can cater for three more people, although it is most comfortable for two. The padded backrest doubles as a coaming bolster to lean against when the bench seat is folded down.

There's also the option to remove the bench seat completely, or to move it to a different position, amidships. Locating the bench in the middle of the cockpit allows you to face aft while fishing, and to use the bench as an observer seat for tow-sport activities.

Behind the bench seat there is space in the transom corners for the boat's 24-litre portable fuel tank and the starting battery. Both sit on the cockpit floor. I would prefer to see the battery elevated on a platform for protection, although it was encased in a battery box secured to the floor.

The redesign of the transom yields lots of move-about space in the cockpit. The elevated cockpit floor has an overall length of 1.9 metres long by 1.8 metres wide. Behind the helm chairs there is roughly 1.3 metres aft to the transom.

Fully welded 180mm wide side coamings stretch the length of the cockpit, above 1.35-metre-long elevated side storage pockets.

With a minimum freeboard of 540mm, there is enough cockpit depth to keep youngsters well contained in the boat, assuming that they don't climb up on anything.

Other features include a pair of stern cleats, low-set side rails, two rod holders, external boarding platforms and a telescopic stainless steel boarding ladder.

The Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro uses an upgraded version of the Blade hull. Below the waterline the hull remains unchanged, but at the bow there is a very fine entry shape that flares outwards to the welded chines. Pressings or strakes in the hull combine with those hard chines to suppress spray and to provide lift and planing efficiency.

At a glance it is difficult to pick the upgrades to the new Fishabout hull. Trainspotters and Quintrex die-hards will point out that the flare, or curvature, in the topsides is now more pronounced, and that it extends further aft. Both measures help to deflect spray away from the hull.

During our test the sea conditions were too calm to judge the effectiveness of the new flaring/curvature to the topsides, but we certainly can't see a downside to the new design; it can only help to make the boat drier.

More generally, we found the Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro's Blade hull to be an excellent performer. It works particularly well in short chop and cuts neatly through boat wakes to provide a smoother ride than you might expect from a small, lightweight alloy boat.

For general handling, ride and performance, the Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro will outclass most of its rivals.

The Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro is rated for a single longshaft (20-inch) outboard engines rated between 40hp to 60hp. I think the hull could actually handle a bit more power, but the Fishabout Pro is targeted at novice boaters so it makes sense for Quintrex to limit the boat to a maximum of 60hp.

Paired with a 60hp Evinrude E-TEC DFI two-stroke outboard engine, our test boat was nice to drive with speedy hole shots and agile performance in the mid-rev range.

At a wide-open throttle of 5900rpm we achieved a modest top speed of 26.6 knots. I would have liked a bit more top end, but the test boat's overall performance was sufficient for most fishing and family boating applications.

Performance

Verdict
The Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro is a terrific new family/fishing all-rounder and an excellent addition to the vast Quintrex model line-up.

This model has been refined over many decades and it's evident in the boat's practical, user-friendly interior layout and class-leading performance on the water.

The Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro is also compact in size, affordable to buy, and easy to tow and to stow. We rate it as one of the best entry runabout packages on the market today.

Specifications
Model: Quintrex 430 Fishabout Pro
Length overall: 4.49m
Hull length: 4.3m
Beam: 2.1m
Depth: 0.95 mm
Hull weight: 358kg
Weight on trailer: 750kg (est)
Bottom & transom alloy: 3.0mm
Topsides alloy: 3.0mm
Power: 40hp (min)/60hp (max)
Maximum motor weight: 128kg
Engine as tested: 60hp Evinrude E-TEC DFI two-stroke
Fuel capacity: 24L (portable)
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Five

Priced from: $23,990 including a 40hp Evinrude E-TEC DFI two-stroke longshaft (20-inch) outboard engine with Viper stainless steel propeller; Lowrance Hook2-5 fishfinder/GPS combo with embedded C-Map chart; single-axle aluminium trailer (no brakes); inshore safety gear pack; and 12 months Queensland boat and trailer registrations.

Price as tested: $27,359. As above but with a larger 60hp Evinrude E-TEC DFI two-stroke outboard engine with stainless steel propeller; two-tone hull paint (black topsides); front and side clears; and ski-hooks.

Supplied by: Brisbane Quintrex