Quintrex 470 Stealth Hornet: Fishing Trailerboat Review

Quintrex heralded the release of its new Apex series models during its 2017 new product launch, but the design team from Australia’s best-known boat brand also tweaked the Quintrex Hornet range, adding three new models — the 470, 510 and 530 Stealth Hornets. We nabbed the entry 470 series model powered by the new Evinrude E-TEC 60hp H.O. outboard for this review.

OVERVIEW
- High-end Hornets boast 30 per cent more deck and storage space
Quintrex has boosted the hugely successful Hornet range with three new models. Built with heavy-duty 4mm hull bottoms and 3mm topsides, the new Stealth Hornets are deluxe-outfitted lake and impoundment fishing rigs targeted at competitive bass, barra, bream and flattie fishers.

The Stealth Hornets are available in 470, 510 and 530 model lengths, and with enormous casting decks and deep storage areas. The boats come standard with a side-console helm configuration, although the flagship 530 series boat can be rigged with dual consoles.

Cleverly, each of the Stealth models has a low-set row of bucket seats in the centre of the boat, over which a hinged section of the rear casting deck can be folded to double the size of the rear fishing platform.

The first of the Stealth Hornets to emerge from the Gold Coast Quintrex factory was the entry 470 series model. We were able to secure this great little boat for this review, powered by one of the new Evinrude E-TEC 60hp high output (H.O.) two-stroke outboards.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A full-featured inshore fishing rig for a great price
The Stealth models are the deluxe, high-end boats in the Quintrex Hornet range. Accordingly, they are wonderfully outfitted and equipped with just about everything you need for competitive lake, harbour, bay and impoundment fishing.

Key among the standard inclusions, for example is the 85lt plumbed live-bait tank situated under the front casting deck. Made from roto-moulded poly plastic, the bait tank is big enough to be used as a live fish well for competition fishing. You can option the tank with a divider down the centre so two anglers can keep their catch separated during a fishing tournament.

Other tournament specification features include an electric-trolling-motor plate on the bow, a trolling-motor-battery tray (caters for two batteries for 24V set-ups) under the casting deck, and pop-up bow and stern cleats to keep the coamings clear and snag free.

Inside the boat you’ll also find hard wearing marine-grade carpet throughout (including the backs of the deck hatches), wide side coamings for easy rod-holder installation, a compact helm console, three bucket helm chairs, and loads of storage space.

Packaged with an Evinrude E-TEC 60hp High Output two-stroke outboard and Quintrex single-axle alloy trailer, a standard 470 Stealth Hornet has a list price at Queensland’s Caloundra Marine of just $34,290.

Our test boat was rigged with a few extras that lifted the BMT price to $35,350. The additions included a Lowrance Elite 7ti fish finder, two rod holders, an additional paint colour to the hull, and a Catch n Release towing eye/winch post auto hook-up system for easier boat launching and retrieval.

Serious anglers will want to consider fitting some of the other options available — including the upgrade to hydraulic steering, VHF radio, a lean seat or pedestal seat for the front fishing platform (the floor socket is included), a horizontal rod locker, an overhead bimini for sun shelter, and perhaps a custom vinyl wrap.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Broad, elevated casting decks with a low-profile helm and seating area
The interior layouts of the new Stealth Hornets differ markedly to the rest of the Quintrex Hornet range. Instead of the deep centre cockpit area of the other Hornets, the Stealth models have more of a US bass boat configuration, with extended casting platforms, a very low-profile helm console and just the single row of seats across the centre of the boat.

The three seats in the centre of the boat are fixed directly to the cockpit floor. There are no pedestals. This keeps the seat profile low and allows a hinged section of the rear casting deck to fold forward, over the top of the fixed bucket seats. As noted earlier, this effectively doubles the size of the rear casting platform.

With the rear platform extended over the helm chairs, the Stealth Hornet transforms into one huge, elevated casting platform, making it easily possible for two anglers to cast lures or flies from each end of the boat.

Quintrex has told us that the forward casting deck is 30 per cent longer and offers 30 per cent more sub-floor storage space. We can believe it. We measured the front deck at 1.82m long with a maximum width of 1.6m.

The pickle-fork shape of the bow of the Hornet adds more space forward too, as the bow is wider than a traditional rounded bow vee hull.

Under the front platform you’ll find a wide roto-moulded plastic tray for the anchor, the aforementioned trolling motor tray/platform, the superb standard 85lt plumbed live fish well, as well as a large safety gear storage locker to each side of the fish well.

These two side lockers have a carpeted false-floor so you can stow clothing and safety gear and keep it dry, elevated off the alloy hull floor.

Encircling the Stealth Hornet are 210mm wide side coamings with neatly rolled inner edges, reminiscent of early Savage alloy boats. The coamings are the perfect width for installing rod holders and downriggers, bracket-mounted fish finders, etc.

With regard to the latter, some pro-anglers like to fit a second fish finder at the bow so they can track fish and look for potential fish haunts while using an electric trolling motor to sneak forward along the river bank or through submerged trees, mangroves. Without the forward fish finder, they would need to keep moving back to the helm mounted fish finder to see what is going on under the boat.

On the subject of the helm, we noted earlier that the helm console is compact in size with a low profile. It is certainly smaller and lower than in some Quintrex open boats, but the skipper still has a decent view forward and the equally low profile helm seat is very comfortable.

There is sufficient space on the fascia for engine instruments, switch panels and a flush-fitted fish finder/GPS to around 12in size, although our test rig was fitted with a smaller Lowrance Elite-7ti.

The sports steering wheel and side-mounted throttle are nicely placed for the skipper, and there is excellent foot/leg space beneath the console. About the only thing missing from the helm was a glove box or small shelf to stow your car keys, phone, and so on.

Aft of the helm console is a small sub-floor locker under the centre bucket chair, and a large storage area with false-floor under the rear casting deck. This storage area is accessed via three separated hatches and contains the engine battery on the port side and engine filter and battery master switch to starboard.

ON THE WATER
- New Apex hull offers a great ride, excellent stability
Quintrex Hornets have always had the best, most comfortable riding hulls in the alloy bass- and barra-boat market segment and this has not changed.

The new Apex hull, with its fine entry shape and moderate transom deadrise, is an absolute gem, particularly beneath the new 470 Stealth Hornet.

In choppy bay conditions we found the Stealth to be soft, comfortable, reasonably dry (for a low sided boat), and exceptionally stable. It also handled well downwind, and gripped the water superbly through tight slalom turns.

Our test boat was no rocket ship with Evinrude’s new 60hp HO E-TEC on the transom, but it proved strong through the mid-range, accelerating to a top speed of 29.1 knots at 5650rpm.

A 30-knot top speed is sufficient for this style of boat, but we would be tempted to run with the maximum 75hp outboard, as the hull is a beauty, very well designed and easily capable of handling and using the extra power.

VERDICT
- A superbly designed fishing boat for bass, barra and bream anglers
The 470 Stealth Hornet and its siblings are welcome additions to the inshore fishing boat market. Enthusiast and tournament bass, barra and bream anglers will love the simple, but very effective interior layout, along with the excellent handling, ride and stability.

With package pricing from $34k, the 470 Stealth Hornet is good buying too. The rig remains well within the reach of up-and-coming competition anglers and fishing families.

LIKES
>> Soft-riding Apex hull
>> Comfortable, stable ride
>> Easy handling
>> Big fishing decks, lots of storage  
>> Rear casting deck extension
>> Folding/pop-up cleats
>> 85L Live bait/fish well

NOT SO MUCH
>> No glove box/key/phone shelf

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.78/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water performance: 4.8/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.7/5.0

Specifications: Quintrex 470 Stealth Hornet
Price as tested: $35,350 including Evinrude E-TEC 60hp H.O. DFI two-stroke longshaft (20in) outboard, non-feedback mechanical steering, single axle Quintrex alloy braked trailer, Lowrance Elite-7ti fish finder/GPS, two rod holders, an additional paint colour to the hull, Catch n Release auto retrieval system, 12 months QLD boat and trailer registrations and an inshore safety gear pack.

Priced from: $34,290 including Evinrude E-TEC 60hp H.O. DFI two-stroke longshaft (20in) outboard, non-feedback mechanical steering, single axle Quintrex alloy braked trailer, 12 months QLD boat and trailer registrations and an inshore safety gear pack.

Hull length: 4.76m
Beam: 2.10m
Depth: 930mm
Deadrise: 12 degrees
Hull weight: 534kg
Weight on trailer: Approx 950kg
Bottom & transom alloy: 4.0mm
Topsides alloy: 3.0mm
Maximum power: 75hp
Maximum engine weight: 172kg
Maximum load: 532kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-TEC 60hp DFI two-stroke
Fuel capacity: 80lt
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Four

Supplied by:
Caloundra Marine
Phone: (07) 5401 1944
Email: steve@caloundramarine.com.au
More at Caloundra Marine.