Quintrex 610

Called the Millennium Blade hull, it has been designed to deliver a smoother, softer ride to all Quintrex boats over six metres in length.
At a recent launch event on the Gold Coast we got try the new hulls in various forms and came away more than a little impressed.

We concentrated our testing on the 610 hull. with a bow-to-transom length of 6.08m, this hull comes in three different configurations, the 610 Legend which is a serious centre-console fishing weapon, the 610 Spirit which is a versatile cuddy cabin design, and the 610 Freedom Sport which is a great family bow rider.

Certainly, with 4mm bottomsides and 3mm topsides, the 610 boats are nothing if not robust.

The Blade hull has an increased deadrise and a sharper, more relaxed bow entry for added performance. There is also more beam, higher freeboard and deeper side panels. The sharper entry also means that the shoulder line has been moved aft.

The Freedom Sport has been around for a while but this model has been upgraded with new internals including new rear lounge with under-cushion storage, new helm setup and new soft-touch mouldings. The interior is certainly a classy affair and very comfortable whether at rest or while under way.

For cruising or to get get out to where the big ones are biting, Quintrex have gone for a 120-litre underfloor fuel tank which should mean many hours of fun between fill-ups. There’s also underfloor storage for anything, including skis or wake boards. The 610 Freedom Sport can be optioned up with a ski pole and many other accessories depending on your intended usage.

The new and improved helm station offers comfort and convenience with standard features like VHF radio, stereo, Lowrance sounder and full instrumentation. The cost of the boat, motor and trailer package is $51,890.

Our next boat was the 610 Spirit cuddy cabin. This re-released model features a new cabin shape which is taller and longer, and also features a walk-through hatch to the bow for easy deployment of the ground tackle. An infill is available for the bunk so you can actually overnight on the boat.

The Spirit also gets the new mouldings and side panels that the Freedom Sport gets so it’s a classy look and feel for this boat as well.

Other features include hydraulic steering, telescopic rear ladder, pole-mount insert and Mark 5X fishfinder. For the fishermen, there is a substantial rocket launcher which also doubles as an excellent hand hold.

The Spirit is priced at $53,690 for what Quintrex calls their “Instant Boating Package”.

For the serious fishermen the 610 Legend is the go. The Legend range features a universal casting platform with optional interchangeable storage bins or sectioned live-bait tank. You can also easily add aftermarket options like extra electronics or the all-important fridge.

Quintrex National Account Manager Jason Boal told Boatsales Network: “The 610 has gone back to the basic wide aluminium side pockets, we decided to do this as the Legend is a tough offshore fishing boat that doesn’t need the fancy internals but rather strong and conventional features.

“The 610 features a large two-piece fold-down centre console with hydraulic steering and windscreen as standard. This allows 360-degree vision and manoeuvrability around the boat.

The 610 Legend has a recommended retail of $45,390 for the boat, motor and trailer package which represents excellent value for the ardent fisher.

The hydraulic steering adds to the feeling of confidence and it’s light and makes driving these boats a real pleasure.

Even better was when we got to a bit of chop and felt the Millennium Hull really come into its own. These boats do ride beautifully. There is no slamming of the hull when going through chop. Sure it moves, but the sharp entry and increased deadrise gives really smooth ride.

The ride is also dry. We were told that the boats are designed to reduce the amount of spray that gets into the back of the boat. The chines have been moved aft to deflect the spray and this keeps the passengers in the aft lounge nice and dry – even in the chop.

If you are in the market for a sturdy, soft-riding good-value aluminium boat that has a bit of class, the Quintrex 610, whether it’s for fishing, sports, or just plain cruising about, is certainly worth a good, hard look.

SPECIFICATIONS