Quintrex 610 Freedom Cruiser

Inboards take on a different feel. They sit stable in the water due to a low centre of gravity, they can spin a larger prop for a given horsepower, resulting in exceptional torque -- and they just sound nice!

The problem for those inboard ‘diehards’ was that in a production-made aluminium trailerboat, there was very little to choose from in the six to seven metre range built for performance and the rigours of tournament fishing.

In the year 2000, Quintrex set itself apart from the rest of the Australian manufacturers by bringing out a range of relatively small trailerboats with inboard engines. These were the Freedom Sport and Freedom Cruiser based on a Millennium Hull.

Evolutionary changes in the new Freedom Cruiser include the Blade Hull (which supersedes the Millennium Hull), featuring smooth sides and the new raised top deck created in Brisbane of ABS plastic, a UV stable composite material. The model reviewed here was released in March this year and when studying the history of this line-up one will see the Freedom Sport is now the Cruiseabout model.

It has evolved from an all-alloy hull and topsides, with pressings along the side, to one that has a touch of 'glass and class by way of helm and passenger moulded modules.

The cosmetic treatment to the hull sides has seen the typical multiple pressings dispensed with and replaced with low-profile minimal pressings for a more ‘plate’ look. The flatter surface also provides for easier application of decals and full wraps. 

The rest of the boat is standard fit without too much left to add for the sort of use this boat is designed for.

This cushioning was virtually perpendicular so some curvature for lumbar support would have made a comfortable difference.

When seated here, the low-profile surrounding bow rails were reachable by adults but children may have difficulty holding on when manoeuvring at speed as they will be unable to get their arms over the coamings. The inclusion of some grab handles or rails at bench seat level would be good.

Under the bench seats, the stowage boxes were roto-moulded inserts, fixed into the aluminium seat boxes, that drain into the bilge.

At the bow, the anchor well also featured a roto-mould liner, which goes a long way to alleviate noise and damage to the aluminium from ground tackle bouncing around.

In the floor between the passenger and helm console is a hatch to access the ski locker, which again featured a roto-moulded liner.

This locker extended under a supporting cross member, so another longer hatch runs from there aft into the cockpit. This one was hinged and opened to the portside.

The consoles for the passenger and driver consisted of an aluminium base that was heavily rebated at an angle toward the floor to allow easy foot passage. An elastic luggage net was fixed here and it's handy for storing lifejackets. The top of the two-part bulkhead featured plastic moulded modules that also angled away, making for nice flowing lines.

In front of the passenger was a water-resistant lidded compartment for phones, keys and personal effects. In front of the helm seat, the Mercury instrumentation was neatly laid out.

A flat panel behind the wheel was sufficient in size to host a mounted depth sounder or chart plotter at a later date.

The windscreen is a three-piece model with the centre pane opening to allow access to the bow-riding lounge. The boat had a carpeted door or wind-dam to stop draught coming through to the cockpit during winter boating escapes. But this door contacted the upholstery of the bowrider seat back when opening and closing, which will eventually result in wear damage.

The windscreen panes either side of the companionway curved around and ran aft along the gunwale. These will stop some of the spray should you have a wind coming over the forequarters.

Both helm and co-pilot seats are plush and comfortable, with the passenger one swivelling so the observer can watch the skiers in tow. There was a padded arm rest and side pockets handy to place drinks and the like.

Each side of the cockpit featured full moulded plastic liners with flush-mounted audio speakers.

The rear lounge was also nicely upholstered and the seat was attached to a roto-moulded base. There is storage under the lounge but it’s hard to get to.

The backrest and the sun lounge at the transom are one-piece and lift on gas struts to reveal the engine box. A removable panel was mounted on the engine box. Mercury’s 4.3-litre MPI 220hp engine was mounted inside and fitted with an Alpha One leg. An electronic blower exhausts the fumes prior to start up.

With the lounge deployed, it made a comfortable top on which the family will be lining up to recline on warm sunny days. At the feet, when seated on the cockpit lounge, are two hatches under which roto-moulded inserts are installed for yet more wet or dry stowage area.

Over the back of the transom, a clutter-free and non-slip boarding platform will be handy for getting in and out.

Thanks to the rear lounge structure, engine noise was minimal and in fact sounded pretty nice! Even though there was no sound proofing on the engine box itself we doubt any is needed as the engine runs quietly indeed. Should you be fussed with this there is room to install flat sheets of sound proofing material on the three sides around the engine. The bottom sides of the hull are of 4mm aluminium as is the transom, while the sides are 3mm.

Manoeuvrability was good and steering easy to handle one-handed during the turns. The Blade hull also did its job and running over short chop on a windy day proved comfortable. It also had no problem with some very large boat wash, coming off some of the 14 metre vessels heading out through the Seaway at the Gold Coast.

At wide open throttle of 5400rpm you’ll have around 36 knots to play with, and the torque from this engine is such that anywhere in between WOT and hole shot will be a comfortable cruise speed; it all seemed so effortless!

The Freedom Cruiser has the feel about it that the name suggests. It is a nice machine no matter whether you want to poke around the estuaries, have a fish or ski or just use it to beach hop.

Nothing like a touch of class -- and all in an aluminium hull that can take a bit of rough treatment.

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