Quintrex 610 Trident: Review

This 610 has modified topsides to enhance cockpit fishing space and to increase available shoulder room when standing at the helm. It also allows for a wider walk-around deck.

Quintrex has set to work inside the cabin to maximise bunk space without compromising leg room in the well or ease of access to the ground tackle through the cabin roof hatch.

The eye catching colour scheme is more than complemented by Evinrude’s new concept of ‘mix and match’ engine cowl cosmetics available on their Gen 2 ETECS.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Great array of standard equipment
At the time of writing, the pricing of this optioned-up package was still being finalised but we did extract a base price from the dealer supplying the Trident.

Boat, motor, trailer and safety gear along with registration and the hull wrap will set you back $77,990.

A slim-profile overhead console above the helm holds a radio and there is a lot of room remaining for other types of electronics to be secured. The console sits above a wide expanse of toughened glass making up the front windscreen and the single wiper will run its full arc without clashing with mid screen supports.

Flush mounted in two raised fascias at the helm are Evinrude’s engine management system and Lowrance’s HDS12 combination unit and both are easy to see and manipulate from behind the wheel.

The side windows are of Perspex and slide in tracks with locking tabs to hold them shut. The aft of the hard top has a strong grab rail either side for those standing when underway and for swinging out onto the coamings to walk around the cabin to the bow. Doing the latter, one can hold the raised rib in the top of the cabin roof for security.

Hydraulic steering is standard fit on the Trident as is the built-in live-bait tank in the transom which features a viewing window at its front. Also standard fit is a very well-crafted and robust bait-rigging station with drink bottle holders, rod holders, cutting board and under table shelves for tackle trays.

Keeping out of the searing sun when not at the helm is often an issue with hard tops as any extended roof encroaches on rod casting space in the cockpit. Quintrex has addressed this with a hinged shade awning that adds about 400mm to the aft of the roof and when not required may be unlatched and swung back into the cabin and secured against the inside of the roof. This also allows unfettered access to the rod holders situated on the aft end of the roof which in themselves are very practical.

Each of these rod holders are hinged and pulling a spring-loaded pin allows them to swing down individually stopping at an angle that prevents them falling out but making it a simple task of removing or installing tackle without the average-height person having to stand on a milk crate!

The 135-litre kill tank in the cockpit deck is plumbed and the fuel tank under the deck holds 160 litres. The clip-on burley bucket at the transom is also standard.

INTERNAL LAYOUT
- Big cabin and plenty of storage
Two crew up front have comfortable Quintrex Ocean Pro seats to park on and these are fitted to large stowage boxes fixed to the deck. These pedestal boxes are larger than most we have seen on other models but not obtrusive into walking space where they would be at risk of stubbing toes.
A feature of these seats is a wrap-around stainless steel frame for passengers to hang onto when underway.

Quintrex has managed to get two big bunks with under cushion stowage into a cabin which is quite big for a 6.2m boat. It’s a roomy area with plenty of leg and head room with easy access to the bow to grapple with the ground tackle.

The cabin liner has storage beside the two helm chairs in which gear may be stowed – in this case it’s where the lifejackets were stowed.

Aft of the seats, side pockets were set back under the coamings and these were fitted with rod holders.

The transom has a raised bottom section in which scupper funnels are fitted to drain the cockpit.

On top, behind a removable panel, the twin batteries are housed and the isolator switch is located in an open shelf above that for ease of access.

A removable swing-down rear lounge sits in front of this partial bulkhead while a starboard-side transom door is opened after swinging down the boarding ladder. The deck of the walk-through has a hatched compartment which would be handy for throwing muddy or sand-riddled shoes and other items into when coming on board from ashore.

ON THE WATER
-Great performance right through the rev range
The 200hp Gen2 ETEC was the maximum recommended outboard and believe us when we say the acceleration at hole-shot is brutal!

Those weak in the shoulders should be seated for such an event rather than standing, holding a handrail lest they become elongated in the joints.

The Trim Assist feature on the Evinrude Gen 2 makes for an effortless transition onto the plane – and this can be as rapid as you like.
A fast troll for Spaniards of 7.5 knots has the ETEC running at 1650rpm using 6.2lph.

The Blade Hull on the Trident is planing at 11.8 knots using 14.2lph at 2400rpm, and it’s cruising nicely at 3000rpm and 21.5 knots using 18.5lph.

Pushing the cruise speed to 30 knots we were using 34.6lph at 4000rpm and at 5000rpm the fuel tank volume was reducing at 49lph at 36 knots. If you want to push the envelope at WOT of 5850rpm you can hold a speed of just over 42 knots and use 65lph.

The heavier topside of this boat necessitates the use of trim tabs to correct any list and the Volvo BTS300 kit fitted as standard did this efficiently.

The prevailing conditions on the day were not up to par for fully putting this hull through its paces but it performed in the steering department nicely and handled small boat wash without any issues.

Running down gentle swell out of the Southport Sea Way the hull tracked straight showing no bad traits.

VERDICT
-Serious fishing potential
The cosmetics of this boat ooze X-factor and the performance of the Gen 2 ETEC tops it off.

The layout presents itself as a very practical fishing platform and those who deal with inclement or colder climes will warm to the idea of having a hard-top.

There seems to be a lot of boat (especially in the cabin/helm/hard top area) in one with a small LOA yet it is uncluttered and easy to live and work with in every way. There is some serious fishing potential in this rig!

LIKES
>> Layout and finished quality is good
>> Pulse-welded joins in the hull are perfect and overall quality is the best yet
>> The inclusion of the ETEC oil reservoir under the engine cowl has freed up valuable hatch space in the transom

NOT SO MUCH
>> The key start is location leaves it vulnerable
>> False floors in the seat boxes would help keep gear dry

Ratings:
Overall: 4.9/5.0
Mechanical: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.9/5.0
On water performance: 4.9/5.0
Value for money: Unknown at this stage
X-factor: 4.9/5.0
Performance: 4.9/5.0

Specifications:
Priced from: $77,990
Length overall: 6.29m
Hull length: 5.92m
Beam: 2.46m
Depth: 1.47m
Hull weight: 995kg
Bottom sides: 5mm
Topsides: 3mm
Maximum power: 200hp
Maximum engine weight: 256kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude ETEC Gen 2 - 200hp
Fuel:  two-stroke
Maximum person: Seven

Supplied by:
Surf Coast Marine
50-54 Brisbane Road Labrador Qld
Telephone: (07) 5563 7733
Website: surfcoastmarine.com.au