Quintrex Coast Runner Cuddy Cab

The profile of the cuddy is lower than we have seen on previous models. This, in effect, gives the skipper more panoramic views and to a lesser extent,  less wind resistance which will be welcome when on the drift and fishing.

Access is unimpeded to the anchor well once the centre of the windscreen has been opened and the cabin roof hatch likewise. The hatch is of roto-moulded construction fitted as an insert and there is no option of having an anchor well hatch on this model.

Once at the bow, the crewman is directly over the well making for easy manipulation of the ground tackle.

Such a low profile has obviously reduced headspace inside the cabin when seated and the basic bunks have been kept low profile to alleviate some of this restriction. This area really should be viewed as more for stowage of gear to keep it out of the elements rather than for a serious sleeping berth. That said, there is enough room to stretch out for a slumber if need be between the hot bites.

A ledge which is the continuation of the gunwales in the cockpit provides a shelf high off the bunks and the area is neatly finished off with marine carpet.

Under the bunks there are the usual stowage areas for safety gear.

Topside, the perspex windscreen wraps around the flat-top dashboard on which Lowrance’s base-model Mark-5X depth sounder is fitted. There is room here to upgrade the electronics and fit screens of eight inches if required. As well, other units may be installed on the top, in front of the seated passenger.

Back at the helm, a rebate in the brow of the dashboard hosts the engine instrumentation, and hydraulic steering is a standard fit.

The two forward swivel seats feature a swing backrest alleviating the need to swivel the chairs around to face aft. The fact that there is no need to swivel the seat base allows the seats to be mounted more toward the gunwale to increase the passage space between.

The cockpit liner is of roto-moulded construction and features a large and small access pocket and two drink can holders each side. There is a rebate into which round stereo speakers may be installed as an option or after-market. A false wall at the back of these stowage pockets secretes part of the buoyancy foam system.

The rear lounge has been nicely crafted to provide good stowage capacity underneath. The fascia of the module has a moulded covering and two funnels for the scupper system are installed here.

The lounge is split in two and may be individually opened to the void which is also occupied by the two-stroke oil bottle for the fitted Mercury engine as well as the cranking battery and fuel filter. When closed, the fit is snug so there is no vibration from any moving parts. While looking nice and neat it is very comfortable to sit in.

The gunwales and top of the transom bulkhead are quite broad on the Coast Runner making additions of optional livebait tanks and rod holders an easy fit.

On the stern, the boarding platform hosted a fold-down ladder and apart from that, the area was quite uncluttered save for the mercury 175hp outboard motor.

The hull consists of 4mm bottom sides and 3mm top sides while the transom is constructed from 4mm plate.

The stem line has been extended and sharpened to give a softer ride in chop and the larger flare of the original Millennium chine line has been reduced while the original beam width has been maintained.

The original hulls had an aggressive turned down flare on the shoulders which would catch even small chop and create ‘banging’ but that has disappeared.

Taking the Coast Runner out through the Southport Seaway we were met with about a metre of swell, compressing as it rolled in. The hull handled this just fine and running across the face of the waves it tracked straight and with the waves there was no broaching evident whatsoever.

Acceleration was excellent and hole shot with two people aboard effortless. At 3500rpm, the boat was cruising at just over 38kmh and at WOT 5800rpm produced 72.5kmh.

Manoeuvrability was also good and this hull, like that of old, still maintains a reasonably flat attitude when turning. It rides much softer though during the turns when the lower forequarters are more exposed to the chop.

The new Millennium Blade hull lives up to its name and does cut the water more cleanly with less pounding than its predecessor; definitely worth a test drive and in its price bracket, represents good value for the money.