Quintrex Four 2003 Models Reviewed

A lot has been happening at Quintrex's Gold Coast plant over the last few months. Traditionally a company that prides itself on innovation and spearheading new trends and technology, Quintrex has introduced some bold new features on a selection of its 2003 models. The aim is to make its models safer, more comfortable and easier to use.

Probably the biggest news is the fact that Quintrex is moving to incorporate full positive flotation across its range. That means that if the boat is capsized, it will float upright with the gunwales on the surface with a full load aboard. Although most boats these days have some sort of built-in flotation, it usually only prevents the vessels from sinking to the bottom. Often just the stern or bow of the boat floats after being swamped with the rest of the hull submerged. The National Maritime Safety Committee is moving to make all boatbuilders display what standard of flotation their boats comply with on the vessel's compliance plate. Quintrex claims it is the first mass-production aluminium boatbuilder to offer positive flotation, and while it is currently only available on selected models, the company has plans to introduce it across the range. It's a big investment for the company but one that demonstrates its commitment to building boats that first-timers and the experienced alike can use with confidence.

SAFE AS HOUSES
So how did the engineers at Quintrex devise a way to make its boats float upright? Like anything it involved some degree of compromise ... a compromise that will appeal to some boaters and not others.

In order to fit in enough foam to hold the boat upright in the event of it being swamped, Quintrex extruded or widened the gunwales of the hull even further and enclosed the area underneath down to the floor with carpeted marine plywood. The cavity between the hull and the cockpit walls are filled with foam, save a small area given over for use as enclosed sidepockets. To compensate for these wider gunwales, the beams of most models has been increased significantly so as not to compromise internal cockpit space. Quintrex has sensibly left a gap between the floor and the cockpit walls so you can fit your feet underneath when leaning against the gunwales, and the widened sides now make quite comfortable seats.

Many of Quintrex's new models now feature automatic bilgepumps as standard equipment, which only adds to the appeal for safety-conscious boaters.

In keeping with Quintrex's plans to push further into America's export market - and to make them safer - some models (including the 475 Freedom Sport, 500 Top Ender, 530 Coast Runner and 530 Legend) now sport a fuel tank designed to meet America's ABYC standards while other models received a larger capacity tank for better range.

MORE IMPROVEMENTS
All models (except for the 610s and 650s) now have Quintrex's "Maxi II" buoyancy-enhanced transom which has been refined and restyled for a smoother, more streamlined and efficient shape. Most models have a folding boarding ladder that can lift out to accept a berley pot for fishing. While on hull construction, it's worth noting that on many of its models, Quintrex has gone for a thicker bottom sheet, beefed up the internal keel and rib construction and in some cases made the boats wider and deeper still. Inside, many models now feature cockpit courtesy lights, more underfloor storage, washdown decks with drainholes and better-positioned navigation lights.

So a picture emerges of stronger, safer and better-finished boats for 2003. Add to this a spicy marketing campaign featuring Rex Hunt, it's own in-house finance that allows customers to play now and pay later (surprisingly, many Quintrex dealers do not currently have their own finance programs), and it becomes clear that Quintrex aims to stay at the forefront of the market. Let's have a closer look at some of the highlights of the company's 2003 releases.

385 EXPLORER
The Explorer range of barra-punt style tinnies has proven to be exceptionally popular all over Australia. The simple interior featuring two cross-thwart seats with a flat carpeted floor between them is popular with anglers that don't want to spend a fortune on gimmicks they don't need.

Measuring 3.85m long with a healthy beam of 1.8m, the 2003 Explorer has 30mm added to its height for greater cockpit depth. The boat has full positive flotation (found in the extra-large thwarts), two screw-in bungs, forward and rear grabrails and a couple of handles on the transom. This year the options include a forward casting platform with pedestal seat, a removable middle seat, rodholders, fuel tank and battery racks behind the driver's thwart seat and extruded side decks. The boat can carry four adults, is constructed using 1.6mm aluminium sheet and weighs 105kg dry.

Trailer Boat had a run in the basic model with simple floor powered by a 25hp Mercury. Two-up the boat fairly flew (although there was a fair bit of bow-up attitude when leaping onto the plane with just the driver aboard) and the ride was very smooth for a hull of this size. Quintrex has got the bottom shape right with a sharp entry, prominent chines and a flat run aft for exceptional stability. It's an attractive-looking boat, too, with its sweeping chine line and smick paint job.

The 385 Explorer is just the ticket for poking around estuaries chasing bream, flathead or barra if you're lucky enough to live further north.

A shallow draught allows it to skate across sandbars and up narrow creeks but it has an aggressive hull shape to tame a sea breeze-driven chop. A 15hp engine would be plenty if you prefer to fish solo, but consider fitting a 25 if you plan to bring some friends along.

500 HORNET TROPHY
Quintrex's Hornet range is synonymous with serious sportsfishing and many of Australia's best anglers swear by them. Until now, though, there have been a number of different styles and layouts (not to mention sizes) of Hornets available which has led to a little customer confusion. To simplify things, Quintrex has standardised the Hornet range with all now sharing the same essential interior layout: raised casting deck, sunken centre cockpit with side console and elevated rear deck complete with storage below. The forward and rear decks are now at the same height and have both underfloor storage and flotation beneath the carpeted decking.

The 500 Hornet now features a refined console, dashboard, windscreen and soft-touch sports wheel. The hull is constructed using 3mm alloy on the bottom and 2mm for the topsides while its dimensions measure 5.0m by 2.23m. This model also features the Maxi II transom, and a fully plumbed livebait well in the rear deck is now a standard inclusion.

Other standard items found on the 2003 model Hornet Trophy include a Lowrance X51 sounder on RAM111 flexi-bracket, two pedestal seats and four seat positions, auto biglepump, short side rails, nav lights and paint/decals.

Fitted with a 90hp four-stroke, the 500 Trophy was incredibly quick. With a fair bit of out-trim, the hull sat back on its haunches and thundered over the chop like it wasn't there. The Hornet gripped without slipping in tight turns and jumped onto the plane smoothly, but my major gripe with the standard set-up is that it really needs hydraulic steering. At 5m, this isn't a small boat and I quickly tired of wrestling the tourqey 90hp engine, especially in tight turns. Hydraulic steering isn't cheap, but in my opinion it's necessary for a high-performance package such as this. Apart from that, the Hornet is "the business" for serious impoundment or estuary sportsfishing. It'll haul heavy loads long distances (it's rated for five passengers) and the ride is excellent for a barra-style boat.

570 LEGEND CENTRE-CONSOLE
For anglers whose tastes include a little offshore fishing as well as working larger estuaries like the Clarence, Hawkesbury or some of the bigger rivers up north, a centre-console rig is often the best choice.

The 570 hull is a new size in the Quintrex centre-console range and fits somewhere between the 600 and the 530. Built around the successful Millennium flared hull, this model measures 5.75m long with a substantial beam of 2.40m and whopping 1.36m depth. The bottomsides and transom are 4mm thick and its topsides 3mm gauge aluminium. The boat can carry six people or a total of 600kg and is suited to engines between 90 and 130hp.

The level of standard inclusions reflect the design intentions of this model - serious fishing. Four rodholders are found in the gunwales, there's an insulated esky/fishbox with padded lid and folding back that serves as driver and passenger seat and the boat comes fitted with a Lowrance X97 depth sounder and GX294 radio. Things like drinkholders, cockpit courtesy lights, enclosed sidepockets, larger console screen and bullhorn hydraulic steering make life aboard more comfortable. As far as extra accessories go, customers can elect to fit a folding rear lounge, a bimini top, baitboard, killtank, berley bucket, plumbed livebait tank, skihooks and a transom door.

The demo model Trailer Boat tested was fitted with a Yamaha 130hp two-stroke, which was an excellent match for this hull. You could take this boat out over the bar and enjoy some inshore reef fishing in calm conditions without any worries. The high sides, extra beam and deep vee serve to deliver a comfortable, smooth ride. The 570 legend was also drier than most centre-consoles thanks to prominent chines to deflect spray.

610 OFFSHORE
While this new model won't win first prize at a beauty contest with its rather boxy cabin and very full shoulders and bow, it's good at what it does - as is its slightly larger sister, the 650 Offshore.

At 6.10m long and 2.43m wide, this is an exceptionally large pressed aluminium hull and this becomes evident as soon as you climb aboard. The boat is incredibly deep (1.42m) and the cabin spacious and lined with carpet. There's plenty of room to fish three or four-up in the roomy cockpit although the enclosed sidepockets aren't the biggest around for a boat of this size.

As mentioned, the Millennium "V-Flare" hull is full in the bow to accommodate a big, comfortable double vee-berth in the cabin while the chines are carried low and well forward to assist with stability at rest. The "V-Flare" concept means the hull's concave vee is carried all the way back to the stern to improve the ride in rough conditions.

Rolled chines do an effective job of throwing the spray low and wide to keep the occupants dry.

Although we didn't get a chance to take the 610 Offshore to its namesake - offshore - a nasty Broadwater slop convinced me that this model could handle calm ocean conditions comfortably. It's certainly a very stable platform to fish from and plenty of grabs, a thick bowrail and wide hatch made the boat pretty easy to get around. It felt big and safe. The anchor locker was a little small for offshore use, though.

The 610 test boat was powered by a 140hp two-stroke which was delivered crisp top-end performance and a quick hole-shot. Certainly enough there to pull a pair of skiers up should the customer decide to fit optional tow eyes.

Standard equipment includes a pair of Lectrotab trim tabs for better directional stability underway, cockpit lights, lined cabin and X97 sounder.

Options are similar to those found on the 570 Legend, although a marine toilet and storm covers are extra. In all, the 610 is a useful estuary and offshore family fishing boat - and it is a lot of boat for your dollar.