Quintrex Yellowfin 7600 Southerner HT: Fishing Trailerboat Review

Quintrex has added two new extended hardtop models to its Yellowfin boat range to provide more shelter for anglers fishing the colder southern regions of Australia. The new Southerner 7000 and 7600 HT are smart looking, nicely proportioned plate-alloy boats and first-class offshore fishing rigs. We tested the flagship 7600 series model with a powerful Evinrude ETEC 225hp two-stroke outboard motor.

OVERVIEW
- 300mm longer cabin/hardtop for more shelter and protection
Quintrex has launched two new models to boost its Yellowfin range of plate-aluminium boats. Debuting a month or so back, the new 7000 and 7600 Southerner series boats have a longer hardtop and cabin to provide additional shelter for the skipper and crew — as compared to the existing hardtop Yellowfins released in 2016.

With the addition of these new models, anglers now have a choice of 10 different Yellowfin models across four hull sizes. The 6200, 6500, 7000 and 7400 series hulls are all available with a cuddy cabin/soft-top bimini layout, as well as the short hardtop configuration. The new extended cabin/hardtop Southerner models are available only with the larger 7000 and 7600 size hulls.

All models are built tough from solid plate aluminium with an underfloor box-section stringer grid. The decks are self-draining and fully welded, while the three larger hulls have a 6mm bottom, 5mm transom and 4mm topsides.

The first of the Yellowfin Southerners to leave the Gold Coast Quintrex factory was the flagship 7600 model. We sampled this striking new boat initially during the Quintrex new product launch back in April, 2017, and have now managed to secure it for this full test and review.

As this test went to print, we were on the cusp of the 2017 Melboune Boat Show,where the new Quintrex Yellowfin 7600 Southerner HT as tested was to be displayed and will most certainly be in its element, especially as the Southern Bluefin Tuna were starting to school offshore, the swordfish were still snapping, and the snapper weren't far away.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Exceptional value, lots of included gear and options
The Quintrex Yellowfins have proven very popular since the range was revamped back in 2016. Anglers have embraced the practical layouts, easy handling, soft riding hulls and robust construction of these production plate-alloy boats.

Die-hard anglers and family fishermen have also been won over by the exceptional value in these boats. The Yellowfins are loaded with features and equipment and the BMT package prices are very competitive.

The new Southerner 7600, for example, can be purchased for just over $90k at Queensland’s Caloundra Marine Centre. The price includes an extra-longshaft Evinrude ETEC G2 175hp DFI two-stroke outboards and a tandem-axle aluminium trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes.

What else do you get for your money? Quite a lot, actually, including: the enclosed, extended hardtop with toughened glass front screen and side windows; starboard wide screen wiper; aft facing, folding rocket-launcher rod holders; an open cabin with vee berth; deluxe pedestal helm chairs; a huge self-draining rear cockpit; ultra wide side decks; transom cutting board; portside live-bait tank with clear viewing window; starboard-side transom door; ladder, kill tank, drink holders, trim tabs, VHF radio, and more.

Add a set of outriggers and your choice of electronics and this big trailerboat is ready for serious sport and game fishing.

Our test rig was fitted with a number of optional extras, not least of which was an upgrade from the Evinrude 175hp ETEC outboard to a larger 225hp model. We also had an electronics package comprising a Simrad NSS12 Evo2 GPS chart plotter/fish finder, Simrad radar kit, and Fusion stereo.

Factory fitted and other options included an electric anchor winch, port-side windscreen wiper, hardtop LED lighting kit, helm seat storage boxes, carpeted cabin ceiling lining, outriggers, external hand-wash, and a deluxe bait board/fishing station.

The additions lift the package price to $107,690, but this is still excellent value for a turn-key 7.6m (length overall) offshore sportfishing boat.

CABIN, HARDTOP AND HELM
- Large, open-plan cabin, spacious helm with hardtop shelter
With the big Yellowfin 7600 Southerner, Quintrex is primarily targeting the offshore sportfishing market, so the boat does not come with cushions for the cabin berths. Nor is there an option for a toilet, though you could perch a small porta-loo-type chemical toilet on the starboard side, behind the helm bulkhead.

For family boaters, berth cushions are listed as options so you can rig the boat for overnighting. Each individual berth is over 2.0m long too, so adults can stretch out pretty comfortably.

As standard the berths have carpeted tops/hatch lids and surrounds so you could, at a pinch, throw a few blankets down and sleep on top of them should the need arise.

Big roto-moulded storage bins are situated beneath the cabin berths and these are suitable for life jackets and safety gear. Two small side shelves overhead should prove suitable for stowing the car keys, phones, etc.

A clear acrylic hatch in the cabin ceiling provides natural light to the cabin, ventilation as needed, and access to the foredeck and large anchor well.

Moving aft, there is a single step up to the saloon/helm area, which is enclosed and fully sheltered by the hardtop and full height windscreen and side windows.

From the helm, the skipper has an unrestricted view forward and aft, and the sports steering wheel and side-mounted throttle are ideally positioned to drive the boat while standing up or sitting down in the wide, comfortable bucket helm chairs.

Above the steering wheel is a two-tier panel fascia that is good for a single full-size electronics display, engine gauges, switch panels, etc.

There is also a heap of flat dash space underneath the windscreen to fit additional bracket mounted displays.

Other noteworthy helm/saloon features include cup holders, a sturdy dash grab rail, comfortable footrests, and carpet upholstery to the ceiling and side panels.

COCKPIT AND FISHING FEATURES
- Huge cockpit with elevated side pockets, toe-rails and high freeboard
We were interested to learn from Quintrex that the size of the forward cabin area in the Yellowfins (not counting the hardtop) is the same for the 6500, 7000 and 7600 size models. What changes is the size of the rear cockpit — so if you want the biggest possible cockpit then the 7600 Yellowfin is the boat you want!

We measured the overall length of the cockpit and it stretches 3.3m from the cabin/helm bulkhead aft to the transom wall. Behind the helm seat boxes there was 2.3m of clear, uncluttered deck space running aft by 2.07m in width. A real fishing platform!

The cockpit is so big you might be tempted to fit a central bait station or game chair so you would have something to grab and hold onto while walking around and fishing from the rear cockpit in rough weather.

The cockpit is also nice and deep with around 725mm of freeboard. Combine this depth with the elevated side storage pockets and superb under-transom toe-rails and you have a truly excellent fishing cockpit.

Key fishing features include the aforementioned portside live-bait transom tank, four welded alloy rod holders, 280mm wide side coamings, and an underfloor kill tank (which can be swapped out for an auxiliary 75l fuel tank).

A transom bait board is included with the standard boat, but the test rig was optioned with the new Quintrex deluxe bait station, which includes 10 clear tackle trays stowed behind a lockable front panel, along with an aft facing rod rack, cup holders, knife and utensil storage and more.

ON THE WATER
- Speed, stability and comfort from moderate-vee hull
The Yellowfin 7600 has a traditional plate-alloy vee-hull bottom with a sharp bow entry stretching back to a moderate 19 degrees of vee angle at the transom. There are no planing or lifting strakes (as these are not needed), but the boat does have a pronounced, wave-cutting keel and flat chines to boost stability.

The hull also has quite a gentle slope to the stem and forefoot, which aids the boat in a following sea. Some boats will dig in and bury into wave troughs. The Yellowfin 7600 will generally surf down into a wave, before lifting and riding out of the back of the wave safely and securely.

Sometimes having a more gradual sloping or relaxed stem angle can compromise a boat’s upwind performance, but that was not the case here. Running into quite a rough, lumpy sea we found the Yellowfin to be comfortable, well-balanced, stable and responsive.

The big Yellowfin was also very quick. Using our trusty hand-held GPS we recorded a top speed in the calmer conditions on the Gold Coast Broadwater of 40.5 knots at 5550 rpm.

With the big Evinrude V6 225hp ETEC on the transom, the hull also accelerated brutally from idle through to wide-open throttle. Never, at any stage through the rpm range, did the boat/engine combination feel lacking in speed, power or acceleration.

In light of this excellent performance we can’t envisage a situation or application where you would need the maximum 300hp... at least with a single outboard installation. The 7600 Yellowfin is available with twin outboards and a dual 130hp ETEC or 150hp G2 ETEC installation would make for a very special offshore fishing package.

VERDICT
- A stunning new trailerable sportfisher with hardtop shelter
Quintrex is attracting plenty of new customers to its revamped Yellowfin boat range. These are big, strong, practical and great value rigs. The launch of the new Southerner extended-hardtop models will likely make the Yellowfins even more desirable and popular.

As tested, the 7600 Southerner was a particularly fine package — superbly equipped yet remarkably well-priced — and with a hull, deck and cabin design that is ideally suited to fishing Australia’s often uncomfortable offshore seas and harsh weather conditions.

A worthy addition to the Yellowfin boat range, especially as plate boats are hot-to-trot in the Southern states, where the fisheries for bluefin tuna and broadbill swordfish are also going from strength to strength.

LIKES
>> Evinrude G2 power and performance
>> Light, responsive power steering
>> Comfortable ride with stability
>> Big, uncluttered cockpit with high freeboard
>> Hardtop shelter and weather protection
>> Toe-rail/foot space under transom
>> Standard trim tabs
>> Excellent value for money

NOT SO MUCH
>> No listed option for a toilet

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.76/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.7/5.0
On the water performance: 4.8/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.7/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
4.9kts (9.1km/h) @ 1000rpm
5.6kts (10.4km/h)@ 1500rpm
7.4kts (13.7km/h) @ 2000rpm
11.5kts (21.3km/h) @ 2500rpm
19.1kts (35.3km/h) @ 3000rpm
23.9kts (44.2km/h) @ 3500rpm
29.6kts (54.8km/h) @ 4000rpm
32.6kts (60.3km/h) @ 4500rpm
35.8kts (66.2km/h) @ 5000rpm
40.5kts (74.9km/h) @ 5550rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE - ECONOMY
2.6 l/ph @ 1000rpm
5.6 l/ph @ 1500rpm
9.9 l/ph @ 2000rpm
14.2 l/ph @ 2500rpm
21.0 l/ph @ 3000rpm
28.3 l/ph @ 3500rpm
37.5 l/ph @ 4000rpm
45.0 l/ph @ 4500rpm
59.5 l/ph @ 5000rpm
72.0 l/ph @ 5550rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 235l FUEL TANK: 202.82nm @ 3000rpm

Specifications: Quintrex Yellowfin 7600 Southener
Price as tested: $107,690 including an Evinrude 225hp ETEC G2 DFI two-stroke extra-longshaft (25in) outboard, Quintrex tandem axle aluminum trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes (and Catch ‘N Release latch), Simrad NSS12 Evo2 GPS chart plotter/fish finder, Simrad radar kit, Fusion stereo, Muir electric drum anchor winch, port side windscreen wiper, hardtop LED lighting kit, helm seat storage boxes, carpeted cabin ceiling, outriggers, external hand wash, deluxe bait board/fishing station, offshore safety gear pack and QLD boat and trailer registrations.
Priced from: $90,750 with an Evinrude 175hp ETEC G2 DFI two-stroke outboard, tandem axle aluminium trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes, offshore safety gear pack and 12 months QLD boat and trailer registrations.
Length overall: 7.60m
Hull length: 7.40m
Beam: 2.40m
Hull weight: 1365kg
Towing weight: Approx 2,750kg
Deadrise: 19 degrees
Bottom alloy: 6.0mm
Transom alloy: 5.0mm
Topside alloy: 4.0mm
Maximum power: 300hp
Engine as tested: Evinrude 225hp ETEC G2 two-stroke outboard
Fuel: 235lt
Maximum Persons: Seven

Supplied by:
Caloundra Marine
Phone: (07) 5491 1944
Email: steve@caloundramarine.com.au
More on the Yellowfin range at Quintrex boats.