Spotlight: Quintrex 590 Frontier SC

With Suzuki 150hp SS outboard power, a trick fishing fit-out, and an awesomely soft, stable Quintrex Apex flared hull bottom, the Quintrex 590 Frontier is the dream fishing boat for tackling open bay waters, harbours and impoundments.

The Quintrex Frontier fishing boat range arrived in 2017 to much acclaim. The launch models hit the mark straight out of the box, the forked-bow shape boosting interior space, whilst the remarkable flared bow, concave-shaped Apex hull brought new levels of ride comfort and handling to this style of boat.

Four years on, the Quintrex Frontier boats are no less impressive. We sampled the 590 side console model recently, paired with the powerful Suzuki 150hp SS four-stroke outboard.

All Quintrex Frontiers are available with a centre or side console configuration. There's also the option for a rear console on the flagship 630 series model.

In addition to the range-topping 630, Quintrex Frontiers come in 510, 530, 550 and 590 hull sizes. You can read full reviews on the 510 model here and the 530 series boat here.

Like the Freestyler bowriders, each of the Frontiers is equipped with the Quintrex Apex hull with its distinctive pickle-forked bow shape and variable deadrise, flared hull bottom.

But where the Freestylers have a bowrider seating compartment at the bow, the Frontiers have an elevated casting deck, beneath which is a large storage compartment with a carpeted false floor.

The 590 series boat we recently sampled is the second largest model in the range, and particularly spacious inside.

Key features included the side console helm station, a reinforced foredeck/platform at the bow with enclosed anchor well, provision for an electric trolling motor, the aforementioned carpeted casting platform with storage, and a deep aft cockpit with three lift-out pedestal chairs.

The three included pedestal helm chairs slot into four different floor locations, including one up on the casting deck.

Other general features include an external boarding platform and telescopic ladder, cockpit and navigation lights, welded bow and stern cleats, coaming grab rails, a sub-floor battery storage locker, and a starboard side transom door.

Our 590 Frontier test boat package was loaded with good fishing gear and equipment including a port side transom live well with front viewing window, four stainless steel rod holders built into fully welded gunnels, and a pair of transom transducer brackets

Cool options included a full-length, port side lockable rod locker, a lift-out transom bait board/rod rack, and a Minn Kota Ulterra 80 i-pilot electric trolling motor mounted off the bow.

To help you find the fish a Lowrance HDS12 MFD was flush-fitted into the side console fascia, above the Suzuki engine gauge and the included VHF radio.

With all the above gear and more, our Quintrex 590 Frontier test platform was presented as a ready to fish, drive-away package.

The 590 Frontier test rig was paired with the sporty Suzuki 150hp SS four-stroke. This big capacity four-cylinder motor was coloured in the optional matt black paint instead of the usual shadow black metallic; it looked a treat - matching the boat's custom grey and red hull wrap.

Quintrex rates the 590 Frontier for a maximum of 150hp, but I reckon it could take a bit more. Our test boat was responsive throughout the rev range, but the hull could handle a top speed a bit higher than the 34.7 knots that we were able to achieve.

That said, the 590 Frontier was not wanting for more grunt; it leaped out of the water when throttled up, accelerating very smartly onto the plane, before powering on to the Suzuki's 6000 rpm wide open throttle.

Through slalom manoeuvres and figure eights, the boat/engine combination worked a treat too, carving sharp turns with plenty of hull grip and propeller bite on the water.

As noted earlier, the Frontier's variable deadrise, concave shaped vee hull is also terrifically soft riding. The sharp bow and stem slices easily through bay and harbour chop, whilst the pronounced hull flare and reverse chines suppress spray.

The Gold Coast's Surf Coast Marine has package prices for the Quintrex 590 Frontier starting from $65,000 when paired with a Suzuki DF140 four-stroke outboard and a dual-axle braked trailer.

With all the gear, bells and whistles fitted to our test boat, along with the larger DF150 SS Suzuki four-stroke, the Quintrex 590 Frontier packages up to around $92K.

Supplied by: Surf Coast Marine