Quintrex recently added two new fishing boat ranges to its line-up of popular aluminum boats. Boat Fishing spent a full day fishing on board both new models to get an idea what the Queensland boat maker was trying to achieve with its new releases. You can read the rundown on Quintrex’s new Renegade range in the January 2013 issue. While the Renegade was designed to suit estuary and Top End fishos, the Trident is firmly aimed at the offshore fisho with three new models. It’s a refreshing approach for Quintrex which is again producing quality offshore fishing boats to complement its well-known Hornet and Top Ender boat ranges.
The three models – 610, 650 and 690 – all feature 3mm topsides and 5mm bottoms.
The new range features Quintrex’s Millennium Blade hull, which the company launched back in 2011. The Blade hull is basically a new generation of the trusted Millennium hull with a sharper bow entry, a slight modification to the Millennium’s flared bow, and a steeper deadrise. All this, together with a few additional design tweaks, equals a softer ride, more stability and a boat which jumps on the plane quicker than previous models.
For maximum strength, the Tridents are built using Quintrex’s “egg crate” rib construction and finished with chequer plate flooring for an overall solid build and robust feel. The self-draining floor drains to a non-returning scupper and is built above the waterline meaning if you pull the bungs out, the boat won’t sink!
What’s on board?
Quintrex offers most of its boats with a fair amount of standard features, so there are not too many hidden costs for someone who wants a basic rig to get out fishing. Of course, there are plenty of optional extras, but if you’re new to this style of boat and looking for a complete package, the Trident optioned up witha few extras could be a good choice.
Starting at the transom, there’s a live well and a basic cutting board with rod holders. There’s also a simple fold-down seat and carpeted storage area below the transom for stowing excess gear and keeping batteries out of sight. The gunwales are nice and wide – a great safety feature in big seas. There’s a reasonably short, although deep, 135 litre plumbed kill tank under the floor and a 160 litre fuel tank. Kill tank and fuel tank sizes are shared across all three models.
The helm area is fairly basic but has most of what you’d need in an offshore boat. The bolster seats, which allow you to sit or lean, don’t take up too much floor space and feature some useful storage below. The dash allows enough space for a 12-inch sounder and additional switches and guages. There’s also plenty of storage space around the helm for storing keys and safety equipment such as an EPIRB. Quintrex doesn’t offer electronics such as a VHF radio and sounder as standard. These are essential items that need to be factored in to the overall cost.
The cabin area is spacious enough to house all your gear or the kids on the bunks and also features a convenient walk- through hatch to access the bow.
The Tridents come standard with a canopy, but not clears, and this is another option you’ll find hard to live without.
Offshore
The conditions were glassy – not ideal for boat testing. Thankfully Quintrex’s chief boat tester, Cliff Antees, and director of sales and marketing Damian Duncan, found us some swell with a Surfers Paradise backdrop. A few runs over the waves gave me a fair idea how the Millennium Blade hull works. The difference is noticeable with the sharp entry eliminating much of the “thud” you might otherwise expect from more basic aluminium boats. The compromise here to maintain stability while offering a soft ride has been achieved with the Trident’s Blade hull.
We shot out a few miles and trolled some lures in hope of a tuna or mackerel. All three boats never turned a reel, but we did get a fair idea of their good overall stability while fishing with four on board.
I spent most time on board the smaller 610 model which was fitted with a 150 E-TEC. While the boat is rated for a maximum of 175hp, the 150hp was responsive and quick on the plane.
While we didn’t record top speed, it was fast enough for an offshore boat with most of our time spent outside cruising around at slower, more comfortable speeds anyway.
Quintrex wasn’t a brand, until now, associated with tough offshore boats. However, the company no doubt wants to change this with the launch of its new Trident. With a standard starting price of $51, 325 for the 610, $55, 975 for the 650, and $65,788 for the larger 690, Quintrex has priced its new offshore range in reach of its target offshore plate boat market.
If you’re in the market for such a boat, the Trident is a boat worth checking out at your nearest dealer.
Scott Thomas
Fact Box:
Length: 6.16m; 6.43m; 6.81m
Beam: 2.4m (all models)
Hull thickness: 3mm top sides;
5mm bottom sides
Price: Contact local dealer
Contacts: www.quintrex.com.au
