QUINTREX yesterday launched its Freestyler X at a media event on the Gold Coast.
While the Freestyler X is aimed more at the family or leisure boater – it does have a few notable features which would make it a worthy crossover family/fishing boat.
The Freestyler X features BRP’s Rotax Outboard Engine. The Rotax is an innovative new outboard design with what BRP calls its Stealth Technology. The engine sits partially submerged underwater. This has allowed Quintrex to fully redesign the Freestyler X and offer substantially more space at the transom and throughout the boat. Quintrex says the new design offers 13% more space and cals the transom area its “Max Deck”.
This transom area – featuring a removable cushion – would make an ideal casting platform. Although, this area does lift up and down when the outboard is fully trimmed.
There’s ample space throughout the boat and at the bow if you want to move around fishing. The test boat featured an optional wakeboard tower, which most fishos would probably leave off the wish list.
The two test boats – a 555 and 595 – featured the Rotax 115hp and 150hp outboards. The additional space afforded by the “hidden” Rotax was instantly noticeable.
The Rotax integrates with the Lowrance HDS fishfinder/chartplotter on the dash, This comes standard with the Freestyler X and takes the place of traditional gauges. It offers all of the usual data via NMEA 2000 such as fuel usage, trim/tilt, speed, etc. Plus, given the outboard is out of sight to anyone inside the boat, you can also view the direction of the engine. This is useful when doing the boat alongside a wharf or driving it on a trailer.
BRP says Rotax’s direct-injection two-stroke engine offers fuel savings up to 20% and are the cleanest combustion engines on the market with a 12% reduction in reported emissions.
Rotax is an inline 3-cylinder outboard with digital power steering & fly-by-wire shift/throttle.
Other features on the boat include a new windscreen with improved ergonomics, anchors well, new premium upholstery, 99 litre fuel tank, plenty of underfloor storage, additional drink holders, optional alloy floors & sea tread finish and more.
The hull features Quintrex’s Apex Hull and performs nicely on the water. It’s a stable and very easy boat to drive. Both size boats required full throttle to get them on the plane. It certainly feels a little different to a traditional outboard and doesn’t seem to have as much “responsiveness”. That said, once on the plane, the boat performed well at all speeds and the steering was light, responsive and intuitive. These boats would make a great option for newcomers to boating or someone wanting a simple and intuitive boat for all-round family and fishing activities.
The Rotax concept aims to seamlessly connect the boat and outboard, offering a simple and easy-to-operate package for all skill levels. Quintrex has been offering this “turn key” boat package for years, giving customers the option of buying a complete boat/outboard/trailer package with no fuss. The Rotax and Freestyler X is the next step in this evolution and really makes buying a boat more like buying a car.
Quintrex says it will offer Rotax across more of its boat range in the future.
Stay tuned for the full review on the Freestyler X and Rotax Outboard in the June edition of Fishing World.
