A Not-so-little Beauty

Newcastle Herald

Friday September 10, 2004

Boating, Mark Rothfield

CENTRE console runabouts are the one-tonne utes of the fishing world, blokes' boats that make few pretences towards catering for snotty kids and the malcontent missus.

They're designed to allow you to chase that feisty marlin around the full circumference of the cockpit. Or if your buddy's bowels reek from last night's curried prawns you can dispatch him to the stern while you fish from the bow.

The new 650 Offshore CC from Quintrex is arguably the ultimate trailerboat man's dream. Not only is it incredibly spacious but it's sufficiently seaworthy to venture just about anywhere a gameboat would go.

At 6.48 metres from bow to transom and 2.4 metres across the beam, it easily accommodates seven people. Add outriggers and you have a serious battlewagon for competition fishing.

Quintrex uses a unique stretch-form construction process that allows it to provide a varying deadrise in the hull shape narrow at the keel to slice through swells and flaring towards the chines for added stability.

The bottom is 5-millimetre alloy to withstand strong chop, the topsides are 3 millimetre to keep trailable weight to a minimum.

The Maxi 2 transom pod provides flotation for larger outboards and helps the hull get out of the "hole". Recommended horsepower is 150 but for extra performance or load capability the 650 Offshore CC will handle up to a 200.

Standard features include auto bilge pump, 160-litre fuel tank, a new dashboard layout with mounting point for a GPS, transom door, rear ladder, twin anchor tubes, trim tabs, five-rod folding rocket launcher, bimini, front clears and brackets to mount outriggers.

Two bucket seats provide comfort for those long runs out to the shelf. They're placed atop storage boxes, not that room is an issue in this boat there's side pockets and extra storage under the cabin bunks. The interior is fully lined throughout with marine-grade carpet.

The cuddy cabin includes a huge roto-moulded underfloor storage bay and features thick, padded cushions with high backrests as options perfect for an afternoon snooze.

For increased fishability, buyers can option-up with a transom-mounted livebait tank (100 litre) with cutting board, plus a secondary 90-litre fuel tank for added cruising range.

An auxiliary motor mount can be welded on to place an additional motor or burley bucket.

For its 2005 range Quintrex has "Instant Boating" packages available that incorporate a Johnson outboard and custom Quintrex trailer delivered direct to the public. The aim is to provide minimal fuss and maximum enjoyment.

The standard 650 Offshore CC comes with the 150hp Johnson 2-stroke outboard and a tandem-braked trailer priced from $52,250 (excluding dealer delivery charges).

That said, it's likely that buyers will have owned previous boats even scaling down from gameboats which are costly to run so they will want to tailor the package to their exact needs.

Obviously they can fit the motor of their choice and frankly I'd specify either a two-stroke with direct fuel injection or a four-stroke, both of which provide superior trolling performance and fuel economy.

Terrace Boating is the local dealer phone 4987 2282.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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