South Australian Angler – June 2018

forward section into one big, twin level
casting platform.
Seating for helmsman and
passenger is extremely comfortable.
Both seats swivel easily, enabling the
passenger to spin around and act as ski
observer with no trouble at all. At the
transom there’s a simple drop-down
bench that will seat three at a pinch.
With this retracted, the transom is neat
and totally angler friendly.
The standard features list with
the 530 Freestyler package includes
cockpit lighting, scupper drainage
system, ski pole mount, moulded side
panels, rear boarding ladder and a 95
litre underfloor fuel tank. It comes
painted with stripes and is fitted with
mechanical steering – something I’d
be looking to upgrade immediately.
While mechanical steering is now far
better than it used to be, there’s simply
nothing as smooth and positive as the
hydraulic alternative. You’ll pay extra,
of course, but it’s definitely money well
spent if the budget permits.
Also worth considering from the
options list is a berley bucket, aft live
bait tank, transom door, dual battery
system and, if you’re into bling, a
custom vinyl wrap.
With an average highway towing
weight of around 1200kg, the Freestyler
is a snack to pull, launch and retrieve.
Naturally, a mid-range four wheel drive
would enable bank or beach launching,
which can be a definite plus if you’re
keen to escape the crowds and go
fishing in less pressured locations.
Quintrex suggests a power range
of between 90-130 for the 530
Freestyler, and Pitmans had fitted the
test boat with a Yamaha F130LA four
stroke. This is a gem of an engine,
weighing in at just 172kg, which is 34kg
below the maximum transom weight.
Its excellent fuel economy should
provide a useful operating range with
95 litres on board, particularly in river
and estuary fishing situations.

We had lovely inshore conditions

for our test run, enabling me to push

the Quinnie hard and fast. I had just

returned from a boating media day on

the Gold Coast, where I spent some time

in the 630 Freestyler – ‘big daddy’ of the

range – and was interested to see how

the smaller version performed. The 630,

by the way, is among the best bowriders

I’ve ever set foot in, already racking up

big sales numbers in Queensland.

Immediately noticeable when

I dropped the throttle on the 530

was instantaneous lift and surprising

acceleration. ‘Hole shot’ performance is

one of the areas in which the Apex hull

really shines, as those big chines and

extended flare come into play as soon

as the power goes on. I’m not exactly

savvy with the physics of it all, but I

can guarantee you’ll notice this aspect

immediately if you experience the new

hull concept for the first time.

The next major surprise comes when

you throw the Freestyler into a tight

turn at speed. Quintrex’s Millennium hull

concept made radical improvements

to cornering and general handling, but

I feel the Apex hull takes performance

to another level again. I doubt you’ll find

another aluminium of this size that turns

so flat and maintains this amount of grip

on the water.

Our top speed over calm water was

The bow section will seat three in comfort

The Yam 130 is the perfect power match

uoS

th^ A

ustralian (^) An
(^87) regl