QUINT REX 530BR FREESTYLER
F
or some reason I find difficult to
explain, bowrider style boats have
never been as popular here as in the
eastern states. As far as the ‘cross-over’
concept goes, bowriders are a great
choice, offering a handy mix of applications
and possibilities. You can ski, wakeboard,
cruise and, of course, fish in comfort;
versatility is their real strongpoint.
Quintrex now offers an extensive
range of bowriders under the Freestyler
banner, beginning with the neat little
510 and running up to the big, beamy- All models feature Quintrex’s new
Apex hull, which many consider to be
the most significant step forward in
hull design from the Queensland-based
manufacturer in many years.
New technology has enabled
Quintrex to stretch aluminium plate,
creating hull shapes that were previously
available in fibreglass only. Most
noticeable in this new shape is the flare,
which is carried further aft to maintain
continuous contact with the water,
creating a flatter, more even ride. This
induces extra lift while at speed, which
is immediately obvious when you travel
alongside a Freestyler and check out its
ride attitude. Broader chines open up
the front of the hull to provide improved
grip and stability when cornering,
making this design a real selling point
in a rather congested and competitive
market sector.
In early May we jumped aboard the
530 Freestyler, powered by a 130hp
Yamaha four stroke. This is a very handy
size for many applications here, and
I’m betting it’s the most popular model
throughout southern Australia. The
blend of bow/cockpit space seems about
right, and there would be no problem
fishing up to four in comfort. I like thebowrider set-up for lure and fly casting,
and this model would ideal for both.
Quintrex has raised the side decks by
80mm on all Apex hull models, which is
a definite bonus, particularly for family
users. Internal space isn’t compromised
by the raised sides, however; in fact,
Quintrex quotes an increase of around
5 per cent in interior volume, with the
forked bow shape providing extra bow
seating area in all Freestyler models.
The 530 is configured in traditional
bowrider style. Walk-through access to
the bow is generous in size, and you’ll
find plenty of storage up front beneath
the U-shaped lounge seating. Directly
forward of the seats there’s a decent
anchor well with sturdy hinged lid, which
offers a casting area for one angler.
Although it’s not mentioned in the
options list, I’m sure you could organise
a bow seat in-fill that would convert theuoS
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