|
By
DAVID LOCKWOOD
7 August 2006
In 1945, Sydneysider Terry Quantrill designed and built the world's
first aluminium boat. From which point Quintrex - you can see the
heritage in the name - began building tinnies. In fact, the flared bow
and foam flotation on that first dory of Quantrill's are identifying
features of the company's boats today. Only now the manufacturer makes
some 15,000 tinnies every year.
But for all that, it has taken
until now for Quintrex to create a tinnie that is powered by an
inboard rather than an outboard motor. That's because it has taken
this long for factory-rolled tinnies to grow to a size big enough
to accommodate the weight of an inboard motor. Having said that,
the inboard motor is on the ascendancy for several other
compelling reasons.
Inboard motors, which are the
preferred powerplants for most fibreglass pleasure boats,
especially the ubiquitous imported American bowrider, offer a
better sense of integration in a boat than an outboard. With the
motor in an engine room instead of at ear level, noise levels are
reduced. Further, the transom can be configured with a nice big
lounge and such add-ons such as heat exchangers can be fitted for
hot water, while power steering makes the driving experience more
pleasurable.
Being four-stroke motors, inboards
are also more fuel efficient that conventional two-stroke
outboards. Last, but not least, inboard- powered boats often
perform better through the bends. Which brings us back to Quintrex,
which is introducing inboard-powered tinnies for the first time at
this weekend's Sydney International Boat Show.
Quintrex says its new 540 and 580
Freedom Cruisers are the most luxurious tinnies it has ever built,
with sleek and sporty lines, abundant floor and storage space, a
plush interior with high levels of trim and, I might add, great
integration of the powerplant. In fact, the Freedom Cruiser range
sees a complete transformation of the transom.
"The 540 and 580 Freedom
Cruisers mark a ground-breaking step for Quintrex and medium-sized
aluminium boats in Australia," boasted Quintrex National
Sales & Marketing Manager, Damien Duncan. "It
demonstrates the flexibility, adaptability and capability of our
Research and Development team in meeting customer and dealer
demands."
Quintrex has adapted its
pre-existing Maxi 2 Transom, a high volume transom designed to
support the weight of four-stroke outboard motors, and created a
large rear-boarding platform across the boats. The engines are
housed forward of this, inside the hull, where noise levels are
contained, says Quintrex.
At which point this writer would
add two salient points. First, one hopes Quintrex provides sound
insulation in the engine room and especially the underside of the
lid. And, second, the buyer might need to consider fitting trim
tabs. Inboard engines shift the weight back aft and, with the
creation of bigger rear seating, they can be a bit doughy at
moderate speeds. Though I hadn't the opportunity for a test drive,
just yet, the aforesaid Maxi 2 Transom should be a big help with
supporting engine and crew weight.
But among the static benefits are
the creation of a sun pad at the transom before that full-width
boarding platform will be perfect for fitting skis, launching
wakeboards, fishing or just hanging out at the waterfront. Further
eye candy comes by way of a new sports steering wheel, passenger
and driver bucket seats. And there is said to be plenty of
internal space in the boat.
Forever trying to compete with the
polished fibreglass craft, Quintrex says its new 540 and 580
Freedom Cruisers will crack new markets and provide an opportunity
to showcase its so-called Millennium hull, which has a fine entry
and a smooth ride for a tinnie, with its time-proven flared bow.
Being aluminium, the hulls can also take the knocks from, say,
going aground on your typical concrete boat ramp.
Quintrex adds that in 2004 the
Australian market sold 1800 imported inboard-powered fibreglass
boats but that figure jumped to 30000-odd in 2005. Inspired by
that, the boatbuilder has gone some way to arresting the imported
assault by offering drive-away boat, motor and trailer packages
that now come with inboard motor options: a 135hp 3.0-litre
MerCruiser on the 540 and a 190hp on the 580.
The 540 Freedom Cruiser can carry
up to seven passengers and measures 6.3 metres overall while the
580 measures 6.55 metres overall and can transport up to eight
people. Both models boast 4mm bottom sides and 2mm topsides and
measure 2.38 metres across the beam. And they should be an easy
tow for the average family car.
Among the standard features are
side storage panels, deluxe seating, moulded dashboard and glove
box, carpeted floor, rear alloy telescopic ladder, central ski
hook and underfloor and engine-bay storage compartments. Options
include a wakeboard/ski rack, bimini, front clears, side curtains,
storm cover, tonneau, convertible bow casting platform with
storage, stereo and speakers.
The 540 Freedom Cruiser was selling
for $34,818 and the 580 Freedom Cruiser from $41,775, plus
delivery charges. Both models come as Instant Boating Packages
including hull, inboard petrol motor, trailer, safety equipment,
registration and a three-year warranty. Well worth a test drive
from your Quintrex dealer. See www.quintrex.com.au
lockwood@intercoast.com.au
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
|
