Quantum Cat Mirage 480 Range Reviewed

Quantum possibilities

One of the most interesting boats that I have tested this year is no doubt the new multipurpose Quantum Cat Mirage range, manufactured by Quantum Cat Marine on the Sunshine Coast. So, what makes these boats so interesting? Well firstly, they are a small cat hull at 4.8m with a single outboard installation, and that’s a rare find nowadays. Secondly, the hulls are manufactured out of Evolve Polyethylene, something most boaters classify as plastic, or as a poly hull, and thirdly, they have incorporated an ally floor system into the boat, and that’s a game changer in a number of aspects. Aside from sporting interesting and modern aesthetics, the little Quantum Cats are designed to be bullet proof, suit multipurpose boating, or even be a great tender to a big boat.

Before taking a look at the models Quantum Cat Marine has to offer, the build process is worth a quick mention. These guys have manufactured poly products for a long time, namely, the well-known Viking kayaks in the past and other innovative products, so they are at the top of the game when it comes to polyethylene roto moulding. Now, the Quantum Cat hulls are manufactured out of a new state of the art material called Evolve Polyethylene, a blend of materials developed to look like fibreglass, but more durable on impact, and it maintains a shine and finish that won’t fade or oxidise over time. Another interesting fact with the roto moulding is the reduced build times. In this case, they can spit out a hull in one day, and a complete fitted up boat in 4–5 weeks from order, pending outboard availability. That alone is appealing, considering the lengthy wait times for new boats nowadays.

Quantum Cat Mirage range

QUANTUM CAT MIRAGE 480 OPEN CLASSIC

A look at the models on offer in detail; well to start, they have the entry level 480 Open Classic. It’s a simple tiller-steer that’s rated from 40–60hp, along with having a simple and spacious layout that can be optioned to suit. As tested, we had the 40hp Yamaha 4-stroke tiller, and a layout including a wide anchor hatch in the bow, small cast deck with storage, an open deck with 3 seats, side-pockets, closed transom storage with 25L portable fuel tank, port and starboard removable live-well/storage boxes, bimini shade, and finished with full carpeting and Seadek coaming trims.

On the throttle, well, this little pocket rocket really blew me away. After 10 minutes of getting a feel for the hull and performance within the Caloundra bar, it was a confident beeline for offshore where I literally gave it the thrashing of its life.

This little weapon is a fun drive as you can hook it into full lock turns, ramp swell and chop, basically abuse it in whatever fashion you like, to suit the smile on your dial.

Toning it down, the 480 Open cruises at a comfortable speed of 15–17 knots in the chop, and flat stick on the throttle around 24 knots. Chucking a 60hp on would probably get you a bit more grunt out of the hole and few more knots on the top end, however, I was happy with the overall performance of the 40hp.

As for ride characteristics, well, it’s good and the hull banks nicely into turns and feels safe on the water. They are not the lightest of hulls in comparison to a tinny, however, I find the weight combined with sharp bow entry is what creates the nice soft ride.

We got little bit wet every now and then depending on the chop and wind, but a small compromise considering the ride and performance capabilities. I also found the more weight in the stern and the harder you drove it, the better it went.

As for stability, 2.05m of twin hull beam provides the ultimate stable platform to fish off, as well as being great for the kids and family onboard.

QUANTUM CAT MIRAGE 480 CENTRE CONSOLE

Onto the centre console, and the layout is pretty much the same as the open tiller, however, you do have the small console with single pedestal seat, cable steering and a T-top. Since testing, they have changed the console to a slightly larger one with more space for gauges and electronics, added a curved screen, as well as open storage below for an esky or extra fuel jerry cans. They have also moved the console back a touch to aid with balancing out the weight to suit the ride.

Fitted up with a Yamaha 70hp 4-stroke, you would assume there would be a dramatic difference in performance to the 40hp tiller. The difference is marginal, with hole shot a bit more perky and suited to heavier loading, along with wide-open throttle achieving around 26–27 knots. I think you could play around with higher performance props to get a bit more top-end, however, the hulls are not designed to be high speed 40-knot weapons. Let’s face it, comfortable and economical speeds are generally between 15–25 knots on most boats.

Like the tiller option, the centre console is a nimble and comfortable boat to drive. I really like the fact that they bank into turns, rather than run level or bank outwards. Again, a nice soft ride, they have good stability at rest and underway, and can take a good thrashing on the water. On the test day, I noticed the hull gently wandered slightly at lower cruise speeds. We played around with the weighting and concluded that the hull rode better with more weight towards the stern. As mentioned earlier, the console has since been redesigned and moved back slightly to improve the ride.

QUANTUM CAT MIRAGE 480 CUDDY CAB

The third model is the Cuddy Cab, which I’ve only seen pics of. Based off the same hull, I can only assume the ride and handling to be similar to the tiller and centre console, along with more storage available in the Cuddy Cab, and a wider dash area for electronics.

WRAP

To sum it up, well the three models boast the same attributes, namely, solid hull and decks, simple and open layouts with upgrade options available, superb stability for size, nice soft ride, custom ally trailers, and they are reasonably priced.

Regardless of model, the Quantum Cat Mirage would be the ideal fishing and small family runabout suited to bays, estuaries, rivers and dams. It’s easy to tow, easy to maintain, and is the kind of boat that can take quite the pounding.

My pick of the three, well, I really like the entry level tiller steer as it runs on a 40hp, has open decks where you can throw the crab pots in or swags, you can easily trick it up to suit your fishing styles, and it would be a fantastic tender to a larger boat. I also heard a small rumour that there’s a new Quantum Cat 6m with single outboard option in the making, so watch this space.

A nice soft ride

Facts & Figures

Quantum Cat Mirage 480 Open Classic

Price as tested
$31,995

Options fitted

Yamaha 40hp, deluxe seats x4, bimini top, bait tanks x2.

Priced from

$29,500 includes magnum aluminium braked trailer and Yamaha 40hp.

GENERAL

Type Catamaran/multipurpose

Material Evolve polyethylene

Length 4.8m (15ft 9in)

Beam 2.05m (6ft 9in)

Weight 780kg including trailer & motor

Deadrise Variable

CAPACITIES

People six

Berths 0

Rec. HP 40–60hp

Max. HP 60

Fuel 25–50L portable tanks

Water raw NA

Water fresh NA

ENGINE

Make/model Yamaha F40LA

Type 4-Stroke, SOHC In-line 3

Weight 98KG (L)

Displacement 747cc

Gear ratio 2.00:1

Propeller 11x11

Cuddy Cab model available:

BMT from $37,990

MANUFACTURED BY

Quantum Cat Marine PTY LTD

SUPPLIED BY

Quantum Cat Marine PTY LTD
101 Enterprise St, Kunda Park , QLD 4556

P 07 5456 4292

E sales@quantumcat.com.au

W quantumcat.com.au

Facts & Figures

Quantum Cat Mirage 480 — Centre Console

Price as tested
$39,000

Options fitted

70hp Yamaha 4 stroke, live bait tanks, T-top , 3 x deluxe seats, extended casting deck.

Priced from

$33,790, includes Magnum aluminium braked trailer and Yamaha 60hp 4-stroke.

GENERAL

Type Catamaran/multipurpose

Material Evolve Polyethylene

Length 4.8m (15ft 9in)

Beam 2.05m (6ft 9in)

Weight Boat 830kg, including trailer & motor

Deadrise Variable

CAPACITIES

People 6

Rec. HP 60–70hp

Max. HP 70

Fuel 25–50L portable tanks

Water raw N/A

Water fresh N/A

ENGINE

Make/modelYamaha FL70Hp

Type 4-Stroke, 16 Valve SOHC In-line 4 Cylinder

Weight 119kg

Displacement 996cc

Gear ratio 2.33:1