Quintrex 590 Freedom Cruiser Review
LIFESTYLE CRUISER
With so many power options available for trailerboats one tends to lose sight of the inboard market and where it sits in the scheme of things.
The huge number of different models from a variety of companies tends to clutter the boatyards while the inboards are out of sight, tucked away under cover.
As technology advances, the same power outputs are being realised from lighter engines and the viability of inboards becomes food for thought.
Quintrex have been playing in that part of the market for a couple of years now and their recent addition of the 590 Freedom Cruiser will keep them in the game for a while yet!
We had a look at this rig down on The Broadwater in South East Queensland and threw someone on a kneeboard to get the feel.
A LOOK INBOARD
The test boat was fitted with MerCruiser's 4.3lt multiport fuel injected (MPI) V6 petrol engine which was tucked neatly under the transom bulkhead under a large, hinged sun lounge that was gas strut assisted.
Once the lounge was laid back, a carpeted lid on the engine box was removed to access the top of the motor. The box is very snug around the engine on three sides, and soundproofing was neatly installed and about 20mm deep.
The oil is changed with a sump-suction apparatus installed down the dipstick tube which was easily accessible. There was only a matter of centimetre of space at the front of the belt pulleys which would make hasty maintenance a bit of an issue, but the entire box may be removed by undoing screws around its base and pulling it out from under the bulkhead. Full access to front and sides of the engine is then possible.
The side of the engine box has a split grommet through which the nozzle of a fire extinguisher is inserted to douse the engine should you have fire within.
With the sun lounge up, one can access stowage space on the port side where the cranking battery is secured in a box. On the starboard side where the power steering pump for the Alpha One leg is secured, is a battery box also. The stowage runs forward in a box configuration underneath and supports the rear full-beam lounge. Comfortable cushioning right around this area makes it a great place to hang out.
Over the transom, a full-beam width swimout platform overhangs the leg and is hung on sturdy end-rails that assist one to get on and off. A telescopic stainless steel ladder is slung under the starboard side of the platform.
Also on the transom is a centrally located ski-rope anchor and engine box vents.
IN THE COCKPIT
In the aft end of the cockpit deck, three compartments with completely removable hatches are located. The outer two have roto-molded inserts that are bunged and may be used for wet stowage while the central one hosts an auto-switched 1250gph bilge pump.
Forward of these three, on the deck between the helm and passenger swivel bucket seat, another long hatch opens to a ski and board locker.
The helm station is built on a molded plastic module attached to the bulkhead with the instruments laid out neatly. There are a couple of flat surfaces atop that might hold marine electronics on gimbals. The module on the other side of the companionway to the bowriding section has the stereo/CD player fitted inside on the back wall.
The bowrider companionway has a flat section of the wraparound windscreen that opens and folds back, secured by an elastic loop. A carpeted door blocks about 70 per cent of the draft coming into the cockpit at speed. A sturdy grabrail is installed behind both sides of the windscreen. Net drapes are hung across the aft end of the helm and passenger bulkhead modules allowing clothing and other gear to be stowed underneath.
Above the helm area is a canvas bimini. It is removed by taking out the screws to the poles and as tested, the front section of the frame was directly over one's head standing at the helm and very close to the top of the head if you are 175cm in height. This canopy needs to be moved forward and given more height if it is to be a standard fitting rather than a custom-built option.
Once in the bowrider section the seating is soft and there is plenty of wraparound upholstery for comfort. The backrests are high as is the leg well deep so it makes for a secure area to lounge. The cushioning is removable revealing roto-molded inserts in the seat bases for dry stowage.
At the bow, the anchor well is open and will accept a small Danforth anchor with rope and chain.
V6 PERFORMANCE
The seas were calm on the day of the test so we ran the boat out through The Seaway and offshore. Running around on the gentle swell proved to be comfortable with no issues to report and once on the plane the engine showed it had good torque throughout the rev range.
At full throttle of 4700rpm, the speedometer registered 53mph which converts to 85.29kmh.
We did think the holeshot could be improved with a change of propeller as it wasn't real snappy onto the plane and that was without anyone on a rope out the back. Added drag of boarders and skiers would exacerbate this issue.
The engine did have plenty of power, though, so it was a good combination on that count. And it was very quiet to boot; surprising for an inboard in an alloy boat which generally tend to amplify ambient noise.
The trim at various angles did not make a lot of difference to the performance of the boat or the resulting wake, which was wakeboard-able, but not overly high.
All up, a good contender for the family fun skiboat and it could handle a bit of fishing as well.
WHAT WE LIKED
Quiet engine for an inboard
Lots of wet stowage under cover
Good torque throughout rev range
NOT SO MUCH
Needs a re-prop to improve holeshot
Canopy dimensions and fitting requires attention
Specifications: Quintrex 590 Freedom Cruiser
HOW MUCH?
Price as tested: $49,956
Options fitted: Two-tone hull paint, and bimini
Priced from: $45,019
GENERAL
Material: Aluminium
Length overall: 6.55m
Beam: 2.39m
Weight: 1100kg (boat and motor)
CAPACITIES
Fuel: 120lt
People day: 8
Rec. max. HP: 190hp outboard
Rec. max. engine weight: 393kg
ENGINE
Make/model: MerCruiser 4.3 MPI
Type: Fuel injected V6 petrol inboard
Weight: 393kg
Rated HP: 220
Displacement: 4.3lt
Leg: Alpha One
Propeller: 19in
SUPPLIED BY
Hinterland Marine,
90 Kortum Drive,
Burleigh Heads, Qld, 4220
Phone: (07) 5576 8811
Website: www.hinterlandmarine.com.au
Originally published in TrailerBoat #232
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