QUINTREX 630 FREESTYLER – BOW RIDER – REVIEW

The stand-out new release from Quintrex this year is surely the Quintrex quintrex630 Freestyler. Armed with the innovative new Apex series hull and a brutally fast Evinrude 175hp G2 E-TEC outboard, this wonderfully equipped sports bowrider is an absolute weapon on the water. It takes corners like it’s on rails, blasts out of the hole, and smooths over heavy bay chop with ease. The new Freestyler is an exceptional boat for tow-sports activities and family boating applications. One of the best new boats of the year.

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OVERVIEW
– New Quintrex Freestyler and Frontier models take centre-stage
Quintrex debuted two completely new model ranges back in April this year. The Frontier fishing boats and Freestyler bowrider sports boats were released on the Gold Coast to acclaim from assembled boating journalists. The boats have since been wowing boaters at Quintrex dealers and boat shows around the country.

The Frontier and Freestyler models are both built on the new Quintrex Apex hull. It’s a wide beam, full-bodied design, with a striking forked bow shape, plus wide chines, and a sharp, fine entry, along with substantial hull flare. The new shape looks unlike any other aluminium boat on the market and is proving very effective out on the water.

In the Frontier fishing boat range, customers can choose from five side console and five centre console models from 5.1 to 6.3m in length. The Freestyler sports bowriders are built on the same hulls and available in 510, 530, 550, 590 and 630 models.

Several Freestylers were on hand to trial during the launch of these striking new models earlier this year. The stand-out performer proved to be the big, bright-orange flagship 630 model — powered by an Evinrude E-TEC G2 175hp DFI two-stroke outboard.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
– $80k BMT price for a fully rigged 6.0m family bowrider and tow-boat
Our top-of-the-range test boat was sold some time back, but a similarly equipped 630 Freestyler can be yours for just under $80k complete with an extra-longshaft Evinrude E-TEC G2 175hp outboard with hydraulic steering (standard) and a tandem-axle aluminium trailer.

Our test boat was also equipped with the optional vinyl hull wrap (which looks a treat), a Lowrance HDS7 Fish Finder/GPS, a VHF radio, and the trick looking wakeboard tower.

If you can do without those options, the drive-away price drops to $73k, which is not bad for a premium quality, full-featured 6.3m sports bowrider.

The Freestyler is very well equipped straight out of the factory. Included in the standard package is the deluxe bow seating area, deluxe pedestal helm chairs, folding, padded rear bench seat, helm and passenger consoles with storage lockers and topped with centre opening windscreen, full carpet throughout, roto-moulded plastic side panels with shelving, cup holders and storage, raised side decks (which increase cockpit freeboard), starboard side transom door/step, boarding platforms and ladder, non-return cockpit scupper drainage system, stern cleats, bilge pump, underfloor storage/fish box, and more.

For family day boating you are unlikely to want for a whole lot more…  perhaps some electronics and the wakeboard tower. If you’ve got kids or friends whom enjoy their tow-sports, then spending a few extra bucks on the wakeboard tower will likely prove worthwhile.

For anglers looking for a dual purpose cross-over boat, the Freestyler can also be factory optioned with a live bait tank in the port transom corner, bait board, berley bucket, additional rod holders (two are standard), and a range of Lowrance branded electronics gear.

The bow seating area can also be re-configured into a forward casting platform. Talk about versatile!

INTERIOR LAYOUT
– New Apex hull shape boosts interior seating and storage space
One of the useful benefits of the new Apex hull and its pickle-fork bow shape is that a full beam is carried further forward. A traditional vee hull starts to taper in toward the stem from amidships. Not so with the Apex hull.

With the outer spray chines now carried forward to the tip of each hull fork (instead of coming back to the stem), the hull remains close to its maximum beam width all the way to the bow. This has enabled Quintrex to significantly enlarge the bow seating area and to provide more storage space.

When you step aboard the 630 Freestyler the enlarged bow seating area is immediately apparent. Quintrex has further boosted the seating and lounge space by taking the anchor well off the foredeck and locating it under the centre seat cushion within the seating area.

But I fear there will be more wear and tear on the vinyl upholstery on the centre seat cushions, as the anchor rode will need to be retrieved over the top of them. Dripping seawater, mud and sand will likely damage the cushions over time, particularly if the anchor is retained in the anchor well, and not perched up on the bowsprit.

Yet there is no disputing the increased size of the seating area. It is not only wider than competitor brands, but also longer. There is now space on each side seat to recline and fully stretch out with your head comfortably supported on the angled forward cushion, which acts as a head-rest.

As noted earlier, there is ample storage space with roto-moulded bins under the side seats, flanking the centre anchor well.

Additional storage bins are located under the floor. There is a water ski and fender locker situated amidships and a second bin under the rear cockpit floor suitable as an ice or fish box.

The moulded plastic cockpit side panels also have side pockets and cup holders while the helm and passenger consoles each have a storage bin behind a Sopac style hatch. These two storage areas are useful but difficult to access as you need to reach under each console to get to them.

On the port side passenger console there is also a top-mounted glove box and bin for stowing car keys, cell phones, and other bits and pieces.

Like the passenger console, the helm console opposite is made from durable roto-moulded plastic. Aesthetically it is quite pleasing and the fit and finish is pretty good.

The helm console is quite small for a 6.0m boat, with just enough space on the fascia for engine instruments, a switch panel and a small, bracket-mounted electronic display.

The sports steering wheel takes pride of place in the centre of the helm, with the side-mounted throttle situated close by and with a comfortable reach.

We found the 630 Freestyler very comfortable to drive, especially while seated. The skipper has an excellent view forward through the three pane (and centre opening acrylic windscreen), which also provides shelter from wind and spray.

Moving aft you’ll find there is a surprising amount of cockpit space behind the larger helm chairs. Even with the rear bench seat in position there is enough space for two or three people to move about quite easily.

Thanks to the new raised side decks on the Quintrex Freestylers, there is also plenty of freeboard (minimum of 720mm) ensuring the cockpit is safe and secure for young children.

Other features include the aforementioned transom door, boarding platform and ladder, cockpit scupper drainage system, and stern cleats.

The battery and oil tank are situated in a compartment under the rear cockpit floor. The battery is secure in this location, but I would nevertheless prefer to have the battery stowed in an elevated position, away from any possible water ingress.

ON THE WATER
– Apex hull delivers a stunning ride, excellent handling and performance 
The new Quintrex Apex hull is an excellent new design and it really delivers out on the water, especially on the larger size Apex hulls such as the wide-beam 630 Freestyler.

I suspect the Apex hull was developed and fine-tuned on a larger hulls because the 630 Freestyler is a big step up with regard to handling, ride and performance compared with the smaller, narrower beamed Apex hull boats.

Aided by the super smooth and easy Evinrude power steering and the remarkable and instant grunt from the G2 E-TEC 175hp outboard, the 630 Freestyler is simply fabulous out on the bay and harbour.

The boat is stunningly fast (topping 40 knots) and handles beautifully through high speed turns and sharp manoeuvres, showing off its prowess and potential as performance tow-boat, not just a family sports bowrider.

The 630 Freestyler was the boat that impressed most of us during the unveiling of these very special craft, but not just due to the great handling.

The flagship Freestyler is also very stable at rest, dry underway, soft riding through choppy water, safe and forgiving coming out of wave troughs, and very well balanced at high speed.

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VERDICT
– A wonderful new family sports bowrider, day cruiser and tow-boat 
With the 630 Freestyler, Quintrex is on to a winner. It is a wonderful boat with excellent performance, a great ride, easy, surefooted handling, and a comfy interior fit-out.

With its forked bow shape and custom vinyl hull wrap the boat looks awesome, too. I’d be wrapped to have one parked in my driveway. The 630 Freestyler is one of our top new aluminium boats for 2017 and a great addition to the Quintrex fleet.

LIKES
>> Superb, soft riding Apex hull
>> Blistering performance with Evinrude E-TEC 175hp
>> Fingertip light steering
>> Cornering grip
>> Great handling
>> Wide bow seating area
>> Boosted interior space, storage and freeboard

NOT SO MUCH 
>> Bow cushions may get wet when retrieving anchor
>> Limited dash space for electronics
>> Battery located underfloor

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.84/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water performance: 4.9/5.0
Value for money: 4.7/5.0
X-factor: 5.0/5.0

Specifications: Quintrex 630 Freestyler
Price as tested: $79,990 including Evinrude E-TEC G2 175hp DFI two-stroke extra-long shaft (25in) outboard with hydraulic steering, vinyl hull wrap, tandem-axle Quintrex alloy braked trailer, wakeboard tower, Lowrance HDS7 fish finder/GPS, VHF radio, 12 months’ boat and trailer registrations and an inshore safety gear pack.

Priced from: $72,990 including Evinrude E-TEC G2 175hp DFI two-stroke extra-long shaft (25in) outboard, tandem-axle Quintrex alloy braked trailer, 12 months’ boat and trailer registrations and an inshore safety gear pack.

Length overall: 6.33m
Hull length: 6.24m
Beam: 2.43m
Depth: 1.33m
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Hull weight: 795kg
Weight on trailer: Approx  1550kg
Bottom & transom alloy: 5.0mm
Topsides alloy: 3.0mm
Maximum power: 200hp
Maximum engine weight: 295kg
Maximum load: 925kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-TEC G2 175hp two-stroke
Fuel capacity: 120lt
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Seven