Quntex 530 Spirit

This is just about as big as a 5.3 metre boat can be, with huge volume, generous storage, narrow side-decks you can step around, and a big, safe feel. Of course, all this is reflected in the price: $41,895 – at the high end among the other boats featured here.

The Quintrex is marketed as multipurpose – family fun, fishing, diving or simply exploring. Its stretch-formed Millennium hull has a variable deadrise – Quintrex says the hull’s fine entry provides a soft ride and its generous beam ensures stability at rest and when underway. The flare in the bow keeps the boat dry in the chop and the long keel ensures good holding in the corners and obedience when travelling down-swell. It is built to US Yachting and Boating Council standards.

The hull’s chines also contribute to its stability at rest; it remained stable with three crew on one side, and its wide transom easily fishes three across. There are numerous rod holders, good thigh support, wide gunwales for sitting on, and two pedestal seats with hinged, reversible backs; the driver’s seat is also adjustable fore and aft. The high seats give a good view all-round, and the wide hatch in the forepeak gives good access to the anchor well. There are numerous grab handles.

As standard, the Quinnie has a full set of gauges, including compass, fuel, trim, hours on motor, Lowrance fishfinder-sounder and VHF.

The boat is particularly quiet, partly due to the flotation material in the enclosed side pockets and underfloor. (In test conditions the buoyancy underfloor and in the sides kept the swamped boat floating level with 600kg of people and gear.)

The fuel tank, with an expansion chamber and twin breathers, holds 95 litres and is pressure tested. The boat planes easily at relatively low speed and is sensitive to trim. The sealed Maxi transom provides ample buoyancy aft, which gives good lift for getting up on the plane. Scuppers ensure the floor is self-draining; there is also an auto-bilge-float switch. A 110-litre Rotomould bin provides a livebait tank.

The boat looks smart, with two-pack polyurethane baked-on exterior paint and Quintrex decals, and a frontrunner and carpet for the interior. A seat across the transom folds down out of the way for fishing.

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New Zealand Fishing News
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