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When it comes to the ultimate fishing machine it’s hard to go past the big centre console boat. And they don’t come much better than the Quintrex 610 Legend, an alloy console boat well suited to Aussie coastal fishing.

For pure “bang for your bucks” this new model Quintrex Legend is hard to beat. It’s very well priced and delivers a practical, honest fishing package.

Keeping cost down is a big factor in boat purchase today and that’s a big selling feature of this new six metre boat.

Quintrex has gone back to the drawing board on this new Legend. For starters, it has dropped level flotation. By sticking to the Basic flotation standard there’s no need to have buoyancy compartments in the cockpit sides. This in turn opens up the space to have big side pockets, which is exactly what keen fishos want in a hard-core fishing boat.

Meanwhile the boat gets the very latest Blade Runner hull that we first saw in the 610 Spirit Cuddy tested last issue. The Blade Runner creates a more drawn out bow entry and sharper lines. There’s more Vee in the bottom that cuts through waves better. This also helps the 610 Legend maintain a more level attitude at speed, which helps reduce fuel consumption.

Compared to the cuddy 610 Spirit this centre console model is hard core fishing machine. Not that you can’t take it on the odd family day excursion, but just that its main purpose is serious fishing, with 360-degree fishing access.

This is a tinnie you can roam out wide to the Continental Shelf waters for big sport fish, or bottom bash inshore for a feed.

There’s heaps of room here to take three or even four mates. However, most times you’ll enjoy the boat with a close fishing buddy and enjoy the extra space.

A casting deck within the cockpit ensures you get good sight-lines up front. And with deep cockpit sides you’re pretty safe when fishing out of this boat.

It’s interesting to note Quintrex also produces a similar sized boat in the 610 Topender. However, whilst similar in size/specs the latter is a boat aimed at a very different purpose - flatter estuary waters and warm water coastal hops. The 610 Legend conversely is a craft for the lumpy, bumpy waters you tend to get off places like Sydney. This is a boat for serious open waters fishing and this is why the hull entry is leaner and there is more console protection.

The pricing of the Legend is also pretty lean too. It starts at just $45,390 for a base BMT (boat/motor/trailer) package ex-Gold Coast. Our test boat with the addition of a folding bimini and Esky with floor base was $46,250.

Our test boat was supplied by local dealer, Tweed Coast Marine and came with a Mercury 175hp OptiMax EXLS (extra long) outboard. It came on an Quintrex aluminium, dual axle trailer.

DESIGN

This new generation 610 Legend is quite an impressive beast on its trailer with dimensions of 6.1m overall including the short stubby bowsprit and Maxi-pod transom. Beam is a generous 2.4m matched to a deep 1.4m hull depth.

Externally the 610 Legend features an attractive, raked bow that flows through to a sharp entry and high sides. The pressed clinker alloy sides have smart, two-tone paint and graphics that look fresh and clean.

Sensibly the bottom panels are left unpainted so little nicks and scratches aren’t going to worry. The topsides feature a soft-edge clinker pattern that’s quite different and also enhances the boats lines.

The Blade Runner hull actually improves the looks because the bow entry is sharper and gives the Legend a sportier appearance. It’s worth noting there’s a touch more Vee deadrise and this improves the ride in rough water.

While this latest Legend doesn’t have Level flotation you still get a self-draining cockpit. There’s two rear scuppers under the battery shelf that drain water out via two transom drain tubes. This is a practical feature for an open fishing boat especially when fishing offshore.

For coming aboard the 610 Legend gives you the convenience of a large rear landing deck with checkerplate flooring and a folding boarding ladder. You can also order an (optional) transom door, however most fishos I suspect will be happy with the present setup where you can swing a leg over the rear deck and access the cockpit.

Once aboard you find a roomy cockpit with wide, flat side decks that give you space to fit extra rod holders. The carpeted interior floor will be comfortable for bare-foot fishos and suit most buyers.

Under the APB Basic Flotation standard this boat is rated to carry up to seven people. However, as already noted most times you will be fishing with no more than two, or three passengers aboard.

Structurally these boats stack up well with a 4mm gauge bottom and 3mm topsides. The transom has 4mm gauge alloy to cope with bigger size motors and the whole interior is further strengthened by an internal hull grid, welded side decks and foam buoyancy  below floor level.

Quintrex enhance the package further by giving you a three year hull warranty. And if you buy the factory package with motor and trailer included you get an overall warranty just like buying a car.

And talking about cars this rig is a surprisingly easy to tow. Our test boat weighed in around 1370kg including full tank of fuel and loaded esky. That puts the big Quinnie within the range of larger cars like the Toyota Aurion (V-6), Holden Commodore and popular SUVs like the Holden Captiva or Hyundai Santa Fe.

Another attraction is the hinged console above the dash that helps reduce overall height for garaging.

PERFORMANCE

Queensland was back to its sunny best by the time we took this new console Quinnie for a spin on the Gold Coast. It was a sparkling, sunny day as we took a run down the beautiful Broadwater.

The boat felt good underway, slipping easily to the plane with the big OptiMax motor and also trolling nicely at slow speeds as well. I like the way the Blade Runner hull runs in such a level fashion. This is a direct benefit of the new hull shape is the hull throws the spray further back and therefore makes for a drier ride.

The boat also feels good to drive especially when you’re using the bum-bolster style Strike seat. I like the support this high, frame seat provides when you’re standing behind the wheel. There is also a nice sports wheel and hydraulic steering to make the driving experience pretty pleasant. A high windscreen also helps to protect the driver, which you appreciate on a cooler day.

As we went offshore the centre driving position gave me a good view of the on-coming waves. This helps if you are trying to position the boat at the right spot on the wave, especially as you return home over a bar entrance.

Inshore the boat speeds along nicely, cutting through small wave chop almost effortlessly. And considering this is still not a deep Vee craft it’s an impressive result.

These are not heavy boats but the 610 Legend feels quite steady in the water and in our simulated ‘fishing’ position with both crew on one side she wasn’t unstable.

From the central driving position you have equally quick access to the bow, or the stern. This makes the Legend easy to operate when you are on your own, so she is a great choice for the mid-week fisho.

POWER

With a recommended power range of 115- 175hp our test boat was naturally going to be a flier with a big OptiMax 175hp outboard. These big, clean-tech two-strokes are pretty impressive beasts and delivered impressive acceleration out of the hole.

The speeds were as follows on GPS:

3500rpm           26 knots

4500rpm           35 knots

5500rpm           41 knots

6000rpm           43 knots

With these speeds we were the fastest fishing boats on the Broadwater that day!

Do you need this much speed? Well, it certainly doesn’t hurt particularly especially if you’ve got big distances to and from the fishing grounds. It certainly helps to also have some power in reserve when you go offshore and have to battle currents and waves.

As an alternative to the 175hp motor I’d go for one of the great 150hp around today, especially the Yamaha 150hp four-stroke. Maybe the Mercury 135hp OptiMax would be good choice too, however I wouldn’t go to the 115hp size motors would be a bit under-cooked, especially offshore.

On the matter of power it’s good to see this boat supplied with a 120-litre in-floor fuel tank with deck filler and sender kit. However, for anyone contemplating long offshore jaunts it would be an idea to add the optional 42-litre back-up fuel tank.

And tick the box on the dual battery box and master switch. If not already included in the dealer package, make sure it is added for offshore safety!

INTERIOR

The Legend comes well equipped for coastal fishing with a welded bow anchor roller, split bow rail and roto-moulded plastic, self-draining anchor well. The latter ensures you don’t have annoying chain rattle and anchor noise.

The walk around interior ensures there’s easy walking access to the bow anchor point. The for’ard casting deck also provides a higher fishing position that’s appreciated when you’re casting lures.

Upfront are useful stowage lockers under the for’ard casting deck and moulded plastic, stowage bins. There is also the option of fitting a live catch well at this point - something that would be handy in tournament fishing events.

The boat has a lot of room to fish right and I like the way there is four rod holders – two up front as well as two back aft.

The Legend comes standard also with a double-shelf stowage area under the helm dash. There’s grab rails on the rear deck and on the sides of the consoles so passengers got somewhere to hang on. My only concern is the latches on the hinged console being strong enough to support a few big berley guys hanging off them. I would check those catches every season.

The optional Strike seat fitted to our test boat gives you room for two people and space under for an Esky. The seat also allows you to provide room underneath for a big esky. The latter is ideal for your food and drinks, plus keeping the catch fresh on the way home!

Back aft there is a raised shelf for the batteries and motor oil bottles. There is also a deck mount for an optional cutting board or water ski tow eye. Other great options that suit the fisho include a live bait tank on the rear deck), transom Maxi bracket and Berley bucket. By the way, the Maxi bracket lets you carry an auxiliary motor for extra safety offshore.

VERDICT

Quintrex again has put together a very well though-out package. This boat is something the keen fisho will find easy to trail and yet big enough to fish offshore. It’s a boat that’s not going to cost an arm and leg to run and it comes fairly well equipped with standard items like a 6-ganger switch panel and VHF radio, rear boarding ladder and drink holders.

You really need to add a sounder and preferably a combo sounder/GPS chartplotter to make the most of your offshore fishing trips. Other stuff you need for offshore ventures include an EPIRB, fire extinguisher and other required safety gear.

The bimini comes with an envelope cover and is a pretty good idea especially when boating through summer.

Overall this is well presented boat with a finish that should ensure good resale value over time. Add a decent parking cover and you will do even better when it comes time to sell.