There’s always lots to enjoy in a boat review; after all, who wouldn’t like running around in a brand new boat? But the review of the Quintrex Renegade 460 side console was extra special because we latched onto a feed of fish in the Jumpinpin Bar area before getting serious with the camera.

Launching at Jacob’s Well at 5.30 on a winter’s morning, Springwood Marine’s Guyla Vari and I headed straight for the sudsy stretch of water between North and South Stradbroke islands to see if the 460 Renegade’s Blade hull — with it’s fairly shallow V plus ample under-hull pressings — was as stable as it looked as it slid off it’s Quintrex skid and roller trailer. Seated on the premium Maritime seat while running down to the ’Pin bar at 50 clicks with the big block Mercury 75 humming astern at 4100rpm saw me grateful for the spray jacket I was wearing. While there was some protection from the Renegade’s neat side console, an air temperature of 8° will always demand extra clothing layers at that sort of pace!

Wintery conditions were soon forgotten, however, once we arrived at the bar and saw the dipping flocks of terns coming our way with the flood tide. To assess the hull’s capability, I moved right into the white water to close in on the action. Conditions were quite lumpy, with some swell moving in across sandbars to liven things up, but we experienced no problems, even when a peaking side swell coming off the collision of 2 large waves joined the party. We stood to and cast at the tailor and dart that were soon entertaining us on very light spin tackle. It was interesting fishing; the Lowrance HDS7 Gen 3 was showing us clouds of bait from time to time, so it was just a matter of maintaining position and keeping the casts going.

Thanks to the Renegade’s external side height of 105mm, I was more than happy with the boat’s sea-keeping capability. By leaving the 4 cylinder Mercury ticking over, it was very simple to counter flood tide influence and move back into the area of white water that the fish fancied.

When we moved, I was also impressed with the ease that the Blade hull and its well flared bow section kept water well away from Guyla and myself — even in the really sudsy stuff. I’ve no doubt that in suitable conditions the 460 Renegade would easily make offshore fishing par for the course.

The 460 Renegade — both tiller steer and console versions — does provide the option of a large lift out kill bin up front (which can also be set up as a live well) and it was an easy matter to slip fish into the well with our ice while fishing. Also up front along with a seat spigot were 3 more below-deck hatches. The most forward of these was set up with a battery to power the Renegade’s 55 Motorguide, while the other 2 on the sides of the catch bin were available for storage.

I took the opportunity to fish from both the front deck and the main cockpit area of the 460 Renegade and found it easy to work in both areas. With the console taking up so little room within the Renegade’s 2.22m wide cockpit, it was easy to take a quick image of Guyla on the job, maybe remove a ruined plastic, store a spare rod, or unhook a fish in complete comfort.

The rear area also featured the Renegade’s 280mm wide — unpainted, therefore less slippery — side decks set up with paired rod holders each side, along with a cleat aft. I also noted handy off-floor storage pockets along the side of the hull, plus 2 seating positions, with the skipper’s deluxe Maritime seat combining a bolster front section to facilitate driving whilst standing.

The craft’s side console was equipped with twin grab rails atop the screen, along with a neat glove box to port. As the side console was entirely open on the bottom section, there was full leg room while comfortably seated. Dash instruments consisted of a premium Mercury Vessel View instrument, which provided all engine functions in full, easy-to-read colour with an array of switches nearby, and a marine radio. Atop the dash was a Lowrance HDS 7 Gen 3 Touch unit complimenting an identical unit set up on a Ram bracket mounted on the foredeck aft of the Motorguide 55.

Completing the Renegade’s stern features was a live well within the port quarter, a recessed, full-height engine well (an optional feature), which offered very handy corner-of-transom brace points. Note that a full width casting platform is also available in this area, with the engine mounted on a stern lip in lieu, but in those somewhat demanding conditions I was content with the Renegade’s setup that allowed me to stand tucked into a corner of the transom to fish.

Based on a 2.1l in-line 4 cylinder powerhead, the 75 also shares the same block as Mercury’s 90 and 115hp 4 strokes. And yet, at just 163kg, the 75 is not only a much under-stressed engine thanks to its huge capacity, but it’s very light as well. Whisper quiet at idle, the 75 eased the boat onto the plane at a mere 8.3kts with a modest 2200rpm on the Vessel View’s digital display. At 3000rpm we had 18.6kts recorded, with 4,000 rpm (an ideal cruising rev range) giving the Blade hull a speed of 26.2kts. A burst of near WOT on the new engine saw 5300rpm on Vessel View, with 36kts also noted. Impressive figures, certainly, but equally impressive was the terrific torque from the large capacity 75. The merest touch of the throttle lever brought instant response throughout the engine’s entire rev range.

Engine ratings for the 460 Renegade are from 50-75hp and although there’s little doubt the hull would perform well with a 50 on the transom, I would advocate the 75 as the engine for the Quintrex’s solid 405kg hull, especially when an electric motor plus battery is installed. And with a passenger rating of 5 aboard when friends or family are along to enjoy the ride, I’m sure the easy power of the smooth 75 would be appreciated.

While enjoying some speed runs, I put the Blade hull through its paces at pace and my original impressions of stability and soft riding attributes were readily confirmed. Quintrex have obviously put a lot of R & D into the development of the Blade hull and it certainly does provide a very impressive ride, with the flared bow keeping occupants as dry as possible under prevailing conditions. Dare I say it, but the Renegade’s ride was very reminiscent of a glass hull rather than alloy.

Interestingly, while V hulls are the flavour of the month in some circles, the Renegade’s 4.65m long alloy hull with its beam of 2.22m and relatively shallow aft deadrise of 14° gave away nothing as far as ride quality was concerned.

In summing up the Quintrex 460 Renegade side console, I’ll confine my comments to finish and presentation as I’ve ready outlined just how good the craft was to fish from and how well it rode. And what a great match the Mercury 75 was! In usual Quintrex style, the Renegade shone like a new $2 coin, with the natty Springwood Marine wrap also adding to the overall bling of the package. Fit and finish of joinery and upholstery was all it could be, so pride of ownership would be assured.

Provided on a Quintrex alloy trailer — with folding drawbar for ease of storage — the Renegade without paired 7” Lowrances and the Motor Guide would come home for $32,855. As reviewed with all the fruit, which included a marine radio, Sonic Hub, upgraded seats, plus other extras, the price was $41,998.

Springwood Marine can be contacted on (07) 3297 8200 or at www.springwoodmarine.com.au for further information.

Technical Information.

Length of hull: 4.65m

Beam: 2.26m

Length on trailer: 5.75m with drawbar folded

Height on trailer: 1.70m

Hull material: 3mm alloy

Weight of hull: 40kg

Deadrise aft: 14°

Persons: 5

Engines: 50-75hp

Engine fitted: 75 Mercury 4 stroke

Fuel: 77l