IF YOU get a hold of Quintrex’s latest catalogue from your nearest dealer you’ll notice quite a substantial change. Quintrex now offers Instant Boating Packages, which are factory-rigged, boat/motor/trailer packages with Johnson outboards that are available from every Quintrex dealer in the country.

Of course, you can still order a Quintrex hull and get your dealer to fit it with your choice of outboard, but one of the advantages of the Instant Boating Packages is that all components of each package are covered by a three-year warranty. Also, financing options are outlined, allowing you to fit a per-week price into your personal budget.

The first Instant Boating Package that we’ve been able to test out of the July to December 2004 catalogue was the 450 Top Ender model fitted with a 40hp Johnson two-stroke outboard.

The Top Ender range has been a consistently popular line of boats from Quintrex over the last decade. Available in models ranging from 4.2m to 5.8m, they’re designed as an all-round coastal and light inshore craft, with plenty of freeboard, a flared bow and oodles of space.

Tropical anglers in particular have taken to Top Enders in droves, and the basic, functional layout of this boat is eminently suitable for a day on the water in the tropics. In fact, this package comes with the mandatory bimini top and envelope that tropical fishers demand.

One of the features of tiller-steer Top Enders has been that they’re simply a seaworthy boat with a lot of low-level deck space. A small control box under the gunwale on the starboard side houses the bare essential switches and gauges, while the factory-fitted Lowrance X-47 sounder is mounted right above this area.

Although there are two extra seat positions, the passenger seat balances well when placed forward on the port side. It can be moved back next to the driver in rough conditions and up onto the front casting deck when needed.

The front casting deck is raised but only slightly, erring towards stability rather than maximum angler visibility. Underneath it there’s storage that can be optionally upgraded to a plumbed livewell. Acknowledging the inshore uses of this craft, a plastic-lined anchor well and sturdy bollard are positioned to easily keep the craft over the right piece of reef.

There’s nothing new about the technology of the 40hp Johnson on the transom. It’s the enduring two-cylinder, 737cc model that weighs in at 88kg – well under the maximum weight allowable on the transom of 120kg. The hull can take up to 50 horses.

The range of this craft is substantial, with a 70L underfloor fuel tank feeding the outboard. Last year, Quintrex ensured that the safety of all of their underfloor fuel tanks was increased with an additional expansion chamber and new breather and overflow lines. This is standard in all of the 2004 models.

With two-up on the test day, the Top Ender jumped quickly onto the plane. Although there is no power trim/tilt on this model, it was a reasonably simple matter of adjusting the gas-assisted trim and tilt mechanism to derive the best attitude for the motor to minimise ventilation on turns yet still get enough of the hull out of the water to scoot along at pace with minimal torque on the tiller. A comfortable cruising pace was easily held at an economical 4000rpm.

Pricing for this package is consistent across the state at $19,295 (excluding dealer delivery charges) and that’s with safety equipment, registered and on the water.

Call Telwater P/L on (07) 5585 9898 for the location of your nearest dealer or to organise a 2004 catalogue.