Very honest review.. Although, I’ve just spent the last six months shopping for a new big tinny and of all the boats I’ve looked at Quintrex were the only manufacturer where I haven’t seen a poorly finished boat in a dealers yard. It’s always annoying to have to follow up on these things, but I guess what I’m saying is if you’re not happy and have manufacturing faults take the boat back your warranty is there for that purpose.
So glad i watched this . Cheers for the honesty on the Etec . Was almost going to give 1 ago but think I'll stick with the 4 stroke. I think we need more reviews like this to help weed out the bullshit .
good review mate, I’m getting the 630 with a side console and I’ll fully customise the casting deck to be 2/3 the length of the inside of the boat and it will incorporate an under hatch sleeping area, high rails all the way around the boat also, Yamaha or Suzuki 250, (warranty voided anyway because I’m altering the inside of the boat, the big Suzuki’s are top shelf motors now, I’ll also use hummingbird sounder with the same I pilot (link), has to be the link or you’re wasting your time, your boat looks the goods for sure, I can see why your family love it, mine will be all casting platform and storage for Kimberley and Great Barrier Reef island hopping, thanks for the video mate nice job.
Have you any further thoughts since your review? Thinking about one myself. I agree the transom and the rear seat is a must for me. Doing away with that platform built up in the back Iopens up opportunity to have the floor rear kill tank. Any further thoughts on the Evinrude? Is yours the HO version? There is a ton of positive info on the E-TEC which has me interested in going the 2 stroke path having previously had a 4 Stoke Mercury which I was happy with. Your review has me thinking twice about the Evinrude now. Did you ever consider the Quintrex Cruiseabout model when you were looking at your purchase? Similar concept to the Freestyle crossover but the blade type hull. Seems Quintrex charge a premium for the Apex hull.... Thank for your review it has been very helpful. Cheers...
Good review mate after I saw this I ordered a 510 Frontier with a 4 stroke Merc 115 Pro XS and HDS live. should be a sweet fishing boat! The only thing is I went motor guide because I got it off a Merc dealer they push them so I’ll see how it goes
As an outboard mechanic of over 20 years, always get Yamaha and stay away from Evinrude and Mercury. Yamahas are more reliable and more efficient. After that would be Suzuki and Honda.
Thanks for the review man I was going the fish pack in my 590 but but after seeing one in the 590s little brother I am put off I have a ti 9 inch in my current boat but I don’t think that’ll do my twin transducer as I want a through hull and a stern mount. What do you think the Yamaha’s fuel consumption would be like? I was going to go a mercury but my dealers a bit of a time waste to be honest
thanks for this it's helpful in some ways. But just curious...Paradise point to tangalooma wrecks is approx. 75km. Using 90l fuel = 1.2km/l? the G2 150, 200 and even 300 Etecs are doing better than this. The only thing I can think is that the 130 v4 was underpowered for this boat The V6 would have been better.
@@fishingthewild8542 i got it and sold it. it had a 200hp Evinrude on it. In 3 months ownership the engine broke down 4 times in 6 trips. $20k of warranty work on the motor. Couldn't trust the motor. Took a small loss on it. Will buy another in a few years but powered by Yamaha or Mercury. didn't take her in huge seas due to the motor issues but boat handled well and was roomy. she is long to tow. also hated the fact the wake tower wouldn't fold down.
@@JD-pj9zf thanks mate. Thinking of getting the 630 frontier with the same hull. Just concerned it won't handle the chop we experience up here in the north.
What do you recommend similar size or smaller for fishing AND family? We are in the sunny coast so would like to be able to go out a little in nice weather.
Thanks for your review, yes agree on the Bluefin Wildcat being a good boat, I think they are plate ally as well instead of pressed aluminium. The Qunitrex brand seems to have a strong marketing team behind them...
Do you still have the boat? Any problems with the hull or quality issues with the fittings? I was going to get a Trident 690 HT with Evinrude G2 250hp package. After watching your review I will get a Mercury if I'm going to get the boat at all.
sorry to hear that you were not delighted with this boat. Unless you are a keen skier, why did you not choose the Frontier version? Seems a better bet for fishing
Interesting that someone who boasts so much about all the boats he has owned would buy a boat that is not fit for purpose with an etec whilst still using Lowrance.
I don’t know anything about boats and really trying to sell myself into a quintrex but struggling to get my head around how poor the quality of finish is. They just look like over priced tinnies
I’ve got a 550 Freestyler with a 135ho etec and it is unreal. I looked at the 130 and didn’t like the v4. The v6 solves a lot of the problems you are talking about like torque and fuel efficiency. Agree with some of the things you said though. Lots of cosmetic things they could have done better but all round impressive tinny. The apex hull works better in the bigger sizes too. I’ve got the Ulterra and it is by far best investment you can make! I went the full bench seat at back for the padding in both rear corners while fishing. Something is wrong if you are using 1l/km but mate! My etec is awesome on fuel!
Hi, I have the 550 Freestyler with a 130 Yamaha, HDS Carbon, walk through transom and normal rear bench....I am about to put a trolling motor on and heard your comment re the xi5 vs Minn Kota. I would really like to know more about your Minn Kota, I am looking at the 60 inch 80lb......ie where you put the batteries and what size. I also have the easy catch on the trailer but have never used it. Finally I want to draw tracks via navionics on the lowrance and have that control the Trolling motor. Would be really interested in your feedback. Regards Michael
Thanks for the review. I don't appreciate the way you're canning etecs. Two stroke smell or four stroke smell, you're smelling burning fuel. You should have bought the boat with the new G2 Etec. 2018 hull with an almost 20 year tech motor and you're comparing it with today's 4 stroke tech? Mine holds constant speed. You've mentioned a few times the weight factor of the boat. Weight equals bad economy. I have a 6.55 meter hull with a 225 G2 and I can't believe the economy. At 50km/h I get 1.8-2.1 km/l of fuel. Also at 40hrs/ week you need to be changing the gearbox oil at least once a year or more. I'll never buy a used boat from you as the gearbox would be unreliable. Suzuki's are a made in Japan engine and are very reliable and work extremely well. Yours is a preference opinion. I will not buy a 4 stroke because the maintenance is horrific where as the etecs just keep going. The G2 225 was 500 hours or 5 years first service. A four stroke of the same power output is approx $3k or more for servicing. Obviously, a dealer will tell you to buy a motor that will bring you to them for servicing. I also have the 'catch n release' mounted on a fibreglass hull. You're right, works a treat and I had to make the hook setup welded directly to the U-Bolt. However, in conclusion. I have owned a G1 250 HO etec and in comparison to the new G2's, forget it. There is none. I'm amazed for a man in your history of boating, you'd buy a G1 Etec with a 2018 model boat. I believe you were conned into buying old tech motors rather than today's G2 Etec. That would most likely be because G2's at that time didn't have smaller HP ranges as they do today and the dealer wants to sell. Pity Bombardier closed Evinrude Etecs.
I have to say why did you buy this boat? Because it seems as though you like nothing about it! I’ve had Quintrex boats my whole life and loved them, and a couple years ago I went from yamahas to evinrudes and I’d never go back, so quite you’re winging and just be happy with what you’ve got mate!
So you have had 20 boats, all that learning, and then you bought this boat and have a complaint list as long as your arm.??? Something not adding up here. Surely by now you know what you need and then get spec.
Life has changed over 20 years. My boat at 15 is different to what I need at 40. This video is so others can think more carefully when buying. I also liked a lot about the boat glass half empty man
Great review mate, really appreciate it. I personally thought it was a good honest review, and as products change you try stuff and occasionally doesn’t work out. GamersCOCKpit sounds like he knows everything about everything.
If you don't like the set up or the motor then why did u buy it in the first place? Also your statement Quintrex make the best ally boats really gave me a good laugh thanks for that. It's a pressed boat mate real ally boats are plate and is a long list that would eat up your Quinnie!
Obviously I didn’t know I wasn’t going to like it. My research showed the Etec would be good, It wasn’t. Do you buy stuff you dont like Mark? Im glad you could get a laugh out of that. I dont think its wrong to say that Quintrex is the best mass produced product on the market, company success, resale value and sales tell me the story I choose to listen to. More so than internet trolls for example. Its not my quinnie anymore anyway, I sold it after 3 tanks of fuel.
@@urbananglingandadventureca7489 Good to see you sold the Quinnie. Absolutely not a fan, Quintrex are mass produced junk now, the pressed alloy is cheap and nasty (end of story) 5083 plate alloy boats are the ones you want. Yellowfin (Quintrex are almost ok). But so many good alloy boats available now its not funny, Kiwis make the best of all. What did you end up getting ?
So YOU purchased the wrong configuration.... So nothing your complaining about is a Quintrex product issue..... it's called rushing in before you actually know what u wanted....better luck next time.... how can u be happy with the seller when u got the wrong product ???
Super helpful video
Nice boat, but the weld seems on the transom look shocking.
Thanks for the honest review especially on the Evinrude motor. Saved ne from an expensive mistake
Thanks for the honest review, I appreciate it.
Great honest review saved me buying the same package.
Very honest review.. Although, I’ve just spent the last six months shopping for a new big tinny and of all the boats I’ve looked at Quintrex were the only manufacturer where I haven’t seen a poorly finished boat in a dealers yard. It’s always annoying to have to follow up on these things, but I guess what I’m saying is if you’re not happy and have manufacturing faults take the boat back your warranty is there for that purpose.
If this boat is 10-20k more than a similar boat of a different brand? What boat would you recommend that is similar?
So glad i watched this . Cheers for the honesty on the Etec . Was almost going to give 1 ago but think I'll stick with the 4 stroke. I think we need more reviews like this to help weed out the bullshit .
William Bell
Thanks William, happy hunting.
good review mate, I’m getting the 630 with a side console and I’ll fully customise the casting deck to be 2/3 the length of the inside of the boat and it will incorporate an under hatch sleeping area, high rails all the way around the boat also, Yamaha or Suzuki 250, (warranty voided anyway because I’m altering the inside of the boat, the big Suzuki’s are top shelf motors now, I’ll also use hummingbird sounder with the same I pilot (link), has to be the link or you’re wasting your time, your boat looks the goods for sure, I can see why your family love it, mine will be all casting platform and storage for Kimberley and Great Barrier Reef island hopping, thanks for the video mate nice job.
Nice review, thank you your comments have been very informative. Still like the boat but def would go 4 stroke
Thanks for your honest review, I was looking to buy this exact boat but with a Yamaha or Suzuki. What’s wrong with Suzuki’s?
I’m also interested to know what is wrong with Suzuki?
Have you any further thoughts since your review? Thinking about one myself.
I agree the transom and the rear seat is a must for me. Doing away with that platform built up in the back Iopens up opportunity to have the floor rear kill tank.
Any further thoughts on the Evinrude? Is yours the HO version? There is a ton of positive info on the E-TEC which has me interested in going the 2 stroke path having previously had a 4 Stoke Mercury which I was happy with. Your review has me thinking twice about the Evinrude now.
Did you ever consider the Quintrex Cruiseabout model when you were looking at your purchase? Similar concept to the Freestyle crossover but the blade type hull. Seems Quintrex charge a premium for the Apex hull....
Thank for your review it has been very helpful.
Cheers...
I too am interested in the above information. You be great if you could rely. :)
I would not buy an etec, id go the cruiseabout with a yamaha
I am currently looking for a used Freedom Sport or Freestyler with 4 stroke & rated for 6 peeps. So many seem to have this damn eTec!
Good review mate after I saw this I ordered a 510 Frontier with a 4 stroke Merc 115 Pro XS and HDS live. should be a sweet fishing boat! The only thing is I went motor guide because I got it off a Merc dealer they push them so I’ll see how it goes
Should’ve got a Yamaha mate. More reliable better re-sale value, better efficiency.
How would the boat perform in a rough bar crossing? Good review.
As an outboard mechanic of over 20 years, always get Yamaha and stay away from Evinrude and Mercury. Yamahas are more reliable and more efficient. After that would be Suzuki and Honda.
Is it 80kms that trip or maybe more.
Hi mate looking to buy 530 freestyle if it had the mercury and normal back seat u rate the boat 9 out of 10 ??
Adam Kokic
Yep
What size motor can it take is it under powered mate I have had two e tecs 30 and 50hp been really good on fuel
Thanks for the review man I was going the fish pack in my 590 but but after seeing one in the 590s little brother I am put off I have a ti 9 inch in my current boat but I don’t think that’ll do my twin transducer as I want a through hull and a stern mount. What do you think the Yamaha’s fuel consumption would be like? I was going to go a mercury but my dealers a bit of a time waste to be honest
thanks for this it's helpful in some ways. But just curious...Paradise point to tangalooma wrecks is approx. 75km. Using 90l fuel = 1.2km/l? the G2 150, 200 and even 300 Etecs are doing better than this. The only thing I can think is that the 130 v4 was underpowered for this boat The V6 would have been better.
I've got a 590 freestyler with a 150 g2, I absolutely love it as an all round package. I also wish I had the transom door, otherwise mines a 9/10
Nice review. No bullshit.
I am looking at a 630 Freestyler from Surfcoastmarine so this was very informative!
Hey JD, just wondering if you did end up getting the 630? if so, is the hull doing ok on rougher seas ?
@@fishingthewild8542 i got it and sold it. it had a 200hp Evinrude on it.
In 3 months ownership the engine broke down 4 times in 6 trips.
$20k of warranty work on the motor.
Couldn't trust the motor. Took a small loss on it.
Will buy another in a few years but powered by Yamaha or Mercury.
didn't take her in huge seas due to the motor issues but boat handled well and was roomy.
she is long to tow. also hated the fact the wake tower wouldn't fold down.
@@JD-pj9zf thanks mate. Thinking of getting the 630 frontier with the same hull. Just concerned it won't handle the chop we experience up here in the north.
What do you recommend similar size or smaller for fishing AND family? We are in the sunny coast so would like to be able to go out a little in nice weather.
Jimbob
The cruiseabout with a yammy would be ideal
Thanks for your review, yes agree on the Bluefin Wildcat being a good boat, I think they are plate ally as well instead of pressed aluminium. The Qunitrex brand seems to have a strong marketing team behind them...
Do you still have the boat? Any problems with the hull or quality issues with the fittings? I was going to get a Trident 690 HT with Evinrude G2 250hp package. After watching your review I will get a Mercury if I'm going to get the boat at all.
New boat every two years lucky you!
sorry to hear that you were not delighted with this boat. Unless you are a keen skier, why did you not choose the Frontier version? Seems a better bet for fishing
Interesting that someone who boasts so much about all the boats he has owned would buy a boat that is not fit for purpose with an etec whilst still using Lowrance.
I don’t know anything about boats and really trying to sell myself into a quintrex but struggling to get my head around how poor the quality of finish is. They just look like over priced tinnies
why didn't you put an evinrude G2 on it?
That windscreen looks like something from the 1970s
I’ve got a 550 Freestyler with a 135ho etec and it is unreal. I looked at the 130 and didn’t like the v4. The v6 solves a lot of the problems you are talking about like torque and fuel efficiency. Agree with some of the things you said though. Lots of cosmetic things they could have done better but all round impressive tinny. The apex hull works better in the bigger sizes too. I’ve got the Ulterra and it is by far best investment you can make! I went the full bench seat at back for the padding in both rear corners while fishing. Something is wrong if you are using 1l/km but mate! My etec is awesome on fuel!
How's the 550 go in the rough?
Don't buy a funking boat
Hi, I have the 550 Freestyler with a 130 Yamaha, HDS Carbon, walk through transom and normal rear bench....I am about to put a trolling motor on and heard your comment re the xi5 vs Minn Kota. I would really like to know more about your Minn Kota, I am looking at the 60 inch 80lb......ie where you put the batteries and what size. I also have the easy catch on the trailer but have never used it. Finally I want to draw tracks via navionics on the lowrance and have that control the Trolling motor. Would be really interested in your feedback. Regards Michael
How is your 550 going?
Evinrude yep is not great and now they are gone, which explains well. Go for Stacer it is cheaper.
Thanks for the review. I don't appreciate the way you're canning etecs. Two stroke smell or four stroke smell, you're smelling burning fuel. You should have bought the boat with the new G2 Etec. 2018 hull with an almost 20 year tech motor and you're comparing it with today's 4 stroke tech? Mine holds constant speed. You've mentioned a few times the weight factor of the boat. Weight equals bad economy. I have a 6.55 meter hull with a 225 G2 and I can't believe the economy. At 50km/h I get 1.8-2.1 km/l of fuel. Also at 40hrs/ week you need to be changing the gearbox oil at least once a year or more. I'll never buy a used boat from you as the gearbox would be unreliable. Suzuki's are a made in Japan engine and are very reliable and work extremely well. Yours is a preference opinion. I will not buy a 4 stroke because the maintenance is horrific where as the etecs just keep going. The G2 225 was 500 hours or 5 years first service. A four stroke of the same power output is approx $3k or more for servicing. Obviously, a dealer will tell you to buy a motor that will bring you to them for servicing. I also have the 'catch n release' mounted on a fibreglass hull. You're right, works a treat and I had to make the hook setup welded directly to the U-Bolt. However, in conclusion. I have owned a G1 250 HO etec and in comparison to the new G2's, forget it. There is none. I'm amazed for a man in your history of boating, you'd buy a G1 Etec with a 2018 model boat. I believe you were conned into buying old tech motors rather than today's G2 Etec. That would most likely be because G2's at that time didn't have smaller HP ranges as they do today and the dealer wants to sell. Pity Bombardier closed Evinrude Etecs.
Have you taken this offshore? How does it handle the chop?
Miguel Munoz
Yes i did, absolutely possible. But the older model 530 is way better offshore. Even the quintrex dealers will tell you that.
Great review!! Thanks
G2 mate, g2.
Good honest review!
Yosimete Sam
Cheers, hope it helps people make a good decision.
I have to say why did you buy this boat? Because it seems as though you like nothing about it! I’ve had Quintrex boats my whole life and loved them, and a couple years ago I went from yamahas to evinrudes and I’d never go back, so quite you’re winging and just be happy with what you’ve got mate!
Luke Schwarz
Your first sentence sums your comment up.
👍
What do you expect from a mass produced boat.
So you have had 20 boats, all that learning, and then you bought this boat and have a complaint list as long as your arm.??? Something not adding up here. Surely by now you know what you need and then get spec.
Life has changed over 20 years. My boat at 15 is different to what I need at 40.
This video is so others can think more carefully when buying.
I also liked a lot about the boat glass half empty man
Great review mate, really appreciate it. I personally thought it was a good honest review, and as products change you try stuff and occasionally doesn’t work out. GamersCOCKpit sounds like he knows everything about everything.
You do pay for the Quintrex name in the end. Great review..
Hey good review , but basically the cosmetics are the problem and the motor , so it comes back to preorder
Perry Honeyman
Correct, hense why i did this so others can have a good think first
Try tabs boats
If you don't like the set up or the motor then why did u buy it in the first place? Also your statement Quintrex make the best ally boats really gave me a good laugh thanks for that. It's a pressed boat mate real ally boats are plate and is a long list that would eat up your Quinnie!
Obviously I didn’t know I wasn’t going to like it. My research showed the Etec would be good, It wasn’t.
Do you buy stuff you dont like Mark?
Im glad you could get a laugh out of that. I dont think its wrong to say that Quintrex is the best mass produced product on the market, company success, resale value and sales tell me the story I choose to listen to. More so than internet trolls for example.
Its not my quinnie anymore anyway, I sold it after 3 tanks of fuel.
@@urbananglingandadventureca7489 Good to see you sold the Quinnie. Absolutely not a fan, Quintrex are mass produced junk now, the pressed alloy is cheap and nasty (end of story) 5083 plate alloy boats are the ones you want. Yellowfin (Quintrex are almost ok). But so many good alloy boats available now its not funny, Kiwis make the best of all. What did you end up getting ?
Suzuki is better than etc, Yamaha and Merc.
Hahaha😂
Bahahahahhahahahaha
Thanks for this information!!!
Evinrude no longer. Go figure.
So YOU purchased the wrong configuration.... So nothing your complaining about is a Quintrex product issue..... it's called rushing in before you actually know what u wanted....better luck next time.... how can u be happy with the seller when u got the wrong product ???
Good reviews