Blade runner
A clever hull design means that the outstanding and eye-catching Quintrex Trident 650 is a top performer
Why the Quintrex Trident is a top performer.
O uintrex can trace its origins in manufacturing aluminium fishing boats back to 1945, when the first models were produced in a back yard in Sans Souci, a southern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Over the years, this workmanlike and hugely practical range of boats has gone from strength to strength. Today, the Quintrex range includes a huge array of different models of all sizes, many of which have been designed primarily with the needs of the angler in mind. A good example is the Quintrex Trident 650 Hard Top.
Manufactured from high-grade aluminium, this version is based on the result of a decade of research, namely the Blade Hull. In its brochure, Quintrex describes the Blade Hull as having “a sharper, sleeker shape, increased deadrise, and narrow shoulder, which cuts through choppy water faster and easier. Purpose built for the harsh and offshore conditions that our larger models come up against.”
British offshore anglers get to experience the ‘harsh’ bit quite frequently, so this boat is sure to be of interest.
What the Blade Hull offers, according to the brochure, is an even drier ride by releasing spray further aft, which has the effect of reducing the possibility of wind buffeting it back into the boat.
The side sheet flare has been expanded further mid-ships, creating a large spray catchment area. Further, the Blade Hull performs with a near zero, nosehigh attitude for improved visibility at slower speeds, and for when rising on to or coming off the plane.
Hull efficiency of the Blade Hull has been increased by fine tuning the delicate balance between convex and concave shapes, which results in lower planing speeds and improved top-end speed, allowing the hull to perform better with lower horsepower.
FUTURISTIC
My chance to get to grips with the Trident Hard Top 650 was arranged by the UK importers of the Quintrex range, MCC Marine, of Hampshire.
Having its base at Hamble Point Marina meant I was perfectly placed to access Southampton Water and The Solent. Unfortunately, weather conditions were almost flat calm and far from ideal for experiencing the handling capabilities of what clearly is a very fine offshore angling boat.
The Trident 650 is a real eye-catcher, an almost futuristic-looking boat that is sure to turn heads; she really is one of the smartest offshore sports boats I have tested. Stepping aboard, it did not take long to determine that her build quality is exceptional, and that she really is a top-quality product.
Clearly, this vessel has been built primarily with the requirements of serious offshore sports fishers in mind, being loaded with features that all anglers will appreciate when fishing offshore. These include plenty of rocket-type rod holders, a truly amazing bait station fitted amidships on the transom, and a spacious 135-litre fish/general stowage hold, to name just a few features.
The spacious cockpit deck is self-draining and features an ultra-hardwearing, nonslip, aluminium-tread plating deck, with a 160-litre fuel tank stowed beneath.
Inboard freeboard is perfect for a boat intended to work offshore, but even so, rails and grab handles have been included at strategic locations to further enhance onboard safety.
There are so many key features fitted as standard that I can’t list them all, but, as a guide, these include a livebait tank complete with viewing window, a transom boarding ladder, hydraulic steering, trim tabs, twin battery box and switch, and much more. You also get a comprehensive range of optional extras, including deck wash, twotone paint, various cushions and back rests, and an anchor winch.
The cabin/cuddy itself is spacious, with plenty of headroom. Comfortable seating is provided for the helmsman and one crew, who will benefit from excellent visibility through a large glass windscreen and sliding side windows.
An opening glass hatch incorporated within the forward cuddy deckhead provides both lighting and ventilation.
This vessel has an overall length of 6.69 metres, a 2.48m beam and draws 1.47m while displacing 1060kg. She is rated for use with engines from 150hp up to a maximum of 225hp. The test boat was fitted with a stunning 200hp Mercury Verado, which perfectly complemented the attractive graphite colour hull. Rated for carrying up to a maximum of eight persons, I’d suggest this is an ideal boat for fishing two or three anglers.
TOP-END PERFORMANCE
Although weather conditions were nigh on useless to accurately assess the sea-keeping qualities of the boat, they were great for experiencing the top-end performance qualities. Boy, we had some fun!
Away from the speed restrictions of the Hamble River, a gradual application of power confirmed the brochure’s claims that the Trident 650 rises on to and remains on the plane at comparatively low speeds. Response to the throttle really was exceptionally fast, something that I am sure can be attributed in no small way to the comparatively light weight of the aluminium hull when compared to a similarly sized version moulded from fibreglass.
It wasn’t until the throttle was really opened that the Trident 650 was able to demonstrate exactly what she was capable of, and a top speed in excess of 40 knots was very quickly attained. When driven hard into the tightest of turns, the hull tracked true, with minimal list, no noticeable side slip and not a hint of cavitation.
In summary, an outstanding, highperformance offshore fishing boat, one I would relish the opportunity to trial under more testing conditions, ideally, with a fishing rod or two stowed aboard.