Hornet trophy Vs Explorer trophy

Emo · #1 13-06-2007, 04:09 AM

Hi All, I'm considering my options as to which hull to purchase and have got my choices down to these two.

What I want to know is what are the differences between the 400 Hornet and the 395 Explorer ?

From what I can see the main differences are the depth of the hornet being arounc 20 cm deeper, and the beam of the explorer being about 10cm wider.
The other main difference I can see is the material thickness of the Hornet is 2.0mm compared to the Explorer being 1.5mm.

Also the Hornet has the "eclipse v flared hull' but the Explorer has the " eclipse hull' who knows what the difference is between the two.

I am leaning towards the Hornet but the price difference is about $2,000 more for the Hornet so why would I be better off in a hornet ?

Cheers. Steve

Shane · #2 13-06-2007, 04:28 AM

Been in both and they are both nice rigs. The hornet can take a bigger donk, I think there maybe a little difference in the nose of hull. I dont think you would be upset with either.

Richo · #3 13-06-2007, 04:38 AM

Depends what you want, its a simple formula you are sacrificing ride for stability at rest.

Id looka at a 420 Explorer Trophey instead of the 395 and do a comparison then. I have the 420 and its great, more roomy and stable than the hornet but not quite as good a ride. But I wanted stability at rest and am very happy, have been up North in a Hornet 4.0 and did the job no worries at all, much of a muchness, if the waters you normally travel around are choppy more often than not, Id look at the Hornet.

cheers

breamN2wheels · #4 13-06-2007, 04:41 AM

I would buy a Hornet Trophy, they are very stable and strong and you (the skipper) don't get wet ever! However that is in a 4 meter with a 40hp on it driving at a speed that benifits the rusult.

As quoted by 2 Quintrex Explorer trophy owners i know: "i wish i spent that bit more and got the Hornet".

Not saying there is anything wrong with the Explorers they are great boats none the less you would be happy either way

HTH

#5 13-06-2007, 05:02 AM

steve,
ive owned both boats my first was a 395 explorer trophy was an awsome little boat but only problem was no livewell and can be a little 2 small for 2 people to fish out of and can be an extreamly wet ride aswell.

as for the hornet i would always recomend it to anyone who wants a bream boat there stable at rest and can handle a bit more than the explorer can so why not open up your options and go for the hornet will take a little bit more chop than the explorer will and you can always go chasing the pinks and salmon in the hornet you could also do that in the explorer but would have more limits that what you would have in the hornet.HTH

cheers Brad

BLACK SWAN · #6 13-06-2007, 05:14 AM

EMO,

I've got a 4M hornet and I can't think of a bad thing
to say about it.
For it's size we fish 3 blokes out of one side no problems.
Many times I've been caught out having to cross Melville
Waters to get back to MBSC in 1/2 M chop + and it supprises
me every time.
Emo ,if you get to try both hulls pick a bad day and you will
see the difference.

Gary.

Lone Ranger · #7 13-06-2007, 05:40 AM

I'd go the 400 Hornet indeed. In Perth going through Melville Waters when it is really choppy you can get soaked in a 395 whereas the 400 Hornet in front of us was as dry as!

And the 400 Hornet takes a 40hp whereas 3.95 is only 30hp and like you said it also has a thickness of 2mm instead of 1.6mm.

I got the 3.95 ET, wanted the Hornet but didn't get it only due to lack of $$$ as I also had to have a Mercury outboard, not what the package came with; thus Hornet was out of my price range. Eventually I got the 3.95 with the thickness increased to 2.0mm and the Mercury outboard I wanted. Only thing I didn't like about the Hornet is that extra step down at the front deck. In addition I was told by a few dealers that it was going to be difficult to build a livewell at the front on the Hornet due to the step down (don't know how true that is).

Get the 400 if you can afford it and I believe the 420 ET hasn't been available on the Market for a whilst now. EDITED: Ah, they've put it back on the market!

gtxrally · #8 13-06-2007, 06:38 AM

Hey emo,
Glad to see you are feeling better.

Have you weighed up the other options of either stacer or makocraft?

Have been looking at all the options but haven't put them side by side.
I know that mako seems to have good options.

Just my 2 C

DB

Richo · #9 13-06-2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by breamN2wheels

As quoted by 2 Quintrex Explorer trophy owners i know: "i wish i spent that bit more and got the Hornet".

HTH

Not this one

Myself a couple of other guys were only discussing this the other night, and we still think I made the right choice ...... Its done a couple of trips in Exmouth now and handled the conditions well (good and bad days) and to be honest I wouldnt swap it for a Hornet if you paid me

JMO

It`ll do another two weeks in Feb next year as well. My boat has done more time in Exmouth than anywhere in the last 12 months, and that trend will probably continue.

cheers

Emo · #10 14-06-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Richo
Not this one

Myself a couple of other guys were only discussing this the other night, and we still think I made the right choice ...... Its done a couple of trips in Exmouth now and handled the conditions well (good and bad days) and to be honest I wouldnt swap it for a Hornet if you paid me JMO

It`ll do another two weeks in Feb next year as well. My boat has done more time in Exmouth than anywhere in the last 12 months, and that trend will probably continue.

cheers

Thanks for the advice Richo, (and everyone for that matter)
Tell me Richo, what does the Explorer do better than the Hornet which makes you say that you wouldn't swap it for a Hornet if you paid me?

Cheers. Steve

gtxrally · #11 14-06-2007, 12:37 AM

Hey Emo,

How di you go after I left, anything??

Maybe we should try to catch up next week if you are not back at work.

Oop's what i meant to say was did you get the right tyres that you were after

Cheers dale

Emo · #12 14-06-2007, 12:47 AM

Pretty much went home after I saw you, had a little look around at one ot two spots but saw nothing I liked.

PS, the tyres are getting fitted this arvo

I will probably be back at work by next Thursday but if not I'll PM you.

Cheers.

Richo · #13 14-06-2007, 01:13 AM

I find my explorer more roomier than than the 4.0m Hornets I have been in and its lighter as well - simple as that, in all honesty its a hard choice - one has slightly better ride the other more stability when fishing. With a 40s on the back they both go quick enough, if you think you`ll be in choppy water more then consider the Hornet 1st.

Why I wouldnt swap, well mine goes quick enough to keep me very happy, goes over top of most chop Ive been in and only found one set of conditions I couldnt fish in, but neither could any of the other boats I was with.

If my decision was based on the better ride then I would probably be looking at something bigger and not consider either.

You`ll get wet in both Explorer and Hornet boats, id look at the 435 Mako (old Edgetracker) thing with a 60 Tiller on it. The boat that Pumpkinhead had from Dinghy World and onsold it was real nice - maybe the 4.1 with a 40 I cant remember.

cheers

cheers

Huggy_B · #14 15-06-2007, 10:22 AM

I was reading up on the new 2007/2008 quintrex lineup and the new hornets look to be the go (the 450 hornet trophy particularly).

Not sure where your budget is at, but I'd seriously look at these new models with the M3 transom, level floatation etc etc for $26k driveaway with a 4 stroke yammie.