Quintrex Escape 450 Experience

[burbler]

Planning on putting an order in for a Quintrex Escape 450 in the coming weeks per the attached brochure with 50HP Mecury 4 Stroke. http://www.streakerboats.com.au/Stre...Sale-Flyer.pdf

Just after anyones opinion on the value/suitabilty as mainly want to use the rig out in Port Phillip Bay on decent days and also many a trip down to Lakes Entrance, Mallacoota, Bemm River, Marlo etc...

Couple of extra's I plan on getting are Lowrance HDS7 sounder/gps and maybe live bait tank?

Any comments appreciated?

Burb.

[BloodWorm]

Burb,

I have a 435 runabout and fish the same locations as yourself the big thing I am missing is an electric to make the most of gippsland. Alternatives would be a bowrider or an open style boat both have their pros and cons.

[burbler]

Yeah its a hard comprise, mate has a barra pro and it awsome in the lakes, but wouldn't risk it out in the bay.

[BloodWorm]

Agree the Barra Pro style boats aren't PPB material. You may want to look at something like the Frenzy or the Top Ender.

http://www.makocraft.com.au/makofrenzy440.htm
http://www.quintrex.com.au/BoatRange...opEnderSC.aspx

You will be able to get out on PPB in something like that, but if you have to go side on to the swell you will get wet. Mind you even in the runabout with side clears we have come home wet on more than one occasion.

[Ratbags]

i have a 455 top ender with the yam 60 4 stk. great set up for the bay, est & lakes. my commets:

- it has the millenium hull which gives a very dry ride, good area for fishing, but no weather protection, so the 450 would be great for protection. does the 450 come in the millenium hull?

- the 50hp seems to be at the bottom end of power - can it take a larger engine? you will notice this when loading up with gear, fuel, people etc.

- I set up the trailer to be self aligning, great to handle when yo want to go out by yourself.

- agree on the leccy - if you can fit it in your budget

- set up a master on/off power switch & place an extra anode on the hull - i put mine on the transducer bracket. Quinnies seem to attarct electrolysis, so try & beat it from the start

hope it all helps! good luck with the new rig.

[burbler]

Originally Posted by Ratbags

i have a 455 top ender with the yam 60 4 stk. great set up for the bay, est & lakes. my commets:

- it has the millenium hull which gives a very dry ride, good area for fishing, but no weather protection, so the 450 would be great for protection. does the 450 come in the millenium hull?

- the 50hp seems to be at the bottom end of power - can it take a larger engine? you will notice this when loading up with gear, fuel, people etc.

- I set up the trailer to be self aligning, great to handle when yo want to go out by yourself.

- agree on the leccy - if you can fit it in your budget

- set up a master on/off power switch & place an extra anode on the hull - i put mine on the transducer bracket. Quinnies seem to attarct electrolysis, so try & beat it from the start

hope it all helps! good luck with the new rig.

Thanks heaps for the comments, really appreciate them... The Escape does have the Milenium Hull, the maximum HP for the hull is 60HP so might ask how much for the upgrade? In regards to the trailer, what did you need to do to make yours self aligning, I would be really keen to know? Whith regard to the extra anode, I am not really familiar as I have only ever had fibreglass boats, I will need to do some more research.

[bonyetty]

I have been looking at a similar set up. But then a mate said check out tracker boats in the US. Now I'm on a mission to import one or two. The deep v look an absolute treet. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3329. Nice prices with our $ at the moment too.

[leachy]

Nice looking boats, better looking price.

[burbler]

Those boats look awsome... Wonder how long before someone starts bringing them in?

[bonyetty]

There is a 2004 sun bleached dodgy 2nd hand tracker for $26000 up Darwin way. Man we get done over here in Aus with prices sometimes.

[Ratbags]

self aligning with the ezi loader system.

I use: https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_i...AbsolutePage=1

however a mate uses these: http://www.cassellmarine.com.au/p/73...er-roller.html

[burbler]

Originally Posted by Ratbags

self aligning with the ezi loader system.

Thanks heaps Ratbags... will be definately getting a lilf aligning setup, like those.