Quintrex Hornet 445

[squidboy]

Thinking of what boat to get next. I saw the Quintrex Hornet 445 cause I want to launch the boat myself and retrieve it easily. Are these boats ok for Cronulla and Sydney heads in a bit of swell? Any thoughts from other Hornet owners would be greatly appeciated. I generally target salmon an Kings from these spots.

Cheers

Squidboy

[micksfishn]

hi mate i just got myself a 435 hornet trophy been out in the harbour between the heads in average conditions no dramas at all(2 blokes and gear)the hull is great in choppy water and i only got 35 on the back

you wont have a prob as long as you dont push your luck in real bad conditions

mick

[bjneville]

I've got a 400 trophy. I'll take her out there on quieter days, but generally she's an estuary boat.

Freeboard is a little low, and she has a tendency to dig her nose into big swells, depending on the seating config i've set up and whether I have water/fish in the front well.

But you couldn't ask for a sweeter boat on the river

Qwyj

[squidboy]

Thanks for all your responses. I might have to upgrade to the 480 but as I said I want a boat that I can manage on my own. I don't venture on rough days but I do want to get back after a calm day when conditions change. Just for knowledge, how much freeboard do they really have since the hull is 91cm deep?

[bjneville]

They draw 30 - 40 cm depending on your load, so you're left with 50 - 60 obove the water line. Transom is a little low for off shore work too.

For the same reasons though, they're brilliant for lure casting in the estuary.

[a boat]

Hi Squidboy, if I was going to go where you plan on going I would check out the Stacer Nomad MP range or the Quintrex Topender range. We sell the Stacer range and the 469 Nomad MP with the EVO series 2 hull, LEVEL floatation and 2.5MM sides would be the ideal boat for what you want to do. The internal freeboard is great and the full bow is better for lift in the rough stuff and the deeper deadrise at the stern of the Stacer makes it pretty hard to beat.

I personally have been out a couple of miles off Broken Bay in a 469 Nomad MP on not the best day and it was safe and comfortbale boat to be when driven correctly.

Good luck with your new boat search and if I can answer any questions please ask,

Cheers,

Huey.

[slinkymalinky]

Hey Squidboy,

You'll have no problem handling a 480 on your own if you upgrade. I've had a 480 Freedom Sport for a couple of years and I get it in and out of the water by myself with no trouble at all. I'm hanging out for Little Slinky to get big enough for a boat license (10 more years!!)

Cheers, Slinky

[squidboy]

Man, I want to thank you guys for all your hard work on this site. I have a Sea Jay 4.35 run about and it seems a bit big to run around in by myself so I never go alone. I will researh more into these boats and i am sure when its time to upgrade I will visit Huet marine. Honestly, it is very nice for all these people I hardly know to help out. when I meet you all on the harbour i owe you a squd or something

Huey,

THANKS FOR THE INFO. I tell ya what. I want something a little smaller and something I can put a bowmount for an electric on for the squid!

I saw boats like the seascape 4.62 or the tabs 4.55, however I find that these beautiful boats are about 400kg on the back to push around. Any other suggestions you would have too?

Also the Nomad looks fine but a bit too big. I dont really want a 4.6m and the side console is too much at the front. I would prefer a side console but half way down the hull or towards the back. Its smoother to ride around like this then.

Anyway, I will definitly consider the Nomad, AND ASK for you if it is my choice at the end of the day.

THANKS A million champ!

sQUIDBOY

[a boat]

Hi Squidboy, no problem mate, that is why I like this site, people are there to help. If the 469 Nomad MP is too big, look at maybe the 449 Nomad Elite with the boat upgraded to a side console, fitted towards the rear and also option the boat up with a Minn Koat bow mount brcket from the factory, we do it all the time.

The 449 Nomad Elite still has the EVO hull and package up with a 40HP clean "tec" engine would be a great little boat and will cost a fair bit less than the 469 Nomad MP.

Happy boat hunting,

Huey.

[squidboy]

Heuy.

I might be a bit of a pain. That boat I saw 449 Nomad is great. However, I want a pod, nothing is a good as a boat with pod. I went to a boat with a motor well and I thought it was the best move ever. In addition, I have experienced problems with 2 strokes and the last 4 stroke I have had from Honda have been absolutly gold for me. I want a boat with a 4 stroke cause I troll at low speeds often. If that boat came with a pod and something like 50 4 stroke motor it would be a gun of a boat.

I will keep looking, but at this stage in researching I am thinking of getting my own boat built. Cost really somethimes does not matter. you pay for what you get and I think I am heading down the path of paying. Once again, I love how much help you get on this site

[oldsalty]

hey squidboy,

I used to have a hornet and allthough they can handle some swell, at the end of the day they are a bass boat no matter what size u get. They excell in calm waters, but get out of there depth pretty quick in anything serious. The top enders or nomads are a much better option as they can handle diverse conditions aswell as be applicable for calm water work with an electric. I chose a tabs territory 485 which is there version of a nomad or top ender.

It has a bow mount for electric work but can easily handle light offshore work on an average day. Of course they have there limits but in terms of vesatility they will eat a hornet for breakfast. These boats start at a smaller size with a pod and a 60 as a recomended hp.

My territory is also abit heavier than a nomad or a top ender and i can launch it by myself no probs.

good luck

Edited February 15, 2008 by oldsalty

[numbnuts]

I had a 525 c/console and I fish alone mostly so launch & retrieve were a bit of a worry for me too.But I did a little practice at a quiet ramp up-river and in no time I was a expert ,just gain a little confidence and you will be fine, also there are always guys at the ramp who will give you a hand if needed.

[squidboy]

hey squidboy,

I used to have a hornet and allthough they can handle some swell, at the end of the day they are a bass boat no matter what size u get. They excell in calm waters, but get out of there depth pretty quick in anything serious. The top enders or nomads are a much better option as they can handle diverse conditions aswell as be applicable for calm water work with an electric. I chose a tabs territory 485 which is there version of a nomad or top ender.

It has a bow mount for electric work but can easily handle light offshore work on an average day. Of course they have there limits but in terms of vesatility they will eat a hornet for breakfast. These boats start at a smaller size with a pod and a 60 as a recomended hp.

My territory is also abit heavier than a nomad or a top ender and i can launch it by myself no probs.

mate,

I have the TABS and the Seascape boats on my list. I was going away from them because of their weight. Mate they are a CLASS boat. I was writting to them last week on making me a 4.62m seacxape that can handle the 75 Honda 4 stroke. I think that is the perfect boat for me with the live well and bait take as well as the rod storage cabinet. Have you got any pics of your boat you can PM me or a number I can call you on about your boat? TABS also have a 4.55m which is on the list. Just considering what motor to put on it cause I want a 4 stroke, cause of past experiences with the 2 strokes fowling on me.