Quicksilver delivers family-fun!

by Jeni Bone on 30 Oct 2013 Bought sight unseen, the Quicksilver Activ 605 Sundeck is now a familiar sight tootling around the canals of the Gold Coast.

Matthew Baird, part-time lecturer at Bond University, first saw the Quicksilver range on display at Sanctuary Cove in May, and he was impressed.

'I looked over the 605 Open, centre console at Sanctuary Cove and admired the European styling, quality and construction. Then I went on the website and the Sundeck model really suited my needs, so I bought it, sight unseen.'

There are not too many other boats out there with the versatility and features of the Quicksilver 605 Sundeck, Matthew continues. 'I haven’t seen anything from Australia or the US that’s a good mix of the cuddy cabin and area on the bow where people can lounge around while underway. It looks like a centre console, but it’s not.'

Rated for seven people, with a full V-berth under the deck, plenty of headroom, stereo, fresh water shower and optional heads, 605 Sundeck is ideal for a family.

'We use it as a family boat. My wife and I have two little girls. There’s lots of space. It’s like a combination of bow rider and cuddy cabin – the best of both. There are a couple of steps to the bow area, so pottering around the canals, the kids can hang around, lie up on the bow, then get out of the sun and head down to the cabin.'

For dining and entertaining, the rear seat accommodates three, then there are the driver and passenger seats, which can swivel around to share the picnic table mounted between them. 'So you can entertain six around the table.'

A seasoned boat owner, Matthew knows the canals of the Gold Coast like a local. 'I haven’t had a boat for 10 years, so getting back in to it, I wanted a 4-stroke, a stable, wide boat that would be low maintenance.'

With its new generation outboard, there’s no coughing and sputtering. 'No smell, no noise, we potter along at 6-7 knots. There’s no creaking or groaning, and it’s extremely low maintenance. Cleaning takes 10 minutes – you just flush the motor and put on the covers.'

The 605 is trailerable, but in Matthew’s case, his boat is moored on the water and used as a means of transport as much as a day out on the water.

'I take it around to Bond Uni for work, or to Pacific Fair to do the grocery shopping. There are a few boaties who do that! Christmas shopping will be a breeze this year. The berths are closer than the parking spots!

'We could go out on the Broadwater and open sea, but for the kids, big waves a deterrent at this stage.'

The kids, Matthew reports, love their boat. 'It’s their first experience, and they've really taken to it. My wife is from overseas, so she wasn’t familiar with the canals, but once you get to know them, the waterway network is like a roadway. The canals are the forgotten gem of the GC.'

Matthew and his family are looking forward to a great summer ahead. Although as he points out, 'Winter is often better on the Gold Coast. There’s less wind, fewer storms, and fewer boaties.'

New to Australia and distributed by Collins Marine, the Quicksilver brand offers a lot of depth in its range of 19 models, covering all styles from offshore fishers, ski boats, day boats and cruisers.

'Affordability is the key,' says Peter Collins of this award-winning European made range, priced from under $30,000 to $200,000.

Quicksilver Boats are manufactured by the Belgium based company, Brunswick Marine Europe.

'Intelligent design and beautiful contemporary styling means these boats offer great versatility for a fun day out, no matter what the use. Responding to customer research, safety has been designed into key aspects of the boat.'

www.quicksilver-boats.com.au