Big boats attract the big publicity....

by Bob Wonders on 2 Jun 2008 I guess we all lust after a big boat to some extent. It’s been said that inside every runabout driver there’s a fellow just busting to climb the ladder to his very own flying bridge.

However, economies of scale show that small boats totally dominate their larger colleagues on the industry sales graphs. For every big boat sold there’s a score or more of tinnies, inflatables, dinghies, kayaks, canoes, runabouts and ski boats sold.

So, this week we’re taking a look at a couple of the smaller craft and have chosen two winners from the recent Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF) Marine Awards.

The Quintrex 670 Offshore SDD and the Savage 540 were both named as winners, the ‘Quinnie’ named ‘Fishing Trailerable Boat of the Year in the Aluminium 6.0-metre plus’ category, the Savage taking the gong in the ‘Cruiser Trailerable Aluminium Under 6.0-metre’ category.

Damien Duncan, national sales and marketing manager for Quintrex, described the 670 Offshore SDD as “a credit to the company’s R and D team.“It was our R and D team that developed the concept of aluminium, lightweight, trailerable game fishing boat with stern drive diesel power,” he added.

That alone makes the Quintrex 670 Offshore SDD stand out from the crowd.

It’s not so long ago that tinnie buyers were left with one option when it came to power – outboard! Nowadays, we not only have access to stern drive engines, but diesel stern drive at that.

The Quintrex 670 Offshore SDD is aptly named; it certainly can handle offshore conditions and one model is currently proving that by contesting the Quintrex Offshore Relay from Brisbane to Melbourne in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Versatility has been suggested as a major reason behind the Savage 540’s AMIF victory.

Like the Quintrex it is stern drive-powered, though gasoline, not diesel, and it presents as an extremely versatile and convenient craft.

Ian Stanley, product manager for Savage, said the boat could easily be configured for cruising, waters ports or fishing, with easily removed seats clearing the cockpit for anglers and ample space aboard for skis and ‘boards.

A new low-profile windscreen aids the boat’s good looks and a handy walk-through section give easy access forward.

Stanley also believes the 3.0-litre MerCruiser stern drive offers enhanced handling characteristics.

The two vessels would appear worthy winners in every way and show Australian boat manufacturers are “right up there” when it comes to producing efficient and stylish craft.

Over the next few weeks, in the lead up to the Sydney International Boat Show (July 31-August 5) we’ll take a look at some of the AMIF winners and other interesting boats scheduled to appear at Darling Harbour.

So you missed out on seeing the new releases at Sanctuary Cove?

No worries, right here you can catch up with the latest and greatest; as the industry gears up for the Sydney International we’ll bring brief previews of the vessels of all shapes and sizes destined for Darling Harbour.