Aluminium Boat of the Year 2008 – Fishing and cruising are all part of this diesel tackle bag

Following the considerable success of their sterndrive ‘Freedom Cruiser’ models in 2007, Quintrex combined two success stories into this innovative diesel powered sterndrive 6.7m offshore fishing boat.

From a fishing viewpoint, the way the 670 SDD’s engine box and drive unit have been integrated into the transom is a winner. But some traditionalists may miss not being able to walk across the transom in the cockpit. But the big live-well, user friendly transom door and a wide marlin board over the sterndrive leg more than compensate for this.

Boats like this are now equally at home on family outings or fishing trips. And, because of the swim platform over the leg, the 670 SDD’s is a better choice than her outboard powered sister for swimming, snorkelling and water sport activities. The test boat’s cabin lacked upholstery, settling instead for an all-carpet interior, but with the optional bunk cushions in place there’s plenty of room for two people of average height to stretch out in comfort. The 670 does have a portable toilet.

Back to fishing, the ‘checker-plate’ deck is self-draining, but unfortunately, the below deck fish pit drains into the bilge. Clears shelter the helm area and the pair of deep bucket seats. The helm seat is adjustable fore and aft. Both seats are mounted on top of storage lockers with upholstered lids, which serve well as secondary aft facing seats.

The distinctive sound of the engine leaves no doubt that the 670 SDD is a diesel-powered vessel. The MerCruiser’s turbocharged and aftercooled 1.7lt diesel produces 120hp. The 670 SDD gets up and away briskly and has a top speed just over 29 knots. Cruising between 3000 and 3750rpm produces speeds from 13 to 20 knots and the boat just lopes along comfortably. 

While the sound and ‘feel’ is clearly different to the more familiar outboard power, the boat has a character we soon came to like.