Quicksilver Pilothouse 630

With the Pilothouse 500, 540 and the 620 already reviewed, it was time to take a look at the new bigger 630.

She's designed principally for angling with the intention of creating maximum space and easy working conditions, with a practical walk-in cabin with workmanlike layout. What's more the 630 is also available with both outboard and inboard stern drive options.

I'd be testing both boats, just delivered to ABC for 2003, during a demonstration weekend at ABC Powermarine at Beaumaris on Anglesey.

TEST TIME
The test would be a good one. There was a force 7 gusting 8 southwest wind blasting up the Menai Straits and it had been pouring down as I travelled up. The wind was set to strengthen too, later in the day. Looking across towards Bangor and Llandudno beyond, the northern end of The Straits was awash with big whitecaps. It was wind against tide and I knew from past experience fishing and testing boats here, that the sea would be short and high.

It was so rough, that ABC's plans to have the boats moored at Beaumaris Pier were scrapped and we'd launch the boats from the beach by the yard to get at least a little shelter from the wild wind.

If you tow with a 4x4 vehicle in the Land Rover Discovery or Range Rover size, then you'll have no problem moving this boat when you need to. I watched with keen interest just how easy this 6.25 metre boat fitted with a Mercury 115HP EFI 4-Stroke outboard would slip off the trailer. Just one guy with a gentle shove was enough to see the vessel slip gently in to the water.

I took the wheel when we reached the wild water out in the main channel. My estimate of sea state was about bang on...it was bloomin' rough with spray being whipped off the top of the waves by the relentless wind, and the wave troughs were deep and close together.

Going with the wind I added throttle finding the power flow smooth but instantly available when you need it. It's not a sudden surge of power that can unbalance the boats occupants if you're casual with your throttle hand, but a nice clean pick up.

Backing right off the power, I let the boat slow, looking to see if and how she'd swing at the transom with the wind and following sea pushing against her? The boat sits tight in the water, with no obvious travel of the stern. The boat stayed in line with her original course, though the strong wind pressure on the rear cabin would have helped this a little.

Engaging reverse, I steered her backwards straight at the oncoming waves. The sea conditions as stated, where as bad as you'd want to be out in, but I needed to see just how much water tried to climb in to the boat. It was a manoeuvre you'd only use if you had to, and there was a little wash that did make it over the transom, but most was wind born spray off the tops of the waves and she was impressive regards how little water did actually climb the transom and wash in on to the deck area.

Back to forward gear and I swung the boat sideways to take the short high seas beam on. Under just enough power to keep the boat going forwards I attacked the waves at an angle looking for instability. The boat climbs the wave, leans a little, then steadies and eases back level as the wave passes underneath. She was very steady, needed minimum wheel correction during this manoeuvre, and is extremely stable.

I glanced at the guy accompanying me from Quicksilver and he looked a tad shocked when I killed the power and went to neutral deliberately leaving the boat in a deep trough beam on at the mercy of the waves. I was expecting a steep angle of lean before each wave, but again this hull design has the tendency to lean a little, lift upwards as she finds her balance, and let the wave slide underneath. That's the best way I can describe it. No sudden shift in hull angle makes for a very comfortable, safe and predictable ride. Just how I like a boat to be.

Like the Pilothouse 620 the boat drifts pretty much sideways on to the wind with minimal bow sheer from wind pressure. If you do lots of drift fishing, you'll appreciate this.

Adding just a little throttle I turned the boat around a couple of times inside the wave troughs. As before the ride is easy and forgiving with no drama, I just used the wheel a little to correct her given the severity of the short sea I was in.

Bringing her bow on to the waves and adding more power the hull had little option but to take on the short waves like a destroyer, lifting over each steep wave, then dropping in to the deep trough. It sounds hairy, but in reality was a piece of cake. The hull stays on course and does not get thrown off at an angle, and I was using minimal wheel adjustment. There was inevitably hull noise as we dropped down the back of each wave and smashed in to the next one, but it's relatively soft and much less than many other boats I've been in.

The visibility through the windscreen was excellent at all times, with only small amounts of wind blown spray getting back on the screen. The helm seat is comfy, well positioned and with everything at your fingertips.

Heading back to calmer waters, I jumped aboard the inboard version fitted with a Mercruiser 1.7-litre DTI. This boat is almost identical, bar the engine.

First thing I noticed was that the engine is surprisingly quiet. There was minimal "thrummm" or vibration noticeable when on deck. Engine noise in the cabin you barely notice either, and it makes for a very relaxed ride.

Power is slightly progressive in build up, but not slow at all. Shove the throttle forward and you get instant response with a lift of the bow before the boat settles down to skip across the waves.

I ran through the manoeuvres I did with the outboard version, just double checking for subtle changes in the way the boat behaved and handled, but her character stays pretty much the same.

PERFORMANCE CONCLUSION
The 630 is a safe, forgiving boat with a comfy ride and easy going nature. It was a difficult sea, and one few people would choose to be out in, but I never once felt anything but secure in the handling of the boat.

She sets up to drift just about as good as you'll get if your fishing is mainly on the move. At anchor she's a very stable fishing platform, but with good access to the sea level for landing fish. She's easy to work off and you're not falling all over each other when on deck, making for a comfy day.

DESIGN FEATURES
The bow is fitted with a stainless steel bow roller and a tough stainless steel pedestal type T cleat.

There's a walkway running from the bow to the cabin with a safety rail running down from the bow to the rear edge of the cabin. The safety rail parts at the bow for ease of hauling anchor. The walkway is wide enough for ease of walking, plus you have the added safety of a grab rail on the cabin roof to hang on to. Sensibly there's a built in step for access off the walkway on to deck level.

You have ample space on the cabin roof to add a stainless steel gantry to take aerials, your GPS and radar units. The roof extends over the rear deck area by a couple of feet for added cabin door protection. The boat is also fitted with navigation lights.

The gunnels are trimmed on top with teak wood, these carrying two rod holders set in to the gunnel tops.

The stern houses a small stainless dive ladder and grab handle, and has a stainless cleat at each stern quarter for mooring ropes.

The inner transom has a seat positioned in each stern corner. These encompass hatch covered lockers, the port side housing the battery on the test boat. These are large enough for additional storage of fenders, ropes etc. Between these lockers is a removable bench seat wide enough to seat two people.

Looking at the deck area, you have a large locker mid deck with masses of room for additional storage, and you've a nice sized live bait well positioned mid way on the port side big enough for sandeels or half a dozen or more mackerel. The deck area also has a stippled finish for grip.

You enter the cabin through a pull down louver type door, much like a louver garage door. This obviously locks for security. Also supplied is a clear plastic drop cover to protect the inner cabin when at sea, but giving good outward vision.

The helm seat is starboard side facing a neat moulded in instrument console that is domed shape at the top with a wood fascia. This upper dome carries the gauges, with the switch panel mounted lower down on the right side of the console. The gauges are easy to see at a glance and the switches immediately accessible by the right hand. The helm wheel is a car type, but with an excellent sticky grip covering that is very comfy when you're spending long hours behind the wheel working in rough seas.

The throttle, on the right side, is at a good general position. Maybe a tad high for some, but I found it pretty good and quickly got used to it.

A wide flat dash console runs across the windscreen giving ample choice for perfect positioning of sounder, GPS, compass etc, but I think I'd choose to fit my radio on a drop down bracket fixed to the cabin roof just slightly port side of the helm seat for added protection.

The 630 is fitted with both ergonomically designed swivel type helm and co-helm seat, these thickly upholstered to give a comfy seat when travelling at speed. The seats have teak footrests in front.

The forward facing tinted windscreen is split in two with a windscreen wiper on the helm screen. The tinted windows extend fully down each cabin side for maximum visibility when manoeuvring and heading astern. The starboard side screen also having a flip open vent window. Additional venting is via a flip open clear hatch in the cabin roof.

Between the seats is a locker area access through a teak deck hatch. Looking for'ard, there is V shaped seating for three on upholstered cushions, with overnight bunks for two. Both starboard and port side cushions hiding further locker space.

You extra small shelving built in to the cabin sides at the rear, and a cabin light on the inner roof. There is also a light fixed under the extended cabin roof above the cabin door.

For the given cabin space it is exceptionally well designed with easy access to all facilities. The boat is ideal for day fishing four, and can be comfortably used overnight or a weekend by two people.

The layout of the inboard 630 was only slightly different. The stern seating is designed from teak slats. The motor sits inside a neat flip up housing in the stern that gives excellent access for maintenance. Having lost the bench seat as a result of the inboard installation, there's a wooden slat seat positioned mid way along the starboard gunnel. The 135-litre fuel tank sits in the deck locker and still allows masses of room for the storage of soft items.

She looks a picture too, with her white hull, thin blue fender line, blue stripe water line and the contrasting tinted windows. A very smart and practical boat!

WOULD I CHANGE OR ADD ANYHTING?
While travelling in the co-helm seat, there's nothing to hold on to and you do feel like you might pitch forward headlong in to the for'ard bunks. The addition of a grab rail on the port side cabin wall would give the passenger greater security. I raised this point with the lad from Pilothouse and it looks like they'll be adding a grab rail to future boats.

Another shallow grab rail could also possibly be fitted to the upper edge of the facing console above the open access to the for'ard area if the passenger should choose to stand looking through the screen, say in bad weather when looking for pot buoys and the like.

OVERALL CONCLUSION
The 630 is cracking sea boat capable of long range fishing, and with excellent design features and layout. She is a comfortable platform to fish and live off, be it for the day, or for two anglers if you've weekending with loads of deck space and high gunnels that give a feeling of security.

PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
630 WITH THE MERCURY 115 4-STROKE OUTBOARD

Both boats have 135-litre fuel tanks fitted.

The Mercury 115 4-stroke unit at cruising speed consumes approximately 3 gallons per hour at the 18-to 20-knots cruising speed. Expect a top speed of about 28-knots.

630 INBOARD STERN DRIVE
With the inboard 1.7 Mercruiser stern drive you'll be burning a miserly 11/2 to 2 gallons an hour, and cruising at 16 to 18-knots. If you fancy a real burn up of water, then she'll hit a peak speed of 26-knots.

STATISTICS
LENGTH: 6.25 metres
BEAM: 2.54 metres
DRAFT: 0.42 metres
BOAT WEIGHT: 1000 kgs
RATING: Category C (6 people)