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With the Quicksilver 525 aXess, the shipyard has launched another entry-level boat onto the market. With a length of 5.35 metres and a width of 2.29 metres, it is easy for newcomers to handle and can still do everything a boater could wish for. We tested the boat on the Main.
Quicksilver is a company that belongs to the American Brunswick Group. Its product portfolio includes boats between 15 feet (4.6 metres) and 30 feet (9.09 metres). They are built in Portugal and Poland. The Quicksilver offers space for up to six people. In the bow, in typical Bowrider style, there is a large sofa that invites you to relax. Thanks to a plug-in seat that can be pushed into the passageway and an additional cushion between the benches, the bow area can be transformed into a large (1.35 x 1.58 metres) sunbathing area. The 1.04 x 2.00 metre cockpit has a single seat installed against the direction of travel and a well-padded driver's bench. The two seats can be joined together using insert cushions to create an L-shaped sofa.
The Quicksilver 252 aXess was designed with storage space in mind
The tidy steering position is well positioned and the steering wheel and gear lever are easy to grip. Two additional seats on the bathing platform complete the picture of a fun boat. The 525 aXess attaches great importance to storage space, as there is plenty of room under each cushion. Good idea: the stowage box cut-out in the bow on the starboard side has been made larger. This means that wakeboards and water skis can be stowed away easily and won't fly around in the cockpit during the journey. The Quicksilver has a biminitop, which is supplied as standard. The deck covering of our test boat was fitted with a closed-pore EVA material. It looks good and offers good grip even when wet. The Quicksilver is built in a box construction. There are a few imperfect gaps or surfaces here and there on our test boat.
Thanks to its M-hull shape, the 525 aXess drives straight ahead safely and purposefully. The disadvantage: waves are travelled through quite hard. The hull does not dip as softly as a deep V-hull would. Our test boat was equipped with an 80 hp Mercury EFI four-stroke outboard motor. The maximum engine power approved by the shipyard is 115 hp. With the smaller engine, our test boat including three people reached a maximum speed of around 51.0 km/h, which is equivalent to 27.5 knots. It generally handles the slalom course on the Main well, unless you overdo it with the steering angle. If you want to make tight turns, the speed must be reduced. Otherwise the propeller quickly draws air and you have to start again.
Quicksilver can manoeuvre well
The small Quicksilver manoeuvres well. The turning circle of one and a half boat lengths is typical for outboards. Visibility is good at any speed. Cables and hoses have been professionally laid and do not chafe anywhere. The 68-litre PVC fuel tank in the stern is also easy to reach and professionally installed. The boat does not have a water tank.
The standard equipment is lavish and includes everything a boat owner could wish for. The options list comprises just four items. These include the harbour tarpaulin and the water ski mast. With a weight of around 740 kg without engine and its dimensions, the boat can easily be trailered with a 1.5 tonne trailer.
Conclusion
The Quicksilver 525 aXcess is well motorised with the 80 hp Mercury engine. Apart from a few minor points, the build quality is good. The handling characteristics are good, apart from the propeller pulling air quickly. Much of what an owner could wish for is already included in the basic equipment.
Measurement results
Technical data
The boat
- Shipyard: Quicksilver/PL
- Type: 525 aXess
- CE category: C/6
- Hull and deck: GRP
- Length over everything: 5,35 m
- Width: 2,29 m
- Depth: 0,25 m
- Clearance height: 1,05 m
- Unladen weight (o. M.): 736 kg
- Fuel tank: 68 l
- Sunbed foredeck: 2.23 x 1.20 m
- Max. motorisation: 85 kW (115 hp)
- Price (with test engine): 29,970 € (as at Q2/2023)
- Distribution (test boat): Boote Pfister GmbH, Wahlweg 6, 97525 Schwebheim, www.bootepfister.de
The motor
- Manufacturer: Mercury
- Type: F 80
- Performance: 59.2 kW (80 hp)
- Full load speed: 4500-5500 rpm
- Cylinder: 4 R
- cubic capacity: 2100 cc
- Alternator: 12 V/35 A
- Fuel: Petrol
- Test propeller: 3-blade aluminium 13" x 19"
Our test judgement
Driving & manoeuvring
- + Good and safe directional stability
- + Good manoeuvrability with displaced travel
Processing & technology
- + good materials
- - Sporadic processing quality
Security
- + grab handles
- + fire extinguisher
Comfort on board
- cosy cushions
- Large sun lounger in the bow
