Test: Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider - Active and comfortable at the same time
Jan-Ole Puls
· 26.01.2023
In this article:
Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider - Family boat, sporty and at the same time spacious and suitable for beginners. This is probably the best way to describe the Activ 605. Bowrider and Quicksilver simply go well together. So it's no wonder that the manufacturer has seven boats without cabins in its range. With a length of six metres, the Activ 605 is the second largest in the Quicksilver bowrider product range. Admittedly, the weather at the end of September was not made for a bowrider, which is why you would rather have sunshine and bathing weather. In Schilksee, on the other hand, it was wet and cold. Nevertheless, the Quicksilver did well and was able to show what it is made of on the Kiel Fjord.
The first thing you notice when you step onto the boat via the bathing platform is the Mercury outboard engine. The Pro XS delivers 150 hp and is the largest possible motorisation that can be used. But more on that later. Immediately after the outboard motor, you notice the large bench seat in the stern of the Activ 605. It can be folded down and transforms the stern into a sunbathing area measuring 1.85 metres x 0.93 metres. The 2.35 m long and 2.1 m wide cockpit is self-draining and covered with synthetic teak. If you look further towards the bow, you will see the well-crafted table made of real teak.
The driver's and co-driver's seats are mounted on a polyester base in the centre of the boat. The seats offer good lateral support, can be swivelled and are adjustable forwards and backwards. The upholstery, like all upholstery on the 605, is in brown and beige. They are well made and have a comfortable firmness for sitting and reclining. The steering position is controlled via a Bowden cable. The non-slip steering wheel is comfortable when seated, but a little too low when standing. The instruments are easy to see.
Clever solution for the fenders
If you look over the safety glass windscreen towards the bow area, the reason for the name "Activ 605 Bowrider" becomes clear. The 1.7 m x 1.37 m sunbathing area invites you to relax, with plenty of space for every sun worshipper. Cup holders are distributed throughout the boat. The railing, which runs from the bow to the windscreen, is easy to reach and can be used to attach fenders. As storage space is often very limited on a six-metre boat, Quicksilver has thought of something. The fenders are stowed in two stainless steel cages on the inside panelling of the boat. This means they are always ready to hand. There are six cleats suitable for the size of the boat for mooring.
Back to the engine and the associated handling characteristics. At slow and fast displacement speeds between 3.5 and 6 knots, the course stability is good. Harbour manoeuvres are no problem. The 150 hp of the Mercury Pro XS accelerates the boat well and does not give the feeling of being underpowered. A good planing speed is achieved at around 3500 rpm. The boat then travels at around 18.6 knots with a calculated range of 133 nautical miles (plus 15 per cent reserve). It reaches its top speed at around 5800 rpm and 39.2 knots, which is fast for 150 hp.
Regardless of the trim, the Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider drives very purposefully and follows all steering commands well. Slipping aft or even the stern breaking away did not occur in our test.
Measurement results Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider
Our test judgement of the Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider
DRIVING & MANOEUVRING
+ Sporty driving characteristics
- Steering wheel mounted a little too low
PROCESSING & TECHNOLOGY
+ Good processing quality
+ Well-finished upholstery
SAFETY
+ Well-dimensioned grab handles
+ Battery secured in a box
COMFORT ON BOARD
+ Fender holder
+ sporty seats
Conclusion
The Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider is a good entry-level boat. It is well made and, at around 41,760 euros for the basic equipment, is priced in the lower mid-range. However, it is in no way inferior to some more expensive boats. With the 150 hp Mercury Pro XS, it is sportily motorised.
Technical data of the Quicksilver Activ 605 Bowrider
The boat
- Shipyard: Quicksilver
- Type: Activ 605
- CE category: C/6 persons
- Hull and deck: Plastic
- Length over everything: 6,02 m
- Width: 2,34 m
- Unladen weight (o. M.): 989 kg
- Clearance height: 1,34 m
- Fuel tank: 160 l
- Freeboard: 0,75 m
- Cockpit side height inside: 0,74 m
- Railing height: 0,29 m
- Sunbed foredeck: 1.70 x 1.37 m
- Max. motorisation: Outboard 110 kW (50 hp)
- List price (with test engine): 41.885 €
- Distribution (test boat): Bootscenter Kiel, Haßberg 6, 24113 Kiel, www.bootscenter-kiel.de
The motor
- Manufacturer: Mercury
- Type: Pro XS
- Performance: 110 kW (150 hp)
- Full load speed: 5200-6000 rpm
- Cylinder: 4
- cubic capacity: 3000 cc
- Steering: Hydraulic
- Fuel: Petrol
- Translation: 2,08 : 1
- Test propeller: 3 x 14 1/2" x 17"
