2019 Savage 485 Beach Comber review

The Savage 485 Beach Comber is the smallest of three bowrider boats in the Savage aluminium boat range, sitting beneath the 515 and 5.5m models. The entry-size boat is arguably the most versatile and user-friendly of the trio as it is big and safe enough for most bay and harbour boating applications, yet it is cheaper to buy and to maintain.

The 485's more modest dimensions and lighter weight will also make it easier to tow and to stow, and to launch and retrieve at the boat ramp.

Whilst the Savage 485 Beach Comber is smaller than its siblings, it is still a decent-size boat with high topsides, a spacious cockpit and 600mm of freeboard inside, more than enough to keep young children safely contained within the cockpit.

The Savage 485 Beach Comber is also a sturdily built pressed alloy boat. It has a 3.0mm aluminium hull bottom, topsides and transom, with a full-length keel and a series of cross bracing struts to stiffen and strengthen the hull.

The 225mm wide side coaming extrusions are welded to the side sheets on the outside and neatly rolled on the inside. The latter has been a distinguishing feature of Savage aluminium boats for many years.

The Savage 485 Beach Comber accepts longshaft outboards between 70hp and 90hp. We tested this top value family-fun boat with a Mercury EFI 90hp four-stroke on the transom.

With the Mercury 90hp outboard and a single-axle Savage aluminium braked trailer, Mike's Marine in Brisbane has drive-away packages starting from  $32,200. For this money you get a substantially sized boat with lots of interior features.

Families will be impressed with the included seating. As well as the lift-out helm chairs, the Savage 485 Beach Comber also has a bow rider seating compartment (cushions optional) and a folding and removable rear lounge.

The Savage 485 Beach Comber also comes with outdoor carpet throughout, a curved, centre opening windscreen with grab rail, poly-plastic moulded dash and fascia, bow and stern rails, transducer bracket, a large glove box, side storage pockets, hull paint, a pair of rod holders, a 70-litre underfloor fuel tank, auto bilge pump, and hull flotation to Basic Standard.

Our test boat gained a few options to spruce it up a bit. They included a Lowrance Hook 2 5.0-inch fish finder/GPS, a bimini with front clears and envelope, deluxe bow seat and backrest cushions, cockpit table and base, a drink holder, ski pole, and a telescopic boarding ladder at the transom.

These additions lift the price to $38,990, but this is still excellent value for a near 5.0m boat package.

The Savage 485 Beach Comber has a traditional Aussie bowrider layout with a V-shaped seating area up at the bow, combined with rear bench seating. That said, the bow seating area is a bit larger than in some rival models, the extra size achieved by moving the anchor well from the foredeck back to a locker under the centre bow seat cushion.

Re-locating the anchor well has enabled the bow compartment to enlarge; the downside is that the centre seat cushion and hatch needs to be removed each time the boat is anchored. Nevertheless, I think the trade-off to gain the larger bow seating area is worthwhile.

Our test boat was fitted with the optional seat cushions and comfy backrests, along with an oval-shaped pedestal table that slots into place between the side seats to create a dinette seating area.

The backrest cushions are well padded and wrap up and over the side coaming extrusions for maximum comfort and back support. They are fixed in position, but the three surrounding cushions are removable for safekeeping.

Beneath the cushions is the anchor well in the forepeak, and two deep storage compartments beneath the side seats suitable for stowing life jackets, towels, and general safety gear.

The hatches for each of the bow storage lockers are carpeted front and back to provide protection against mould and rot.

You'll find extra storage space beneath each of the consoles, as well as in the elevated cockpit side storage pockets, and inside a large, lockable glove box built into the port side console/fascia.

Opposite, the helm station has a roto-moulded poly plastic dash and fascia with just enough space for engine instruments and a small/medium-sized, flush-fitted fish finder/GPS combination unit.

The sports steering wheel is well located on the fascia, while the throttle is side-mounted within easy reach. The position of both makes it possible to drive the boat while standing up, but it is more comfortable to control the boat while seated, as you can tuck your legs comfortably under the console in the recessed footwell.

The rear cockpit is elevated one-step up from the recessed floor at the helm, stretching 2.1m aft to the transom. Behind the two lift-out pedestal helm chairs there is just over a metre of uncluttered, move-about space.

As noted, side storage pockets stretch the length of the cockpit and are ideal for stowing deck lines, paddles, fishing gear and more.

Overhead, the neatly rolled, extra wide side coamings double as seats to compliment the fold-down rear bench seat.

For serious fishing trips, anglers might consider removing the rear bench as it doesn't fold down completely and may still get in the way.

Fishers might also consider fitting a few factory fishing options, such as the transom bait station/cutting board, berley bucket and more rod holders.

There is no listed option for a live bait tank so you might need to fit an aftermarket model, or rig up a DIY unit to mount externally on one of the rear boarding platforms.

I'd also consider fitting the optional factory transom door to make it easier to enter the boat from the stern.

The battery in the test boat was mounted on the floor on the starboard side, behind the folding rear lounge. I'd prefer it to be mounted on an elevated shelf for protection, but it was at least enclosed in a plastic battery box.

Most Savage boats above 4.5m are fitted with the Savage "Ultra-lift" hull bottom that combines a moderate transom vee angle with wide, flattened chines, and a finely angled forward entry shape.

The stem also has a gentle, or relaxed rake angle so the hull can surf safely out of wave troughs, instead of "digging in" or burying the nose.

In general, the design of the Ultra-lift hull is conservative, but it works well in bay and harbour chop, smoothing out the ride whilst maintaining excellent stability and balance.

The boat handled well during our test, carving sharp turns and figure eights with ease. It is no high-performance ski boat, but the hull should serve you well as an all-rounder for a mix of social tow sports, bay cruising and fishing.

The Savage 485 Beach Comber accepts longshaft outboards between 70hp and 90hp. You can expect modest performance with the entry-sized engine, but if you do want to tow the kids on tubes or wakeboards I'd recommend opting for the maximum 90hp outboard.

Paired with the 90hp Mercury, the Savage 485 Beach Comber is swift and agile, accelerating strongly from idle through to a wide open throttle speed of 35 knots at 5500rpm.

This speed was recorded with three adults and a fair bit of gear onboard, too, so expect to gain a knot or two and increased revs with a lighter load.

The Mercury EFI 90hp four-stroke is a smooth, quiet, economical engine. At 3500 rpm the fuel burn is just 13.0L/h whilst cruising at an easy 20 knots. At this speed the boat has a range on 95% of the boat's 70L fuel capacity of 102.3nm.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 70L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 102.3nm

The Savage 485 Beach Comber is a terrific family boat and fishing all-rounder. The boat is well built, safe, seaworthy and nicely appointed – just what you need in an entry level boat package. Priced between $30K and $40K depending on selected options and engine size, the Savage 485 Beach Comber is also excellent value for money.

There is plenty of competition for the Savage 485 Beach Comber, but this versatile family/fishing boat stacks up better than most of its rivals with regard to price vs included features. This makes it an excellent choice for budget conscious families, anglers and retirees.

Model: Savage 485 Beachcomber
Length overall: 5.10m
Hull length: 4.95m
Beam: 2.08m
Depth: 1.10m
Hull weight: 460kg
Weight on trailer: 1050kg (est)
Bottom and transom alloy: 3.0mm
Topsides alloy: 3.0mm
Maximum power: 90hp
Maximum outboard engine weight: 186kg
Engine as tested: Mercury 90hp four-stroke
Fuel capacity: 70L
Flotation standard: Basic
Passengers: 5

Priced from: $32,200 including a Mercury 90hp four-stroke longshaft (20-inch) outboard, single-axle aluminium trailer with mechanical brakes, inshore safety gear pack, and 12 months boat and trailer registration

Price as tested: $38,990 including a Mercury 90hp four-stroke longshaft (20-inch) outboard, single-axle aluminium trailer with mechanical brakes, Lowrance Hook 2-5 fish finder/GPS, bimini with front clears and envelope, deluxe bow and backrest cushions, cockpit table and base, drink holder, ski pole, rear telescopic ladder, inshore safety gear pack, and 12 months boat and trailer registration

Supplied by: Mike's Marine