Savage 435 Bay Cruiser

In the caravan and camping environment $16,000-$17,000 should buy you a box-trailer type camper with some of the trimmings -- or maybe an entry-level pop-up camper trailer.

In the world of boats and boating $16,000-$17,000 will see you into a small, well-outfitted side or centre-console pressed-alloy v-nose boat.

It will also buy you an entry-level forward-windscreen, forward-control alloy runabout like the subject of this test report, Savage’s pretty little 435 Bay Cruiser.

Most aluminium boat manufacturers have a large range of runabouts so there is plenty of choice on offer.

Savage, one of several brands owned by Queensland company Telwater, has five different models between 4.1m and 5.1m in size. The 435 Bay Cruiser is one size above the entry model and is ideal for first-time boat buyers.

The Bay Cruiser is a well-equipped and versatile performer. It’s also excellent value with a starting price of just $15,935 at Get Wet Boating on the Gold Coast.

Included in the start-up package price is a Vortex two-stroke 40hp manual-tilt, electric-start outboard motor, galvanised steel (unbraked) trailer, registrations, and inshore safety gear for four adults.

The list of standard features on the Bay Cruiser is extensive and includes two lift-out pedestal helm chairs, removable rear bench seat, centre opening, lean-through windscreen, rear coaming rails, boarding step, transducer bracket, glove box with drink holders, a transducer bracket, two plastic rod holders and cockpit side storage pockets.

The test boat was fitted with several options which bumped the price up a bit. They included a base model Humminbird sounder, factory-fitted bimini, and an aftermarket power trim and tilt system for the manual-tilt-only Vortex outboard. With these additions the package price lifts to $17,999.

The most expensive of the options here is the Panther brand (model 55) power trim and tilt system which adds a considerable $1,295 to the package price -- and somewhat negates the price saving made by fitting the budget-priced Vortex motor.

Get Wet Boating has advised they will shortly be taking on another, more mainstream engine brand so they can offer the Bay Cruiser with a 40hp outboard with factory-fitted power trim and tilt. This may be more cost effective than fitting the aftermarket trim/tilt system to the Vortex motor -- and you will get a brand name engine to boot.

Having noted the above, the cheapest way into a Savage 435 Bay Cruiser will still be with the manual-tilt Vortex 40hp two-stroke. If you’re prepared to tilt the drive leg of the Vortex motor by hand, then this budget package is a good option.

At the bow a three-pane, curved perspex windscreen sits atop the aluminium deck. The centre pane opens to provide easy lean-through access to the anchor well.

The anchor well is not large, but there is a decent-sized tie-off cleat. A low-set bow rail surrounds the foredeck, leading up to the built-in bow roller.

Under the foredeck and dash is a storage area that can be used for safety gear -- although you should really stow life jackets in the cockpit side pockets where they are readily accessible.

The Bay Cruiser has a two-tier dash set-up so there is ample space for engine instruments (though none were fitted) and electronics gear.

The split level, carpet-over-plywood cockpit floor in the Bay Cruiser works a treat. It is recessed at the helm area so you can stand before the windscreen and still reach the top of the steering wheel and the throttle lever.

The two cushioned, removable helm chairs are well placed and pretty comfortable. You can reach the steering wheel and throttle without difficulty and there is good visibility forward.

The seated helm position was very good, but I actually preferred to drive the boat while standing up. It may be a stretch for tall people (over 6’2”) to reach down to the steering wheel, but it was just within my reach and the windscreen grab rail falls nicely to hand.

Underneath the main, elevated, 2.0m long rear cockpit floor is enough foam to achieve a basic flotation standard -- though this has resulted in a reduction in cockpit freeboard to a minimum of 480mm in the transom corners.

You would expect some loss of stability with the high floor and low freeboard -- but I found the Bay Cruiser to be surprisingly stable for this size of boat. It was also still possible to stand along the sides and lean your knees against the 190mm wide side coamings -- although the 215mm wide cockpit side pockets did intrude a little into your leg or shin space.

Other internal features of note include the surprisingly comfortable padded rear bench seat, provision under the outboard well for the battery and two 24-litre portable fuel tanks, and a hatch in the floor to access the bilge area and to service the included bilge pump.
 

On initial start-up the Vortex was a bit grumbly and smokey, but it smoothed out once it had warmed up.

Underway, the Vortex felt powerful enough, accelerating the Bay Cruiser to a top speed of 24 knots -- which is sufficient for an entry-level runabout.

There may be more speed in the boat/motor combination too, as I was unable to trim the bow of the boat up as high as I would have liked (to reduce the wetted surface area of the hull) without the engine starting to cavitate.

I expect this issue can be sorted by lowering the engine on the transom by an inch or so -- or by experimenting with different propellers.

Like most tinnies, it will thump if you’re silly enough to jump off a big cruiser wake at speed, but if you slow down and take it easy, the ride is pretty good.

The test boat handled well too. There was some cavitation with the engine trimmed up above neutral, but with a bit of negative trim to drop the propeller down into clean water, the test boat cornered hard and with plenty of grip.

You can tow it behind a four cylinder car, manoeuvre it single-handed on the launch ramp, and yet it is safe and seaworthy enough to handle choppy bay and harbour waters.

With regard to the engine, the 40hp Vortex outboard may not be the most sophisticated or innovative engine on the market, but it is one of the cheapest. If you can’t afford a DFI two-stroke or a four-stroke motor, then ordering the Bay Cruiser with the Vortex engine makes a lot of sense.