Savage 455 Scorpion TS

Savage has added budget friendly tiller-steer models to its Scorpion series, giving anglers another choice of deck layout and engine configuration. The 455 model we tested came fitted with Evinrude’s super-low profile, lightweight, but powerful 60hp E-Tec DFI two-stroke outboard.

OVERVIEW
- Tiller-steer Scorpions give anglers more options
Savage has continued the update of its aluminium boat range with the release of two tiller-steer models in the latest Scorpion boat range.

Available in 4.35m and 4.55m lengths, the two new boats add a third configuration to the line-up, sitting alongside the side and centre console boats.

Offered for testing recently was the larger tiller-steer model, the Scorpion 455 TS powered by Evinrude’s low profile DFI 60hp two-stroke outboard.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Ready to go – but lots of options to accessorise
The Scorpion range, which has been released to replace the long running Piranha series, encompasses around ten different models from 4.35 – 4.85m lengths. These pressed-alloy boats have smooth 'plate look' topsides, and conventional, moderate vee hulls for a good compromise between ride comfort, dryness and stability.

The Scorpions are intended as sheltered water fishing boats, though the larger models are well capable of fishing calm offshore waters. The boats are well equipped, yet economically priced so boaters get a lot of boat for their money.

The 455 Scorpion TS we tested is priced at $23,441 at NSW dealer Coffs Harbour Marine. For the price, you get a surprisingly well kitted package – with features like flat, carpeted floors throughout, live-bait tank, wide side coamings (with Savage’s neatly rolled inner gunnels),  heaps of under-deck storage, four rod holders, bow and stern rails, transom step, a low-set engine well (in place of a more expensive pod design), two lift-out chairs with four floor sockets, battery and fuel-tank trays, cockpit side storage pockets, roto-moulded, drop-in anchor well, two transducer plates, flotation to Basic standard, and a three-year warranty.

Our test boat was also fitted with the aforementioned 60hp Evinrude E-Tec outboard, a compact low profile electric-start tiller-steer model with a remarkable amount of power and performance.

Completing the package are registrations and safety gear, and a single-axle (unbraked) Savage aluminium trailer which combines to give a towing weight of around 650-700kg – which is under the national weight requirement for trailer brakes.

If you were content with a smaller, 50hp Evinrude – and this would be suitable for most applications – then the package price reduces to a more manageable $20,641.

Options abound for the Savage Scorpion, so you can accessorise the boat to your personal fishing needs.

A sample list of the options includes a vinyl wrap to the topsides, bimini with envelope, underfloor 70-litre fuel tank, high bow rails, rod locker, casting deck live-well (in place of general storage), bow-mount trolling motor plate with battery storage, drink holders, two-tone paint, and a range of Lowrance fish finders and fish finder/GPS combinations.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Flat floors, high freeboard, more deck space
The introduction of tiller-steer Savage Scorpions is a boon to anglers as this configuration opens up the full width and length of the boat for fishing. This layout is also cheaper, enabling buyers to get into a larger size boat for the same money they might have to pay for a smaller rig with a steering wheel set-up with remote controls.

The disadvantage is that a big, relatively high powered tiller-steer outboard is more tiring to use over long distances (regardless of the outboard brand) than a steering-wheel setup. Still, the cost savings can’t be ignored, and a well rigged tiller-steer boat will be more than sufficient for many anglers and many types of smooth and sheltered-water fishing.

The interior layout in the 455 Scorpion TS is pretty much as you would expect for this configuration. At the bow there is a casting deck elevated 275mm above the centre cockpit area.

A similar height, but much shorter raised platform is located in the stern.

Underneath is a rack on the starboard side for the portable fuel tank, while the starting battery can be found under the centre locker, and a live-bait tank over on the port side.

Under the forward casting deck is a large storage area with a carpeted false floor – and accessed by four separate deck hatches. As an option you can order a large live-fish well for the centre section of this storage locker as well as a tray for a trolling-motor battery.

The anchor well is made of roto-moulded plastic and is dropped into the alloy foredeck. The anchor well is sufficiently sized, but does not have a hatch or cover.

There is also a bow cleat, short bow rails and a bow roller.

The foredeck surrounding the anchor well is made of a relatively light alloy and will flex if you stand on it. Having made note of this, there is no real need to stand on the foredeck as you anchor from within the boat, standing on the carpeted casting deck.

The 455 Scorpion comes with two folding, lift-out pedestal seats with the option to place the seats in four different locations within the boat. There is a floor socket on the casting deck, another on the forward part of the centre cockpit, and two side-by-side floor sockets for alternative positioning of the helm seat.

With these two rear floor sockets you can position the helm seat to steer the boat with either your left or right hand – which is a boon for people whom feel more comfortable operating a tiller-steer boat right-handed.

The centre cockpit area is a handy 1.96m long x 1.73m wide and there is a 575mm of freeboard – so you can comfortably stand and lean up against the side coamings, or perch a-top them to fish over the sides.

Other features of note include short rear coaming rails, a port side transom boarding step, and carry handles in place of stern cleats.

ON THE WATER
- Smooth ride and lots of grunt from 60hp Evinrude E-Tec
The 455 Scorpion TS will accept power between 30hp and 60hp. The former would be on the low side, while the maximum is probably more than you’ll need – at least judging by the rocket-like performance of the test boat fitted with a 60hp Evinrude.

The test rig’s top speed of 28 knots is not all that remarkable, but the way it got there was very impressive – with scintillatingly quick hole-shots and loads of grunt through the mid range.

It’s a diminutive looking motor with regard to size, weight and profile, but it sure packs a punch – so much so that you needed a very firm hand on the tiller throttle when giving it a burst off the mark, or through slalom turns.

The 60hp tiller-steer Evinrude is an in-line two cylinder, direct injected two-stroke engine with electric key start, tiller-mount throttle shift and power trim and tilt – with the trim button built into the end of the throttle.

The trim button rotates along with the throttle position, so that when you are underway, the position of the trim switch moves with your hand, keeping the switch conveniently under your thumb as the throttle rotates.

In general, the big tiller-steer Evinrude was comfortable to use and its performance was exceptional, offering instant power and acceleration at the twist of the throttle arm.

Moving back to the boat side of things, we found the Savage to be a solid performer with a comfortable, dry ride through chop and across the wakes of other boats. It was also easy to manoeuvre, quite safe in a following sea, and stable underway.

It was not as solid at rest as we expected, but this is easily addressed by moving your gear around onboard to compensate – and keeping in mind the relatively small size of this 4.5m boat.

VERDICT
- A well equipped, yet inexpensive tiller-steer package for sheltered water fishing
The Savage Scorpion 455 TS is a welcome addition to the range, and worthy of wearing the highly respected Savage badge. It is a safe, comfortable, versatile no-nonsense sheltered-water fishing boat that will serve anglers and families very well for many years.

LIKES
>> Powerful Evinrude E-Tec
>> Hatch covers carpeted front and back
>> Option to position chair to steer from port side
>> Low profile for garaging
>> Rolled gunnels a classic Savage touch

NOT SO MUCH
>> Foredeck flexes
>> Open anchor well – no hatch.
>> Low engine well

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.52/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.6/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.5/5.0
Value for money: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.2/5.0

Specifications:
Price as tested: $23,441 including Evinrude E-Tec 60hp electric start, tiller-steer DFI two-stroke outboard, Savage single-axle trailer, large accessory kit, inshore safety gear, boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $20,641 with an Evinrude E-Tec 50hp electric start, tiller-steer DFI two-stroke outboard, Savage single axle trailer, inshore safety gear, boat and trailer registrations.
Length overall: 4.55m
Hull length: 4.55m
Beam: 2.05m
Depth: 1.07m
Hull weight: 350kg
Towing weight: Approx 700kg
Length on trailer: 6.3m
Height on trailer: 2.1m
Bottom and transom alloy: 3mm
Topsides alloy: 3mm
Maximum power: 60hp
Maximum engine weight: 120kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-Tec 60hp DFI two-stroke
Fuel: Portable tank
Maximum persons: Five

Supplied by:
Coffs Harbour Marine
Phone: (02) 6652 4722
Email: mark@coffsharbourmarine.com.au
Website: www.coffsharbourmarine.com.au