Savage 585C

The foray in the alloy construction of boats was re-birthed by Telwater a couple of years ago and a few fibreglass models have been launched since. This, the 585C will win a few hearts being a base boat with affordability and room to add some bling at a later date. The flexibility of getting gear ashore in the lounge base stowage boxes is just what the family with small kids needs; and the oldies could use them as ice or stowage boxes.

Some thought has gone into the anchor well which will allow those who are over manual hauling of ground tackle to install an electric winch and the general size, comfort level and budget price will suit those in their retirement years.

Steering is mechanical non-return type and Johnson’s electric bilge pump is fitted against the transom.

The leg well is partially covered with an infill that would allow two adults to have a nap, and when removed it will allow a couple to sit here more towards the helm bulkhead to have enough head height. The cabin is not overly large but then again, neither is the boat, however all is proportioned correctly.

A sky-light hatch will allow crew to climb through so the ground tackle may be worked should you not fit that electric winch and ambient light otherwise comes through two slot style fixed Perspex side panes.

Those who prefer to walk the plank to work the anchor will find a pathway about an adult’s foot width around the cabin and handy bow rails that sweep back for security while in transit.

The aperture leading into the cabin is large and transit to and from is aided by the fact the leg well is rebated into the cockpit slightly between the two main pedestal seats. This puts one down onto the lower level before stooping to enter the cabin.

A grab rail follows the curve of the bulkhead in front of the passenger and when one is standing at the helm or the passenger side the windscreen sweeps well back behind the shoulder for spray protection when wind is on the fore quarter. There is very little space on the ledge in front of the passenger on which to store any items but a two-tier side pocket is available for those in that chair.

The helm has a flat fascia with a brow above on which the Evinrude instrumentation is installed. Those of you that are into large screen electronics will be disappointed with this fit-up as the instruments would have been better placed low down and the brow replaced with a larger flat area for flush-mounting of same. As is, two small screen cabinets of around eight inches could fit side by side but the helm wheel will be superimposed over the screens when in the helm seat.

Seating is plush and comfortable and the skipper has a moulded fibreglass foot rest which separates the helm from the cabin.

The cockpit liner has a pocket each side, and across the transom bulkhead a permanent cushioned backrest serves those seated on the lounge bases. The latter come in the form of a pair of fibreglass stowage boxes with cushioned tops which will be appreciated by those that go ashore for picnics and the like as they could be used as ice boxes although no insulation will see the ice stocks decimated quickly in the heat.

The centre of the aft of the cockpit deck has a large removable hatch that exposes a kill tank which is bunged to drain to the bilge, and forward of that another exposes the alloy fuel tank which on this model is 140 litres in volume compared with older models that were 85.

The transom bulkhead is supported by twin stainless steel posts, one of which has the battery isolator switch handy and behind the single battery with the fuel filter hung up under the bulkhead. The ETEC oil reservoir is also stationed here.

 The company further sticks its neck out and claims 13 per cent more displacement than the Mercury 90 Optimax yet it’s 4.09kg lighter and eight per cent more displacement than Yamaha’s four-stroke equivalent. There is also a claim of alternator output being twice that of competitor engines and improvements in the multi-point oiling system which improves lubrication at slow speeds. And as you can see the graphics on the cowl have had a make-over to boot! A 15-inch Viper propeller swings off the gearbox.

The hull is a typical fibreglass mould lay-up with hollow fibreglass stringers and cross members on which the inner liner is supported. The top liner and all of the hull components are then adhered together. The finish to the hull is blemish free.

At a fast pelagic troll speed of 6.8 knots, the ETEC was turning over at 2000rpm and using 5.6 litres per hour. Bumping the throttle to 2500 rpm we were on the plane doing just over nine knots and using 10 litres per hour. At 3000 rpm, we realised 12.5 knots using 13.9 litres per hour and an ideal cruise speed of 22.5 knots had the motor running at 4000rpm and using 23.2 litres per hour. At 5000rpm we managed a smidge over 30 knots for 35.1 litres per hour and WOT was 5600 rpm which gave us 32.15 knots using 42 litres per hour.

The 585C is a good example of a budget boat from the Orient, built to order for Australian conditions. It is also a good example of just how far quality control has come in relation to boats from the same country; the early ones, generally were not up to scratch. We could find no fault in the cosmetics of this boat and it presents as a neat small-boat package.