Savage Fibreglass 585C

All the boats are quite different in their design and offer differing features. The boat we picked from the Fibreglass range for this test is the 585C,  a real all-rounder that easily doubles as a family fun machine or a fishing boat with offshore capabilities.

At the launch, Damien Duncan, the Director of Sales and Marketing for parent company Telwater, said the 585C is perfect for the family wanting to make the most of the warm summer weather: 

"The 585 Cabin is versatile and there is something to suit everyone in the family," Mr Duncan said. "Whether fishing, lounging in the sun and, with the rear ladder and stern eye, it can be used for water sports such as water skiing, wake boarding or tubing."

Our test venue was the official press launch of the Fibreglass range at Tangalooma on Moreton Island, where conditions were a mixed bag with a building nor’wester and rising chop giving us a good chance to put the 585C through its paces.

The standard equipment list is impressive, and the boat is a true drive-away package. But there are a few boxes we’d tick from the optional extras list including the bimini, stereo system and VHF, while the fisherman might opt for the rocket launcher and live bait tank/cutting board combo.

The boat comes with good electrics including navigation lights, electric bilge pump and extra switches for the electronics you might want to fit later.

It’s interesting to note here that all the stainless-steel work (bow rail, anchor roller, pop-up cleats, ladder, etc), which is made in China, appears to be of a very high quality.

One of the stern cleats on a particular boat got a workout when the tractor which was cleaning the beach picked up the boat’s stern anchor and dragged it up the beach for while with Savage execs running in hot pursuit. Subsequent inspection found no damage except to the tractor driver’s ego.

The helm and co-pilot’s seats are pedestal mounted and comfortable and supportive. The moulded footrests are well positioned making for an ergonomically sound seating position.

As mentioned, the hull is deep-V design with a 19-degree deadrise. Underneath, there are double chines with the inner chine reversed. We’re told this is to give the boat a smooth and dry ride while also offering a stable platform at rest. It works.

It’s worth noting that throughout the Savage Fibreglass Cabin range, there is no wood used. All the seat bases and places where one would expect to find wood are polymer sheets, which are more durable, easier to keep clean and not prone to rot or discolouring, says Savage.

We were using one of ours as a drinks cooler with ice in it but they could be used for anything from general storage to fish boxes.

These boxes (or seats if you prefer) slide out and can be rearranged in the cockpit or even left at home to take advantage of all the floor space -- great for fishing.

When in situ, the rear lounge is a very comfortable place to enjoy the ride. There are substantial stainless-steel hand holds too.

Down aft, there are walkthroughs on both sides of the transom leading to the swim platform and there’s a stainless-steel boarding ladder on the starboard side.

Taking the lounge out gives access to the bilge pump and isolator, both of which I found difficult to get to. The isolator is up and under the forward transom coaming and you actually have to feel for it. (It’d be better placed nearer to the battery on the starboard side). The bilge pump is down deep and once again can’t easily be seen or accessed.

Moving forward, the helm seats are mounted fairly wide so easy access can be gained to the cabin. The passenger gets a hefty hand rail that runs along the top of the fascia and down the port side so there’s plenty to hang onto whether you’re seated or standing.

But where are the drink holders? We’re getting used to having moulded drink holders but the Savage has none. We reverted to jamming our water bottles in the hand rail. Buyers will have to revert to aftermarket drink holders or kids will spill their sticky creaming soda all over your new boat.

The cabin is quite small and even with the infill in place a standard-size adult would have to be pretty tired to take a nap in there. Kids would be fine. There’s plenty of dry storage in the cabin in all the usual places and the decor is quite appealing with carpeted lining.

There’s a deep foot well so it’s comfortable to sit in to get out of the weather and there’s a substantial hatch to access the ground tackle. A covered anchor well provides plenty of room for anchor and rode and the split bow rail means you can set and retrieve the anchor with ease.

The E-TECs are responsive with good torque throughout the rev range. Due to the conditions, we didn’t get to do top-speed runs but the engine felt happy cruising around 3500rpm for about 20 knots.

The hull certainly cut through the Moreton Bay chop efficiently and ride was comparatively smooth for the conditions.  Spray was minimal on the screen even though we were throwing the boat around, heading into, across and down sea.

Our boat had manual steering which we found to be light and quite positive. Hydraulic steering is optional.

These boats are rated to 150hp but we found the 130 quite adequate and you’d probably get more miles out of the 95-litre underfloor fuel tank as well.

As a family boat, it ticks most of the boxes. Comfortable for four (the boat is rated for six), there is plenty of storage for all your gear, the kids can swim off the back with the walkthrough facility, and the boat has enough grunt for a bit of tow sports.

With a tow weight of under 1500kg race ready on single-axle trailer, you won’t need to fork out for a new truck to tow it either.

Fit and finish is of a high standard and Telwater is backing the Savage fibreglass boats with a 10-year structural warranty showing that the company has faith in the products.

In all, a good looking, fun package for under $50K.

Savage is distributing the Fibreglass range through specialised dealers throughout Australia. To find you nearest dealer go to: www.savageboats.com.au