By Alex Julius
The Savage Fibreglass Cabin 585 makes an ideal fishing platform whilst offering both comfort and relaxation on the water.
Established in 1898, Savage is Australia’s oldest name in boating. Originally in fibreglass only, from memory, it entered the small aluminium boat market in the 1970s. In recent times, Savage has moved to the Gold Coast and has updated both its aluminium and fibreglass boat ranges in line with an Australian market demanding value for money and true practicality in fishing boats.
Last year, Savage launched a fleet of stylish New Zealand-designed fibreglass trailer boats – six in total – which are being built in China. Apparently, the decision to manufacture in China was because of the fluctuating Australian dollar which had been hurting dealers who were already buying overseas. Basically, it was to keep a consistency in price and in supply. Like other Australian industries, boat builders have suffered from the mining industry’s ravenous appetite for qualified tradespeople. These skilled workers can earn in excess of 150K a year in the mines and you won’t get anywhere near those dollars laying down fibreglass on a boat factory’s floor.
The fact that these boats come with a 10 year hull structural warranty speaks volumes for the quality of workmanship coming out of China. Plus each boat in the range comes complete with its own multi-roller alloy trailer making loading and launching a breeze.
Earlier this year, I went for a run in the Savage Fibreglass Cabin 585C. Able to carry 6 people and with ample storage space, the 585 Cabin affords plenty of room for friends and family. It comes with bucket seats, rear lounge, carpet lining, underfloor storage and side pockets, transom rail and rod holders. It is fitted with an 85L underfloor fuel tank and has a horsepower rating of 150. Director of Sales and Marketing Damien Duncan told me: “The 585 Cabin is versatile and there is something to suit everyone in the family whether fishing, lounging in the sun or, with the rear ladder and stern eye, used for water sports such as water skiing, wake boarding and tubing.” Built to cruise around estuaries, rivers and the ocean, the 585 Cabin also provides protection from the elements with a roomy cabin bunk with cushion infill. It can be optioned up to the ultimate fun machine, including bimini, rocket launcher, VHF Radio, ski pole, front and side clears and a Fusion MSRA200 sound system with speakers. On The Water A run out through the Gold Coast Seaway is always a good test for a boat claimed to have good offshore capability. It was a bright, sunny summer morning as we planed up and down the modest swells out through this famous sea-mark. Offshore, there was a bit of a slop, enough to get a true understanding of what this 19 footer could do. It was impressive, to say the least. With boats, you want the least amount of bang for your bucks as possible, and the Savage 585C definitely delivered in this department. Dry and comfortable pretty well sums it up in the sort of conditions you’d venture out in and expect not to get hammered.
Returning through the Seaway in a rolling, following swell was no issue either. With a cabin-style boat where you steer from the front half, you get a good look at the waves squeezing up in front of you, and the gulleys that await you as you crest each wave. Trimmed up quite a bit, with a little nursing of the throttle to work the conditions, I actually enjoyed coming back through the big channel into the Broadwater. The Savage Fibreglass 585 Cabin comes complete with its own multi-roller alloy trailer meaning launching and loading your boat are a breeze. http://www.savageboats.com.au