| Savage
elite 5.5 Runabout |
As
Melbourne went into lockdown for the Commonwealth Games in late March, the only
place you were guaranteed a good run (apart from the MCG) was on the water. So
the TrailerBoat team took a day out on Port Phillip Bay in a Savage
Elite 5.5 Runabout to get away from it all.
The Savage fibreglass range
is a little understated when you consider it has just eight models across three
classes compared to over 50 aluminium boats. So much so that it’s been almost
two years since TrailerBoat went for a run in a Savage fibreglass hull.
 As
is the case with all Savage fibreglass hulls, the Elite 5.5 Runabout is
manufactured by Whittley Marine Industries in Melbourne, meaning that the
company remains an all-Victorian affair, as it has for more than 100 years.
Having toured the Whittley Marine Industry facility late last year, I think
anyone in the marketplace for a Savage fibreglass model can be assured the
quality that has been associated with Savage boats in the past will continue
with this partnership.
The Elite 5.5 Runabout gave a comfortable ride
over a fairly benign Port Phillip and illustrated excellent stability at rest
for those who might want to drop a line out of this genuine all-rounder. The
boat was a little slippery during tight turns at speed, however given the nature
of this craft – a family-friendly craft that won’t be called on for high
performance – this will pose few problems for those looking for a relaxing day
on the water for skiing, fishing, or all-round cruising. |
FUN
FOR THE FAMILY
The Elite 5.5 is indeed
targeted at family fun and holds its place in the marketplace well – as a good
entry level fibreglass craft for those looking to enter the market for the first
time or perhaps upgrade from aluminium to fibreglass. While the vessel is
licensed to carry six, that may be pushing it in terms of comfort and space. A
more realistic approach for a long day on the water would be five people plus
supplies and water toys to keep the crew happy.
One of the most
noticeable features of this boat is its variety of storage areas. There’s an
underfloor storage bin forward of the fuel tank on the transom floor. It was
filled with safety gear for our trip on the bay. It would also comfortably house
some water toys for the kids or you could utilise it to store a couple of small
eskies or cooler bags.
There’s further storage available in the bow
between the helm and the anchor hatch as well as upholstered side shelves that
could house small fishing rods, hand line and some slimline tackle boxes. Come
to think of it, a day out on the Elite 5.5 may be a great way to introduce a
bunch of enthusiastic young whipper snappers to the beauty of fishing. Two
removable bins in the transom bulkhead could house bait, wet clothes, or be
filled with ice for easy access to refreshments. |
GAUGES
AND GADGETS
 The
dash is simplistic yet offers a range of Smartcraft instrumentation including
speedometer, tachometer, temperature, and fuel and trim gauges. There’s also a
cruise log to keep track of your hours on the water as well as a 27MHz Navman
radio and a Navman Fish 4431 Fishfinder – an ideal entry level fishfinder that
can also be used as an entry level depthsounder. A sports-style steering wheel
completes the helm setup. There’s also a handy glovebox that sits in front of
the passenger. The glovebox may be big enough to house a marine stereo but it is
perfect for storing valuable items such as wallets, mobiles phones, and keys
that can easily go astray.
 Seating
up front comes in the form of deluxe pedestal seats – the helm being adjustable
forward and aft, which is often a handy feature, especially when you’ve got
people of varying leg length keen to get behind the wheel. The transom seating
is a lounge style that can be removed should you require more room for
activities at the transom. This will also allow good access to the outboard.
The walkthrough windscreen is a four piece construction and held
together well with alloy struts. The view from the helm was clear and spray into
the helm and cockpit area minimal in the fairly timid conditions.
All
fittings on the Elite 5.5 are stainless steel and there’s no shortage of cleats
to secure your boat to a pier or jetty. The boat lacks in grabrails both forward
and aft. If I was purchasing this craft I would ask my dealer what he could
offer in terms of some extra rails to provide safety and confidence to those who
may like to hang on tight in a rough sea. The absence of these bars is more than
likely a compromise for price, which is so often the case in an entry level boat
of this nature. |
THE
RUN HOME
We cruised around Port Phillip
thinking of those suckers stuck in traffic and stagnating in designated
‘Games-only lanes’. The speedo indicated a nice cruising speed of 30mph at
3400rpm. When the hunger pangs kicked in and it was time for a feed and
refreshments we turned up the wick and hit 50mph at 5200rpm. The Elite probably
had a little left up its sleeve, but we weren’t really in that much of a hurry.
Mercury packages the Savage fibreglass range into a boat, motor and trailer
deal.
The Elite 5.5 Runabout comes equipped with a custom-built Savage
easy-launch trailer and you have the option of choosing between a Mercury 115hp
and Mariner 115hp (both twostroke) to power the craft.
 As
described the test boat was powered by a 135hp Mercury OptiMax and if you take
this option it will add a little under $4000 dollars to the price. Personally,
in this day where fuel costs seem to be rising with the sun each morning, I’d
prefer to keep that cash to fuel my rig.
For family boaties that are
looking to purchase in the fibreglass market and are buying to a budget, the
Savage 5.5 Elite is well worth taking for a test run. This boat will probably
never lay claim to gold medal status, but it will run a good race for you in
terms of family fun on the water. |
|
| Specifications |
HOW
MUCH?
Price as tested: ......................$39,521
w/Mercury OptiMax 115hp, registration, bimini, safety equipment,
custom-built easy-launch trailer
Priced from:
...........................$35,553 |
GENERAL
Material: ........................................GRP
Length:
........................................ 5.5m
Beam:
........................................2.26m
Deadrise:
...........................18 degrees
Max HP:
......................................... 175
Weight:
...................................... 710kg |
CAPACITIES
Fuel: ............................................. 120lt
People:
...............................................6 |
ENGINE
Make/model: ...........Mercury Optimax
HP:
................................................. 135
Displacement:
......................... 2507cc
Weight:
...................................... 195kg
Ratio:
......................................... 2.07:1
Prop:
.....................19-inch Vengeance |
SUPPLIED
BY
Mercury Marine
132 Frankston Dandenong Road,
Dandenong, Victoria 3175
Tel (03) 9791 5822, or
visit
www.mercurymarine.com.au |
| Pros/Cons |
|
Highs
- Plethora of storage
- Spacious transom
- Versatility
|
Lows
Lack of grabrails
Extra dollars for extra power
| |
