SAVAGE boats has unveiled its 2016 lineup at a recent media event on the Gold Coast. The revamped lineup features some exciting developments for the Aussie boat makers, in particular the retirement of the Jabiru series which will be replaced with the new Raptor and Raptor Pro ranges.
Also announced for 2016 was the expansion of the popular Scorpion range to include the 525 Scorpion and the 525 Scorpion Pro, in both side and centre console options. The 525 Scorpion and the 525 Scorpion Pro come with a whole range of new features that are sure to be popular with hard-core fishos.
The Bay Cruiser lineup has also been revamped with changes to the larger models in the range, the 485, 515 and 545, including larger side decks and a completely new lean-thru dash.
Savage has also gone back to the future and renamed the Big Kahuna and the Big Daddy. The Big Kahuna, available in a 425 and 445, is now the Osprey, while the Big Daddy, also available in 425 and 445, is now the Kestrel. Both the Osprey and the Kestrel are names from vintage Savage ranges of yesteryear.
2016 will also see a complete switch to Alloy trailers, which Savage claims have proven both stronger and lighter in testing than the steel equivalents.
Other announcements for the Australian boat makers included Lowrance Total Scan Skimmer transducers will now be available on all Savage boats, and a new five-year warranty across the range.
Raptor
Savage was reluctant to retire the Jabiru but felt that with the addition of several new features, upgrades and optional extras the time was right to change to the Raptor, with the new range including 355, 395 and 425 models.
The Raptor range features as standard a glove box, drink holders, transom handles and the 2016 range also features fully welded seats on all models except the 355, making a shift away from riveted seats. This was in response to customer feedback.
With front and rear bench seats holding up to four people, the Raptor, like the Jabiru before it, will be popular for fishing estuaries and freshwater, camping, crabbing or as a tender.
Just like the previous Jabiru range, the Savage Raptor range will provide a budget, no-fuss, family friendly tinny option for those not wanting to pay for all the bells and whistles.
Raptor Pro
For the more serious fishos, the Raptor Pro range provides several significant and necessary upgrades from the basic Raptor.
Available in a 405, 425 and a 445 the Raptor Pro features carpeted floors, front and rear casting decks, rod holders as well as optional bow mount for electric motor, live bait tanks in various locations, transom step and rail and a rod storage pocket.
With five seating positions the Raptor Pro range is versatile enough to suit most inshore and small water anglers. With the front casting deck, plenty of underfloor storage and an uncluttered tiller steer setup the Raptor Pro isn’t out of place as a serious sportfishing boat for freshwater and estuary systems.
Scorpion
The addition of the 525 and the 525 Pro will complement the 435, 455 and 485 sizes already in the Scorpion range. These tough hulls will provide serious inshore fishos with the option to rough it outside from time to time. The longer hull, and a big 77L underfloor fuel tank as standard, combined with a max power rating of 115hp means that the 525 will give anglers confidence that they can handle longer runs to fishing spots.
Fishability though is where this new hull from Stacer will really grab anglers. With a live bait tank as standard, plenty of deck space, an elevated front casting deck, three different seating positions, large roto-moulded anchor well (with optional drum winch) and plenty of underfloor storage this boat is extremely versatile for fishing. With its open layout, three anglers could comfortably throw lures at pelagics, and with a fourth angler onboard, trolling, berleying or soaking baits wouldn’t be a problem at all.
Carpeted decks, transom step and rail and transducer brackets are also standard features on the Scorpion 525 whilst optional extras that fishos might fancy include a plumbed live well and bow mount electric motor bracket.
Bay Cruiser
The Bay Cruiser range offers plenty of versatility and caters for everyone from the family bait soaker right through to serious anglers. The rear folding lounge is quite comfortable and will keep non-fishos relaxed, and yet a large range of optional extras like live bait tank and extra rod holders means that you can find the right balance between keeping the family happy without completely compromising fishability.
Other new features include a lean-thru dash for easy access to the anchor well, plus, the new dash design has left more room for electronics for those that like a larger display. Or, to completely take the grunt work out of anchoring, an optional electric drum winch is now available on the larger models in the range (485, 515 and 545). Fishos will also find the new larger gunwales useful as both a seat and to lean against when fighting a fish.
For more information including the full range of boats head to the Savage website.
