The Savage Tinnies Come Of Age
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday October 28, 1994
IF there's a company in the Australian boating industry which should need little in the way of introduction, it is surely J. J. Savage and Sons.
After all, this Melbourne-based, but with a strong Sydney influence, company is a mere three and a bit years away from celebrating its centenary.
Hard to believe in an industry which counts 30 years as being "a long time ago", but J. J. Savage and Sons was founded in 1898.
The family organisation these days comprises two separate companies, J. J. Savage and Sons, manufacturers of Savage fibreglass boats, based at Williamstown, Victoria, and Savage Alumacraft, situated just a couple of kilometres away in Altona, home of the Savage "tinnies".
I spent a day at the two factories late last month as a guest of John Savage, grandson of J. J. and son of the legendary Jack Savage, now living in semi-retirement in Sydney, but firing on all cylinders and enjoying life.
It's been some time since J. J. Savage and Sons built the fibreglass cruisers it won fame for, boats like the 28-foot and 33-foot Savage still incredibly popular with game fishermen. But, now, a new range of smaller runabouts is following the company tradition and winning a new generation of admirers.
At Altona, Savage Alumacraft has really thrived, turning out a broad range of boats designed to suit both the casual and dedicated angler.
One of the interesting developments to come via John Savage and his team has been the successful marriage between fibreglass and alloy, where Savage Alumacraft hulls sport J. J. Savage decks and cabins.
More of that at another time.
While in Melbourne one of the boats John Savage turned over to me for a test was a design which is now more than 10 years old, yet it remains one of the best-performing and best-looking alloy boats on the market.
It's the Savage Lancer, a rugged 5.5-metre (18ft) available in two versions, essentially a cuddy and an open.
When it first hit the market in 1983, the Savage Lancer was named Aluminium Boat of the Year.
In 1988, considerably revamped, it again won the title, and even today it would still be a worthy contender for the crown.
Since 1988, the Savage design team has made further changes, enhancing the hull's chine, improving the vee and the rake at the bow.
John Savage is convinced this is the best of the Lancer breed.
Our test boat was powered by the Johnson 120hp outboard, and despite being a relatively big boat, tipping the scales at better than 600kg and with two hefty fellows aboard, the Lancer showed a very fair turn of speed.
Port Phillip Bay was windswept, a howling wind belting in from due north, ominous black clouds forming over the city. (Why does Port Phillip always do that to me?)
Under normal circumstances, the test would have been postponed, but I had a plane to catch for Sydney so it was full speed ahead and damn the consequences.
The way the wind-generated chop was hurtling in from the north, I'm glad I was aboard a Savage Lancer, for here is a boat that can take it.
A big bow, fine entry, broad transom, high, rakish windscreen, and the vicious chop was relegated to the "who cares" category.
Incoming spray was cast aside by the flared shape of the bow, while aft, the 120hp Johnson gave plenty of lift to the craft.
Internally, the Lancer offers the serious angler a highly-practical fitout, with ample stowage, rod racks, an aft seat for fishing from the stern and, on the test boat, an option both practical and good-looking, a stainless steel targa.
Well-placed seating, a convenient cuddy forward, a boat into which plenty of thought has gone, the Lancer is what John Savage himself describes as "one serious fishing rig".
The build is rugged, to say the least, with 3mm of marine-grade aluminium gracing the hull bottom and transom, and 2mm thickness for the top sides.
Frankly, I think any angler would feel very much at home aboard what is a well-built, well-finished boat which, from any angle, struck me as a particularly good-looking rig.
SPECIFICATIONS
Savage Lancer
LOA: 5.5-metres (18ft 4in)
Beam: 2.35-metres (7ft 7in)
Maximum horsepower: 120hp
Weight: 570kg (1256lb)
Price, as tested, including Mackay trailer, Johnson 120hp and safety equipment, $30,800.
For further information, contact P. J. Family Boats, Blacktown, telephone(02) 622 0222.
© 1994 Sydney Morning Herald
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