Silverton 36 C (2010-)

Brief Summary

The basic Silverton 36 model has been around in one size or another for a number of years and is the builder’s most popular boat. Over the years they have refined it, improved it, made it longer, and now it has such a good mix of features that it’s hard to resist for people looking for an affordable boat. She sleeps four comfortably, has a split head, a nice wide beam that allows for a roomy salon and side decks, and options for bringing fish to the table as well. Silverton has long been synonymous with cruisers, and this boat is probably more of a sedan than it is a convertible, but no matter. Let’s take a detailed look at just what makes this good looking boat so right for many people.

Key Features

• Anchor locker
• Anchor roller with flange
• Bow pulpit
• 1" bow rails
• 316L stainless steel hardware
• Dockside water connection
• Electrical storage locker in transom
• Flybridge handrails – stainless steel
• Flybridge seating for six
• Flybridge storage
• Molded-in diamond non-skid
• Mooring, quarter & spring cleats
• Stainless steel steering wheel
• Tempered safety glass
• Transom shower
• Walk thru transom

Specifications

Length Overall	37' 7'' / 11.46 m
Beam	13' 10'' 4.22 m
Dry Weight	18,550 lbs. 8,414 kg
Draft	39'' 0.99 m
Deadrise/Transom	13 deg.
Max Headroom	6'6'' 1.98 m
Bridge Clearance	12' 2'' 3.71 m
Fuel Capacity	286 gal. 1,083 L
Water Capacity	94 gal. 356 L

Engine Options

Tested Engine	Currently no test numbers
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	2 x 315-hp Yanmar 6LPA-STP 2 x 380-hp Yanmar 6LY3-UTP 2 x 330-hp Crusader 5.7L MPI 2 x 375-hp Crusader 6.0L MPI 2 x 425-hp Crusader 8.1L HO

Warranty

Deck Warranty Extended	Lifetime Limited Warranty
Hull Warranty Extended	Lifetime Limited Warranty

Captain's Report

Capt. Steve Says...

It’s hard to look at the 36C and not think back to the 70’s and 80’s when Silverton’s highly revered 34 was one of the best-selling boats in class. That boat represented everything a cruising family could want. As other companies such as Trojan, Pacemaker, Uniflite and Tolleycraft bit the dust thanks to the 10% luxury tax in 1992, Silverton was still standing. This says a lot about the appeal of the boat and its price-point.
The 36 Convertible, may be considered an updated version of that coveted cruiser, but that‘s where the similarities begin and end. This new boat is in a class unto itself.

A Functional Layout

Taking a look at the floor plan, the Silverton 36 Convertible shows a well thought out plan for a cruising family. The salon had opposing seating that keeps everyone involved in the conversation, and provides a dining area for when the meals are cooked onboard. Natural light is allowed in from all directions, thanks to Silverton not giving into convention and blacking out the forward windows.

A Working Galley

The galley-up design keeps the snacks and meal preparations amongst the crowd and there is an option for a lower helm station, which will lie to port. Not being a fan of isinglass surrounding me, I’d immediately opt for the lower helm for operating in inclement weather. (There are others at BoatTEST.com who disagree with me, so there is no right or wrong way to handle this layout.) The lower helm takes up little of the working room in the salon and the settee seatback flips to allow for sitting at the helm. This is a great feature for on other boats, a lower helm eliminates the settee.

The galley sole is a synthetic teak look-alike called Amtico, and while it has the look of teak, it requires significantly less maintenance, so go ahead and let the spills fly. The galley features a two burner electric stove, good sized dual voltage refrigerator/freezer and Corian countertops. The only option available for the galley is converting the microwave into a microwave/convection oven. A wise choice to add range to your cruises, no pun intended.

Sleepability

The master lies forward, and it features an island berth with innerspring mattress. (That’s a detail that I wish builders of 60’ boats that cost $2 million would copy.) The usual hanging lockers are to either side and are cedar lined, also the norm. The split head setup is a time-proven convenience factor for allowing the most people to get ready at one time. The sink and toilet are to port and there are twin entrances for doubling as a day head. To starboard is the shower. Slightly aft and to port are the twin bunks.

The Cockpit

While relatively short at 7’ (2.13 m), the cockpit does take up nearly the all of the 36C’s full beam of 13'10'' (4.22 m). There is an option for a “Fish Pak” which consists of six rocket launchers overhead, four gunwale mounted rod holders, a tackle locker, and both fresh and raw water washdowns. An in-deck storage compartment can be fitted with an optional macerator and overboard drain to turn it into a fishbox. You can also order a bait prep station that’s placed along the cabin bulkhead. Cockpit coaming padding would also be a wise option.
If you only intend to fish part time, you can opt for installing a cockpit wetbar with a refrigerator, an icemaker, or both inside it. A swim platform is also optional. Keen anglers won’t want it, cruising types and casual anglers will like it.

The Flying Bridge

Up above it all is the flying bridge. It is accessed via a set of stairs lying to port, and some may think that with the small cockpit, that a ladder may be the better way to go. I like the stairs. It allows the boat to serve as more of a family boat, that occasionally fishes, and without a lower helm, the flying bridge gets full time use, and therefore, an easier entry/egress is required.

Once in the flying bridge, a forward, center mounted helm awaits the operator. Silverton offers several electronics packages to support your fancy, white backed Faria gauges are mounted to a faux wood dash. I like the dual engine controls, shifts to port and throttles to starboard, and there are dual helm seats. Abaft of the helm is U-shaped seating. Overhead, a radar arch is optional.

Specifications and Power Options

The Silverton 36 Convertible has a LOA of 37'7" (11.46 m), a beam of 13' 10” (4.22 m), and a draft of 3’3” (.99 m). Her empty weight is 18,550 lbs (8,414 kgs), she holds 286 gallons (1,083 L) of fuel and 94 gallons (356 L) of water.
For power choices, the twin gasoline engines are all provided by Crusader. Choose from the 330hp 5.7L, the 375hp 6.0L, the 385hp 8.1L, or the 425hp 8.1HO.
For diesel, you have two options: 315-hp Yanmar 6LPA-STP or 400-hp Volvo IPS.
Whether you’re cruising along the Maine coastline for a week, visiting Catalina Island for the day, or fishing the canyons, the Silverton 36C makes a great choice. And if you have a family of four, the decision just got better. Most important of all, the Silverton 36 is a lot less money than most anything else on the market in her size and type.