“Wow. This is huge.”
“This has to be bigger than 43 feet.”
“I could spend the entire summer on this.”
Spending close to an hour lounging aboard the new Silverton 43 at the New York Boat Show, I noticed this general sentiment among everyone who walked through. Slowly, the boat’s gymnasium-like saloon became packed. Dropped-jaw show-goers came in, but didn’t leave. They wanted to explore the cavernous accommodations, plop comfortably on the plush settees and bathe in the warm, indirect lighting.
Sure, the reactions could have been coincidence, but Silverton’s proven ability to dissect buyers’ desires makes it more likely this was the desired response.
“The 43 is intended to fill the gap between the 392 Motor Yacht and the 453 Motor Yacht,” said Chip Shea, vice president of sales and marketing for the Luhrs Group. “We focused on the 392 and incorporated feedback from owners.”
Galley stowage on the 43 rivals that in most Manhattan apartments. Features include a pullout pantry, overhead cabinets, pot and pan stowage, and shelves for plates. Owners said, “Give me a real oven,” so Silverton chose a Force 10 range instead of the combination microwave/convection ovens that dominate many standard equipment lists. There’s also a dual-voltage Norcold refrigerator and freezer, a Moen faucet, a coffee maker, a stainless-steel sink and a standard microwave oven. The sole is a durable faux wood vinyl that’s easy to wipe down.
Similar to the 392, the 43 has a galley one step lower than the main saloon. The cook remains part of the main saloon action, but out of the way. The interior layout flows easily through the boat, unhindered by harsh angles or cumbersome furniture. Privacy and openness are perfectly juxtaposed in a luscious package.
The saloon-thanks to nearly 7 feet of headroom, expansive windows and the 14-foot, 10-inch beam-feels more like a great room than a saloon on a 43-foot yacht. For those standing in the galley, the front-facing windows extend the sense of height and space. The L-shape saloon settee folds out to form a berth, and the forward U-shape dinette provides “living room” and “dining room” areas. No matter where you sit, the widows ensure a great view. A 27-inch television is forward, suspended from the overhead and easily seen from the settee, dinette and galley. The cherry finish is well executed and varnished to a mirror-like finish.
Separating the staterooms from the galley and saloon area creates maximum privacy. In the forward guest stateroom, guests will enjoy the queen berth and innerspring mattress, cedar-lined hanging lockers, optional 13-inch TV/VCR and head. Our test boat had optional VacuFlush MSDs. Like the galley, the staterooms benefit from Silverton’s clever use of space. No corner is wasted, and stowage exists for everything from T-shirts to cocktail dresses. An overhead Bomar hatch delivers plenty of light and air.
The master berth is catty-corner on the starboard side, creating plenty of floor space and allowing the berth to be made easily. Our test boat had a 13-inch flip-down LCD screen with video player. When not in use, the screen stows in the overhead. If you don’t choose this option, an entertainment center at the foot of the berth accommodates a 13-inch TV/VCR. The head is split with the vanity between the shower and toilet compartments, a layout customers requested so more than one person can freshen up before a night on the town.
Many aft cabin models are dark and unappealing. On the Silverton, this is not the case. The light cherry finish, neutral fabrics (three color schemes are available) and huge side windows create a light, refreshing atmosphere. An escape hatch is on the after bulkhead.
Below all the frills and condo-like appointments, the 43’s engineroom reveals Silverton’s decades of experience. Systems were easily accessible on our test boat, which had slim, six-cylinder 480 hp Volvo 74 TAMD diesels. Most of the sole is removable, allowing access to the engines for extensive service. A 10kW Kohler generator is nestled into the space and serviceable. Silverton provides a starting battery bank and a house bank. All wiring is color coded and neatly run.
Because of Silverton’s SideWalk design, the 43 Motor Yacht has a high exterior profile. Skippers should take extra care when docking in strong winds. The optional bow thruster ($12,260) is a worthwhile option. SideWalk’s benefit, of course, is that there are no ladders to climb to access the flying bridge. Stairs lead from the afterdeck to the bridge, and side gates lead to the side stairs. While docking the boat with Shea, I found it easy to pop down from the flying bridge to the side decks and handle lines. The feature will surely please parents with younger kids scurrying over the decks. The swim platform, easily accessed via a staircase, includes a shower, mooring cleats and dockside plug-in.
A sunpad with drink holders, a two-station electric Lewmar windlass and an anchor platform take up the foredeck. I would order the afterdeck enclosure ($3,075) to create a second saloon area and a great platform to kick back for brunch on a crisp fall afternoon.
There is additional outdoor living space on the flying bridge, where two L-shape settees are abaft the helm. The distance between the helm and the seat is a little tight. “We’re going to change this on the next hulls and move everything aft,” Shea said.
The 43 is a fun boat to drive. She is whisper quiet and never surpassed 72 decibels on the bridge during our sea trial. She planes easily around 1600 rpm and requires no tab in flat water. Our test boat had power steering and required only a slight finger adjustment to respond. Driving through a few wakes in Government Cut, she was a little tender when smacked by larger broadside seas. This is the compromise of any boat with so much interior volume, although it doesn’t hinder the 43’s role as an all-purpose coastal cruiser.
I couldn’t leave the 43 without taking one more gander through the interior. I caught myself talking to nobody in particular.
“Wow. This is huge.”
“This has to be bigger than 43 feet.”
“I could spend the entire summer on this.”
Contact: Silverton Marine, (877) 863-5298; fax (856) 825-2064; www.silverton.com.
