Not a trawler but...new to us!

Hi All,

Long time lurker thought I would finally post something...

Just agreed to purchase price on a 1987 Silverton 40 Convertible, paperwork tomorrow. Have been looking at trawlers and still plan to make our last boat a trawler but until then we need more space. We were not looking to buy but sometimes the right deal just falls into your lap.

Specs.

• 454 Crusaders 1300 hours, compression between 120-130.
• Generator inoperable...coming out in favor of lots of big batteries. One of the first projects. Have a friend who works on generators I will drop it off and let him have a look. If he says we should repair it then it may go back in.
• Electronics outdated but working. Will use INavx for chartplotter this year and slowly upgrade.
• Big plus on boat is large aftermarket Hard Top covering Helm. Comes with no Eisenglass or Canvas so thinking about learning to sew!
• Swim platform fiberglass cracked...this is an early project so I don't fall through (Heaviest). Going to reinforce from bottom until we can replace with a larger aftermarket platform.
• Needs stripped, waxed and buffed a few times. Chalky Chalky Chalky
• New Bottom Paint
• New Impellers
• New Zincs
• New shaft bearings
• Elbows and Risers replaced 2010. Boat has been winterized and on the hard for last 2 years. Was advised by marina owner that PO had only taken it out 1 or 2 times a year after work was done. So how long do you all think I should have before needing to schedule a replacement party!
• No Sea Trial so aside from things I can see and maintenance history from mechanic/marina we will have to learn the rest come spring.

Next time I hope to be discussing my new Nordhaven or Kady Krogan but the Silverton will have to do for the next 10 years or so.

shelton823 said:

Elbows and Risers replaced 2010. Boat has been winterized and on the hard for last 2 years. Was advised by marina owner that PO had only taken it out 1 or 2 times a year after work was done. So how long do you all think I should have before needing to schedule a replacement party!

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Two years!

Speaking from experience, unfortunately...



Congrats on the boat! Looks like a fun project. Whereabouts in MD are you, what marina?

Congrats on the boat!!!! I hope you got it cheap!!!

Sure it doesn't make a difference, but will keep exact location to myself until the ink is dry on the paperwork. We kept our Sea Ray 270 up north of the 301 Bridge in the Port Tobacco river enjoying Tims II and the many sandy bottom points north of the Bridge. We will now be boating new waters including most of the the lower Potomac River. We are looking forward to exploring St. Clements, Shark Tooth Island, Cobb Island and other surrounding areas in the coming years. Goal is to weekend on the hook and get a feel for if we would enjoy a retirement afloat.

Baker said:

Congrats on the boat!!!! I hope you got it cheap!!!

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Make me feel good what would you consider cheap?

Lets just say I paid well south of 20K.

shelton823 said:

Make me feel good what would you consider cheap?

Lets just say I paid well south of 20K.

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Sounds cheap enough!!!... Especially considering that you will be keeping it for 10 years. In that amount of time you should get enjoyment value out of it that you cannot put a price on. OTOH, if you were to dump a bunch of money into it and then sell it next year, I am still not sure you would get your money back... Just thoughts that go through my mind. Enjoy!!!!

Yea, I don't figure to get more than my initial investment back even if there is a future re-power. We will use it and enjoy it...value measured in memories not dollars!

shelton823 said:

Make me feel good what would you consider cheap?

Lets just say I paid well south of 20K.

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i ,deliverd a lot of them yrs ago when i worked for staten island boat sales,they sold a lot of them, it will burn about 30 gals hr at 3500 rpm and will run 18knts at that speed,they were built pretty well for production boat spent many hrs at the factory and the fiberglass layup looked good,any how lots of luck you cant go wrong under 20

Did plenty of research and I do not think we could have gotten more space aboard for anywhere near the same amount of money. I have read some marginal reviews on the sea keeping ability of these vessels but we do not purposely boat in conditions which would require "more boat". Although I think we will be safe if a storm kicks up and we have to make it back to port in 3-4 footers... which is bigger than we have seen in our 5 years on the river.

Was at the Baltimore boat show a few weeks back and some of the older boat salesman I spoke with thought the solid fiberglass Silvertons of my vintage were very solid boats so that made me feel pretty good.

Was typing when Capt Jerry responded. Thank you for your reply. Glad to hear more reports about production value. Very aware of the fuel consumption on this one that is why I keep looking at places and things to do within about 20 nm. Not trying to personally fund the Keystone Pipeline!!!

shelton823 said:

Yea, I don't figure to get more than my initial investment back even if there is a future re-power. We will use it and enjoy it...value measured in memories not dollars!

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Nice looking boat, enjoy!

Greetings,
Welcome aboard.

Thank you all for your responses.

The lower Potomac is my old stomping grounds (St. George's Creek). Great area for cruising with lots of wide open water and quiet anchorages. If you haven't been already, St. Mary's City is definitely worth a visit. And St. George's Creek has a nice little anchorage with plenty of depth across from St. George's Island with a nice little white sand beach. You can even motor across the Creek to the Ruddy Duck for some (semi-)fine dining, though the water at the dock may be a bit shallow. Both places would be nice for overnighters.

Enjoy!

My last liveaboard was a 1986 37 Silverton Convertible with factory installed Cat 3208Ts 320hp.

20 knot boat at 20gph....glad I got rid of her back in 2005 when diesel was shooting up.

Sold her then for $69,900 I think....just happy when a sale goes through. Saw the boat last tear, looks the same and runs better than ever.

I agree about the room aboard...hard to beat for the money.

She looks great, cruising season is right around the corner enjoy her!

Nice looking boat! Congratulations!

Nice boat! Congrats!