Silverton Yachts, New Jersey's Value-Packed Convertibles and Motor Yachts

A Luhrs family brand from the Jersey Shore

Silverton came out of the Luhrs family, one of the great names in New Jersey boatbuilding. The family's roots go back to Henry Luhrs, a 19th century German immigrant who outfitted trading ships, and by the early 1960s the Luhrs were building more than a thousand powerboats a year. Warren Luhrs went on to found Hunter Marine in 1973, while the family's powerboat operations produced Luhrs sportfishers, Mainship trawlers and Silverton cruisers.

Silverton's niche was clear: deliver more interior volume and more features than rivals at a lower price. That formula sold thousands of boats through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, mostly 30 to 50 feet, from express cruisers and convertibles to aft-cabin motor yachts. The 2008 recession hit the group hard, and Silverton stopped building new boats in the years that followed, so today the brand exists entirely on the brokerage market.

Space for the money, and the 39 Motor Yacht

Silvertons were never the most refined boats on the dock, but they were honest. Interiors were large and bright, layouts were practical and the price was attractive. Many convertibles used gas inboards on the smaller sizes and diesels from Cummins, Caterpillar or Volvo on the larger ones.

The Silverton 39 Motor Yacht, which we cover in depth, is a good example of the formula. It packs two private staterooms, a saloon and a flybridge onto a modest length, making it a liveaboard and coastal cruising favorite at a fraction of the cost of a European flybridge. Buyers also search for the 35 Motor Yacht, the 453 Motor Yacht and the later 54 Convertible, all of which follow the same space-first thinking.

Survey priorities for a used Silverton

Silvertons are inexpensive to buy, but older boats can be expensive to put right. Because there is no factory support, owners rely on independent yards, used parts sources and owner forums. Prices vary widely, so a strong survey is the best negotiating tool.

The good news is that these boats were built in large numbers, so most problems are well documented and fixable.

• Check decks, flybridge and transom for wet or delaminated core.
• Inspect fuel tanks and fuel lines for corrosion and leaks.
• Review engine hours and condition, especially on gas-powered models.
• Test air conditioning, generator and electrical panels, which may be original.
• Look for window and hatch leaks that have damaged interior wood.