Silverton 35 Convertible vs. Motor Yacht: What’s the Difference?
Same builder. Similar size. Two completely different ways to enjoy the water.
If you're shopping for a comfortable cruising boat in the mid-30-foot range, we currently have an interesting pair for sale at Calm Seas Yachting:
A 2003 Silverton 35 Convertible and a 2006 Silverton 35 Motor Yacht.
At first glance, they sound almost identical. They're both Silvertons. They're both called a 35. And they're only three model years apart.
But step aboard and you'll quickly realize these boats were designed for two very different styles of boating.
Which Silverton fits the way YOU want to boat?
Quick Comparison
2003 Silverton 35 Convertible
Best suited for:Fishing, swimming, diving, entertaining, day boating and cruising.
Biggest advantage:That large open cockpit.
Layout:Private forward stateroom with a large salon and open cockpit.
Personality:More open, versatile and outdoor-focused.
2006 Silverton 35 Motor Yacht
Best suited for:Weekend trips, extended cruising, traveling with another couple and spending more time aboard.
Biggest advantage:Two private staterooms and two heads.
Layout:Forward guest accommodations with an aft master and living areas separating the two.
Personality:More residential, private and cruising-focused.
One Gives You More Cockpit. The Other Gives You More Cabin.
That's really what this comparison comes down to.
The 2003 Silverton 35 Convertible gives more of its space to the outside.
The 2006 Silverton 35 Motor Yacht gives more of its space to the inside.
And that's what makes having these two boats available at the same time so interesting.
They're close in size.
They're from the same builder.
They're separated by only three model years.
Yet they offer two completely different boating experiences.
2003 Silverton 35 Convertible
The Cockpit Cruiser
The 2003 Silverton 35 Convertible is the choice for someone who wants their boat to feel open, social and connected to the water.
One of the first things you'll notice is the large open cockpit.
This is valuable real estate if your boating days involve fishing, diving, swimming, watersports, entertaining at the dock or simply putting out a few chairs and enjoying the view.
From the cockpit, wide molded steps lead up to the flybridge rather than a traditional ladder.
The bridge adds another large social area with plenty of seating and great visibility while underway.
Step Inside
Inside, the Convertible feels surprisingly large for a boat in this class.
Silverton's SideWalk design allowed them to dedicate more beam to the interior, creating a spacious salon without sacrificing access to the flybridge.
The layout includes:
Large salon
Full galley
Private forward stateroom
Head with separate shower
Convertible sleeping accommodations
Large cockpit
Spacious flybridge
It's a layout that works just as well for a weekend cruise as it does for a Saturday afternoon on the water.
What Makes Our 2003 Stand Out?
This particular boat has benefited from a long list of mechanical improvements and preventative maintenance.
Recent updates include:
New turbos
Rebuilt high-pressure fuel pump
New starter
New alternator
New cooling and oil hoses
Aftercoolers acid washed
Newer house batteries
Updated exterior upholstery
Additional recent maintenance and improvements
The boat is currently located in LaBelle, Florida, where it has been sitting in fresh water inland during hurricane season.
For someone who wants a boat that can cruise on Friday, entertain on Saturday and still have a legitimate cockpit for fishing or water activities on Sunday, the Convertible makes a lot of sense.
2006 Silverton 35 Motor Yacht
The Floating Condo
Now step aboard the 2006 Silverton 35 Motor Yacht, and you'll see Silverton took a completely different approach.
Instead of prioritizing a large open cockpit, the Motor Yacht is all about living space, accommodations and privacy.
Silverton managed to fit an impressive amount of boat into this model.
Two Staterooms. Two Heads. Lots of Privacy.
This is where the 35 Motor Yacht really shines.
The layout gives you:
Two completely private staterooms
Two full heads
Separate showers
Large salon
Dedicated dining space
Full galley
Elevated aft deck
Flybridge
Excellent storage
Cherry cabinetry
Corian surfaces
But the real trick is the split-stateroom layout.
The master is aft while the guest accommodations are forward, with the salon and living areas separating the two.
If another couple joins you for the weekend, you're not all sleeping within a few feet of each other.
Everyone actually gets some privacy.
That's a BIG difference on a boat this size.
Our 2006 Silverton
Our 2006 Silverton is powered by twin Crusader 8.1L engines producing a combined 770 horsepower with approximately 618 hours.
It also features a freshwater flush system for both engines and the generator.
The interior features warm cherry cabinetry and Corian surfaces that give the boat a comfortable, residential feel.
For buyers interested in longer trips, spending weekends aboard, entertaining another couple or simply having more privacy and creature comforts, it's hard to ignore how much Silverton managed to fit into this boat.
So... What's the Actual Difference?
Let's imagine the same weekend aboard both boats.
Friday Night: You Bring Another Couple
On the Convertible
Everyone hangs out in the large salon and cockpit.
When it's time for bed, the owners have the private forward stateroom while additional guests use the convertible sleeping accommodations.
On the Motor Yacht
Everyone enjoys the salon and aft deck.
When it's time for bed, one couple heads forward and the other heads aft.
Two separate staterooms. Two heads. A lot more separation.
For overnight guest privacy, the Motor Yacht has the more accommodating layout.
Saturday Afternoon: It's Time to Get in the Water
You've dropped anchor, the music is on and everyone wants to swim.
On the Convertible
This is where that cockpit really shines.
Towels, coolers, floats, fishing gear and wet people all have somewhere to go without everyone immediately piling into the interior.
The cockpit becomes the center of the day.
On the Motor Yacht
You still have plenty of outdoor space, but it's designed more around lounging, cruising and entertaining than having a big open working cockpit.
This is where the Convertible's layout really shows its personality.
Which Silverton Would You Choose?
If your perfect weekend involves fishing, swimming, diving and hanging out in the cockpit, take a closer look at the 2003 Silverton 35 Convertible.
If your perfect weekend involves cruising somewhere new, staying aboard and having another couple join you without sacrificing privacy, the 2006 Silverton 35 Motor Yacht deserves a look.
Or better yet...
Come see both.
Walk through the layouts, sit in the salons, check out the engine rooms and see which one feels like the right boat.
Both Silvertons are currently offered for sale through Calm Seas Yachting.
Thinking About Buying or Selling?
At Calm Seas Yachting, our listings receive a complete marketing package including professional photography, video and drone media, along with exposure across MLS- Boats.com, YachtWorld, Boat Trader, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and even LinkedIn!
Whether you're searching for your next boat or wondering what your current boat could sell for, we're here to help.
Calm Seas Yachting Helping you find the right boat — not just another boat.
Comments