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2001 SILVERTON SPORT BRIDGE REVIEW
If I had to describe the Silverton 410 Sport Bridge in as few words as possible it would be gentle giant. An intimidating tall boat, with some major flaws right out of the box. The interesting thing about this boat is that it only makes sense once you are out on the water. any water the bigger the better this boat eats up bad weather. It can be a cold uncomfortable ride for the captain but man does this boat punch a hole in the water.
The design of this boat to be in motion at the dock its like driving from your second story balcony. If you can get past the height issue and turn the keys this boat has fantastic reaction. No bow thruster needed here. I had the pleasure of trying two Silverton 410 Sport Bridges one with gas and one a model year newer with diesel. The gas boat was great but the diesel was better.
The ride and performance are second to none. the fit and finish are as good as any Sea Ray. That's were the praise stops! This boat has some nice interior features which I will cover, but on a whole the boat has too many issues to be overlooked.
So lets do the flaws first and if you still like what you see we will cover the things that work on this model.
SIVERTON 410 SPORT BRIDGE 2001
What Doesn't work:
First when tied up along side a rub rail height dock this boat is terrible to board. The sun pad area comes too far back over the deck side boarding area. THERE ARE NO SIDE STEPS TO EASE YOU DOWN TO THE COCKPIT FLOOR EITHER!
The way you must tie this boat up and hang fenders, well its so screwed up its not even funny. there are no cleats any were you need them except at the very bow and stern.
The Sun pad on the bridge is the biggest waste of space I have ever seen. There is no way to access and I think that Silverton made the cushion just to fill dead space.
The walk around deck has steps and once you get forward every thing moves downhill to the bow sprit. Riders will end up trying to sit on the side rails. The cup holders at the corners of the bow cushion are plastic and flush with the deck so they get stepped on and broken constantly.
The sliding glass door is to big and heavy and if you use your boat will require constant adjustment. Don't ever need to change the latch system that to is a problem to get.
They failed to put drains in the bottom of the arch pockets in 2001 but corrected this in 2002. So on the 2001 models water can freeze in the pocket and cause cracks (in a cold wet climate)
The bridge allows for seating for six, however every one will have to move if anyone needs to access the stairs to the cockpit and salon.
The factory canvas top and sides are ugly and has strange roll up side deck doors. If you just get the bimini top it looks so out of place.
Silverton did not include a door over the steep cockpit stairs. A door to prevent a fall in bad weather
Silverton did not include a door over the steep cockpit stairs. A door to prevent a fall in bad weather
The wet bar on the bridge is too small
The upper aft canvas encloser that closes in around the sun pad on the bridge is almost impossible to attach to the back wall of the bridge.
On the cockpit floor there is a storage area under a central hatch. There is a liner that fits inside the hole to make a storage bucket. The problem is the bucket is too wide and very heavy for one person to manage by the factory handles. Under this storage bucket is the biggest waste of space I have ever encountered on a boat ( but Silverton does provide a built in ladder to access your dungeon). Mold and Mildew love this area what a mess it becomes anything you put down there gets black.
If you do not have the automatic shore power cord system the boat will have a list to the port.
Every time you want to disconnect the shore power or water from the boat you have to reach inside the back transom door.
If you leave the sea cock open for the macerator discharge open by accident some how the holding tank fills with water while running.
And I could go on with small complaints but why bother I think the point has been made. A fantastic hull, And I mean it! Way to many bugs for me to get past on the Silverton 410 Sport Bridge. At least the 2001 model.
I would like to review the brand new model to see how many changes have taken place.
What does work: The interior layout flows well. With a raised galley and eating area. Two piece head on one side and big shower on the other (with doors to access every room). A large V birth stateroom with washer dryer and smaller twin bunk room just down the hall. The salon is large and tall ceilings make for a terrific entertaining area. There is just the right balance of wood and other high end materials to really pop.
The interior of the boat is quite nice with upgraded finishes every were, Mind you all the stars kind of remind me of the American Flag a little too much.
I can tell you from experience this is a hard sell boat used, two things happen. One- the potential buyer is immediately intimidated by the height and helm location. Two- an experienced boater spots the short comings and walks away. I hate that a boat with construction on par or better than any Sea Ray would be such a disappointment!
*WOULD I BUY ONE* Not a chance even though I believe this hull is incredible and the handling at any speed fantastic. There is no way I would own this boat. In bad conditions I would want one to get were I needed to go and have. I used a 410 Silverton Sport Bridge to plow a hole through really bad water to get a Four Winns 378 home in one piece. Alas No I wouldn't own one.
READ THE REVIEW BY BOATING MAGAZINE FROM 2000 ON THIS BOAT, UNBELIEVABLE ITS A JOKE . THE ONLY LOWS WERE GLARE ON THE DASH, COCKPIT SIDE STEPS AND THE LATCH FOR THE BOARDING DOOR HAD OPENED ........that's IT!!!!
AUTHOR BW
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