Here’s an accurate and detailed introduction to the Silverton 38 Convertible from Yachting Magazine:

Before pen touched paper, the 38's design was hashed out in focus groups. There was strong demand for a more upscale product and Silverton responded with interior upgrades such as raised-panel, solid cherry cabinetwork. The boat's level of fit and finish is impressive. Cabinet doors are fitted with recessed European hardware, and door and drawer faces are solid cherry, as is the salon table. Drawers have wood sides and bottoms, and powder-coated metal slides. The galley is finished with Corian countertops and hardwood flooring. Innerspring mattresses are standard, as are lighted, cedar-lined hanging lockers.

Her interior layout is one of the best I have seen on a small convertible. The salon has a domestic-style sofa that converts to a double berth at the push of a button, and a built-in entertainment center is positioned so the television can be viewed from the sofa or the dinette forward.

Owners on the West Coast and in the Northeast insisted on natural ventilation, so the 38 has opening salon windows; a screened, sliding saloon door that can be secured open; and deck hatches in the master stateroom, shower and head.

The galley is two steps down and has dual-voltage refrigeration, a three-burner cooktop, a microwave/convection oven and a sink with a cutting board. Many owners requested an electric oven, which Silverton provided along with plenty of stowage.

Forward, the master stateroom's berth is a bit high, but the design makes sense, allowing space for an honest queen-size mattress and a built-in washer/dryer. I also like the split-head arrangement, with the shower to port and the MSD to starboard. The master also includes two hanging lockers, a bank of drawers and a built-in entertainment center with a television.

A portion of the guest stateroom is tucked beneath the dinette, but the space is surprisingly large for a convertible this size, particularly considering the space allocated to the galley.

Convertibles, by nature, are versatile designs, and Silverton has a fix on the balance its customers prefer. "Eighty percent of our 42 Convertible owners cruise and 20 percent fish", Berrie said. "We expect the same will be the case with the 38." To that end, the 38's sweptback silhouette is far from the traditional fare hardcore anglers gravitate toward, but she is an up-to-date refinement of the 37. I suspect fans will find the family resemblance appealing.

Her cockpit has stowage/fishboxes in the sole and a molded-in stowage box in the transom. The "Fish Pak" option includes rodholders, rocket launchers on the bridge rail, raw and freshwater service in the cockpit, and a bait prep center with a sink and tackle drawers. There is space for a refrigerator or an ice maker in the bulkhead console. Rod stowage is in the salon overhead. Whether fishing or cruising, I would get the optional Glendinning Cablemaster shore cord system. I have had my fill of lugging shore cables on and off the dock.

The 38 includes Silverton's cockpit-bridge staircase, a feature Berrie said has been a hit with owners, particularly women. Sight lines from the helm are good, and the helm and companion seating is arranged so guests can pass behind the skipper without being disemboweled. The helm seat has a flip-up bolster that should provide good support in rough seas or while trolling. Bench seating forward can be lifted for access to stowage within the console, which has dual controls and space for several large displays and electronic paraphernalia. There is also a molded-in electronics box in the fiberglass hardtop.

The 38 is laid up by hand with a combination of stitched and woven reinforcement and polyester resin. A vinylester skin coat is used below the waterline to reduce the chance of blistering. The hull bottom is a solid fiberglass laminate, and Coremat is used in the hull-side laminate to minimize reinforcement print-through. Engines are mounted on steel foundation beams. The hull/deck joint is bonded, mechanically fastened and fiberglassed from the inside, where accessible. Bilges are finished, and glasswork appears well-executed.

Machinery space is accessible from the cockpit and the saloon. Access to service points appears good, although the water tanks outboard of the engines crowd things a bit. There are engine access and removal hatches in the saloon sole.

The generator can be reached through the engine compartment or via the lift-out fish/stowage box in the cockpit. The entire cockpit sole can be removed for more complete access to the generator and for access to the aluminum fuel tanks. Main 12VDC and 120VAC electrical panels and battery switches are in the salon, where they are easily accessible.

The 38's hull is suited for offshore work with a relatively fine entry and a deadrise of 17 degrees at the transom. I exercised her offshore and found her comfortable and dry in the 3-foot seas.

• Real cherrywood cabinetry
• Ultra leather sofa converts to double berth
• High/low dinette table
• L-shaped sofa/dinette
• Carpet with carpet covers
• Flat screen Sole TV
• Bose lifestyle stereo/DVD/ surround sound system
• Reverse cycle air conditioner
• Sliding glass entry door w/ privacy curtain & screen
• Large windows with mini blinds
• Port & Starboard opening windows
• Overhead lockable rod storage
• Book shelf & storage built in
• 110 volt GFCI outlets (3)

• Corian countertops
• Beautiful cherrywood cabinetry
• Large stainless steel sink w/ cover
• (3) Three burner electric flush top stove
• Convection microwave
• Vent fan
• Tremendous storage capacity
• Side by side under counter refrigerator /freezer
• Wood floor at galley area
• 110 volt GFCI outlet (2)
• Three drawers

• Queen size centerline berth
• Real innerspring mattress
• Stereo speakers
• Dedicated AM/FM/CD stereo
• Dynex flat screen TV w/ DVD player
• (2) Two opening portlites
• Overhead hatch
• Real cherrywood cabinetry
• Reading lights
• Three drawers below berth
• Large full length hanging locker
• Carbon monoxide detector
• Privacy door
• Private entry to head and shower stall
• Dedicated reverse cycle air conditioner
• 110 Volt GFCI outlets  (2)
• Linen closet

• VacuFlush toilet
• Corian vanity top w/ sink
• Large mirrored medicine cabinet
• Vent fan
• (2) Two entries- companionway or master stateroom
• 110 Volt GFCI outlet
• Privacy doors
• Real cherrywood cabinetry
• Overhead opening hatch
• Separate shower stall
• Split head design
• Vent fan in shower stall
• AC vent

• Twin berths converts to queen size berth
• Full standing head room
• Full length hanging locker, Cedar lined
• (4) Four drawer
• Large mirror
• Privacy door
• Private entry to shower compartment
• Real cherrywood cabinetry
• Opening portlite
• Reading lights
• Carbon monoxide detector

• Dual captain bucket seats
• Molded-in steps to cockpit
• Bridge door over steps
• Hardtop w/ full enclosure
• Dedicated stereo w/ speakers
• Large bench seat forward of helm
• Large storage in brow
• Storage below bench seat
• Cup holders
• Overhead hatch
• Hardtop lights overhead

• 50 Amp shore power service
• Glendenning retractable shore power cord
• Distribution panel
• Battery cutoff switches
• 120/240 volt AC system
• 12 volt DC system
• Kohler generator 9 kW
• Batteries
• Battery charger

• Twin Volvo Turbodiesels
• Freshwater cooled engines
• Dripless shaft seals
• ZF transmissions
• Seawater strainers
• Racor fuel/ water separators ? (3)
• Bilge pumps
• Oil exchanger system
• Automatic fire suppression system
• Engine room blowers
• Engine room lights

• Raymarine E120 GPS plotter/sounder/radar
• Raymarine radar 48 mile
• Raymarine ST60 autopilot
• Raymarine tridata
• Raymarine Ray 215 VHF radio
• Compass

• Transom livewell
• Transom door
• Full beam swim platform
• (2) Two fish boxes in cockpit sole
• Freshwater wash down
• Hot & cold transom shower
• (4) Four flush mounts rod holders
• (6) Six stainless steel rod holders
• Molded-in steps to flybridge
• Flood lights on hardtop

• Windlass w/ foot switches
• Fresh water wash down
• Fender holders
• Spot light
• Windshield cover
• Stainless steel bow rail