Widely known for building a line of plush, comfortable cruisers, Silverton previously left the desires of the big-game angler up to its sister company — Luhrs. Now, however, with a 45-foot installment to its "T" or tournament series, Silverton takes a step into the big-game arena with a sharper, cleaner, dual-purpose vessel built to satisfy the comforts of the cruising family yet still perform on the rip come tournament time.

Performance
We idled towards Virginia's Lynnhaven Inlet on a windless, 60-degree day in late December. The weather left me shedding a couple of layers and sulking at the lack of rough water for testing this newly designed Donald Blount hull. Finding a modest ship wake, the 45 yielded a mild roll moment and amiable head-on entry. Throttling the twin 720 hp Yanmars to their 2,000 rpm cruise yielded 26.5 knots, burning 58 gph. Wide-open throttle pushed her along at 30.1 knots burning 71.6 gph. 
 
Throttling into reverse quickly became the high point of the day. Backing hard, the transom easily swung from side to side with just a touch of throttle. Throwing one engine in forward and the other in reverse spun the 45 with ease. Close-quarter handling proved remarkably fun and easy.    

Bridge
Two L-shaped settees, abundant air-conditioning vents and Corian countertops make the bridge a pleasant place to lounge while on the move or sitting in the slip. At the helm, dual Pompanette ladder-back chairs provide clear views and put the recessed hardtop-mounted teaser reels and ram-driven electronics console within arm's reach. A molded stairway provides the safest bridge entry I've ever experienced, thanks to a big railing and scores of handholds.

Interior
Stepping through the sliding salon door reveals an abundance of creature comforts in a plush, classy layout. To port a comfy L-shaped settee features a reclining portion with a slide-out footrest, all with great visibility of the recessed flat-screen TV on the opposing cherry countertop. The dinette to starboard is large and roomy — not thrown in as a token gesture as on many boats. The galley to port features a three-burner cooktop with overhead fan, two sets of refrigerator/freezer drawers, a convection/microwave oven, a sink with flush counter cover and a considerable amount of space on the attractive bi-level Corian top.

Below you'll find a three-stateroom, two-head layout. To port and starboard sit side-by-side single berths and a full berth respectively. Portside, a day head boasts a stand-up shower, while farther forward sits the master with another full berth and private head. I reveled in the great usage of interior space. This three-stateroom 45 didn't make me feel like I was sleeping in a closet!

Cockpit
Tall gunwales provide safety for the entire family, but they begged for toe-kicks. Fishing amenities include a transom door, transom fish box, lightly insulated deck box, double-lidded freezer and rigging station, tackle center, freshwater and saltwater washdowns and a fighting-chair mounting plate. 
 
Silverton's laminate schedule consists of solid fiberglass below the waterline using only vinylester resins to alleviate osmotic blistering, encapsulated marine-grade plywood stringers, steel I-beam engine mounts and fully glassed bulkheads. This makes the 45 a safe and durable boat for cruising with the family as well as heading offshore to harass big game.

LOA......47'8"
BEAM......15'4"
DRAFT......3'5"
WEIGHT......42,000 pounds
FUEL......607 gallons
WATER......120 gallons
POWER......T 720 hp Yanmar 6LY-STP
BASE PRICE......$900,000 (as tested)

Silverton Marine / Millville, New Jersey / 856-825-4117 / www.silverton.com