When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Silverton 36 Convertible 2009 and the Silverton 38 Convertible 2011 are semi displacement designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Silverton 38 Convertible 2011 measures 40,1 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Silverton 36 Convertible 2009 at 37,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Silverton 36 Convertible 2009 tips the scales at 2 855 lbs — 210 lbs more than the Silverton 38 Convertible 2011 at 2 645 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The Silverton 36 Convertible 2009 carries a rated maximum of 425 hp. Engine data for the Silverton 38 Convertible 2011 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Silverton 36 Convertible 2009 carries 286 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Silverton 38 Convertible 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Silverton 38 Convertible 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Silverton 36 Convertible 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Silverton 38 Convertible 2011 could be the deciding factor.