Aluminium boats have the characteristic of appearing cool, but when exposed to direct sunlight, the metal surfaces become hot. The solution: a plastic inner shell like on our test boat, the Silver Fox Avant 485.
In and on the deck mould you will find a driving position offset to starboard with folding bench seat (front), stern bench seat and bow seat corner and storage compartments matching the boat type. The driver's bench has sufficiently firm upholstery and a high backrest. You have to sit upright to reach the steering wheel and single-lever gearstick and cannot simply "lounge" aft. The driver's position - sitting or standing - offers plenty of legroom. The slightly tinted Plexiglas windscreen provides the driver and co-driver (starboard side) with suitable wind protection and the bar around the windscreen provides good support.
There are hardly any reflections in the windscreen and the engine instruments. Shortcoming: The compass is not part of the standard equipment. However, the dashboard offers space for it and other instruments. The navigation lights and bilge pump are switched via rocker switches (with symbols), which are conveniently located next to the sports steering wheel. The shipyard has installed the associated control units and the main switch in the immediate vicinity on the underside of the driving position. The battery is not far away either, as it is located in a box with a belt in the console storage compartment.
The battery not only powers the on-board electrical system, but also Honda's 50 hp outboard motor. The ignition key and quick stop are located on an extra panel next to the steering wheel and make starting and stopping the engine child's play. It is barely noticeable when idling, both in terms of vibrations and volume. The sound only becomes more unpleasant around 4500 rpm at 85 dB/A, but this is not only due to the engine, but to the overall driving noise.
The Silver completes the sprint from 2000 rpm to planing speed (3400 rpm) in around 3 seconds. If you forget to set the power trim all the way down beforehand, you will need 1-2 s more and will have the bow in your field of vision for a short time. From 3800 rpm, the test vehicle glides well, and at 4000 rpm (18 knots) it glides most economically. The fuel consumption is only just over 0.40 l/sm, but there is still not enough fuel for the 60 nm we require plus a 15% reserve.
15 % reserve, which means that a second outboard tank won't do any harm.
The boat is trimmed by feel: if the steering can be turned easily to both sides and the propeller is not drawing air, it is right. If you don't run the outboard back to "down" in fast, tight bends, you will feel the boat rock. The ride is then ended by the propeller snatching air. In contrast, the ride is really smooth with the outboard shaft trimmed all the way to the transom. The ventilating propeller limits the slalom course and the steering lock.
The rough water available to us was light swell and the waves of the Lake Constance fleet. The Fox skipped over these smoothly and dryly at around 25 knots. The boat is absolutely agile during harbour manoeuvres with turning circles of a maximum of 1 ¼ boat lengths and direct steering behaviour. There is also no hectic behaviour at slow speeds, as the course only needs to be corrected slightly from time to time. If one person shifts their weight, the boat heels (normally) and the course changes only moderately.
In terms of equipment, we are missing the navigation lanterns, hand bilge pump and tarpaulin approved in Germany.
Conclusion: A solid, safe boat that is suitable for fishing, swimming, tubing and the like.
Data sheet: Silver Fox Avant 485
Shipyard: Silver
Type designation: Silver Fox Avant 485
CE category: C - Coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Aluminium
Length: 4,85 m
Width: 1,94 m
Displacement: 0,40 t
Price: 20.250,00 €
