Of course there are skippers who like aluminium boats - they love their robustness and the fact that they are easy to handle. The disadvantage of the material is its cool appearance and sometimes thin, sharp metal edges. Silver solves this problem with a very simple trick: the shipyard places a plastic cockpit shell inside the aluminium hull shell, which creates a cosier, warmer atmosphere.
Silver moulds the stern bench, bow seat and split bathing platform of our test boat, the Hawk CC 540, into this shell. There is practical storage space underneath. Another huge storage compartment is provided by the centre console, which is also manufactured in the plastics department. Here and in the metalworking department, the boat builders do a good job, with a few exceptions. One aluminium bulkhead that was not deburred, some laminate tips in hard-to-reach places and some unsealed plastic cut-outs were not convincing. The plastic and aluminium surfaces, weld seams, fittings and upholstery were professional and solid.
The Silver offers a wide range of leisure options: this type of boat is particularly popular with anglers, but other day trips are also possible. The test boat is also ideal for towing water skiers, wakeboarders, tube and bobsleigh riders. To ensure that the Silver can handle this task with ease, the transom is fitted with a Mercury 75 Optimax outboard (see also comparison test in BOOTE 1/13). In the "down" trim position, the test boat switches from displacement to planing speed in a flash. The nose lifts only slightly and the foresight remains unrestricted.
At planing speed, the boat is trimmed by feel: the maximum trim position is limited by the propeller snatching air. With a little skill, this point is quickly found and the boat glides safely over the water at full throttle at just under 34 knots. The fuel consumption is 0.73 l/sm, and thanks to the large 105-litre tank, the fuel lasts for 122 nm plus 15% reserve. An exceptionally good performance for this type of boat. You can travel almost 40 nm further at 4000 rpm (22 kn) if you drive economically.
At this speed, even the noise level remains "humane" at 81 dB/A. The course stability and flat stern wave deserve further praise. We jumped through the waves of commercial vessels on the Main at around 25 knots. Here, the boat showed a safe entry and moderate spray. Fast, tight bends are best made with the engine trimmed all the way to the transom, as the hull rocks two or three times in cruising trim before slowing down again to make stable laps. A swing that is absolutely stable for the crew.
Without trim, the Silver does its laps without faltering. The same applies to slalom manoeuvres and steering wheel twisting. The hydraulic steering is suitably smooth in all manoeuvres. During slow manoeuvres, tight turning circles forwards and backwards when engaged and direct reversing behaviour are impressive. The steering wheel only needs to be operated a little in displacement manoeuvres between around 4 and 6 knots, as the Hawk 540 runs straight ahead well. If one person shifts their weight, you have to compensate for a small swerve.
The driver sits on a bucket seat with fixed cushions (seat can be folded up halfway). The sliding adjustment (forwards and backwards) makes it easy to find a seating position with good legroom. The gearstick and controls are easy to operate, as are the rocker switches. The instruments can only be read through the spokes of the steering wheel, and we searched in vain for the compass, which is important on coastal waters. Protection from the wind is provided by a slightly tinted plastic windscreen, which runs around a handrail to hold on to; the railing and a bar as a backrest extension of the rear bench seat offer further holding options. Anti-slip structures provide the necessary stability.
The safety equipment includes a fire extinguisher and electric bilge pump; a manual bilge pump is missing. The boat's technology and installations are carefully executed, as can be seen from the double clamps on the fuel hoses, neat cable routing, the fuel filter and well-positioned main switch. Silver supplies all kinds of tarpaulins and cushions, cockpit table and rod holder as accessories. Four cleats, self-draining anchor locker, anti-theft eye, three towing eyes, small bathing ladder and navigation lights with European approval come as standard.
Conclusion: an all-rounder that is easy to trailer and allows you to travel safely and agilely.
Data sheet: Silver Hawk CC 540
Shipyard: Silver
Type designation: Silver Hawk CC 540
CE category: C - Coastal waters
Length: 5,40 m
Width: 2,17 m
Displacement: 0,52 t
Price: 29.234,00 €
