Beneteau just announced that it’s launching a new Swift Trawler 48. Hull number one, with twin 380-hp Cummins diesels, will have its world premiere at the Düsseldorf show in January; hull number two, with twin 425-hp Cummins, will make its U.S. debut at the Miami show in February.
The 48 is the flagship of Beneteau’s Swift Trawler line, which starts at 35 feet. Beneteau also makes a Grand Trawler 62, but it has a displacement hull for long-range voyages. The new 48 is a three-stateroom, two head cruiser; top speed is 23 knots with the 380-hp engines, and 26 knots with the 425-hp upgrades.
Over the years, Beneteau has made some 1,300 Swift Trawlers, so it’s no stranger to the market. It says the 48 is built for both “seasoned cruisers” and “aspiring cruisers,” with a seaworthy hull and large and comfortable living spaces
The aft cockpit has a large table with two folding chairs and a bench seat against the transom. A foot pedal operates the sliding flybridge stairs (you can move them forward so they’re out of the way if you’re not using the flybridge).
The large swim platform has an optional hydraulic lift capable of handling a 770-pouind tender. One nice touch: The swim ladder has handrails so it’s easy to get back on board after a swim.
On deck, an acrylic door on the starboard side serves as a wind barrier, another nice touch. The foredeck can be equipped with sun pads with lift-up backs so you can see where the boat’s going while you’re lounging in the sun.
In the salon, the large, L-shaped, cruise-ready galley is aft on the port side and can be equipped with either a gas or electric oven. It has a full-height fridge and freezer, Corian countertops and lots of storage.
Opposite the galley is a sideboard with a bottle rack and an optional icemaker. A U-shaped dinette is forward, with seating for eight, and a wine chiller that can hold 23 bottles. (Beneteau, of course, is a French company.)
The lower helm has space for two 12-inch Raymarine MFD screens, an aft-facing docking camera and an optional Cummins integrated joystick. A door leads to the starboard deck and a midship cleat for easy docking.
Up top, the flybridge has a second helm and there are backrests on the seats on both sides of the captain’s seat. There’s another table for dining and entertaining, and a forward-facing wet bar a bit aft. Farther aft is space for sun lounges or mounting paddleboards or other water toys.
Below, the master stateroom is forward with a double berth that’s 6’ 6” long. The master also has 6’ 6” of headroom, and there is plenty of room to move around on both sides of the bed. The en suite master head has a separate shower with a teak-slatted seat.
The guest cabin on the port side has a large hull window with an inset portlight. It holds two single berths that can be converted to a double. An en suite door opens to the port-side day head, which has the same shower arrangement as the master.
The other guest cabin, on the starboard side, has a transverse double berth. The wardrobe there has double doors and is large enough to hold an optional washer/dryer.
On a personal note, I’ve been a big fan of Beneteau’s Swift Trawlers for years. That’s because several years ago, George Sass, Sr., the photographer, and I took a Swift Trawler 34 from the top of Lake Michigan down to Chicago and then down to Hoppie’s on the Mississippi below St. Louis as part of a Great Loop cruise. The boat was easy to live on and performed well even in lousy conditions, including crossing Lake Michigan. We both were sorry when we had to get off.
Specs.: LOA: 48’4”; Beam: 14’9”; Draft: NA; Disp.: 27,965; Fuel: 510 gals.; Water: 169 lbs.; Power: 2×380-hp Cummins diesels; 2×425-hp Cummins diesels. Read more:
