While at the Cannes show last week, I had a chance to spend an hour with Eric LeVine, Benteau’s. director of sales and marketing for all of their in-board power cruisers, aboard the new Swift Trawler 54.
The 54 is the sixth model in the Swift Trawler line and fits neatly between the ST48 and the ST62. The 54 is a big boat with high topsides and very full hull sections that create a huge amount of interior volume.
Beneteau is stressing their commitment to indoor-outdoot living and a close connection with the marine environment. The aft cockpit is spacious and there is a huge stern platform or beach front for swimming and water sports. The platform doubles as a hydraulic lift for a large dinghy.
On the flying bridge there is a large lounge that will be the 54’s social center in good weather and the place to enjoy sundowners at day’s end. On the foredeck there is a third lounging area with an expansive sun bed.
The 54, like her sister ships, was created to be a comfortable, safe and spacious floating home. Her salon is vast with a living room area aft, the galley amidships and the dinette forward next to the inside helm. The salon is surrounded by glass so it is filled with natural light.
Down below, there are two large double cabins with en-suite heads and a third “kid’s cabin” with two single bunk beds. The boat I was on was finished with light oak Alpi veneers that gave it a soft, warm and homey feel.
Beneteau is offering their “silent boat pack” as an option, which is intended to allow the boat to run all systems including air conditioning for 12 hours off the large lithium house battery bank. This is powered by am 18-panel solar array mounted on the flying bridge’s T-top.
The new Swift Trawler 54 is a go-anywhere cruiser that has a good turn of speed and an extensive range. It will make a great family floating home that will provide adventures and a life close to the sea.
