Here’s a look at the ten top cruising boats at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival, as chosen by Motorboat & Yachting, the British magazine. The top ten are the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47, Princess R35, Sunseeker 74, Jeanneau NC37, Absolute Navetta 48, Privilège Euphorie 5, Pearl 95, Ferretti 670, Azimut S6, and Prestige 590. Some highlights:
The Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 (pictured at top) is the latest iteration of the French builder’s Swift Trawler line that it introduced 14 years ago. Swift Trawlers changed the face of trawlers forever; they no longer had to be Down East single-diesel displacement boats, at least according to Beneteau’s interpretation. The new 47 has more curves than the original, but it still has the Swift Trawler earmarks.
It also has three staterooms, with the master in the bow with an en suite head and shower; a guest cabin on the port side that has sliding twin beds than could be combined as a double, and a smaller cabin to starboard. The two guest cabins share a head and shower. In addition, the sofa in the salon converts to a double bed so the boat sleeps a total of eight adults comfortably. Powered by twin 425-hp Cummins diesels, the new 47 tops out at 25 knots.
I personally have been a fan of the Beneteau Swift Trawler line since I spent a week on a 34 several summers ago, cruising from the top of Lake Michigan to St. Louis on the Mississippi, as part of the Great Loop. It was a comfortable and swift cruising boat for the two of us on board, with a solid, seaworthy hull.
The Privilège Euphorie 5 (pictured above right) was designed from the start as a power catamaran. It’s 50 feet long with a 25’ 3” beam, so the available living and cruising space inside and out is massive. The master stateroom forward spans both hulls; the centered island berth is surrounded by “oceans of floor space,” according to the editors.
The brand-new Ferretti 670 (pictured above left) replaces the Italian builder’s 650, and has muscular looks and performance. Powered by twin 1,200-hp MAN diesels, the 670 tops out at 33 knots, a very respectable speed for a luxurious 50-ton yacht. The boat has three cabins; the master features a mezzanine study area overlooking the water. The foredeck is a special social area, with two large sun pads and tables. Read more:
