It sounds idyllic, right? You’re going to go overnight on a mini yacht (my words, not theirs) and gallivant around ­Florida’s Sarasota Bay on a beautiful summer day. That’s how I sold it to my wife, at least. See, if you’re not familiar with a pocket cruiser, it generally means a cabin boat under 30 feet length overall designed for boating in favorable, nearshore conditions. Many pocket cruisers prove small enough to trailer as well, which is a huge benefit for those of us who like to consistently see new ports of call. Now, for all you seasoned cruisers out there, you can probably already see where this story gets interesting. At 26 feet, 5 inches with just over a 9-foot beam, the Beneteau Antares 8 is on the small side for overnighting. This is why I led with the “mini yacht” yarn when I was selling this adventure to my wife. I needed someone to photograph for the story, and I needed her to say yes without overthinking it. So, after she overthought it for quite some time, she acquiesced, and we were off to Sarasota Bay.

When we first walked onto the docks, we had trouble spotting the Antares 8—until we realized it was tucked behind an Antares 11. Ten feet longer, the Antares 11 looks like a completely ­different class of boat. After dragging my wife away from that one, we boarded the ­Antares 8 and were ­immediately impressed.

The term “pocket cruiser” is an old one, referring to a cruiser small enough to fit in a vest pocket. Twenty years ago, pocket cruisers were a mainstay of boating, with plenty of boatbuilders providing trailerable cruising boats to a willing populace. Then, they fell out of favor. Now, Beneteau aims to bring back pocket cruisers with the Antares 8. We set out to learn how and why.

In the Pocket

My wife and I personally own a classic Mako of about the same length as the Antares 8, and we had been wracking our brains over how Beneteau would fit cruising amenities on the same footprint. The answer, of course, is a very deliberate layout.

The pilothouse-style design balances the deck space in thirds, with equal attention given to each. The aft third is all about angling; the Antares 8 we weekended aboard came equipped with the fishing package. Multiple rod holders, tackle stowage, and plenty of casting room allow this pocket cruiser to actually fish. The middle third is all about the pilothouse, with a fully enclosed salon complete with air conditioning (more on that later), below-deck sleeping quarters, a ­convertible seating/dining area, fridge and even a cooktop. I was amazed that ­Beneteau was able to pack so much into this size boat. The forward quarter is for the sundeck, bow rails, and anchor locker with a windlass.

After we settled in, I started to explore the helm. Some of the higher-end features on the Antares were blowing my mind. A bow thruster? Now I really did feel like I was on a mini yacht. With a single engine on a 26-plus-foot cabin boat, things can get a little hairy when you’ve got a tight docking situation, especially when you throw in a current and some wind. The Antares 8 proved an easy boat to handle dockside, though, especially with the thruster as an extra tool to use if needed.

Wanting to see how the Antares 8 handled sporty conditions, we made our way to the mouth of the inlet. It was a fairly windy day with a consistent west wind, so there was plenty of fetch to create some small waves to play around in. It’s not a dedicated offshore boat, yet the Beneteau handled the conditions admirably. And the best part was, my wife and I stayed completely dry while we gawked at the high-dollar homes along the mouth of the inlet.

Anchors Aweigh

While it was fun to test this new boat’s mettle, it wasn’t part of the assignment, so my personal indulgence had to come to an end. Besides being off mission, we were feeling hot. This wasn’t a 60-foot yacht with an oversize AC and a generator. This boat’s battery-­powered AC struggled against midday summer heat. And with two small cabin windows, the AC was still the better option than the breeze. It was time to beat the heat the old-fashioned way: by beelining it to the nearest ­sandbar. Can’t do that in a 60-footer.

Not being used to the conveniences of a modern boat, I sent my wife up to the bow when we reached the sandbar. I assumed that at the very least she would be letting down the anchor from the remote at the locker while I backed down to set the anchor. Instead, I realized that the anchor windlass was entirely controllable from the helm, something that blew my classic-boat mind and made singlehanding the Antares 8 an absolute dream. I could drop the anchor and back down on it right from the helm. This was living!

When we were set, my wife hit the mini fridge for a libation as we settled into a bluebird Florida sandbar afternoon. We met some very nice Kentuckians who came ripping in on a Freedom Boat Club pontoon and were discussing having some more “Cuban Sushi” that night.

“Cuban Sushi?” the wife asked.

“Yes,” the husband answered, “the stuff with the fish and the ­peppers and all that.”

“Oh, you mean ceviche! We can get some more of that,” the wife said.

True story. And forevermore in our household, “ceviche” and “Cuban Sushi” will be interchangeable terms. Funny how quickly life changes like that.

Shortly after, another boat showed up with the most aquatic Labrador I had ever seen. It was just deep enough that the dog couldn’t stand, so it swam from person to person, patrolling the area.

Dine and Doze

After a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon full of socializing, snorkeling and soaking in the Gulf waters, we said our goodbyes, I weighed anchor (from the helm, what luxury!), and we were on our way. We had a dinner date at an on-water restaurant in the bay. But first, a quick cleating ­lesson was in order.

Growing up a farmer’s daughter in South Georgia, my wife doesn’t have as much experience boating as I do. When we take our Mako to the Bahamas, we always have a crew full of friends who are seasoned boaters, so the guys are always the dock crew. In this case, we were a crew of two, so I needed my wife to learn to cleat off lines in a hurry. I taught her “the right way” as I had been taught from one of my sailing uncles, and we soon found ourselves the sole vessel in front of a fully occupied on-water restaurant with a strong current running and a ­crosswind. It was a high-pressure situation for my wife. She’s wound tight as it is, so the ­restaurant gawkers didn’t make things any easier for us. Luckily, I had my secret weapon: the bow thruster. We threw out our fenders, doubled back to go in nose first, then let the current nestle us in perfectly on the port side. My wife tied off a couple of perfect cleats, and we were ­strolling down the docks to dinner, cool as ­cucumbers. The gawkers were desperately disappointed not to see a Qualified ­Captain moment.

Read Next: Beneteau Antares 11

Fortunately, the restaurant manager sat us at a table right in front of the Antares 8. Perfect for capturing some golden-hour views of the boat and relaxing with a coastal dinner. When we were just about finished, I went to the boat and turned on the air conditioning, which bothered absolutely no one because it doesn’t make any sound. By the time we were wrapping up dinner, the sun was low and the temperature was comfortable inside the cabin, with the AC humming along on enough battery power to get us back to port.

We hooked back up to shore power at the dock, grabbed a ­shower at the hotel marina, and settled in for the night. How was the sleep? I’ll say this. You can’t expect your best night’s sleep on a pocket cruiser, but you also can’t expect any of the adventure of overnighting on a small boat without a little discomfort. We would do it again in a heartbeat, especially to the Bahamas, where the Antares 8’s shallow draft would allow for endless exploration of secluded coves and beaches. That would give us the opportunity to kick back, drop a line, reel in a big one, and make some fresh Cuban Sushi right on deck.

Essentials for Overnighting on a Small Boat

If you’re expecting a stately king-size bed or a stand-up shower from a pocket cruiser, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s ­essential to recognize a boat’s strengths and weaknesses so that you can set your expectations.

For example, consider bringing an air mattress. The “bed” that you’re going to be sleeping on is just a converted cushion, and “high-density marine-grade foam” is a far cry from a mattress and box spring. Recognizing that it might not be your best night’s sleep, bring all the essentials to make coffee in the morning. My wife brought her French press and made home-quality coffee on the Antares 8’s small cooktop. You’re also going to want to bring toiletries because smaller boats tend to have freshwater washdowns rather than enclosed showers. Bring linens or a sleeping bag, and an overstuffed pillow to accommodate the lack of give in the cushions if you’re going sans blowup mattress, and be prepared for the AC to freeze you out when it catches up.

We dined at on-water restaurants, but you’ll want to pack light prepared meals if your destination is more remote, which I think it should be. This boat’s real strength is in its ability to get into tight anchorages and get you off the grid in search of some adventure, so bringing a few essentials and finding some secluded mooring buoy to overnight should be on the to-do list of any Beneteau Antares 8 owner.

The post Pocket Cruiser Overnighting on Beneteau’s Antares 8 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Here’s a baker’s dozen of boats we think rate “must-see” status at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. From fishing boats to luxury boats to deck boats, these craft all share one thing in common: they possess some new, different or interesting design, construction or layout characteristics that we think boat buyers who consider themselves true fans of powerboats will be interested in learning about.

We’ve included the location of each of these must-see boats at either the Bahia Mar Marina or the Broward County Convention Center. Download the FLIBS app (available on both Google Play and the Apple Store). Map your route, hit the show and get your boat geek on!

Read Next: Must-See Marine Electronics at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Axopar 29 CCX

What: Termed a “hybrid center console” it is said to meld full on fishing with a refined experience underway.

Why: Modular cockpit offers four different layouts.

Where: Bahia Mar F/G Dock 49 (Nautical Ventures Dock)

Beneteau Antares 9

What: Termed, “The Ultimate Weekender,” this 30 footer offers two private cabins, a full galley and a head with shower.

Why: Truly private stateroom with solid bulkhead not a curtain.

Where: Bahia Mar, G/H Dock 29

Monterey Elite 30 OB

What: Honored as a Boating Magazine Boat of the Year category winner: Best Small Dayboat.

Why: The center helm is a true wow!

Where: Convention Center 2027

Phenom 43 Center Console

What: A no-holds barred CC said to offer performance, luxury and fishability. Fathom E-Power battery system extends the adventure without the need for a generator’s noise and fumes.

Why: The trademarked Phenom NextStep 3-Piece Hull Design is innovative and unique.

Where: Convention Center 2084

Sea Pro 225 FLX Sandbar

What: A unique take that offers versatility with an emphasis on those boaters who enjoy hitting the beach or sandbar.

Why: The special table that installs at water level for entertainment while wading and swimming.

Where: Convention Center 2030

Grady-White Freedom 345 DC

What: Grady-White will debut a new Freedom 345 dual console.

Why: This wide-beamed dual console sets high bars for luxury, fishability and quality.

Where: Convention Center 2025

Sōlace 28 HCS

What: This new bay boat is unique from design, to build to layout.

Why: The excellent execution of the convertible transom which transforms from seating to casting platform while concealing two 50-qt coolers.

Where: Convention Center 2021

Sailfish 232 Center Console

What: A category winner for Boating Magazine Boat of the Year 2024; honored as: Best Small Fishing Boat.

Why: Excellent mix of construction and standards for its price.

Where: Convention Center 2081

Regal 38 SAV

What: This boat cruises, fishes and entertains while displaying little compromise regardless of the activities you pursue on the water.

Why: Multi-position captain’s seats. Ever see a chair become a table? See this boat!

Where: Bahia Mar, H-Dock

Robalo R257

What: They say this boat is a leap forward in boat design.

Why: Check out that hardtop!

Where: Convention Center, 2061

Sea Ray SDX 230 Outboard

What: The latest outboard-powered deckboat from Sea Ray, the year 2025 model SDX 230. (*SDX250 shown in picture)

Why: Will it be luxurious, functional, or both?

Where: Bahia Mar, Dock G/H 45

Boston Whaler 330 Vantage

What: They say that this versatile model is the final piece in the evolution of Boston Whaler’s  dual-console lineup.

Why: Boston Whaler always showcases some cool and new features with new models.

Where: Bahia Mar, Dock C 300

NAVAN S30

What: The new NAVAN open-air center console.

Why: Unique T-Step Hulls.

Where: Bahia Mar, GH Dock

The post Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2024: Must-See Boats appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Running at 20 knots through the tight-spaced 2-footers on Chesapeake Bay, I told my crew to hold on and eased the throttle forward, first to 25 knots, then to 28 knots. At 30 knots, I let the boat find its own groove, Auto Trim and Active Speed Control tending to the twin 250 hp Mercury V-8 FourStroke outboards, and soaked in the experience. Excellent visibility from the elevated helm station made it easy to keep a weather eye.

Depending upon who you ask, we might have been going too fast for comfort given the conditions. But we were going faster and with more comfort than I thought we’d be. The Flyer 9 Sundeck stays on plane at 13 knots, with engines and tabs on full negative trim, while still retaining excellent maneuverability and visibility.

Interior and Accessories

The Flyer 9 Sundeck is inspired by deck boats, with a bow that’s almost as broad as the boat’s maximum beam. Beneteau used the extra space to provide a wide walkway forward that terminates in an expansive sun pad complete with a Bimini for shade—oh, man. There’s great access to the anchor, and room to deploy the hook or tend to lines.

Aft, the self-bailing cockpit boasts a big L-lounge, served by a sleek wood table that converts to another sun lounge ($2,670). There are acres of stowage under the deck, a sink, a refrigerator, an optional cooktop, great access to the transom’s twin swim platforms, and the portside cockpit folds down, creating a sea-view terrace. This overhangs the water and expands the size of the cockpit for entertaining—or just because. Oh, man.

Belowdecks, there are berths for four; two sleep forward and two in the aft cabin. The enclosed head is stylish. The sole is laminated oak, and the cabin is trimmed in Alpi Mat Walnut. The galley houses a sink, fridge and microwave. Oh, man.

Back topside, I’d order the stainless-steel T-top ($8,060) with the Sunworker cockpit shade extension. Put on some kayak or SUP racks, and head out on the water. Oh, man.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 250 hp Mercury V-8 FourStrokes
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Revolution Four 143/4″ x 19″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 70 gal. Water on Board: 13 gal. Crew Weight: 600 lb.

High Points

• Patented Air-Step hull delivers confident ride and handling.
• Sea-view terrace expands the cockpit size, and is rugged and easy to deploy.
• Unique layout affords owners the ability to pursue many activities with little compromise.

Low Points

• Rod holder drains to the bilge.
• Some aft cabin trim was ill-fitted aboard our prototype.

Toughest Competitor

There are no boats with fore-and-aft sun pads, a cabin that sleeps four, an optional T-top, and an expanding cockpit for less than $200,000 available. One might shop the Four Winns HD8, a hybrid deck boat, which starts at $102,795.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post 2021 Beneteau Flyer 9 Spacedeck appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Beneteau’s designers tuned in closely to the way we boaters in the US and Canada use our vessels. For serious passagemaking, the company offers its highly successful Swift Trawlers, which Boating has covered. That said, more families prefer boats focused on day trips and weekend cruises. For them, Beneteau offers its Antares line, with boats from 24 feet, 6 inches (7 meters) to this new 36-foot-7-inch (11-meter) model. All Antares models feature outboard power, such as the pair of 300 hp Mercury V-8 Verados that powered our test boat.

Antares models reflect European design themes: sweeping lines, plenty of glass for natural light in both the wheelhouse and hull topsides, and sun pads fore and aft. The Antares 11′s hull shows a two-stage flared bow and a sharp forefoot to cleave seas, while the shape of the flare provides reserve buoyancy for safety in nasty seas and enough forward hull volume for a roomy master cabin. Full-length double chines and a pair of lifting strakes on each side of the bottom damp spray well.

Engine

The Antares 11 holds a CE Category B rating for eight people under the European Union’s Recreational Craft Directive design standards for boats operating offshore with winds to 46 mph and seas to 13 feet. That rating shows that the boat can handle the thrust of the powerful Mercury outboards as the 16,000-pound boat lifts onto plane and accelerates. In our test with a light load, the hull was happiest between 4,200 and 4,500 rpm at speeds of 26 to 33 mph. We particularly liked cruising at 4,400 rpm, running with the bow just kissing the water at 30 mph while burning 26 gallons of fuel per hour, giving this boat a conservative range of 220 miles.

Our test day was calm, but the Antares split powerboat wakes, which the hull cut apart as expected, with no spray on the windshield. Even with two families aboard, this rig can cover a lot of water. Drifting broadside to wakes brought an easy motion, thanks to the hull’s reverse chines. The Mercury joystick control made dockside maneuvering easy.

Interior and Accessories

France’s Sarrazin Design created purpose-intent accommodations for swimming, socializing, lounging, picnics, serious cooking, washing and sleeping, like a floating cottage. The bright, airy salon with skylights serves as the nerve center for piloting, cooking and lounging. Grab rails, cup holders and charging ports are strategically placed. The helm is compact and comfortable, with room for a 12- or 16-inch Garmin display that supplies chart, depth and optional radar images ($4,280), along with a Mercury SmartCraft display for engine functions. A convenient door leads to the side deck beside the helm. We determined sightlines at all speeds are clear. The helm chair is comfortable and adjustable. Just aft of it is a starboard galley with a two-ring gas stove, counter with sink, cupboards and a refrigerator. To port is an L-shaped lounge with a table that can drop to form an extra bunk. The back cushion at the forward end of the lounge slides to form a companion seat. An optional television hangs in the aft corner.

Beneteau’s wood cabinetwork, artfully done by Italian firm ALPI, uses veneers from trees felled in sustainably managed forests. Fit-and-finish is top-notch and solid.

The Antares 11′s second social center is the cockpit, with its own L-shaped lounge where the aft side slides back to form a sun pad when at anchor, even with both engines tilted up for swimming off the starboard stern platform and its ladder. Opening the four-panel salon door connects the two spaces at the same level. Meanwhile, the starboard topsides fold down, creating a terrace that expands cockpit space. The sturdy hinge operates manually, with electrical control optional ($2,370). A lockable hatch in the sole provides access to a large lazarette for access to batteries, wiring, plumbing and an optional, remarkably compact Fischer Panda 6.4 kW diesel generator. By the way, Beneteau offers a solar panel for the deckhouse over the cockpit as a way to complement the generator’s output.

The Antares 11′s side decks are asymmetrical—6 to 8 inches wide to port, and 14 to 16 inches wide to starboard—with railings placed strategically along the passage to the foredeck. There is a third social center—a foredeck sun pad—with backs that tilt up for reading. A folding canopy for shade is optional. At the bow, a double anchor locker affords access to chain, rode and windlass. A bow ladder is optional because outboard power allows a skipper to put the Antares 11′s bow onshore for beachcombing.

The roomy forward cabin with an island berth, storage beneath and a hanging locker awaits. The head includes an electric marine toilet and an enclosed shower stall. Beneath the salon is a full-beam guest cabin with both a double bed and a single bunk. The entrance has standing headroom for dressing, but otherwise this cabin is for lying down or reading. It gets plenty of light via hullside glass panels.

Shopping? Check out Jeanneau’s NC1095 ($246,750 with twin Yamaha F300s and Helm Master EX joystick). A tad smaller, it does not have a folding cockpit terrace.

If you’re looking for a versatile dayboat with cruising amenities, look closely at the Antares 11.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 300 hp Mercury Verado V-8
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Mercury Eco Enertia 17″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 212 gal. Water on Board: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 540 lb.

High Points

• Overall design reflects careful thinking about how families will use the boat.
• Compact diesel generator beneath the cockpit sole is extraordinarily quiet.
• Foldout topside panel creates a terrace that expands the cockpit for socializing.
• Bow offers both an anchor with windlass and a telescoping ladder for beaching, giving this cruiser a dayboat’s versatility.

Low Points

• Port stern platform and side deck are inaccessible from the aft cockpit.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

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Beneteau built the Gran Turismo 36 in the United States for the North American ­market. This new boat is wider, longer and more spacious than the old GT 35 while retaining speed and agility. Its mission? All-day entertaining and occasional cruises for four people. It’s available with either twin sterndrive or outboard power.

Beneteau’s design team considered what entertaining means, from comfortable cruising, socializing, food preparation and consumption, to sunning, swimming, and privacy for changing clothes and other … activities. For cruising, the helm and companion seats are contoured double benches with flip-down bolsters, so four can participate in ­piloting. A large windshield, dramatically curving side windows, and an overhead moonroof provide abundant light and sense of space. Performance is lively; our test boat, with twin MerCruiser ­6.2-liter V-8s turning twin Bravo Three sterndrives, accelerated quickly, even after concluding performance testing and bringing seven people aboard, rode soft and dry at speeds in the upper 20s and low 30s, and turned both quickly and precisely while a system of Zipwake Interceptor trim tabs interfaced with the GPS, optimized both fore and aft, and lateral trim for comfort, speed and efficiency. At the dock, a joystick made departing and tying up a piece of cake.

Meanwhile, a commodious cockpit lounge for seven neatly tucks under the hardtop and benefits from helm-deck air conditioning (we ran our test in August on the Chesapeake) while preserving a feeling of openness. To port lies a U-shaped lounge with a solid wood table opposite an L-shaped starboard-side lounge. It’s a natural setting for conversation, and we noted that crew seated in the companion seats could comfortably turn sideways to join in. Aft is a sun pad for two, while a summer galley (electric grill is optional) sits to starboard, next to a secure gate to a large (8 feet, 6 inches by 2 feet, 9 inches) swim platform with ladder and shower. (The outboard version gives up space for the engines, but platform extensions on both sides compensate.) The sun pad and aft section of the port lounge rise as a unit with electric power for access to the engine room—massive stowage aboard the outboard version—and lazarette stowage. Secure steps to the side decks lead to a spacious bow sun lounge for two, with headrests, armrests, cup holders and stereo speakers. A sun awning is available for shade at rest, as well as a businesslike pulpit for the anchor, its windlass, and a pair of sturdy cleats.

For comparison’s sake, Sea Ray’s ­Sundancer 350 Coupe ($451,953 with twin 350 hp MerCruiser Bravo Three sterndrives and Axius joystick control) is 37 feet, 6 inches LOA with an 11-foot-4-inch beam and weighs 18,792 pounds, with comparable fuel and water capacity. It can sleep six people, but the salon’s entertaining area is smaller.

Beneteau takes safety seriously. It has thoughtfully and strategically placed handrails throughout the helm, cockpit, swim platform and hardtop, along with tall side rails from the cockpit to bow pulpit for security going forward. Though designed for the North American market, the GT 36 is certified under the European Union’s stringent standards for up to eight passengers offshore and 10 in coastal bays (B8, C10), as well as by the American Boat and Yacht Council and National Marine ­Manufacturers Association.

Belowdecks, the one-way clear panels in the hull sides supply abundant natural light in the forward cabin, the head, the salon and the midcabin, complemented by opening porthole inserts for ventilation when desired. Air conditioning, driven by a 5 kW gas genset, cools both cabins and the salon. Standing headroom throughout is 6 feet, 5 inches. The forward master stateroom provides an island double berth, two hanging lockers, bookshelves and reading lights. The head offers separate shower and toilet spaces. The salon delivers a settee for three with hardwood table to port for meals, snacks and TV watching, opposite a two-burner (electric) galley that is nicely fitted out with sink and storage. We especially liked the way the burners are recessed an inch under a lid in the countertop to prevent pots from sliding around in a seaway. Replacing the lid activates a cutoff switch on each burner in case the cook has forgotten to turn it off. The clear hillsides over the galley and the settee are fitted with ingenious Venetian blinds that run on stainless cables. The aftercabin’s berth can be set as a double or a pair of singles. There’s sitting headroom on it, along with a stand-up dressing area just inside the cabin door.

Want to cruise the Great Loop? The GT 36 is not the Beneteau for you. Talk with your broker about the company’s long-legged Swift Trawler 35. But if what you’re looking for is gracious entertaining, comfortable weekending and sporty performance, Beneteau’s design team put the GT 36 together especially for you.

High Points

• Graceful hardtop includes electrically operated moonroof for natural light and feeling of openness.
• Cockpit lounge seats seven comfortably under the shade of the hardtop, next to a summer galley with grill.
• Valuable details include recessed cabin-galley burners that act as fiddles, ingenious Venetian blinds in the salon, and a robust security system for the anchor winch.

Low Points

• Service access panels in the salon sole are precisely fit—so precisely that complicated geometric maneuvering is required to put them back in place.

Price: $412,000 (as tested, with genset and three-station air conditioning)

Available Power: Sterndrive and Outboard

How We Tested
Engines: Twin 300 hp Mercury 6.2L V-8 gasoline sterndrives
Props: Twin 21-inch-pitch stainless-steel Bravo Three dual-prop propsets
Gear Ratio: 2.43:1
Fuel Load: 195 gal.
Water Load: 0 gal.
Waste Load: 0 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.

The post Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 Boat Test appeared first on Boating Mag.

Feedback from owners, most of them experienced cruisers, and careful study of the predecessor Swift Trawler 34’s (few) warranty claims indicated that a refresh was in order. Thus, the new Swift Trawler 35. It offers valuable refinements and new features, from major — a stronger Dometic air-conditioning system, stashed beneath the galley — to small but convenient — fuel and waste deck-plate access side-by-side, handy to the pilothouse side door. The galley includes more freezer capacity and a neat little work surface that converts to a cushioned seat opposite the double helm seat. The head now provides a comfortably sized separate shower stall — the commode is in there too, under a teak seat. The entire dashboard is set into a hinged panel that swings back for easy access to electronics and controls. A larger Onan 7.5 kW genset keeps the battery banks charged.

The most obvious change is the ST 35’s two-panel transom door that opens the cockpit wide to the swim platform, creating an attractive outdoor space at anchor, with a retractable awning above. The salon’s table is just heavy enough to keep it planted but light enough to move it easily to the cockpit for morning coffee or an evening sundowner. Cushioned jump seats complement folding cockpit chairs. To complement the transom doors, Beneteau’s engineers spec’d a pair of telescoping dinghy davits that can hold up to 400 pounds (say, a 10-foot RIB with a 9.9 hp outboard), with easy boarding from the swim platform. That feature opens considerable space aft on the flybridge (paddleboards? kayaks?) where the dinghy used to ride. The ST 35 also sports contemporary styling touches, such as a pair of large side windows with vent portlights for the master cabin.

Mechanically, the ST 35 is similar to its predecessor, with a well-proven 425 hp Cummins QSB6.7 inboard diesel swinging a large five-blade propeller through a 2.5-to-1 reduction for efficient running at both trawler speeds and semi-planing high ­cruises. With all that blade surface, a large rudder and a bow ­thruster, maneuverability in tight spaces is a snap.

High Points

• Proven model improved by customer feedback, with features like increased air conditioning, refrigeration and genset capacity.
• Cockpit opens level with the swim platform for entertaining and easy dinghy launching from the telescoping transom brackets.
• Lazarette has nonskid plating over the genset and a step to keep you from stepping where you shouldn’t.

Low Points

• Slightly heavier, so slightly slower than the previous model.
• With the foldout lounge for guest accommodations, consider converting the guest cabin into a compact office.

Toughest Competitor
The American Tug 365 ($465,500) is roughly comparable in size and power (36 feet 6 inches and 18,700 pounds, with a 380 hp Cummins QSB). It too has a semidisplacement hull.

Price: $393,100 (with test power)

Available Power: Inboard

How We Tested
Engine: 425 hp Cummins QSB 6.7 diesel inboard
Prop: 24″ x 24″ 5-blade bronze
Gear Ratio: 2.5:1 ZF
Fuel Load: 211 gal.
Water Load: 0 gal.
Waste Load: 0 gal.
Crew Weight: 360 lb.

More Information

The post Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 Test appeared first on Boating Mag.

It was just an old plywood boat.
A ’75 Johnson with electric choke.
A young boy, two hands on the wheel.
I can’t forget the way it made me feel.

Those are my favorite words in Alan Jackson’s ballad “Drive.” It poignantly records the moment in boating that imprints the experience permanently in boaters’ must-do-it brain sector. I remember my first boating experience exactly that way.

My first boat ride, in a 15-foot Starcraft, infected me with the boating bug at age 10. But 30 years ago, the infection went airborne the first time I rode on the flying bridge of an Islamorada sport-fisher. From the bridge, I could spot fish invisible to the crew in the cockpit. A sea turtle passed below, rounding a coral head in 30 feet of water.

Everywhere I looked, the navigable water was topaz, and the passages between coral and sandbars were as evident as if a chart was laid across the sea.

No, I never bought a boat with a flying bridge, but I ­never lost the appetite to have one, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of experience aboard them over the years.

Their advantages are compelling, but they don’t come without some liabilities either. Here, then, are all the reasons to love a flybridge boat.

Visual Assets
I liked hanging around the docks long before I had a boat. I still enjoy it, though not quite as much as piloting my own vessel. Once while at the dock, I watched as a captain came into a narrow port and aimed his bow at the slip. Just short of the slip, he turned his back to the helm. Standing between the throttles, he took one in each hand, and pulled one up to forward at a pretty strong idle and pushed the other to reverse with equal authority. Completely confident, from both practice and the clear view of other boats and dock fingers, he pivoted his beauty 180 degrees, then nonchalantly reversed throttle positions, stopped the pivot and aimed the stern straight into the slip. Just as the lacquered mahogany transom might have struck the dock, he applied forward thrust, and water boiled up between the stern and dock, stopping the vessel perfectly, just inches from the pier. Dock hands threw lines on the cleats, and the boat was made fast.

Climbing Liabilities
That skipper had a crew awaiting him on the dock. Had he not, at least six steps stood between him and his dock lines. As the boat idled there, technically still underway as the rules of navigation go, he could drift into other boats in the marina. The skipper in a flybridge had better be sure-footed or have a crew (or a remote control or a lower station to transfer to). With a crew, the upper station becomes an asset again, because he can assign tasks and observe his crew as they secure the boat. Likewise, upper stations are not for the long-in-the-tooth commanders who may not have that youthful spring in their step.

Area Assets
The only thing better than enjoying the view from above is sharing it. That upper station supplies extra seating, and the social opportunities it provides are at least charming — if not romantic with the right passengers. Often, if the vessel is large enough to carry it, an upper station can have an electric refrigerator or at least an ice chest, and some boast a cocktail galley with a sink.

Access Liability
You have to climb to the bridge in a convertible or flybridge, and that requires stairs or a ladder that takes up space in the ­cockpit below. Sometimes that loss of space is substantial, crowding the gathering area. Even a ladder to the bridge creates inconveniences in that gathering space. And some skippers prefer having all the action on the main deck rather than dividing the socializing crew between upper and lower decks.

Lofty Assets
It’s the best place to grab some rays and feel the breeze, whether stirred by nature or by throttle. You’ll look very smart up there too, giving the boater’s wave from that lofty perch. And as the skipper, your crew will compete for your company, giving plenty of opportunity for more intimate conversation.

Lofty Liabilities
That added height can cost you some waterway access and even storage fees — especially if you dry-stack your boat when it’s not in use. Dry-stack marinas charge by length and by height. So, be sure of the storage fees before you buy. Further, that added height means waiting for drawbridges or being unable to gain passage beneath fixed bridges to certain waters altogether. Will it be worth it? It’s up to each individual boater.

Cash Assets
Expect that upper station to cost between $25,000 and $75,000 depending on the boat and the accommodations included above. On some boats, an upper station can make them resell faster and sometimes for a higher price than without one. That is particularly so if the boat’s upper station isn’t the sole station. That higher resale price, though, may be offset by the cost of maintaining helm hydraulics, throttle and shift controls, and navigation equipment in both stations.

Stormy Liabilities
On a beautiful day, nothing is better than skippering from above. On a stormy day, nothing is worse. An upper station is high above the vessel’s center of gravity, and the only thing worse than lunging forward through rough seas is wobbling sideways through them with each wave attempting to slingshot you abeam. Trying to come through a sloppy inlet in stormy weather will make you kick yourself for not investing in a second ­lower station.

Read Next: Six Amazing Hull Designs!

You’ll find lots of options in flybridge boats and designs for many tastes and wallets. The designs range from pocket trawlers to luxury cruisers and sport-fishers. Here are some top examples, along with some assets and some — let’s just call them trade-offs — in the bargain.

The Future of Flying: Five Modern Flybridge Boats

Viking 44C

It’s unclear who built the first flybridge, but it’s easy to argue sport-fishing convertibles would be among the first. Nobody benefits from that lofty view like fishermen. In fact, Viking doesn’t offer the 44C with a lower helm, which perfectly illustrates an angler’s commitment to that view. Viking will protect the bridge with acrylic side curtains, and when air conditioning and heating are added, there’s no weather short of rough seas to keep you from having fun.

We’ve already discussed the docking advantages, and no offshore skipper is going to wink at a 20-minute wait for a bridge — he’ll just get his crew up that much earlier. Because offshore anglers are long-range fishermen, the Viking 44CC doesn’t pull punches on comfortable accommodations. Two main staterooms offer queen beds, and the amidships berth includes a private head. Add a single bunk forward and convertible settees, and there is plenty of sleeping space on board for comfort.

Beneteau Swift Trawler 30

Beneteau proves you don’t have to go large to get the fun of a flybridge. Its Swift Trawler is a semidisplacement hull capable of exceeding 30 mph. Its fuel capacity gives a range beyond most owners’ expectations. The easy-to-handle, compact trawler is a true voyager for a jaunt to Block Island, or even crossing from Miami to tour the Bahamas.

The boatbuilder wisely makes standard both an upper and lower station, which means a short crew, or even a single-handed skipper at the lower helm, can dock and secure the vessel at port. Also standard is a Volvo Penta D6 370 hp engine, powerful, fuel efficient, and ready for reliable long-range cruising or just weekend overnighting at a quiet anchorage.

Access to the bridge is via a ladder-way through an upper-deck hatch. The landing below does take cockpit space, but Beneteau compensates by opening the cockpit to the salon via a large sliding door. The effect is attractive and practical, and cruisers won’t regret the trade-offs.

Cutwater C-30 CB

The C-30 with command bridge integrates the boarding steps into the pilothouse design by leaning them over the portside galley underneath, where headroom isn’t an issue. The effect clears the deck below for open seating and eliminates the steps from the overall deck plan. The steps are enclosed on both sides, enhancing secure footing, plus the aesthetic treatment is practical and good-looking, keeping the steps hidden from the Cutwater’s profile view.

Once above, there is a dual helm seat and a companion settee behind it for up to four passengers plus the skipper. Cutwater is just as generous below, providing a bridge with a dual seat, but it lacks the access hatch advanced by the Beneteau.

Living accommodations are treated with hardwood and fine veneer, giving a rich interior that’s durable with long-lasting good looks.

Ranger Tugs R-31 CB

The tug-style mini-trawler is semidisplacement and can actually cruise along at a good clip, making the top-deck view both exciting and useful for navigating tricky waters. Ranger Tugs has expertly turned this boat into a cozy overnighter with a sleeping berth and galley dinette that converts to a berth. The lower station is standard on the starboard-side of the salon, and even more important to journeyers, it offers a full doorway from the helm to the deck, making it easy to grab a line or offer one to the dock hand. In addition, a wide walkway around the pilothouse has a handy grab rail for safely moving about the deck to secure the boat in port and at anchor. The R-31 is responsive to low horsepower, has fuel-sipping diesel propulsion options, and offers a diesel generator, eliminating both the high risk of carbon monoxide and the need to carry gasoline in addition to diesel fuel. Topside amenities include a dual helm seat and a dinette with facing lounges — picture lunch up top with your crew.

Ranger Tugs are built in the Northeast to handle any rugged waters.

Sea Ray Fly 400

Dual stations in the Fly 400 give complete versatility to the skipper and allow his crew to enjoy boating in temperate weather on the roomy bridge above or in chilly weather in the sumptuous salon below. Steps to the bridge are carved from the aft cockpit but offer a less athletic climb to the upper deck, and the generous beam accommodates the structure while still leaving enjoyable cockpit space with a built-in lounge and table. There’s something to be said for a 40-footer.

Once above, the crew is treated to a large L-shaped lounge that wraps around from starboard to stern, and a dual lounge facing forward next to the helm seat adds more seating to total at least eight coveted spots.

Sea Ray is known for luxurious appointments, hardwood and quality vinyl, and all those treatments are apparent in the master stateroom and the astonishingly large amidships cabin.

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Beneteau Swift Trawler 30
This boat impressed Boating‘s Tech Team by combining the seaworthiness and voluminous accommodations of a top-notch trawler with the performance and high-style luxury of an express cruiser.

Standout Features: An emergency tiller steering system; transom gates; retractable dinghy davits.

Carbon Marine Paragon Super Sport 28
The first-ever boat constructed of fully exposed carbon fiber, this boat is light and strong; as a result, it boasted phenomenal fuel economy, delivering over 2 mpg at 51 mph.

Standout Features: The carbon laminate possesses twice the strength-to-weight ratio of fiberglass boats; every fitting and fixture is top-of-the-line and gorgeous.

Monterey 378 SE
The 378 SE likely has the most livable berths and head in any open-bow day cruiser available today. Yet, this 9-ton beauty proved quick and nimble under power. It looks great and pays better attention to detail than most.

Standout Features: Runs rough water as soft as a fish boat; integral tablet navigation; signature cockpit arrangement is most versatile.

Pursuit S408
This big center console offers bluewater readiness and luxury with fewer compromises than aboard similar craft. Pursuit’s build quality is second to none, and even our seasoned testers were wowed by the luxury fitments installed.

Standout Features: Patent-pending transom-reinforcement system; standard diesel genset; the helm station is glare-free, ergonomic, serviceable and functional.

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In the accompanying performance chart, you’ll note that we have highlighted two most economical cruising speeds for the Beneteau Swift Trawler 30. Normally, only one speed is selected, but this is a boat that displays good manners, stability and maneuverability at both planing and displacement speeds. That capacity is just one of many characteristics that make this boat as ideal for a couple who is planning to make extensive cruises, such as the Great Loop, as it is for a family that enjoys harbor hopping on the weekend.

You can set off on long adventures with a Beneteau Swift Trawler, which sips fuel at displacement speeds but can plane when needed to meet a tight schedule. The 34 offers comfortable accommodations for a coastal cruising couple.

At higher speeds, the single 370 hp Volvo Penta D6 diesel inboard powered our test boat to a top speed of over 26 mph. It cruises easily at 23 mph, burning 16 gph. Our tester’s maximum engine speed of 3,650 rpm proved Beneteau propped the Swift Trawler 30 right because the maximum-rated rpm for the D6-370 is 3,500, and it’s best to allow a little over-rev for an owner to paint the bottom, load the boat with gear, and possibly operate in hot and humid conditions. We were able to keep the Swift Trawler 30 on plane at 2,500 rpm, which is just 13 mph, a nice speed if you have miles to go, beating into a head sea.

Get more certified test results, performance specs and news about Volvo Penta powerplants.

Now, if your frame of reference is that of an express cruiser or sedan owner, you may not consider the Swift Trawler 30’s top and cruising speeds to be fast. But, if you hail from the trawler camp, such speeds are phenomenal.

The fuel economy is pretty good too.

At slow speeds, the Swift Trawler 30’s draft, deep forefoot and near-vertical stem keep the boat on course, with minimal input at the wheel while underway. This is unlike many boats, which have less draft and cutaway forefoots that can require constant attention to the helm while at no-wake speed in choppy conditions. Around the dock, those same features provide enough lateral resistance and inertia to give the skipper a beat or two between maneuvers, a nice thing to have, especially in gusty conditions.

The Swift Trawler 30’s hull design manifests itself in the boat’s accommodations as well. For instance, the vertical stem, minimal convexity in the bow flare, and depth of hull allow for a bigger cabin than you might expect aboard a boat with this length overall. Check out the master berth forward, for example, where the mattress is at residential height so you can sit on it without hopping up. Due to more bow flare and raking stems aboard many boats this length, the forward berths must be installed higher in order for the builder to make them sufficiently wide, requiring you to hop or step up onto them.

Another nicety is the option for a true second stateroom, situated to port opposite the head. Coupled with the master stateroom and the salon settee that converts into a king-size berth, the Swift Trawler 30 could sleep six. Instead of this second stateroom, our tester featured another desirable feature: a split head arrangement with the WC located to starboard and the shower located in the space described for the second stateroom.

Decisions, decisions.

In any case, the lower deck is a bright space thanks to well-placed hullside windows and deck hatches.

This is a two-station boat, and the lower helm is located to starboard, opposite the galley. For a cruising couple, having the helm beside the galley allows for conversation during a passage. If day cruising or simply entertaining dockside, the galley being in view of and on the same level as the cockpit will prove advantageous for mingling and refreshment. The use of fiddles on the counters impressed us as one of many salty details done right aboard the Swift Trawler 30.

The second station is on the flying bridge, which comfortably seats six with its L lounge. There is no room for a dinghy and davit here; instead, a pair of neat dinghy davits retract into the transom corners. There is stowage space to port, opposite the ladder well, which, we were pleased to see, was protected by a sturdy hatch instead of just a flimsy gate or chain. The radar mast behind the helm seat is removable, which is convenient, but we found the raised boss to which it mounts to be a tripping hazard. (One would get used to it, we suppose.)

Board the Swift Trawler 30 through either the transom door or the boarding door along the starboard side that’s cut into the deep bulwarks that protect the sidedecks. There’s access to the sidedeck direct from the lower helm, and going forward to the flat, safe working area of the bow to handle dock lines or anchoring duties will be comfortable in any weather. The cockpit is lovely, offering a gate that opens the width of the boat onto the platform, providing unfettered access to and from the water. Jump seats are built in.

Shopping? The Swift Trawler 30 is unique, coupling attributes of trawlers and express cruisers in a 32-foot length overall. That said, check out the Ranger Tugs R-31 CB ($279,937 with a single 300 hp Volvo Penta D4 diesel). It’s a flying-bridge cruiser with a workboat style, luxury finish and 17 mph cruising speed. Sea trial them both and see for yourself.

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We Say: The GT Flyer 35 we tested boasted twin 300 hp Volvo Penta Duoprop sterndrives and achieved a top speed of 40.1 mph, cruised efficiently, and handled like a sports sedan. Credit Beneteau’s patented Air Step hull, which draws air from topside intakes and allows it to flow out over a pair of steps. The Air Step design has a pair of “aft runners” that hold the air under the hull all the way to the transom. This air cushion reduces friction but still allows a solid flow of water to reach the propellers. Meanwhile, the keel, forward-lifting strakes and aft runners hold the GT Flyers’s hull firmly on track while underway.

The GT Flyer 35 shines as a day boat with overnight capabilities. Its double helm seat provides excellent sight lines. The arch, integral to the curvaceous windshield side wings, provides protection from wind blast while allowing in the sun. Aft is a full galley, a U-shaped dinette, and a bench that converts to a sun lounge. A full-length rail makes it safe going to the forward sun pad. A huge swim platform completes the outdoor facilities.

Belowdecks, the master cabin lies athwartships beneath the helm, with a head to port opposite a hanging locker and sink. Forward, the dinette converts to a V-berth. Fit and finish are excellent, with cabinetwork a highlight.

Who’d Want One: Day boaters seeking to please a crowd.

Another Choice: Cobalt’s 336 ($247,690 with twin 300 hp MerCruiser sterndrives).

Bottom Line: $299,150 (with test power); beneteauamerica.com

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