Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 Fly (15.6m) for versatile cruising – From the Archives

If you are looking for a used cruiser, the Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 Fly is worth keeping an eye on. At 15.60 meters long, she is a sport-cruiser suitable for both fun day trips and longer cruises, thanks in part to her 6 berths.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 Fly

The Gran Turismo 49 Fly was flagship of the Beneteau range, and the automotive-inspired GT acronym tells of how this hull was born for sport cruising.

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Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 Fly – Project

By design, this 49-footer from Beneteau is a boat that was born with a hull well thought out and structured to fit Volvo IPS pods. This is to ensure good comfort when sailing, even in rough seas. The classic hull V is less pronounced here, so as not to penalize speed performance too much, while also lightening fuel consumption.

The construction is traditional, sturdy, and of high quality in materials and their workmanship. The hull is made of polyester resin and fiberglass sandwich and a balsa core with a layered, monolithic counter-mold in the same materials. Same technology for the deck as well.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 Fly – Blanket

Coming to the exteriors, everything on deck is where you would expect to find it: the beautiful swim platform with immersion system welcomes in a large space, while, folding down the transom opens the garage for the tender. The large dinette in the cockpit, on the other hand, promises to accommodate in maximum comfort far more diners than the 4/6 guests it can accommodate for the night. And to serve comfortably, a kitchen cabinet equipped with a sink, refrigerator, and grill has been carved out under the fly ascent to avoid the long walk to the covered galley, which is located on the lower deck.

Convenient are the two walkways (25 cm wide), which are well protected by the stanchion and served by the handrails. Also of generous size is the forward solarium, which provides cozy mats. The decision to ensure maximum usability of all passages, even for the less marine, is confirmed by the large and convenient staircase leading to the fly.

Here the provision of sunbathing areas is extensive and runs along the entire starboard side until it widens in front of the bridge, which offers two wraparound seats. A table is also located in the center of the aft convivial area.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 Fly – Interior

Moving inside, the furniture immediately looks pleasant and is one of the model’s novelties compared to its predecessors: the design here is simple, rational and elegant, conceding nothing to excess, to vice, but lining up everything needed in order. To the left is the living room, which features an electrically controlled adjustable height table so it can transform from a dinette into a cocktail area in seconds. In front, a low, relatively narrow cabinet runs up to the bridge settee, incorporating a good number of shelves and drawers in addition to the hideaway TV.

The dashboard is a rare example of rationality and simplicity; to the left of the helm, the Volvo monitor is a mine of information. Between the Gps and the Volvo instrument you are practically inundated with information and it is a pleasure to steer the boat supported by so much technology, especially in the times. Of course, with the Ips pods there was no lack of joystick installation. A wide and convenient staircase leads to the lower deck.

Note that the steps lift up, opening a large storage compartment where additional appliances can be placed, while the opening on the ceiling ensures good evacuation of cooking fumes. To starboard we find a cozy living area that can be replaced by the third cabin with two parallel bunks. The two standard cabins include the owner’s cabin amidships, full beam, and the VIP forward with a center bed. Nice and comfortable are the two bathrooms, with separate shower stall.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 Fly – Performance Test

“The sea does not bode well. Better, because then the test is more reliable and you can cross-reference the data with those taken by Beneteau technicians on an earlier outing with calmer seas. They are the ones who put their hands up saying that we will not be able to repeat that performance, instead the Gran Turismo 49 Fly does not disappoint, managing to tick off, with the help of the flaps (in the automatic position) even a knot more: 29.5 versus 28.6 in the previous test.

In fact, it is not so much the slight speed difference that matters as the fact that it was achieved in less than favorable sea conditions, confirming the hull’s goodness in all conditions, even those for which it was not specifically designed. Otherwise, the readings are fairly aligned, and there are no substantial differences even between those taken in neutral trim (without flaps) and those with the trim corrector engaged.

At the cruising speed of 23 knots at 3200 rpm the consumption of 133 liters per hour seems reasonable, while the minimum glide is held at 2200 rpm, at just under 12 knots, with a consumption of only 58 liters per hour. The phonometric data are also excellent, in- sum as a true Grand Tourer.”

Technical Specs

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