To hear Pierangelo Andreani, the designer who, after years of experience at Ferrari Mondial 8, Maserati Twin Turbos, Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans and Yamaha, joined Beneteau in 2005, if we want to make a comparison between the Swift Trawler 47 and the four-wheel world, we need to look at Range Rover: a car that is luxury enough yet concrete and designed to a really all-around use. The latest creature of the French giant and the fifth element of the range of semi-displacing boats designed for all those looking for long-range boats is perfect for family life, without trendy frills but with much attention to the quality of the time spent on board.
“ The buyer of the Trawler is not a young yachtsman. Often, he’s a former sailor who looks for user-friendliness without giving up the approach to the sea he had with his previous boat: a boat to use throughout the year, even when weather is not mild; a boat to navigate long and live on board”, explains the designer who, for this model, has curated also the exterior line.
All these aspects are materialized within the 15-meter Beneteau boat. Starting from the look that makes it an unmistakable member of the Trawler family. The general concept places it among classics, with a massive superstructure; the pronounced lip of the upper deck protecting the forward extension of the deck house; the high topsides with a light forward ascent, with no windows ( very rare today) if not a very little one on the bow and two portholes (to be more precise, there are two small glass windows and a porthole on the port side) and the bulwark that protects side-decks.
Yet, while showing her love for classical aethestics, the Swift Trawler 47 also displays details that suggest how contemporary this boat is. For example, the door that closes the above-mentioned side-deck while isolating the cockpit from the air coming from the bow in order to make it a real four-season cockpit. Or the overhang of the deck house that protects all the side-deck until the lateral entrance of the pilot station; the submersible astern platform; or the design of seating on the fly bridge that envisages four seafront seats along with the possibility to customize all the rear part of the deck, which extends until the transom. The ladder that leads to the fly bridge can be placed against the glass window that closes the dinette so that passengers can enjoy the whole surface of the cockpit.
The configuration of a boat conceived to sail long is also evident in the interior layout: “ In practice, we’ve two cabins and a half and a dinette that can be converted into a real queen-size bed and that, however, features the same size and privacy than a VIP cabin”, explains Mr. Amdreani. In other words, to stay long at sea, it is better to reduce the number of passengers on board and provide them with more space. Even the two bathrooms and the L-shaped galley that develops from the front left angle of the dinette follow the same ratio.
Both pilot stations accommodate two large multifunction displays and a rear view camera screen. Furthermore, the boat features the convenient Beneteau Ship Control system to manage everything from the display or directly from your smartphone and tablet. There’s also a piloting joystick even if power comes from an in-line engine equipped with a bow thruster.
The praise of moderation
Despite its capacity to sail efficiently even at a top speed of 25 knots, the hull of the Swift Trawler 47 is designed for a slower navigation. The two Cummins QSB 6.7 L 425hp engines can, indeed, deliver up to 15 knots while guaranteeing an excellent range thanks to fuel capacity of almost 2,000 litres. The extra power available – for a navigation at 12 knots just half of the horsepower available can be sufficient – must be considered more as a security surplus to escape bad weather or if someone is running out of time than as the ordinary modus navigandi of this boat. After all, travel is integral part of holidays so, why not enjoy it, moment by moment, with the pleasure of a slowgait?
Technical features
- LOA: 14.74 m
- LH: 12.77 m
- Beam: 4,.42 m
- Dry Displacement: 19, 617 kg
- Draft: 1.15 m
- Fuel Capacity: 1930 l
- Fresh Water Capacity: 640 l
- Sewage Tank Capacity: 175 l
- Grey Water Tank Capacity (optional): 320 l
- Max Engine Power: 2 x 425hp
1 thought on “Beneteau Swift Trawler 47, the Range Rover of the sea”
I have just bought one after a long search. Beneteau have done a good job as it’s well designed and on the market at a competitive price.
The fuel consumption is excellent so we look forward to some long cruises, our cruise last Summer was 3000 kms.
The only problem was the supplying dealer who should really be ashamed with the way he handed (or didn’t) the boat over. 47 faults, several serious including engines not even being commissioned, really spoilt the whole experience.
I sincerely hope that Beneteau will sack him as he is damaging their great product. Beneteau have taken up our case as the dealer, having taken our money so is not interested, they are arranging the repairs.