Beneteau Swift Trawler 42

 

Issue: July/August 2005

There comes a time in every boaties life when the need for speed gives way to simpler and slower pursuits. Eventually, we all like to stop and smell the roses.

Why go speeding around flat out from Point A to Point B, burning plenty of fuel as you go, when you can achieve the same goal at a much more leisurely pace. Plus, in the case of the Beneteau Swift Trawler 42, it?s luxury all the way.

The Swift 42 has a timeless beauty that boaties seem to appreciate more the older they get. It has that gentlemen?s club feel about it, ?kinda? warm and inviting.

Entering the open-plan saloon you find it functional and flooded with natural light. It was designed to maximise space.

The galley is to port opposite the helm bench seat. There?s a huge leather lounge to starboard that converts into an equally large double bed.

Folded, the dining table is a neat coffee table size, but once extended it can accommodate four diners comfortably.

The joinery of the cabinets is perfect and storage has been optimised in all possible areas. Beneteau also uses a simple but effective latch system for its cupboards. You poke your finger into the hole provided, which pushes a plate out of the way opening the door. It?s simple and never likely to fail.

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Quality Venetian blinds are used to control the amount of light in the main saloon. When open, these blinds offer 360-degree panoramic views. When you get sick of the view, weigh anchor and change your scenery.

Layout

This style of boat has been compared to a caravan on water, albeit an extremely luxurious one. Plus, she?s a true passage maker. What was it the brochure said? ?An apartment with all-round 360-degree views. What more could you ask for?? The Swift also boasts two comfortable and roomy double cabins with generous storage and head compartments with separate shower units. This makes for comfortable cruising for two couples. The big pilothouse saloon opens through two sliding side doors (port and starboard) onto wide, teak-laid side decks. On each side there?s a step up that gives access to the open bow area. There?s a large sun pad forward of the windscreen, but this area?s biggest plus is that it is wide and basically flat, effectively making it another place to entertain when at anchor. The split bowrail and windlass take all the hard work out of anchoring tasks, while the more than knee-high rail adds to the security of those moving forward. The Swift Trawler was designed for outdoor living. The flybridge is impressive. Its sheer size means that it can also be used for entertaining. The L-shaped lounge can accommodate six people, while the skipper gets a bucket seat and the navigator a seat that rests against the side of the barbeque. A simple manual davit quickly launches the RIB tender. Its main mast allows for the mounting of the radar and other electronic equipment well up out of the way, so it isn?t going to fry the brain of anyone on the flybridge. Now, for the piece de resistance. The aft cockpit is massive, covered by the flybridge floor and houses four huge compartments that can hold a mountain of gear. One of the lockers also holds the two gas bottles for the barbeque.

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