Bénéteau, one of the major players in the construction of sailing and motor boats in France, has come up with something special to mark the 30th anniversary of the Flyer's first market appearance. By redesigning its boats for outboard motors in the 6-metre class, the shipyard is setting itself apart from its competitors.
They may not have reinvented the boat, but they have made it unique in their own way. In addition to the stylistic overhaul, which guarantees recognition, the boat's interior, deck and hull have been modernised and brought up to the latest state of the art.
Bénéteau uses so-called air-step technology, in which air is channelled under the hull. This is intended to help improve handling characteristics, greater stability and more economical sailing. This system has been adapted even further for the Flyer 6. The air channelled under the hull forms a kind of foam carpet that is intended to reduce friction. While retaining the deep V-hull at the front, the shipyard has designed the foredeck of the Flyer 6 models to be very wide in the deck area and has made the upper part of the sides run vertically through to the bow. When travelling through waves, this has the effect that spray water is mainly deflected to the side and cannot come over the front as spray. This also has a positive effect on the space in the foredeck.
Bénéteau divides the versions into Spacedeck, Sundeck and Sportdeck.
Spacedeck means that there is space here. And there is, because the foredeck is equipped with a U-shaped bench seat and one in front of the steering position. There is enough space in between for a neatly sized table. There is room for eight people here. A sturdy hammock can be secured in the foredeck and used as a sun lounger.
The sports deck can also be visually described as a bowrider. There is a bench seat in front of the windscreen on each side, which also offers enough space to stretch out your legs. For sun-seekers, an insert cushion in the front area helps to increase the surface area. As with the Spacedeck, there is plenty of storage space under the longitudinal benches, with the only difference being that the optional marine toilet is located under the port bow cushion on the Sportdeck. If you want to be unseen on the boat, you will probably have to buy an additional tent and set it up as a privacy screen? There is more stowage space under the cockpit floor at the front, which is closed by a large flap.
As the name suggests, the Sundeck offers a full-length sunbed in the bow. However, there is also a cabin underneath that offers space for two people to spend the night. The fact that the standing and sitting height is limited here is due to the design. A marine toilet (extra) is installed in the starboard space and sundeck next to the entrance. While the toilet in the Spacedeck is open, it can be covered with a board and cushion in the Sundeck to enlarge the sleeping area.
In the Spacedeck and Sundeck, the driver and co-driver sit behind a central control station, also known as the centre console, which looks the same. A plastic sliding door leads below deck and both helm stations are equipped with a dark-coloured spoiler windscreen made of plastic, around which a railing handrail runs, which is missing on the Sundeck. The instruments are easy to see and the controls and switches are within easy reach. On the Sundeck, we criticised the switch box, which we found too close to the steering wheel. When manoeuvring, there is a risk of unintentionally pressing the gear lever and accelerating - especially because the gearstick for the 175 hp Suzuki is electric, just like the 150 hp on the sports deck. The 200 hp on the test Spacedeck, on the other hand, is shifted conventionally mechanically.
The sports deck is modelled more on the classic bowrider, on which the driver and front passenger sit separately to starboard and port behind consoles with a plastic windscreen that is also too dark. The windscreen is continuous and can be opened in the centre for passage to the front. Here, too, the driver has everything under control and looks at the almost identical instrumentation.
What all three driving positions have in common is that they are virtually draught-free. The universally adjustable bucket seats, in which you can sit safely and comfortably, are standard on all Flyer 6 models. However, the log and compass are criticised because they cost extra. After all, the boats are certified for coastal waters. Another minus is the lack of windscreen wipers, which are also not on the accessories list.
The boats are steered with purely hydraulic steering, which does its job acceptably in all respects. Almost five turns when turning fully from one side to the other require a little patience or speed when operating the rudder. However, this also prevents quick reactions during extreme manoeuvres, which ultimately makes them milder.
From the steering positions onwards, all three boats are designed in the same way. An outboard motor up to a maximum of 200 hp hangs from the transom, which has enough space in a large engine sump when tilted. Next to this are two integrated, small bathing platforms. The one on the starboard side has a storage compartment and cover, while the one on the port side serves as a stern entrance and has a folding bathing ladder on top, but no handhold.
Well-sealed conduits containing cables and hoses lead from the walls of the engine well to the engine.
There is a cockpit bench seat in front of the engine compartment, which can be folded forwards with a flick of the wrist and, together with the cushions, forms a large sun lounger that can comfortably accommodate two people. We particularly like the fact that small cushions can be used to create a kind of pillow in front of the side cockpit handrail.
A service hatch is built into the rear wall of the seat bench, through which you can access the fuel pre-filter with sight glass and drainage. The fact that the hatch is mounted too far away is criticised here. The fuel tap can be accessed through a service opening in the engine sump - that fits.
A large cockpit floor hatch opens up in front of the seat bench, which offers plenty of storage space in addition to the battery and the waste tank (extra). While the main battery switch and fuses in the Space and Sundeck were installed inside the centre consoles next to the toilet, in the Sport Deck you have to open the cockpit floor hatch forward to access the same. This is always acceptable.
In terms of handling characteristics, all Flyer 6s were convincing. We "kicked" the Spacedeck, as it is equipped with the most powerful engine, and if the boat is there, then definitely the ones with the weaker engines, such as Sundeck with 175 hp and Sportdeck with 150 hp - all four-stroke engines from Suzuki.
When travelling forwards or backwards at slow speed, the turning circles measure a maximum of two boat lengths; if the rudder is moved, the test boats react promptly by changing course. When travelling straight ahead, people changing places in the boat have little influence on the course and heel. To our astonishment, despite a V-shaped step in the hull, the test boats sail backwards to where they should.
We sail the slow speeds (5 knots) with all boats at 1500 rpm in order to keep the waves generated by the hulls at an acceptable height. On none of the boats is the foresight disturbed during the transition from displacement to planing and it is always maintained. The maximum speed logged in our GPS is 39 knots for the Spacedeck, 37 knots for the Sundeck and 35 knots for the Sportdeck. We determine the most economical planing speed for the Sundeck when the 200 revs at 3500 rpm and the boat is travelling at 22 knots. For the Sundeck with the 175, the figures are 4000 rpm and 21 knots and for the Sport Deck with the 150 also 4000 rpm and 20 knots.
All boats are equipped with the same tank, i.e. a maximum capacity of 170 litres, and have the following ranges in economical cruising: Spacedeck (200 hp) 148 nm, Sundeck (175 hp) 135 nm and Sportdeck (150 hp) 130 nm. All three test boats fulfil our minimum requirement of at least 100 nm plus reserve. The sound pressure levels of the engines, which, with the exception of the 175 hp Suzuki, remain below the 85 dB/A limit at cruising speed, are rated "sufficient" by us.
All extreme manoeuvres at full speed are always moderate thanks to the air-step hull, as the bends are ended at the tightest points by ventilating propellers. In the increasingly tighter turns, the boats lean slightly towards the centre of the turn and, with the engines fully trimmed, continue unperturbed as they slow down to a low gliding speed on their own. On the space and sundeck, the tightest circles measure around two boat lengths and on the sports deck three to four until the propellers start to ventilate.
All test candidates complete the 180° turns in one go within two boat lengths, without the hull hooking or rocking. Only a new start is required. On the slalom course, the boats are made to swing slightly and safely over the longitudinal axis. If the trim remains in the optimum position, you can hear slight ventilation noises from the propellers. When the rudder is turned, the boats follow the course they have set without complaint. While the Mediterranean Sea off Palma de Mallorca proved to be calm when testing the space and sundeck, the sports deck, which was tested later, was challenged by wind forces of 4-5 Beaufort. We travelled over the rough choppy water, with waves up to around 50 cm high, at top speed in all directions, comfortably and always dry.
As far as workmanship is concerned, the three test boats can all be lumped together: The plastic finish on the outside and inside is impressive; the fact that protective paint was only applied to the visible areas on the inside is not atypical. There is little to criticise about the fittings, and as far as the bulkhead openings and other hose and cable routes are concerned, we looked at both untreated and treated cut edges. Some cut edges were provided with extra protection and the cables were inserted into empty conduits in an exemplary manner.
As far as the electrics were concerned, in some places you could see organised cable bundles, in others a tangle of cables. The wood finish also varied from rounded edges to chipped wood laminate. Bénétau can do that better. Overall, however, the three Flyer 6 models leave a positive impression. Bénétau equips the boats ready to go and offers the Dynamic, Ambition and Nordic equipment packages in addition to the standard equipment, some of which include important accessories such as the analogue compass. Plug-in tables and outside cushions, marine toilet, pressurised water system with stern shower or a bimini cost extra. A canopy is not included. Each boat is equipped with a self-draining anchor locker in the bow, winch and bow fitting cost extra.
Praise: In addition to an electric bilge pump, there is also a manually operated one; the cockpit is self-draining outboard. Criticism: The lighting is not approved for the German part of the North Sea, Baltic Sea and parts of German inland waters. In addition to the accessory packages, however, anyone can customise their boat with everything from fishing rod holders to wakeboard brackets. There are two double-T mooring cleats at the bow and stern, as well as towing eyes at the front and rear. The shipyard is not stingy with grab rails and handrails, but we are missing a grab rail on each of the swim ladders. The fenders are attached to the railing handrails and the rubbing strakes fit.
Conclusion
With the Flyer 6 series, Bénéteau has launched a range of boats that are highly recognisable and have good and safe sailing characteristics. One hull and three variations with lots of accessories leave the buyer spoilt for choice. If the one or other detail is taken care of and the workmanship is improved in some areas, the Flyer 6 will find its customer base - especially as it can still be trailered in the 2-tonne class together with the engine, accessories and lightweight trailer.
Data sheet: Beneteau Flyer 6
Shipyard: Bénéteau
Type designation: Beneteau Flyer 6
CE category: C - Coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 6,22 m
Width: 2,52 m
Displacement: 1,29 t
Price: 19.635,00 €
