Hardly any other European shipyard currently has such a wide range of motorboats as the French shipyard Bénéteau. The range extends from five-and-a-half metre outboard boats to boats for sport fishermen and trawlers. In between, there are day cruisers or boats with flybridges and, among the total of 30 models, a series called "Gran Turismo". This includes our test boat GT 44, which is very similar to the earlier Monte Carlo 42, which we compared with an Absolute 42
in the November 2010 issue as a "mixed double".
In terms of design, the GT 44 is a classic day cruiser with a hardtop that is open at the rear but can be closed by means of a soft top. A large electric sliding roof is standard. The motorisation consists exclusively of a twin pack of diesel engines from Volvo Penta with Duoprop Z-drives.
Good in the hand with joystick control
If you order the "Dynamic" or "Ambition" equipment packages, the joystick control package is included, which allows everyone to handle the boat well at slow speeds. It can be turned almost on the spot either using the joystick or by setting one gear lever to "forwards" and the other to "backwards". If both gear levers are in the forward position, a full circle measures about 1 ¾ boat lengths.
The circles travelled in reverse are a little tighter, and it takes about ten seconds of patience for the test boat to react when reversing. Reversing without a joystick is "somewhat labour-intensive", as the V-shaped step in the hull deflects the boat. In other words: manoeuvring in the harbour is great with a joystick, but not so great without it - or you can order a bow thruster in the standard version.
At slow speed, we keep the engine speed at 1000 rpm so that the waves generated by the boat at 7 knots are not too high. From 2200 rpm (15 knots), the test boat begins to planing with the drives fully trimmed. The transition from displacement to planing speed is associated with low trim, which favours the already good foresight. The bright, reflective surface in front of the windscreen is disturbing.
Economical travelling at 25 knots
After analysing our measurements, we determine a speed of 25 kn at 2800 rpm for the economical, fast planing speed. The maximum speed logged in the GPS is 32.4 knots. In terms of theoretical range, this means that one tank of fuel will take you about 609 nm at slow speed and 182 nm at economical speed. At full throttle (3450 rpm), you have to look for a bunker station after about 144 nm if you want to keep 15% reserve in the tanks. This means that the test boat only fulfils our requirement of at least 270 nm range plus reserve at slow speed. The sound pressure values, on the other hand, are better; at full throttle we measured no more than 84 dB/A.
The "extreme manoeuvres" section at full speed is short, as the test boat is equipped with Bénéteau's own Air-Step hull, in which air is fed into a V-shaped step under the hull while the boat is underway. This system allows the boat to glide on a kind of air cushion, which should help it to travel even more economically and prevent negative reactions of the hull when cornering.
Drives react with a delay
The joystick equipment means that the turning angles of the sterndrives are influenced by speed and rpm: At full speed, the full circles on the test boat measure a minimum of around 100 metres, and the passengers are subjected to no more than 0.38 g of centrifugal force, which is very stable; if you want to make tighter turns, you have to take away speed. On a slalom course, the GT 44 can be safely made to swing over its longitudinal axis.
To avoid panicking, you need to know that the drives react with a delay of about one second when you move the rudder. It is normal for boats with a deep V-hull to tilt towards the centre of the bend when cornering, and on the test boat this is associated with obstructed visibility when turning to port because the roof swings into the field of vision. An open sliding roof provides some relief in this situation; it fits over starboard.
The chapter on rough water is also short, with the Mediterranean off La Ciotat showing its calm side. However, as the GT 44 is almost identical to the Monte Carlo 42, at least in terms of the hull, we know that it can also cope with rough water without any problems.
Owner's cabin across the width of the hull
The skipper sits in front of a clearly laid out driving position on an adjustable bucket seat. A fixed double bucket seat next to it offers space for two co-drivers; it is positioned a little too far forwards, which restricts legroom. However, there is a sturdy bar to hold on to. The living area is on the port side. The companionway leads directly into the galley, which is equipped with everything except an electric extractor fan. Cooking allowed.
In front of the galley, the shipyard is installing the day or guest bathroom with electric WC and separate shower. The wet room is only accessible from the saloon. Opposite, there is space for four people on a U-shaped dinette, which can be converted into an emergency berth using the lowerable table. The cushions on the backrest serve as an inlay mattress.
Guests are accommodated in the separate forward cabin on a neatly dimensioned double berth, where the two-piece mattresses rest on slatted frames. The space is suitable; there is no shortage of storage space and cupboards. Light and air enter via the overhead hatch, windows and portholes.
The shipyard has installed the bright-looking owner's cabin under the cockpit; it extends across the entire width of the hull and is equipped with a double bed in the centre and sideboards and cupboards on the outer walls. Due to the location, the headroom in front of the outer walls is acceptable at 1.30 metres and comfortable in the main area at 2.06 metres; there is a private bathroom with separate shower. You also feel at home in the cockpit, where you can lounge on a U-shaped bench seat or lie on the overhanging lid of the tender garage. If it gets too cramped there, you can move to the lounger on the foredeck.
Into the engine compartment, but how?
Everything in the engine compartment fits except for accessibility. The cockpit floor hatch only provides access to the engines, as the engine compartment ceiling severely restricts the space due to the tender garage above it. It is easier to get to the two diesels if you fold up the floor in the garage.
The state of the art is that the batteries are switched via relays on the switch panel in the cabin and the fuses are hidden behind a flap in the owner's cabin for easy access. Manual bilge pumps, a fire extinguishing system and fuel valves that can be operated from the driving position are just a few of the safety features that are in place.
We don't like the fact that the water alarm sensors in the fuel pre-filters are missing and that the bathing ladder has to be hooked into the large bathing platform separately. The integrated Jacob's ladder intended for emergencies is more of an alibi than a boarding aid. As far as the overall workmanship or the technical and electrical installations are concerned, there are no significant weaknesses to criticise apart from minor details.
Conclusion: The Bénéteau Gran Turismo 44 is a boat that can be driven by anyone, especially thanks to the joystick system and its good and safe driving characteristics. As far as safety in and on the boat is concerned, almost everything is right.
Data sheet: GT 44
Shipyard: Bénéteau
Type designation: GT 44
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 13,50 m
Width: 3,93 m
Displacement: 8,90 t
Price: 377.706,00 €
