The term "trawler" originally refers to ships that catch fish using trawls. And as these boats sail in almost any wind and weather, sometimes travelling for weeks at a time, they have to be particularly seaworthy and well equipped. For this reason, the trawler has a positive image, which is often used to describe boats that have similar characteristics, except for the trawling of nets. Among other shipyards, the French boat builder Bénéteau also capitalises on this reputation and calls one of its series by this name.
The intention behind this is - as Bénéteau is known to manufacture sailing boats as well as motorboats - to offer an alternative to sailors for whom (for example, due to age) the "up and down" has become too much. In this case, a trawler is a type of boat that people like to switch to. The new flagship Swift Trawler 50 is designed especially for such "switchers".
But the Swift Trawler 50 is also suitable for motor boaters who are looking for something larger for the whole family or enjoy travelling with friends. If you are travelling with her outside coastal waters (CE category B), a total of 14 people are allowed to share the pleasure on board; if you stay close to the coast (CE category C), as many as 18 people are permitted, provided they do not exceed the permitted payload including luggage. We are talking about travelling on board, not sleeping on board. Taking advantage of all the possibilities (two converted sleeping berths in the saloon), "only" nine people can do this, if you add the crew cabin to the three cabins.
Bénéteau has cleverly positioned the new 50 between the smaller Swift Trawler 44 and the larger 52 so that, with its overall length of 14.99 m, it can be sailed on the Rhine without the Rhine sports skipper's licence, which is required for boats with an overall length of 15 metres or more. However, those who spend more time on inland waterways should be aware that the ship's height of 6.82 metres above the waterline rules out some tours due to low bridges.
We are sailing one of the first Swift Trawler 50s in the Mediterranean off Palma. And the test boat lives up to its reputation on the rough sea: we sometimes cross waves that are up to 1.50 metres high. The choice of engines is limited to two D6 IPS600s from Volvo Penta, each delivering 435 hp. And IPS drives mean that the curve diameters (on our test bénéteau, the full-throttle radii on both sides are around 180 metres) are dependent on speed and rpm at high speed.
If you want to make tight turns, you have to slow down. But IPS also means that a joystick gives the commands for driving and manoeuvring at slow speed and you can steer the boat in any direction. This makes mooring and casting off manoeuvres easier. However, if you don't trust the thrust of the twin propellers, you can add a bow thruster to keep the boat under control even in strong crosswinds or cross currents.
We sail the slow passages at 1200 rpm so that the waves generated by the boat do not disturb us. As the speed increases, the bow begins to rise and lowers barely noticeably from 3000 rpm at a speed of 15 knots. Visibility is maintained during this transition phase. The shipyard describes a cruising speed of between 3000 rpm and 3200 rpm, during which the Swift Trawler travels at between 15 kn and 18 kn.
After analysing our measurements, we calculated a theoretical range of 270 nm plus 15% reserve at 3200 rpm with the two 1200 l diesel tanks. At full throttle (3500 rpm), a maximum of 23 knots is logged in the GPS, and the range surprisingly increases by another 5 nm to 275 nm. However, this is too little for a cruising yacht, which is what we consider the test boat to be.
We demand at least 430 nm plus reserve, which can only be achieved if the Bénéteau is a fast displacement vessel travelling at speeds of around 9 knots at 1900 rpm. If you want to go further, you can reduce the engine speed to 1200 rpm and theoretically reach a distance of just under 1900 nm before you have to look for a bunker station to maintain your reserve.
An important point for the shipyard when designing the 50 was safety on and in the boat. However, this was only partially successful, as you come across sharp-edged furniture corners in the interior where you walk and stand. But according to Bénéteau, this is to be changed. Apart from that, the "safety undertaking" has been a success, provided that one or two handrails or handholds are fitted at strategically important points, such as on the flybridge.
The boat is built asymmetrically, with the side deck measuring 29 cm wide on the port side and 41 cm on the starboard side. Thanks to the high bulwark plus the railing attached to it, the round trip is safe even in waves.
You have everything under control at both helm stations. The test boat is equipped with an oversized steering wheel at the saloon helm, which is obviously a tribute to sailors so that they don't have to get used to it.
The fact that you cannot see the boat aft from the upper helm station is criticised because the long flybridge aft is equipped with a large tender parking area that obstructs the view.
Otherwise, you can also store your dinghy on the lowerable bathing platform - if you have ticked one of the "Avantage", "Elegance" or "Exclusive" equipment packages.
Conclusion: The Swift Trawler 50 is a well-built boat that cannot be criticised in terms of workmanship and installations. The Alpi wooden surfaces take a little getting used to. The engine compartment - apart from the lack of a water alarm in the fuel pre-filters - gives no cause for complaint; nothing stands in the way of inspection and servicing. Minus: In the opinion of the tester, the windscreen wipers on the saloon driving position have too small a wiping surface. On the other hand, the space and large stowage compartments are good, leaving nothing to be desired for more extensive excursions.
Data sheet: Beneteau Swift Trawler 50
Shipyard: Bénéteau
Type designation: Beneteau Swift Trawler 50
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 14,99 m
Width: 4,65 m
Displacement: 16,00 t
Price: 682.820,00 €
