The Italian model designation is the programme for this boat series, as Gran Turismo means "big ride". The name goes back to the GT vehicles designed for long-distance racing, which covered several thousand kilometres in the Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Comfortable long-distance runners - and therefore a name made for a sporty cruiser that combines fast driving with a sophisticated living space.
The Beneteau Gran Turismo 36, which we had the pleasure of testing in Port Ginesta in Spain, is an outboard version of the 36 that was launched a few years ago. Instead of two 270 or 300 hp inboards from Volvo, the boat is now equipped with two 300 or, in our case, 350 hp outboards from Suzuki. In the outboard version, the bathing platform has been divided in two and reduced in area. At the same time, the lack of inboard engines in the stern created a large storage space for all kinds of bulky items such as water toys and the like. The interior of the GT 36 is otherwise identical to the inboard version.
In order to do justice to the heritage of the Gran Turismo vehicles, the shipyard attached great importance to a sporty hull with good driving performance, but also to maximum living space and comfort when developing the ship. This is particularly noticeable in the bow area, where the GT is trapezoidal rather than pointed. A 2.10 metre wide and therefore very opulent double sunbathing area invites you to sunbathe, but is also so deep and protected that spray and wind are not an issue. The roof above the helm can be electrically moved back a good metre and a half, so that on warm days at anchor and underway, cool winds always blow through the cockpit, but passengers can still lounge in protection.
The boat
- Shipyard: Beneteau Yachts/F
- Type: Gran Turismo 36 OB
- CE category: B/8 persons; C/10
- Hull and deck: plastic
- Overall length: 11.56 m
- Width: 3.52 m
- Displacement (with motors): 7276 kg
- Draught: 0.71 - 1.02m
- Clearance height: 4.15 m
- Fuel tank: 2 x 408 litres
- Water tank: 150 litres
- Holding tank: 80 litres
- Cabins: 2 + 2
- Berths: 4
- Berth dimensions: Bow 2.00 m x 1.40 m; underfloor 2.00 m x 1.70 m
- Standing height/seat height: forward cabin 1.97 m/0.86 m; toilet room 2.00 m; saloon 1.98 m
- Cockpit size: 3.10 m x 2.60 m
- Side deck width: 0.17 m
- Railing height: 0.65 m
- Sunbed: stern 1.32 m x 1.39 m; foredeck 2.10 m x 1.84 m,
- Freeboard: approx. 1.56 m
- Interior cockpit side height: 0.79 m
- Test weight: approx. 8240 kg
- Possible motorisation: Outboard 2 x 220 -258 kW (300-350 hp)
- Test motorisation: Suzuki outboard engine 2 x (258 kW) 350 hp
- Price (standard boat): from € 230000
- Price (test boat): approx. 270000 €
- Manufacturer: www.beneteau.com
The cockpit offers an enormous amount of space, as life on a boat designed primarily for the Mediterranean takes place primarily in the fresh air. There is room for up to ten passengers (category C) on board. For example, on the large L-shaped bench seat with a sturdy table made of solid teak, on the opposite bench to starboard and on the two double seats at the helm. At 1.32 x 1.39 metres, the sunbathing area in the stern is somewhat smaller than in the bow and is intended more for putting your feet up. To make it easier to climb up to the high side deck, a small staircase has been fitted between the bar and the seat cushion. However, there is no such access aid on the port side, and in the event of unsuccessful mooring manoeuvres, it can be a long way to get off because you have to climb around or over the sunbathing area.
The helmstand is finished in light blue gelcoat and therefore initially looks a little unusual. The dashboard is divided into two sections, with an upper area where two to three large plotters can be mounted and where the zipwake panel can also be found. There is also a lower area on which the height-adjustable and very grippy leather steering wheel is mounted alongside a set of rocker switches, the electronic gearstick and the engine instruments. There are plenty of handrails and handholds around the steering position, and a wide skirting board provides additional support. Under the driver's seat are two emergency shut-off levers for the fuel supply to the engines. A small 5-litre diesel tank behind a watertight hatch supplies the diesel heater with heat for around eight hours at full load. A direct supply from the main tank is not possible in this case, as the outboards run on petrol.
The cabin is extremely spacious for a 36-foot ship, but clearly designed for warmer climes. In the saloon, there is only a rather pragmatic galley with a two-burner gas hob and a small seating area with a bar table, which can only be used for a quick espresso and croissant breakfast. The dark walnut wood in combination with the oak flooring and the light-coloured artificial leather give the GT a modern yet elegant look - a successful composition. The indirect lighting above and below the wall cupboards creates an inviting, cosy ambience below deck despite the large surfaces and stringent colour scheme.
The bathroom is not only a wet room, but also very spacious and functional for the size of the boat with a separate shower and teak grating. The headroom is also a good two metres. The forward cabin is bright and spacious, with plenty of storage space in the cupboards and under the bed. The larger bed, with an almost king-size mattress, is located in the aft cabin under the cockpit. The feeling of space is also more generous here, and the view from the large hull windows is even more scenic than in the bow. But who spends much time below deck in the Mediterranean? With two Suzuki outboards of 350 hp each, the GT 36 is extremely well equipped and can be brought into planing speed from around 3000 rpm. However, the boat runs optimally at 5000 rpm and then reaches its most economical speed range at just under 29 knots. With around 800 litres of petrol in the tank, it then has a range of around 142 nautical miles (plus 15 percent reserve). At 4.9 litres per nautical mile, consumption is not exactly low even then - there are motorboats of similar length that only require 2.5 litres per nautical mile - but when assessing consumption, it must be borne in mind that the GT 36 is also a really large vessel with a considerable amount of space. This also means that a lot of weight has to be moved. The boat reaches its top speed at 5650 rpm and a speed of 36 knots, whereby the range shrinks to 103 nautical miles. The boat handles fast manoeuvres, quick turns and tight circles at full speed with ease and almost with a certain lightness.
Conclusion
The Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 lives up to its heritage as a sporty tourer, even if the range for such a long-distance racer is rather limited due to the outboard engines. However, the comfort on board and the successful layout make the boat the ideal companion in the Mediterranean.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 with more pictures and a full review in BOOTE issue 04/2022 - on newsstands since 16 March 2022 or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
