Where does a Beneteau Swift Trawler (52) sit for overall quality?

Well, they no longer build the 52, with 47 now being the largest Swift Trawler. In spite of those who say CE ratings don't matter, I do think the rating of B does reflect it's lack of true seaworthiness. Still for the ICW, for the loop, for trips to the Bahamas, a decent boat. Some recurring problems over the years they failed to ever fully address. Nice layout and space, but mediocre overall quality. Interesting and good selling line of boats.

Largest Swift Trawler is now a 47, but they do now offer a Grand Trawler 62. Also note that all their sizes are LOA and considerably longer than their hull or deck size. The 62 hull size is 54'6". Quite a lot of length on the bow pulpit and swim platform, a total of 7'6". Also manufactured to CE B.

Overall a lot of happy owners although some only partially happy, but they've sold over 1300 Swift Trawlers. A lot of their smaller business now going to their relatively new outboard line, Antares.

I looked at them a few years ago and wasn’t impressed. Lots of flimsy stuff. Fairly cheap parts. Attractive practical and reasonably priced. If you buy one, even new, make sure you get a full survey

Same here..... interior paneling/cabinets were not exactly yacht quality. Hardware was meh too. Unless you are really careful the boat would not wear well. And I didn't think they were cheap. Then again, nothing new(er) is cheap these days. (Says the guy with the 1978 Hatt)

My 2 cents
Go to an in water boat show like TrawlerFest and look at lots of boats to get a sense of the fit /finish/ feel of their various construction. I was looking at Swift Trawlers- on paper or on video they look great; but after seeing one in person, then stepping off it and then boarding the Flemming next to it, then a Krogen Express next to that, the quality level changes were remarkable. The Beneteau was like a step below IKEA furniture, and the others felt much more solid, real, durable, maintainable and livable. The key for me was seeing several boat in person to drive home what I could live with — or live ON.

Swift trawlers have their market niche, but once I saw how others boats were built, I realized I wanted something much more substantial, and would choose to spend more to get what I wanted.

Good luck in your quest.

Good post KC. Sums up my exact impressions. I butted heads with a writer in the industry for a glowing review he wrote on the BS trawler. This is why I trust the collective knowledge of forum users.

The posts above seem accurate, I remember watching a video review of the swift trawler 34 by a British boating mag, and in the video you heard the salon sole squeaking as the reviewer was walking about. Not good to hear on a new boat.

As an owner of three beneteau sail boats over the years I am pretty sure the Swift is like everything else they design and build. They are well designed, innovative and usable boats. They are all put together with the minimal efforts and always use the lower end, undersized and just enough to get the job done fittings, inverters, pumps, batteries, light fixtures, water heaters and the list goes on. The gel coat is so so.

Not terrible you just get you what you pay for. I happen to like them despite this as long as the internet for usage matches. Sounds like you’d does. I would consider one for the loop or coastal weather routed hopscotching.

A friend just took delivery on a brand new 46' Beneteau Oceanis sailboat. IMO, one of the best designs in her class and the interior looks well-executed too. I have no issues with Beneteau blow boats, but I'm not very Swift on their trawlers.

gr8trn just about nailed it. I bought a new 1998 Beneteau 35S5 sailboat. The design and performance was very good. The build quality so so.

I’d like to clarify my post

I did not intend to talk down on Swift Trawlers; if you own one, congratulations and I hope you are enjoying it; and that it meets your needs....and you bought it because you understood your needs.

My comments meant to say after comparing one to others boats I learned I wanted something different for my intended use, and that something was in a different price point and had different components.

Look- all boats are fun, some are just more fun because they hit all your criteria.

That is very understandable, I can imagine the price delta of a newish Bene Swift at the trawler fest sitting next to a newish Fleming or KK was significant too. At least it should be.

Really? From an Admin? Maybe this forum should be renamed "Power Yacht Forums" ? I own a powerboat, I have owned sailboats. I have respect for skilled mariners and each style has its challenges. I have met many unskilled and uncourteous mariners on both. This derogatory crap needs to stop.

Oscarvan -- I have always appreciated your posts but your latest one caught me by surprise. I don't mean to sidetrack this thread, but I must ask about the term "blow boats" being derogatory. I am an ex-sailor (previously owned a 76 PJ, 80 Don Brooke, 100' Rob Ladd) and I use the term "blow boat" affectionately. I've never heard it used in a derogatory way and that includes speaking with dozens and dozens of sailboat clients moving into power boats and referring to themselves as owning a blow boat.

My apologies to any I may have unintentionally offended, but please enlighten me. Obviously I want to know if I need to stop using this term. For some of my trawlers with the salty look, I call them "slug boats" and that too is with an affectionate chuckle. Is that taboo also?

Judy

On the YF index page, the forum for sailboats is sub-titled "BIG Blow Boats", an age-old phrase used the same way that sailors describe motoryachts as "stinkpotters"...

My Dad was a designer and builder of large wooden yachts. He, along with many other old farts, referred to new fangled fiber-glass boats as 'frozen snotters'.

Many of us used take the p*ss out of Browards, Carvers or Bayliners too, not just Bendietoys. We all have our own prejudices.

OK, disregard. Maybe it's not so much the term itself as the sailor bashing context in which it's often used. NOT inferring anything about anyone in particular on this page. Personally I've never referred to a power boat as a stink potter or belch fire. So I'll go chill now. Back to your previously scheduled programming. (BTW, I am a Catalina not a Beneteau guy..... Ford/Chevy and all that )

Even on the water (real or virtual) we have to watch our mouths these days or else the PC woke Police will strike.... sad. I am a blow boat owner and proud of it. I am a stink potter and proud of it. I am a white male and proud of it. I love country music and proud of it.... ok... but I hate NASCAR

Back to topic. I think the later, larger beneteau are pretty good looking both inside and out with many innovative feature. I just don’t think the power models are up there quality wise