Boat Review – by Pat Carson

Boat Review

Swift Trawler 41

Winter boating in San Francisco can be every bit as pleasant as summer boating, and this past winter was no exception. In late January, the weather in Richardson Bay was ideal for a sea trial and boat review of the brand new 2024 Beneteau Swift Trawler 41 Sedan that Denison Yachting had recently received and completed commissioning.

The generously sized cockpit is just past the stainless steel and glass safety doors.

In July 2023, I had the opportunity to review the third generation of Grand Turismo yachts and had a half day on the new GT41. That particular review can be found online at Bay & Delta Yachtsman July 2023. This month I continued that great experience with a review of the new Swift Trawler 41 Sedan.

Machinery room access is via a large hatch in the cockpit sole and provides plenty of room to service the generator as well as the other daily check items.

We enter the vessel from the starboard quarter and immediately notice the large teak swim platform measuring 44 inches. It is molded into the hull and hides the hidden oversized swim ladder. The generously sized cockpit is just past the stainless steel and glass safety doors. The aft L-shaped seating, with under seat storage, is mounted on slides and will move aft a foot or so to enlarge the cockpit. Lazarette access is via a large hatch in the cockpit sole and provides plenty of room to service the generator, as well as the other daily check items. Beneteau has reserved space in this area if you desire a gyro stabilizer or just want to use the room for more storage. Covering the cockpit is a canvas sunshade that provides more than adequate protection from the elements.

Passing thru the large, nearly five foot wide sliding doors, you enter a well-equipped and efficient U-shaped galley.

Passing through the large, nearly five-foot-wide sliding doors, you enter a well-equipped and efficient U-shaped galley with Corian countertops to port, complete with dual burner electric cooktops, dual basin stainless steel sinks, convection microwave oven below and several drawers and cabinets for storage. Aft is the trash compactor and just across on the starboard side is the large refrigerator and freezer, very classily disguised as a cabinet along with more storage. Next to the refrigerator is an ice maker, also smartly hidden. In true trawler fashion there are grab rails everywhere.

Lifting the deck hatches in the galley sole we find the large engine room and access to our twin 375hp Yanmar Direct Drive diesels.

With the port aft slider open there is a flip up bar table that blends the galley and cockpit spaces providing an excellent entertainment area with access to the galley. Need a TV? There is one and it slides out from behind the refrigerator when desired.

Lifting the deck hatches in the galley sole we find the large engine room and access to our twin 375hpYanmar direct drive diesels.

In the saloon there is a large U-shaped settee that serves as the dining table and when flipped open has enough seating for 5.

Although a tight fit there is ample room for servicing the engines and doing the daily checks. Moving forward into the saloon there is a large U-shaped settee that serves as the dining table, and when flipped open has enough seating for five. Need space for additional diners? The double wide captain’s seat rotates providing two more places at the table.

To starboard is the skipper’s office with a leather wrapped stainless steel oversize wheel, the double wide seat with flip up bolster.

The Swift Trawler is a two-cabin boat but if you need more sleeping area the dining table will lower and has filler cushions to turn this into a reasonable berth or just a great place to nap. Beneteau has included pull curtains to surround this area to provide a bit of privacy if needed. The port window opens and with the starboard door open there is plenty of flow through ventilation.

To starboard is the skipper’s office with a leather wrapped stainless steel oversized wheel, the double wide seat with a flip up bolster, that as mentioned earlier, swivels to bring the occupants to the dining room. With the super wide starboard door open, access to the bow or stern for the skipper is unencumbered. Directly outside the door is an opening gate in the coaming for easy access to the dock.

Moving forward down the centerline companionway and into the accommodation spaces we find the master stateroom with centerline queen berth forward.

The well laid out, and as I found out later, ergonomic dash with the Yanmar dual action electronic throttle to the right, the bow and stern thruster control just forward, the rather smallish Raymarine Axiom display perfectly centered and in line with the magnetic compass works well. The switch panel to the left operates all the necessary electrical functions. Along with the autopilot display and the Yanmar engine display, there is the VHF radio, Lenco electric trim tab controller and even a few cup holders to round out our efficient control station.

The visibility from here is very good with the large forward windows with minimalist mullions and unobstructed side windows providing a panoramic view. There is plenty of sunlight from the electrically operated large overhead hatches.

Guest accommodations are a VIP cabin to port with dual berths and a filler cushion to make them into a single queen berth.

Moving forward down the centerline companionway and into the accommodation spaces we find the master stateroom with a centerline queen berth forward. This cabin has 78 inches of headroom throughout and a private head with a stall shower to port. Up front there are large windows, both port and starboard with integrated opening port lights and an overhead opening hatch, all providing lots of light and fresh air.

Guest accommodations are a VIP cabin to port with dual berths and a filler cushion to make them into a single queen berth and a single cabin with washer and dryer to starboard just aft of the day wet head complete with opening port. Beneteau has done a Yeomans job creating storage areas for all of the owners’ and guests’ equipment. From shelves, to cabinets, to hatches in the cabin sole and under the berths, there is storage everywhere and no space is wasted.

At the bow we find a triple wide sun lounger with backrests that fold up for seating.

Heading to foredeck the 23-inch-wide covered access with 28-inch-tall bullworks is via the starboard side. Up three steps to the bow then looking aft it becomes apparent that the Swift Trawler is asymmetric. There is a smallish walkway on the port side and the cabin is offset to port by six or so inches. Also notice the fold down ladder that provides access to the overhead. Beneteau has also made provisions for the solar panels and kayak racks.

At the bow we find a triple wide sun lounger with backrests that fold up for seating. Up here we find plenty of storage for the ground tackle and fenders. The teak step on the railings is a nice touch for the mate when performing anchoring duties.

Underway

As the morning mist burns off it is time to get the boats underway from Clipper Yacht Harbor with Jim Tull on the new Swift Trawler 35 Fly, Don Margraff on the Gran Turismo 41 and Nick Deuyour flying the drone.

Making our way out of Richardson Bay the long no wake zone provides the opportunity to run the ST41 as a true trawler operator might, really slow.

Making our way out of Richardson Bay, the long no wake zone provides the opportunity to run the ST41 as a true trawler operator might, really slow. With the Yanmars barely breathing at 1000 RPM we are making 5.6 knots and combined both engines are consuming just 1.3 gallons per hour yielding 4.7 nautical miles per gallon of red #2. With our 309 gallons of fuel on board that provides a range of nearly 1,200 nautical miles with a 20% reserve. A little too slow for you, bump the Yanmars up to 1450 RPM and we get 7.4 knots at a respectable 3-GPH yielding 2.5 nautical mile per gallon and a range of greater than 600 miles with the same 20% reserve.

Beneteau Swift Trawler 41

However, this is a boat review, so I have to stick the throttles, wind these babies to the max of 3825 RPM and see that our Wide-Open Throttle provide a more thrilling experience at 24.8 knots and still seeing a fuel rate of better than 34 gallons per hour. With engines located directly below the helm I did not expect a quiet ride and am surprised at the low sound level of the engines. Chatting on the VHF radio with the camera boat and drone crew only required a slight increase of the volume control.

This is a boat review, so I have to stick the throttles, wind these babies to the max of 3825 RPM and see that our Wide-Open Throttle provide a more thrilling experience at 24.8 knots.

Just as important as WOT speed, trawler efficiency and interior accommodations is the ability to control the boat in close quarters or in adverse weather conditions. The rudders on the ST must be oversized as the turning radius at 3000 RPM is a mere two boat lengths when I put the rudder hard over. At an SOG of 15 knots there is very little heel, and she stays rock solid throughout a few 360 degree turns. The vessel tracks straight and true into her own wake. I did not have the opportunity to see the boat out of the water, but I can say that the turning radius and control is stunning due to her hull design and underwater machinery. San Francisco Bay was calm on our sea trial day with not much chop or swell, and crossing the wake of the camera boats as well as our own wake I see very little spray and no hull slap. Powering up to planing speed I did not use the trim tabs and saw minimal bow rise. The tabs will mostly be used for correcting list rather than for performance.

The top deck plan shows provisions for up to five solar panels.
The mid-deck plan shows the main open cabin design.
The lower deck plan shows the two guest cabins, day head, and the large forward master with private head.

Heading back to the marina the wind has picked up a bit, but I have a good feeling for her low-speed handling characteristics. She is very responsive to the rudder and turns easily with the minimum use of the thruster. The helm layout proved to be nearly ideal with the location of the throttles and thruster controls convenient while peering out the starboard door and bringing her into her berth starboard side to. Twisting in the narrow fairway to stern in proved easy even given my operating her for the first time and with an audience waiting for a misstep.

In the market for a mid-size trawler that will not keep you at the back of the expedition pack? You deserve to take a closer look at the Beneteau Swift Trawler 41 or any of her siblings, the Swift Trawler 35, the Swift Trawler 48 or the huge Grand Trawler 62. ST41 is available in either sedan or flybridge versions while the 35 and 48 are offered with a flybridge. These yachts represent the latest in trawler technology that can go a long distance or get up and go when you want it to. Call Jim Tull: 415-233-0801 or Don Margraff: 510-469-3330 at Denison Yachts in Sausalito to arrange for your private sea trial. The ST41 Sedan is a fun boat to drive whether you want to enjoy the ride at a moderately slow pace with the 600-mile range or want to speed up and get to your destination in a hurry.

Performance By The Numbers

Measured performance with full fuel tanks and two people on board.
Max speed – 24.8 kts (averaged) burning 34 GPH total and WOT of 3825 RPM
Best cruise speed – 7.4 kts at 1450 RPM burning 3 GPH total

Specifications:

LOA 44’ 01”
Beam 13’ 11”
Draft 3’ 9”
Fuel 309 gallons
Water 106 gallons
Cabins 2+
Air clearanc 14’ 2”
Power 2 Yanmar 350HP inboards
Displacement 23,186 lbs.
Maximum measured speed 24.8 kts

If you would like any more information on the Swift Trawler 41, other Beneteau products or Denison Yachting you can visit www.denisonyachting.com or call 510-981-2021 or 949-791-4220.

This is a special year for Beneteau as they are celebrating their 140th anniversary and a legacy of bold initiatives, enduring passion and triumphs.