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Beneteau Swift Trawler Owners?

Discussion in 'General Trawler Discussion' started by rclarke246, Aug 20, 2013.

  1. rclarke246

    rclarke246 New Member

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    Annapolis
    Got our 2012 ST 44 and would like to share experiences with others.
  2. George2064

    George2064 New Member

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    Portland, Maine
    Not one yet but hope to be.

    We are looking for our first Swift, not sure 34 or 42 .. .but that is why I am here for. I would like to know what you like what you don't like, what to look for. What are the typical issues with the Swifts? We took the 34 out for sea trial and it rides nice, I will the 42 shortly, but looking maybe at a used one ... how far should I go?

    Looking forward to see what other Swift owners have to say.
  3. rclarke246

    rclarke246 New Member

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    Swift

    The 44 replaced the 42 in 2012, I believe.
    There is good info on these boats at boattest.com
    We like our 44 and are glad we have the new boat warranties as we're keeping the dealer busy with several pesky issues.
    Not loving the Raymarine electronics.
    I'll be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
  4. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That's not a rave review, but more than just that boat it illustrates why I always recommend a pre-owned boat. Besides the money saved, the first owner gets to deal with the new boat bugs. Totally agree with you on the Raymarine. Definitely not my favorite brand for anything.
  5. Balder VII

    Balder VII New Member

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    Location:
    Mediterranée - Port du Roy
    Hi,

    Please apologize for my broken english and poor american grammar.:(
    I own a ST 42, currently based in Med, french coast, where I am living in the Port du Roy marina when I am not in my house in the north ( Normandy). I bought this ST 42 hull 63 new in 2006 and have done a lot of miles with her in the Channel and Atlantic coast, as well in Med ( I leaved Tunisia during their "revolution" in winter)
    As member of the Beneteau Yacht Club, I know very well these boats and the yard. This is a very good "canote" with an efficient hull ( the old grand father Beneteau started the company at the beginning of the 20 century with fishing boats)
    Of course, Beneteau produce a lot of boats and this a mass product boat but the basics, design and so on are very good. What you need to do with these boats, is to customize and improve them. What I did for the last six years.I am know very happy and the semi displacment approach gives sense here in Med where the mistral can produce very quickly rough sea with big waves.
    I joined the Swift Trawler Fest in 2012 when more than 23 of these trawlers 34 - 42- 44 and 52 owners met them to share experiences and do fiestas.
    I do not know what Beneteau USA is doing for their customers to help them with these trawlers (technical infos, etc).
    Feel free to contact me if you need more info. I will be also very happy to send some pictures of my ST 42.
    Some improvment I did aboard:
    - electric mast and bimini ( to go under the bridge, access alongside to my villa)
    - extended swim platform
    - cheminey
    - washer dryer, washing machine, watermaker etc
    - office and desk instead of second cabin
    - new design of toilets and showers,
    etc etc.
    Bonne navigation

    Dominique
    Trawler Balder VII
    Petite Camargue
    France
  6. SammyB4

    SammyB4 New Member

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    Oct 16, 2013
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    Location:
    Live in London Boat moored in France
    New Swift Trawler 44

    I have so many questions I don't know where to start.
    We have just traded in our Antares 9.8 for a Swift Trawler 44 and I am interested in finding out as much as I can from current owners.
  7. SammyB4

    SammyB4 New Member

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    Live in London Boat moored in France
    Hi Would love to hear about your Swift 44
  8. rclarke246

    rclarke246 New Member

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    Sammy,

    As I stated in my private email to you today, you may find a bit more info at REMOVED

    With my very limited experience I feel that these Beneteau Swift Trawlers are not built as "blue water" passage makers.

    If nothing else, their range would probably disqualify them.

    Nevertheless, I do feel that they are IDEAL inland / coastal cruisers. Huge fly bridge, plenty of room below, nice options for cruise pace, many amenities, and seem well-built.

    I suppose that there are very few around is due to the economic recession (depression?) over the past 5 years.

    Always happy to help as I can.
  9. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    They were marketed in the US as Loop boats. There is no shortage, however, of other loop boats. I wouldn't blame the shortage of them in the US on the economy alone but rather on very stiff competition that is well established. They presented the "Swift Trawler" as a new concept when it's new for them, perhaps, but nothing unique when compared to other boats in it's size range. That's not being negative about the boat, but just explaining why few seen here.
  10. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I ran a Swift 44' from Miami to Stuart a year or two ago. I didn't like it at all. IN a 3-5' beam sea, at cruise, it had a very sharp very fast righting motion that would snap your neck, it was also very wet and all of those cored/wood laminated floor hatch/pieces creaked and groaned.
  11. rclarke246

    rclarke246 New Member

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    Thanks for the post.

    Isn't the semi-displacement hull and power to get her easily over 20 kn. a bit unique for a trawler style? I thought that was their marketing focus.

    I see Grand Banks and North Pacific with speedy models, too.
  12. rclarke246

    rclarke246 New Member

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    The squeaky floor is a bit annoying, but we almost always drive from the fly so we don't hear it until we walk on it. I think that I can take some measures to quiet it down if it bothers me enough- and I run out of more worth-while projects!

    As for the 3-5 ft. beam sea wet / whiplash- I have nothing to compare but you do, which is why I appreciate the candid feedback.
    Thank You.
  13. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Not at all unique with Grand Banks and Marlow. Then a lot of people for looping to for Kadey Krogen or Selene. Then some none Trawlers like Sea Ray, Hatteras, Mainship, Carver, Cruisers, Meridian.
  14. rclarke246

    rclarke246 New Member

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    Dear Dominique,

    No need to apologize for your English, it's very good. Far better than my French, thank you.

    Thank you for your reply and information. I would like to see the photos of your ST42. What engines are installed? Do you know the first year that the ST42 was offered?

    We're going to launch on April 2 so we're excited about the upcoming boating season.

    Please keep in touch.

    Richard
  15. orrluis

    orrluis New Member

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    Ft Lauderdale, FL
    Hi Richard and Dominique
    I am buying a 42, 2006 in Rochester, NY and I will be sailing June to Ft Lauderdale.
    I really like the look on this boat and hope it will run very well.
    Luis
  16. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You may want to name the boat 'Wrong Way Corrigan'. Just be sure that your insurance company is aware of your plans.
  17. orrluis

    orrluis New Member

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    Full insurance and excellent Cap and Crew
  18. sunchaserv

    sunchaserv Member

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    As noted by NYCap123, why go to Fl to face hurricane season and insurance run arounds as to where boat will be holed up
  19. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Because he lives in Florida and likes it there perhaps. There are many of us who live in Florida, love it there, keep our boats there, and deal with hurricane season and insurance.

    I also might remind that over the last few years the northeast has been hit by hurricanes far more and suffered far more damage to boats than Florida.

    This is a bit like me telling someone who lives in Rochester NY, I would never take my boat there, it gets too cold during the winter. Well, I wouldn't personally live there but there are many who love it there as there are with other cold climates.

    Now hopefully he has time to enjoy the Northeast and Mid Atlantic on the way down. But bringing his boat home is a most natural thing.
  20. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Maybe I needed to be more specific. I was referring to his timing. Not saying he should stay north all year long. The trip south at this time of year is nothing but hot. My suggestion was simply to wait until fall to bring her south.