52 Beneteau Swift Trawler 2011

Source: Power & Motoryacht Magazine

Long range power boating is coming into vogue, as a growing list of baby boomers are attracted to this realm. Nevertheless, many of these LRC boaters are not ready for cruising speeds of 8 knots. So while distance cruising is finding its niche, so is the semi-displacement cruising boat with LRC aspirations. Clearly, there’s something to be said for expediting the trip to the destination, and then loitering in the area for days before zipping back to the office at the end of a long weekend. Longtime sailboat manufacturer Beneteau has been riding high with the success of its Swift Trawler 42, so it was inevitable that Beneteau developed the 52. However, true to Beneteau’s heritage, this is not simply a stretched version of her smaller sibling. The 52 is in a class of her own in the Beneteau line-up.

Key Features

• Anchor platform with stainless steel frame and marine hardwood trim
• Bow fitting with twin roller
• Horizontal electric windlass Lofran Falkon 1500 W
• Mooring cleat underneath
• Peel strength of windlass 1600kg speed 17m/min
• Remote control in mooring locker + windlass control from wheelhouse and flybridge steering stations
• Self-bailing cockpit
• 2 wing doors to protect cockpit from wind and spray
• Stainless steel support for flybridge
• L-shaped cockpit bench seat decked in solid

Continuing on with the popularity of their Swift Trawler 42, Beneteau, a longtime sailboat manufacturer, now has both feet firmly planted on powerboat ground.

Having already proven their mettle in the power boat arena, Beneteau is now embracing the concept of long distance cruisers.

She has an expansive aft deck with lazarette access, and a sliding door entry to the main saloon. The wide side decks are well protected with high bulwarks topped with a teak caprail. Once inside, a C-shaped settee lies to port with an entertainment center to starboard. Two free standing chairs lie to either side of the entertainment center. Large side windows open and allow fresh air to flow through the saloon and also aid in removing cooking odors. Not forgetting that this is a cruising boat, an overhead grab rail runs the length of the saloon.

Forward of the saloon lies a large galley, also C-shaped, with enough modern conveniences for the boat to carry out her distance cruising mission profile. A half height bulkhead separates the saloon from the galley, giving the two rooms an eye appealing space of one large room.

With an open floor plan, guests will feel right at home in the 52’s main deck. Notice the grab rail running the length of the overhead for stability in a seaway. The pedestal table is expandable with the opening leafs. Lowering it creates another berth in a pinch.

These two views of the galley show how nicely laid out it is. Note the vented hood over the stove and opening side window.

Refrigerated drawers make for an excellent use of limited space that is found in any boat. A ventilation hood over the stove draws odors out along with the large window over the sink. This is a galley made for spending long periods of time onboard without having to rely on restaurants, or pre-cooked frozen meals. Any gourmand would be proud.

Lower Helm

The lower helm deck is four steps up from the main deck, which aids greatly in nighttime viewing by reducing glare from the saloon and galley. The steering station lies to starboard and a bench seat with table to port. This is where the second pair of eyes will sit. With the helm off center, access to the forward living spaces is on the centerline and a professional grade chart table complete with storage drawers and red gooseneck lighting, is built in to port. We’re always giving high marks to builders that accommodate the smart captain that does not rely solely on electronics to navigate by.

For some reason, the compass is mounted off to the side of the helm, rather than directly in the captain’s line of sight. Doors to either side lead out to the Portuguese bridge. A door in the front of the Portuguese bridge on the starboard side leads to the foredeck past a double wide bench seat.

Notice the large swim platform and cockpit. The roomy saloon and galley are at a lower level than the helm station.

Below Decks
A three stateroom, two head layout includes a full beam master lying aft, a guest stateroom to port with over/under bunks, and a V-berth forward with filler cushions to convert to a large double.

The master features an island queen sized berth, and to starboard lies a desk with a large portlight just above. The portlight does not open, rather there is a small section to the top that vents in fresh air. With Beneteau’s flair for creativity, we think that they certainly could come up with a better method for allowing fresh air into the stateroom, for the small vent is clearly not large enough to do much good. The finish is impeccable with all doors and drawers flush mounted. A vertically mounted grab rail is mounted on the bulkhead just inside the stateroom entry.

Note the small vent in the portlight, much too small to ventilate the stateroom. Also notice the vertical grab rail on the bulkhead.

Flying Bridge
The flying bridge will undoubtedly be the most popular gathering place on the Swift 52. The helm is center mounted with a comfortable Bezenzoni pedestal helm seat, and the panel is nicely laid out around the E120 nav display. A pedestal is molded into the starboard side of the helm console for no other purpose than to mount the engine controls on a horizontal surface. High marks to Beneteau for that.

To the port side of the flying bridge is a wraparound settee with a table that can be lowered to form a sunpad. Aft and to port is an entertainment center with sink, with an option for both a refrigerator and grill.

A comfortable helm seat by Bezenzoni lies in front of the center mounted helm. Notice the molded in mount to keep the engine controls on the horizontal.

The aft flybridge deck is designed for either storing a dinghy, or perhaps for use as a terrace/sun deck. Anticipating the former, Beneteau built in a structurally reinforced position for installation of a Bezenzoni electric crane, which is offered as optional extra, to lift dinghy up to a maximum weight of 880 lbs (399 kg).

Power and Performance
Power to the Swift 52 is provided by a pair of 575-hp 6-cyl Volvo-Penta D9s. Beneteau reports a speed of 7.9kts at 1000 rpms and a fuel burn of 4.6gph. With the full 1,057 gallons of fuel, that translates into a range of 1,618 nautical miles. Top speed is reported to be 24.5 kts. An average cruise at 2000 rpms would yield a 16.1 kt speed and a fuel burn of just over 30 gph for a range of 508 nautical miles, according to Beneteau. That said, we stress that we have not tested this boat and therefore cannot verify these performance figures.

What we can verify is that the Beneteau Swift Trawler 52 is a good combination of slow and steady distance cruiser and planing yacht that can get you to the cruising grounds either slowly or fast. One can’t help but feel that cruises to places like Alaska’s inside passage, or the Great Circle have just become even more enticing.

Boat Specifications: 52 Beneteau Swift Trawler