2019 Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 review

One of the best examples of the new slow-boating movement is the Beneteau Swift Trawler.

The giant French brand produces a range of go-fast powerboats with names such as Flyer and Gran Turismo. In contrast, Beneteau’s Swift Trawler range is more about delivering robust, seaworthy craft more suited to relaxed coastal cruising.

The Beneteau Swift Trawler range comes in four lengths ranging from 30 to 50 feet, with the 35 the second smallest.

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 is based upon a semi-displacement hull, meaning the boat can operate nicely at slower speeds, yet is still capable of comfortably reaching 18-20 knots when tapped.

That's well below the pace of the typical modern cruiser, yet is still enough speed to get you home before that afternoon storm hits, or the tide changes on a coastal bar crossing.

With a reassuringly workboat hull, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 looks the picture of a craft that can handle rough water and protect its passengers.

Beneteau has removed many of the old trawler traits in this version of the Swift, such as the mast and boom, and given it a more modern appearance with large windows and smart cabin styling.

A stainless steel targa arch now tops the flybridge, making it easier to add a folding bimini awning.

Losing the once traditional Swift Trawler mast/boom means the dinghy no longer stows on the cabin roof, and relocates to the rear swim deck. There's now the option of telescopic davit arms to make it easier to stow a tender at the stern.

Compared with the Swift Trawler 34, this new model is a significantly larger vessel. She has a wider beam, with length overall length increasing to 37 feet (11.29m).

However, the engine remains as the same well-proven Cummins 425hp shaft-drive diesel that powered the Swift Trawler 34 – some 400 of that latter craft were built, making it quite a success story.

The new Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 also retains the same long keel feature that ensures better course control when running at lower speeds offshore. The protruding keel also helps to protect the propeller and rudder if ever you happen to run out of water.

Docking the single-engined Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 is made easier with a bow thruster. An optional stern thruster also is available.

Another great feature for coastal cruisers is a very comfortable saloon helm position with large pilot door so skippers can step outside to get a better view when docking.

The deep side deck and corresponding side door in the bulkhead makes it easy to step ashore to fix mooring lines.

With the galley, lounge and helm station all on the one level, the Swift 35 is ready-made for leisurely harbour cruising or that adventure trip up the coast.

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 has sparked strong buyer interest since its Australian debut at last year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Not surprisingly, much of the interest in this boat has come from the sailing community, tired of chasing crew on top of paying all the bills.

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 is certainly a logical next step for the ex-wind warrior after easy handling and smallish fuel bills.

The price, starting from $575,000, is good value considering the amount of boat buyers get for the money.

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 comes standard with a dual flybridge and saloon helm station, bow thruster, large swim platform, fully equipped galley, 130-litre fridge and an electric anchor windlass, fresh water deck wash, 12-volt inverter, Raymarine 9.0-inch navigation display with repeat at the flybridge, and rudder angle indicator.

The package also includes a dual VHF radio set with AIS, flybridge covers, flybridge fridge and cup holders.

Our test boat had a few extras worth considering. These included teak planking on the cockpit, side deck and rear swim platform, and a foredeck sun pad, insect screening on saloon doors, and Raymarine 12.0-inch multifunction displays. Our test boat package also included the optional transom thruster and telescopic davits for a total price of $625,000.

Other items you might like to add include TV, air-conditioning and electric galley stove. However, with these extras you need the optional generator that will also require factory pre-wiring.

Walking down to the boat at Sydney’s D'Albora Marinas I was surprised at how much bigger the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 looks than its model number suggests.

Its shape looks more like a baby ship, with high bluff bows and covered side deck walkway. At the same time, the Beneteau design team has nicely balanced the proportions so the Swift doesn't look too bulky.

A key feature is the warp-around dark-tinted saloon windows and black bow window with portholes.

The moulded fibreglass hull is built to EC Certification and incorporates an internal rib frame that supports the engine and tanks. The deck features a lightweight fibreglass/balsa core construction that adds further structural rigidity to the whole boat.

Meanwhile, the stern swim deck is a structural extension of the hull and incorporates a folding swim ladder, and room to stow an inflatable dinghy athwartships across the stern.

The large saloon means the rear cockpit is relatively short but still large enough for entertaining as the transom has 60:40-split barn doors opening up onto the swim deck. These doors have fold-out seats, so adding a table and few extra deck chairs to the space when at anchor will open it up to alfresco dining.

Entry to the saloon from the cockpit area is via large sliding doors. Once inside, you’ll find a delightful light-filled cabin via the large amount of glass.

The saloon has a two-seater lounge that unfolds into a comfortable double bed. Add the double berth in the fore master cabin, and the double bunk cabin, and the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 will comfortably accommodate six people.

A dining table with weighted base makes the saloon a great place for indoor dining. A walled unit opposite that makes for an ideal drinks locker also houses the main electric panel. It is also a natural spot to mount a TV.

Further for'ard, a U-shaped galley is to port with the main helm station to starboard. The galley has good bench space and ample stowage for cutlery and dry goods. There's also a padded seat that a passenger could use while underway.

Several steps lead down to a double bunk 'crew' cabin to port and a decent-sized bathroom to starboard with electric flush toilet and shower. For'ard of this is the master cabin with a comfortable island berth and hanging lockers to either side. The cabin comes with reading lights and USB recharging points.

Finish overall is typical of Beneteau – clean, modern and with enough vanished timber panelling to keep things warm and nautical. The practical use of moulded headliners ensures these cabin areas are going to be easy to keep clean.

Our test consisted of nice cruise around Sydney Harbour with a semi-offshore experience at Sydney Heads as the NE sea breeze kicked up a chop over a low swell.

With help of the bow and stern thrusters, we manoeuvred out of a tight berth and drove up harbour from the very comfy lower helm station with its large, leather-covered steering wheel. This is a great steering spot on a hot summer's day, as you get a cooling breeze from the pilot door.

The adjustable helm seat also makes this is the logical spot to drive the boat on longer coastal hops. However, moving up to the flybridge provides the delights of an open-air ride and spectacular harbour views.

I was keen to see how the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 handled at higher speed. The bows lifted as she powered onto a plane, and was soon doing 19 knots on the dial, feeling fast and steady through the water.

This is definitely the speed to travel at if you want to get places quickly, but at 3100rpm she was also burning fuel a prodigious 78 litres an hour.

A better compromise for getting places, especially offshore, is the Beneteau Swift Trawler’s low plane speed of 14 knots (2600rpm) where fuel burn drops to a reasonable 48L/h. The more leisurely pace gives a theoretical 166 nautical mile range from the 800-litre fuel tank, allowing for a 20 percent safety margin.

Pottering around the harbour, the sweet spot was about 5.8 knots (1000rpm) where the 425hp Cummins diesel drank only 3.6L/h to deliver a massive 1000 nautical mile range. Retired boaties should love that sort of economy, and will happily sit on that speed all day.

The flybridge features a guest lounge and fridge drawer, and the skipper’s seat swings around to face the table to provide enough seating for six people. I'd suggest adding a locally made bimini if plans are to spend time up here.

Another clever feature is the bridge access ladder, which stows flat against the saloon bulkhead to give more room to the cockpit.

Overall, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 is a great craft for family cruising, with deep-sided walkways and high deck rails. High rails around the bow ensure younger crewmembers using the for'ard sun pad will have a high degree of safety.

I also love the clever way Beneteau has offset the cabin. It allows for a deep walkway on the starboard helm side, with the narrower portside still protected by a high safety rail.

Beneteau’s first generation of the Swift in 2003 followed the traditional style and look of trawler cruisers. Since, the Swift has evolved into a much more modern cruiser with broader market appeal.

Almost all of the traditional trawler trappings may have gone, yet the Swift 35 retains the key cruising ingredients such as a heavier robust hull, shaft drive diesel and a protective keel. In short, the Swift Trawler 35 pretty much fills the bill on what coastal cruisers want – especially for the aquatic couple wanting to go nautical walkabout.

Specifications
Model: Beneteau Swift Trawler 35
Length overall: 11.29m
Hull length: 10.81m
Beam: 3.96m
Draft: 1.17m
Displacement: 8252kg (light)
Air draft: 5.50m
Power: 425hp (max)
Fuel capacity: 800L
Water capacity: 2x150L

Price: From $575,000 with dual flybridge and saloon helm station, bow thruster, large swim platform, fully equipped galley, 130-litre fridge and an electric anchor windlass, fresh water deck wash, 12-volt inverter, Raymarine 9.0-inch navigation display with repeat at the flybridge, and rudder angle indicator

Price as tested: $625,000 including teak planking, foredeck sun pad, insect screening on saloon doors, Raymarine 12.0-inch multifunction displays, transom thruster and telescopic davits

Boat supplied by: Flagstaff Marine, Rushcutters Bay, NSW. Other offices include Clontarf, Newport and Gold Coast. Phone 1300 998 662 or email mark@flagstaffmarine.com.au