LOA: 44’1’’, Beam: 13’9”, Draft: 3’9’’, Fuel: 309 gals., Water: 106 gals., Displ.: 32,394 lbs. (Sedan), Power: (2) 270-hp or (2) 300-hp Volvo Penta D4 diesels, Base price (as equipped): $750,000
In 2010, Beneteau introduced its first Swift Trawler, the 34, in the U.S. At the time, the French builder was mostly known in the United States for its sailboats, but the trawler design quickly garnered a reputation for speed, space and comfort among powerboaters.
Ten years and 1,500 Swift Trawlers later, Groupe Beneteau now offers five trawler hulls between 30 and 50 feet. The company’s latest model, the 41, was released last year as a sedan to complement the flybridge version and will replace the 44.
Despite the nomenclature, the 41 has a length overall of 44 feet, 1 inch. Beam is 13 feet, 9 inches. Even though she is shorter than the 44, the 41 feels big. The windows are huge and make the boat look even larger. Visibility is excellent, and the European-style cabinetry makes the interior feel bright and airy.
The U-shaped galley is now aft and flows into the cockpit and swim platform via a sliding glass door. With the door open, the interior and exterior become one entertainment area. By sliding the bench of the L-shaped cockpit lounge aft over the swim platform, a table can be installed for cocktail hour or meals.
Beneteau makes liberal use of modular components throughout the boat to expand functionality. A pop-up shelf at the after end of the galley provides additional counter space, and by rotating the two-person helm bench 90 degrees to port, the salon can seat eight people.
The helm station has a destroyer-style wheel and a sliding door to the wider starboard deck—handy for shorthanded docking and communication with on-deck crew.
The 41 has room for seven guests. The owner’s stateroom is in the bow with panoramic windows to port and starboard. A washbasin and head are to port with a separate shower to starboard. A port guest stateroom has a double berth that converts to twin berths. The starboard lazarette has a single berth and room for a washer/dryer, and in the salon, the U-shaped lounge seating converts to a double berth. A curtain can be pulled out to provide some privacy.
A sunpad is on the bow. To port, a stainless-steel railing runs forward from the cockpit; along the starboard side, it runs from the pilothouse door forward. On the sedan version of the 41, an optional roof rack can stow paddleboards or kayaks. The flybridge version has a wet bar with optional grill and fridge, seating for eight, a table and a helm station.
With twin 270-hp or 300-hp Volvo Penta D4 diesels and a new hull design, Beneteau says the 41 has good fuel consumption for its size. At a 16-knot cruise, she has a reported range of about 180 nautical miles. Top speed is 23 knots. And with twin props and a bowthruster, getting in and out of almost any docking situation should be manageable.
Operating the boat’s systems should also be easy with Beneteau’s Ship Control technology, which puts the navigation instruments, battery levels, and light and temperature controls, including air conditioning, on a single display.
Beneteau has once again evolved its line of Swift Trawlers, adding more amenities than ever. And with a price of $750,000 (as equipped), the 41 Sedan should prove to be popular with serious cruisers.
Photos | Have a closer look at the Beneteau Swift Trawler 41 in the gallery below:
This article originally appeared in the March 2020 issue.
