A popular choice for traditional trawler enthusiasts, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 provides a range of 1,300 nautical miles at 6.7 knots and 1,000 nautical miles at 8 knots. Owners can run from New York or San Diego, you can travel nonstop to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, from either Miami or San Diego.

‍

If foul weather threatens or dinner reservations ashore are pending, the Swift Trawler 48 I got aboard has twin Cummins diesel engines with 425 horsepower (380 horsepower are standard).

‍

With both range and speed, yachtsmen can have the best of both worlds.

‍

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 is based on the builder's 47-footer, with a fiberglass hull infused with resin. It features a three-stateroom, two-head layout, including a near-king transverse berth in the master.

‍

It is located aft of the cockpit and accessible from the salon. Side curtains can be installed in place to enclose the dining area and seating area. There is a dinette forward of the galley that disappears flush into the salon sole when a button is pressed.

‍

Featuring a flip-up footrest, the skipper's seat is bolstered, pedestal-style and bucket-style. There were upgraded 12-inch Raymarine HybridTouch monitors (9-inch displays are standard) with backup analog dials and a separate Cummins engine monitor on the 48 I got aboard. For short-handed cruising, Side-Power bow and stern thrusters are a great option. At the boarding door, a sliding door provides easy access to the side deck, so you can help with the lines right there. Fresh air can be let in through the helm door stops that allow the door to slide to various widths. Pull-out screens were also available for this door, as they were for all the others.

‍

Under the windshield, opposite the helm, is a clue to the 48's cruise intentions: an oversize locker for full-size charts (because some of us still prefer paper backups).

‍

‍

Beneteau recognizes not all of us are Michelin-starred chefs, so the dinette and lounge to port are elevated 8 inches, giving guests a panoramic view through side windows. Besides a 9-cubic-foot Vitrifrigo full-height fridge, Miele convection oven, and Kenyon two-burner stove, this galley has all the amenities needed for extended voyages. Furthermore, there is a dishwasher, an undercounter ice maker, and a wine chiller. The eye-level cabinet to starboard—almost a decor item with Lucite doors—was fitted for highball glasses on this 48.

‍

A few thoughtful touches have been added to the cockpit. The ladder to the bridge not only has double handrails, but it also slides out of the way when the owner wishes to free up deck space for entertaining. On this boat, the transom platform had the option of a hydraulic lift for a tender up to 700 pounds. The folding swim ladder has hinged rails.

‍

In order to protect the sitting area from spray or wind, the side deck is fitted with a Lucite door. A pair of teak steps lead from the cockpit to the port side.

‍

From the cockpit up to the twin anchor rollers on the foredeck, I liked the solid double stainless-steel rails - a good setup for cruisers who need anchors for mud and sand, or want to swing on two hooks. A Lewmar windlass controls both rodes, with a gypsy for chain and a capstan for warping dock lines, with controls at both helms. A sun pad on the cabin top forward converts into a couch facing forward. Cruisers might encounter oversize lines at marinas because of the 16-inch cleats all around the decks.

‍

‍

A dining table and L-shaped settees are arranged on the flybridge's upper deck for lounging and dining. Kenyon grills, sinks, refrigerators, and ice makers are available near the radar mast. There is again a bucket seat for the skipper, but this time companions can sit on the two settees with backrests that face forward. A deck behind the galley allows you to store water toys or place chaise-style chairs for lounging.

‍

Down below, the master stateroom has a queen island berth with walk-around space on either side when the party is over. An already cheery space is brightened by two windows with opening ports (teak is available). There is an overhead hatch to vent the steam from the teak-seat stall shower in the en suite head, with Villeroy & Boch sinks.

‍

Just aft are the guest staterooms with twin berths to starboard, and the optional washer/dryer to port. The twin stateroom has direct access to the second head, which also serves the guest stateroom across the hall and functions as the day head.

‍

The Swift Trawler also gets 48 points for its engine room, which is accessible through two oversize hatches in the cockpit sole. The service and maintenance points were all within arm's reach, even with the Cummins diesel engines rated at 425 horsepower. Webasto air conditioning and a Mase 7.5 kW genset were available for maintenance. On deck, the fuel and water fillers are on the starboard deck.

‍

With just nary a drop of spray on the windshield, this Swift Trawler 48 ate up the miles in the lumpy Gulf Stream at 18 knots (2,370 rpm). A Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 is worth a look for owners looking for a yacht that can launch tomorrow for faraway ports or hop harbors quickly enough to get everyone home by Monday.  

‍

An App for That

Seanapps, a proprietary program accessible from smartphones and tablets, is unique to certain Beneteau yachts, including the Swift Trawler 48. It allows users to request routine maintenance, order a pre-departure wash or fuel-up, monitor battery and bilge levels, and check interior temperatures and water tanks. Service schedules are integrated with a maintenance logbook.

Euro Certification

With 14 people aboard, the 48 is Euro Category B Offshore-rated for winds up to 40 knots and significant seas up to 13 feet. On coastal waters and large bays, the yacht is Category C Inshore for winds up to Force 6 (27 knots) and 7-foot seas.

‍