Building on the wealth of the BENETEAU Trawler DNA and customer feedback, the new Swift Trawler 48 goes above and beyond in every way possible. From practicality to comfort, this new trawler’s Andreani design lends itself to functionality and easy living.
Measuring in at 48 feet and 4 inches with a beam of 14 feet and 9 inches, the ST48 takes the position of second largest Swift Trawler of the BENETEAU trawler range. Grand and spacious, this powerful new model transcends single demographics, appealing to a wide range of people.
Going Places
Craig Duchow, the dealer principal of CenterPointe Yacht Services in Milwaukee, Wis., feels like the ST48 is designed and built to explore the Great Lakes. “It’s really a boat to voyage with,” described Duchow. “It is spacious enough and comfortable enough to be at home on the water, but it’s really for going places.”
This new BENETEAU easily supplies the size, space and capability for seasoned boaters and aspiring boaters to go on the ultimate Great Lakes adventure. It’s rated for 12 passengers in the CE Category B and the hull is designed with seaworthiness and performance in mind.
The ST48’s slender bow flares, allowing it to cut through less than ideal water conditions, while maintaining its safe and predictable handling. Plus, its performance is nothing to scoff at.
“There’s quite a bit of performance there,” added Duchow. “It’s not your typical trawler where it goes 9 to 10 knots.”
The ST48’s standard pair of Cummins QSB 6.7 liter 380 horsepower engines gives you a top speed of 23 knots and if you go for the upgraded 425hp engines, you can reach an impressive top speed of 26 knots. Designed for fuel efficiency thanks to the semi-planing hull, you can expect a range of over 900 nautical miles at 8 knots displacement speed with 510 gallons of fuel on board.
Stylish & Functional
Loaded with features, the helm is both stylish and well thought out. The helm station has an adjacent side door leading to the starboard starboard midship cleat and bulwark gate.
“This allows the captain to exit out the side of the boat and go forward or aft,” explained Duchow. “You’re not running out the back of the boat and then having to go all the way up to the bow or anything like that.”
You’ll also find space provisioned for Raymarine MFD screens and the Beneteau Ship Control system. Plus, you’ll be sure to enjoy a stress-free docking experience with the help of the aft docking camera, stern docking lights and optional Cummins integrated joystick system. Captaining this boat will always be a pleasure.
Entertain & Relax
Whether you want to entertain family and friends or simply relax on the water, the ST48 has everything you need for any kind of voyage. Once you enter through the patio doors, you’ll see a generous L-shaped galley on the portside aft with a full height 67-gallon fridge and freezer, plus large overhead lockers outboard.
The galley has a standard gas oven or you can upgrade to a multifunction electric oven. There’s plenty of room to stock up for longer trips with the “magic corner” pull-out stowage unit, cupboards and drawers. There’s even space for an optional dishwasher.
You’ll also find a gas or induction cooktop and large sink in the raised edge Corian countertop. Then there’s a spacious sideboard with cupboards and an interior bottle rack across from the galley. You can configure this sideboard with an illuminated glassware cupboard above, an icemaker and even a Villeroy & Boch dishware stowage.
You can seat up to eight people in the spacious, raised u-shaped dinette just forward of the galley. Not only do all these seats offer spectacular views, but they’re in close social proximity to the helm so that the captain will never feel left out.
“The way the boat is set up is very spacious,” shared Duchow. “The galley is aft in the salon so if you’re entertaining, you can entertain forward of the galley, in the cockpit or behind the galley.”
With space for a 23-bottle wine chiller at the aft end of the seat, you’ll never be in danger of running out of something tasty to drink. Then below the window on the portside dash top, there’s a big stowage unit that can accommodate a 40-inch television if you’d like.
Seamless Transitions
The spacious aft cockpit can house a table and two folding chairs along with a large transverse bench seat which then seamlessly transitions to the indoor/outdoor living space. The foot pedal operated sliding flybridge stairs and starboard sidedeck acrylic “wind stoper” door all further promote the idea of functionality and comfort found on the ST48.
You’ll also enjoy a large swim platform that can feature an optional hydraulic lifting system for a tender or water toy through the transom double gate. Then the simple and well-designed bathing ladder with swimming pool handrails make it easier than ever to enjoy the Great Lakes.
The enormous 20-square-meter flybridge floor space offers endless possibilities to create comfy layouts to enjoy the panorama of the lakes anytime. “It has a huge bridge,” added Duchow. “The bridge is the size that you’d see on a 60-foot yacht.”
Additionally, there’s plenty of forward-facing seating for when you’re underway with the backrests on either side of the pilot seat. Plus, the transverse vis-à-vis seating and table form a wonderful hang-out area to relax and eat.
The transverse wetbar faces forward in the aft, allowing the cook or drink mixer to continue to chat and relax with everyone else on board. You’ll also find space for sun loungers, paddleboards or other water accessories in the aft flybridge space.
Ultimate Comfort
The ST48 is able to sleep six passengers. It has three cabins in the lower accommodation, plus additional capacity with the easy-to-convert salon dinette with wraparound privacy curtains.
The forward master cabin features a comfortable double berth with room on either side of the bed to move around. You also won’t feel cramped with headroom of 6 feet, 6 inches and a bed length of 6 feet, 6 inches as well.
You won’t have to reach for the light switch either during the day since the large hull windows with inset portlights and an overhead hatch flood the cabin with natural light and cross ventilation.
“There’s a lot of natural light throughout the boat,” described Duchow. “So when you go down below deck in the staterooms, you’re not in a dark room where you have to turn the lights on.”
You’ll find a separate shower compartment with a teak slatted seat in the en-suite bathroom. The other cabins also enjoy natural lighting and plenty of features that promote comfort. There’s also plenty of room for personalization with numerous interior and exterior variations.
Broad Appeal
Duchow’s experience with BENETEAU’s Swift Trawlers is that they’re not sold to the typical trawler customer because of their ability to plane and go fast. BENETEAU’s Swift Trawlers are unlike any other trawlers and the new ST48 is no exception to this rule.
“We’ve sold trawlers like this to younger people with families,” shared Duchow. “We’ve also sold them to younger people who just want a big entertaining platform. And it also appeals to older customers who are retired and want to take the boat on long trips like the Great Loop.”
No matter what demographic you identify with, the ST48 will fit your boating preferences seamlessly. With its outstanding performance and matchless comfort and entertainment features, you’ll find yourself feeling right at home on the Great Lakes in this spectacular boat.
Swift Trawler 48 Specification
LOA: 48’ 4”
Hull Length: 41’ 11”
Hull Beam: 14’ 9”
Light Displacement: 27,896 lb.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 510 gals.
Fresh Water Capacity: 169 gals.
Engine Power: 2 x 380hp (standard)
CE Certification: B14/C16/D16
BENETEAU
www.beneteau.com
CenterPointe Yacht Services
www.centerpointeservice.com
