BENETEAU GRAND TRAWLER 62
LOA 62ft 2in (18.95m) BEAM 17ft 7in (5.41m) ENGINES Twin MAN i6 730hp TOP SPEED 21 knots PRICE from €1.38m ex VAT CONTACT www.beneteau.com
Beneteau Group is one of the biggest boat builders in the world, with a stratospheric R&D budget and the sort of design resources many production builders could merely dream of. What is abundantly clear aboard this all-new model, however, is that despite the might of its in-house armoury, Beneteau has listened to its customers – specifically its existing Swift Trawler owners – about how they use their boats to inform the design of the Grand Trawler 62.
The hull shape and propulsion choices are a case in point, dictated by feedback that most trawler owners tend to travel at singlefigure speeds or in the early teens, with only the occasional burst up towards top speed if truly necessary. That’s why the 62 has a fast displacement hull, which is most comfortable at 8-10 knots where a fuel burn of around 30lph for both engines produces a range of 1,000nm. However, if you’re dodging bad weather or in a rush to get back to base, open the taps on the twin 730hp MAN i6 motors and she’ll top 20 knots. We managed to get a quick spin at the show so there will be more on the driving experience in an upcoming issue.
What about away from the helms? It’s clear that this is a boat designed to be lived on for extended periods of time. Storage is excellent throughout and not an inch of space has been wasted; if there’s an iota of spare volume going to waste you can guarantee the design team has used it for extra storage. Take the master and guest suites as an example, where not only is there a variety of storage solutions but both double berths lift in domestic ottoman style to reveal deep voids perfect for stowing suitcases.
The layout of the boat is suited to long stints at sea, with a sea-going galley amidships in a good position to serve the saloon but also be easily accessed by those who are on watch. What a treat to see an internal staircase between main deck and flybridge, too – a brilliantly practical addition.
There’s a lot to like about this boat and we plan to get to know it more intimately during an extended sea trial early next year.