grouped together nicely, the engine performance gauges
are set at a height for at-a-glance monitoring, and the
controls—including the electric trim tabs, single-binnacle
throttle/shifter, and controls for the standard bow
thruster and optional stern thruster—are kept together
for quick, single-handed adjustment. Laurent Fabre told
me that one of the forthcoming options would include
the new Raymarine E-Series MFD with AIS.
It is important to note that, for safety, the battery
switches are located in a recess under one of the
companionway stairs leading down and forward from
the helm—not in the engine compartment.
Accommodations forward include an owner’s cabin
in the bow, a guest cabin to port, and a large head
compartment to starboard. The owner’s cabin has the
same 6 feet 5 inches of headroom as the main cabin, a
6-foot-6-inch-long double berth with storage underneath,
and two hanging lockers (one with shelves). An overhead hatch and two opening portholes in the hull sides
aid natural ventilation and lighting. The guest cabin has
bunk beds approximately 6 feet long, 6 feet of headroom,
two opening ports, storage underneath the lower berth,
and a small locker. The head compartment is a one-piece molded component with approximately 6 feet
of headroom, upper and lower lockers, an opening
hatch and porthole for ventilation, and a quiet-flush
electric toilet.
Some of the equipment shown in the photos
accompanying this article, found on the boat I tested,
is for the European market. Some equipment will
change for the American market, but the brands will
be recognizable, and very high quality. “Because we
build boats that will wind up anywhere in the world,
we want the components that are the most reliable,
and the most easily serviced by trained marine
professionals,” Fabre said.
THE TEST DRIVE
Over a period of eight hours, I had the opportunity
to drive the Swift Trawler 34 in calm and choppy waters,
in light breeze and puffy winds. In all conditions, she
handled positively. The hydraulic steering was smooth
and chatter-free, and the boat answered the helm
with no hesitation. The modest keel aided tracking in
downwind conditions, and the flat sections aft prevented
squatting under rapid acceleration tests.
The 425hp Cummins diesel produced loads of power
at wide-open throttle, simulating a dash for safety when
the weather changed. Fuel consumption was 16.6gph in
that instance, and range was 206 nautical miles, with a
10 percent fuel reserve. Pulling the throttles back to a fast
cruise of 14 knots dropped consumption to 11.7gph and
The flybridge has a comfortable seating area forward, room
for a small dinghy, and a hatch to close off ladder access.
boosted the range to 227 nautical miles. At a leisurely 9
knots, consumption plummeted to 5.2gph, and the range
jumped to 329 nautical miles.
The base price for the ST 34 with a 425hp Cummins
is U.S.$279,000, and it’s U.S.$267,000 for a sedan model
with a 330hp Cummins that has no flybridge (the 34 S).
Timing for the introduction of the new 34-footer
couldn’t be better. When the Swift Trawler 42 was first
introduced to the U.S. market in 2004, the projected
model line included five boats from 30 to 65 feet. At that
time, marketing research dictated that the 42 had the best
potential, following the trends in ownership. Beneteau
launched the Swift Trawler 52 here in early 2009,
following the market at that time. Now, the 34 comes
along at a time when affordability is key, value is key,
and costs are more closely scrutinized than ever before.
For those who are looking for a midrange trawler
that is well engineered, fun to operate, and stylish and
appealing both inside and out, the Beneteau Swift
Trawler 34 seems to be the right boat at the right
time.
