Not Too Big, Not Too Small: Beneteau’s Swift Trawler 54 Yacht
For those looking to get away from it all.
Sometimes a weekend away just isn’t enough.
For those of us who like to extend our time away with family and friends, and really recharge those inner batteries, Beneteau’s new Swift Trawler 54 checks a lot of boxes. Large enough to comfortably accommodate the whole family yet nimble enough to be easily self-crewed, it’s just right in terms of size. It’s also just right in terms of amenities, delivering all the things that matter and then some without ever feeling cramped. And it’s just right in terms of its capabilities, being designed from the outset with extended cruising in mind. Beneteau calls the Swift Trawler 54 the “perfect family home on the water,” and it’s an apt description—which becomes clearly apparent as you step aboard and look around.
Depending on the height of the dockside pier, most of us will board either through the side entry gates or from the expansive stern swim platform, where two short steps up lead to the main deck cockpit. Protected by an overhead hardtop and furnished with an inviting L-shaped settee and a pedestal-mounted freestanding table, the cockpit is an ideal space to wake slowly with a morning cappuccino while planning the day ahead.
Wide promenades on either side of the yacht lead forward to the bow, where a large, U-shaped lounge seat surrounds a central pedestal table for soaking up the sun, unwinding with evening drinks while taking in the sunset, or lazing away an afternoon with a good book. Integrated drink holders ensure hydration is never out of reach, while fully adjustable back rests on the lounges ensure comfort.
Alternatively, one can head indoors through the near fully retractable aft door and into the yacht’s main deck salon with its massive wraparound windows. Here a large U-shaped settee to port faces an entertainment console to starboard that houses a handy refrigerator serving both the salon and cockpit, a wine cooler, and a large HDTV on a power lift.
Forward of the salon, and up two short steps is the galley, where a sliding door gives port-side access. Plenty of storage, a stainless steel sink, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, an electric oven, and a cooktop allow owners to whip up anything from light snacks to full gourmet meals.
The primary dining space sits forward of the galley to port, with a large table serving another U-shaped wraparound seat. The forward end of the seat abuts the centrally mounted helm console, providing a nice space for accompanying the captain on the way to the next adventure. The helm seat swivels to also be used for dining.
To starboard, a chromed-steel stairway leads up to the flybridge deck, while a second stairway forward leads below to the overnight accommodations. The Swift Trawler 54 offers a spacious VIP stateroom forward, with an island queen bed surrounded by privacy windows. The VIP cabin has its own direct access to the day head for comfort.
Moving aft, a twin cabin sits to port, with two single beds. This is a space the kids will love, and particularly the stacked-bunk arrangement. Opposite is a washer-dryer tucked neatly under the stairs.
The full-beam owners suite sits far aft, with large side privacy windows, a starboard-side vanity and dressing table, a central island queen bed on a lift with storage space beneath, a large HDTV, and a private ensuite head with a large separate shower.
Heading up from the main deck leads to the flybridge deck, where an upper helm station and companion seat forward offer raised 360-degree views to make this one of the most enjoyable spaces on-board. A large flip-open table with a wraparound U-shaped settee invites morning coffee, evening drinks, or meals al fresco—possibly prepared right there with its outdoor kitchen and barbecue. Overhead, a choice of tops provides various levels of sun protection.
There’s a lot of boat packed into the Swift Trawler’s compact, 17-metre length. With its twin 1,720-litre fuel tanks and twin 550-horsepower Cummins diesels, it’s clearly built for enjoying extended travels in comfort.
For those looking to get away from it all—and that includes dealing with crews on larger yachts—Beneteau’s Swift Trawler 54 does indeed check a lot of boxes.
