Beneteau Swift Trawler 44

[CeeBee]

After scanning through some of the opinions regarding Beneteau's Swift Trawlers I wanted to "weigh in" with our experience after owning a 44' for almost a year. Boating both in the SF bay as well as coastal offshore. We LOVE her! I was a sailor for 25+ years before making a jump to Trawlers. There are some opinions here about the seaworthiness and stability. I can say after a number of 35 Knot winds opposing 5-7 knot ebb tides in the "slot" Several coastal adventures including a recent trip which included an "uphill" run from Santa Cruz in a 9' swell, she handles beautifully. She is so stable that my wife who is new to boating (and said originally she wouldn't go out the Golden Gate for 2 years) is now an advocate of "going out" and often is at the helm coming back through the Main ship channel, often with 6-8 foot following seas. The interior is well done, the Galley roomy, and after 400 hours we haven't seen any structural issues which has included a number of "bay beatings". The twin Volvo 300HP Penta's perform flawlessly with great economy in the 8-10 knot range and if you want to "get there fast" they can get her up to 22-24 knots (conditions permitting) We have retro-fitted several small issues like adding grab rails on the fly-bridge, upgrading the anchor to a 65' Manson. Overall an excellent experience.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Welcome aboard.

 

[CeeBee]

Thank you Sir, Nice profile pic! i am assuming that is a Cohiba in your mouth ......

 

[SOJOURN4]

Swift Trawler 34

My Captain and I have a ST 34 and think the same x 10.

Good Luck

 

[markpierce]

Howdy!

 

[FlyWright]

Welcome, CeeBee. I'd love to see your boat up close and personal sometime. I've heard great things about the Swift 44 and 34, but have never seen either in person. Several of us guys frequent your waters and post about it in our SF Bay and California Delta Cruisers Social Group. Despite what some might say, we're really a rather friendly and respectable group. Feel free to join us there for our regular bay jaunts.

 

[CeeBee]

Hey FlyWrite She's awesome we're out most every weekend and then there are always WFB (work from boat) days ........ thanks for the heads up on the local forum I just joined it. The universe is in sync we are planning for our first Delta adventure in a couple of months down to Catalina later in the summer. We keep her in Alameda. See you on the water!

 

[CeeBee]

Markpierce right back at ya

 

[markpierce]

Hi, Chris.

Forgot to mention that post #5 pictures FlyWright and Carquinez Coot on their way to make a very short trip beyond the bridge on our way from Clipper Cove to Sausalito. Taken from Mahalo Moi on one of our occasional joint outings.

By the way, love Emily B's dark hull.

 

[rclarke246]

Swift Trawler 44

We are brand new to this forum and it's nice to be here!
We bought our Swift 44 new in November of 2012- our first boat!

We have logged about 150 hours in the Chesapeake Bay area and really love her.

Greatly looking forward to interaction and info exchange with other "boat people", especially those with Swift Trawlers.

We've been working out some kinks and have narrowed them down to:

1) Engines seem to be using oil. No excess smoke or oil in the breather filter. No obvious leaks. It's been normal for me to add a 1/2 quart or so every 20 hours. Volvo is "on the case" with no answers so far. The replaced our flat dip sticks with a round model.

2) Finding some water/diesel residual in the bilge. Thinking the diesel is from possible spills (?) during change out of fuel filters. The water may be residual from a small fresh water leak which was repaired. Maybe these liquids leach aft during use. bilge stays dry when at rest. Usually find 6-8 oz. after cruise.

3) Black water tank gauge not working properly.

She's been on the hard since November so we're really looking forward to our launch on April 2.

We appreciate any and all comments. Thank You!

 

[Ski in NC]

There's two of the ST44's in my area. I've gotten a bit involved in one, and generally like the boat. Good mix of trawler speed running with capability to run 20kts.

Regarding oil use: Diesels often use a little oil. Some use zero, some a little more. I would not fuss over 1/2qt in 20hrs. Just don't let it get too low. One thing to try is quit topping it up from the half way mark. Some engines like to eat any oil above half full, let it stay at half and engine quits eating it. Cheap to try.

Another thing was there was no bilge pump in lazarette. We got the dealer to add one before taking delivery.

 

[rclarke246]

St 44

Ski,
Thank you for the oil suggestion. Yes, tried that but when the level drops off the sticks it's a bit disconcerting! I'll try to keep it below the mid-way point.

Never a drop of water in the lazzerette, as yet. Did they tie in the new pump discharge to an existing way out or did they drill a new one? Do you think Beneteau would authorize an install for a boat owned for 15 months? Sounds like a great idea.

Our dealer added an additional piece to the top of the main saloon door track, so that the door could be dead bolted fully closed and/or 3" open. They learned that if the (cheap & weak) keyed door latch gets smashed in heavy seas you can still keep the door closed! Way better security too, if you're sleeping onboard.

Also, be sure the fixed fire extinguishers in the engine room have their pins removed! Ours were not. I found it out from a tip at Trawlerfest.

Thirsty for advice! Thanks!

 

[CeeBee]

Hey RClarke I asked Bay Marine here about your oil question and they mentioned there was a Volvo service advisory issued about NOT to overfill the oil as the engines will then start burning more. So lesson was watch the oil level carefully when changing and make sure to not overfill. Don't have any issue with the black water gauge but did have to have a new switch jury rigged for the gray water because the factory switch was whack. We also retrofitted several handholds for the fly bridge as there was nothing to hold on to between the fly bridge seats and the gangway (other than the mast rumor has it Beneteau may start installing them in the newer models. Hope all is well she should be in the water by now hope you're enjoying the summer.

 

[rclarke246]

CeeBee,
Thanks for the info. Oil level seems to be stabilizing though we never heard about that advisory.

What are the details of the mast rumor?

Btw, we heard that there may be a factory (free) upgrade to the fly console which can become sticky and hard to clean. Do you know anything about that?

Seems like the trim tab position offers best fuel economy at bow down but of no consequence under 2000 RPMs. Where do you position them?

Also, have you verified that you manual bilge pump is working? Are the pins removed from your fire extinguishers in the engine room?

She originally had 2/30 amp leads but was converted to 1/50. The 4 a/c units don't trip in this new configuration.

We're up to 175 hours and really like the boat.

Keep in touch. Feel free to call me at 410-599-3676.

 

[CeeBee]

Hey RClarke I think the Volvo notification was only sent to dealers. I honestly haven't tried the manual pump but will give it a go this weekend. Because we boat in the SF Bay (often with 30 knot wind opposing 5 knot ebbs) and offshore where you can get a "fun" washing machine effect going out and 6-9 foot swells offshore I don't have a lot of experience using the trim tabs as she likes to take the heading seas/chop and following seas bow up. I'll shoot a pic of the retrofit we did with handholds on the fly bridge. challenge was there were no handholds between the seats and stairs so we installed 3 so you can hold on in a seaway. I "heard" beneteau might add those to their new production. Thanks for your digits let's catch up some time I LOVE the Chesapeake used to bareboat (in my sailing days) out of Rock Hall.

 

[Fletcher500]

Any 44s in SoCal? My wife and I have a 44gt. Purchased it from Scy a couple years ago. We previously had a sea ray. For a lighter boat, I have also been happy with her, and she has handled well offshore. I am sure the trawler version is better as far as the ride. We made quite a few mods, including dual primary racors, new reefer, and some other things.

 

[rclarke246]

I try to keep up with the Swift line, but do not see many resales, and when I do I'm kind of shocked by the (high) prices.

Good Luck & Please keep in touch!

 

[adk1]

I just started looking into the 44 and you are right not many around for resale. I would really like to hear about some offshore cruising. In particular how you owners would feel about a crossing from fl to the Bahamas etc

 

[Fletcher500]

There are a few in my area, and I have been on one, but I don't know anyone personally so I cant give you specifics. I have the 44GT, and we like it. We did a 250 mile trip last summer and she ran well. I would tell you to check out the Beneteau owners forum, but their website is horrible.

 

[rclarke246]

Right, the Beneteau Owners Forum is pretty useless unless you're a sailboater.

Sorry, biggest water we've been in has been 3'-4', with period of about 2 seconds, so I'm no help on Bahama crossing.

 

[CeeBee]

I just started looking into the 44 and you are right not many around for resale. I would really like to hear about some offshore cruising. In particular how you owners would feel about a crossing from fl to the Bahamas etc[/QUOTE]

Hi adk1
We have had our ST44 coming up on 4 years and have logged around 2500+ offshore miles on her going up and down the California Coast. Last year from SF to San Diego and back. Obviously no insight into a crossing from FL to the Bahamas but we have had her in a variety of sea conditions offshore, from a pounding going uphill rounding conception with steep confused seas with no shoulders to up hill swells of 9-11 @ 14-16 seconds and lots of 2-3' wind waves on top of a swell and significant ebb currents opposing incoming swell going out of the Golden Gate.

The boat has performed solidly, is stable, able to maintain control in a number of sea states Plenty of power, decent fuel efficiency up to around 16 knots (give or take currents) and the Volvo's humm away on 24+ hour legs. There has never been a point that we felt the boat was close to being pushed to an unsafe limit. Hope this helps happy to answer any other questions.

CB

 

[Donsan]

[/QUOTE]
Hi adk1
We have had our ST44 coming up on 4 years and have logged around 2500+ offshore miles on her going up and down the California Coast. Last year from SF to San Diego and back. Obviously no insight into a crossing from FL to the Bahamas but we have had her in a variety of sea conditions offshore, from a pounding going uphill rounding conception with steep confused seas with no shoulders to up hill swells of 9-11 @ 14-16 seconds and lots of 2-3' wind waves on top of a swell and significant ebb currents opposing incoming swell going out of the Golden Gate.

The boat has performed solidly, is stable, able to maintain control in a number of sea states Plenty of power, decent fuel efficiency up to around 16 knots (give or take currents) and the Volvo's humm away on 24+ hour legs. There has never been a point that we felt the boat was close to being pushed to an unsafe limit. Hope this helps happy to answer any other questions.

CB[/QUOTE]

Gee folks, from Miami Beach to Bimini is only about 55 miles.

 

[Fletcher500]

Do these have the D6 engines?
Drives, or straight shafts?
Lastly, any issues with corrosion around the charge cooler lines?

So far, the engines and DPH drives have been working well on our 44GT for the past 2 years, with a few minor issues, most of which have been covered by warranty.

I don't normally buy warranties, but we purchased the extended, which takes them to 5 years.

 

[CeeBee]

Do these have the D6 engines?
Drives, or straight shafts?
Lastly, any issues with corrosion around the charge cooler lines?

Volvo D4's with straight shafts.
Actually we had to have both of the engine heat exchangers rebuilt they were leaking water and then it was discovered that the hoses had bonded to the engine. The mechanic that did the work has been working on the engines since they came out and had never seen this so I guess "we're special"

 

[David Hughes]

There is a beautiful 2014 ST44 parked in the slip next to mine at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral. It just went up for sale. $469K. It's very lightly used and a great boat. I've been in it. I ogle it every time I'm on my boat...[URL="http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?&units=Feet&id=2959162&lang=en&slim=broker&&hosturl=swfyachts&&ywo=swfyachts&"[/URL]

 

[SOJOURN4]

My Capt and I are in our 2nd year with our ST44. Last summer we ran some 1500 miles. Ocean, Delaware Bay, LI Sound and Chesapeake - and not all were perfect Wx days as we all know!!
Delaware has been pretty nasty - no issues. Biggest water so far has been on the LI Sound off Block Island running to Newprt RI - 6 to 8' swells on the starboard side - also no issues.

 

[mcboatface]

Forward Berth

To all current ST44 owners. We have not yet had a chance to see one in the flesh, but we are concerned about the forward berth. Two questions: 1) is the bed really a queen? It looks like some significant pieces are missing along the sides at top and bottom. Can two sleep comfortably?

And 2) is it relatively quiet in the v-berth at anchor at night? We were really wanting a mid-cabin to avoid the inherent noise of being up front but thought I would ask. Thanks!

 

[Fletcher500]

We have the GT 44. I will let someone with ST 44 answer your question, but I can tell you that it is noisy in the forward berth with the anchor chain rattling around if there is any wind or even the smallest chop. I therefore plan to buy a line snubber.

 

[SOJOURN4]

2nd Summer with our ST44. We have slept aboard some 35 nights this summer - No issues. I am 6' 220 lbs, My Capt is a "small". We use a queen fitted sheet.

No issues with chain since we always use a snubber.

Good luck!!!

 

[rclarke246]

No problem with bed size. I'm 5'10' 190 lbs. Wife is smaller. This is the most comfortable bed we own, albeit smaller than our normal king.

There is noise from waves slapping against chines in rough conditions. Only anchored out 2 nights in calm water, no noise, of course.

I suggest you go and find one and check it out!