{"id":138136,"date":"2026-01-27T06:00:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T06:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/?post_type=review&p=138136"},"modified":"2026-01-27T08:54:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T08:54:21","slug":"beneteau-swift-trawler-37-fly-review-you-dont-expect-a-trawler-style-boat-to-look-pretty-but-this-one-really-is","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/reviews\/trawler-yachts\/beneteau-swift-trawler-37-fly-review-you-dont-expect-a-trawler-style-boat-to-look-pretty-but-this-one-really-is","title":{"rendered":"Beneteau Swift Trawler 37 Fly review: 'You don\u2019t expect a trawler-style boat to look pretty'"},"content":{"rendered":"

You don\u2019t expect a trawler-style boat<\/a> to look especially pretty but this one really is. The Beneteau<\/a> Swift Trawler 37 Fly may be the same length as the Swift Trawler 35 it replaces (37ft 0in) but thanks to a longer, lower superstructure, a taller foredeck and a one-piece reverse screen, it looks better balanced.<\/p>\n

Factor in some generous glazing, both in the hull and the wheelhouse, and you have one of the best looking trawler yachts below 50ft.<\/p>\n

And if the styling hits the mark, so does the price. It starts from just \u20ac299,000 for the Sedan model or \u20ac315,000 for this flybridge version, which is less than the boat it replaces. In short, as we approach the new Beneteau Swift Trawler 37 Fly at its berth in Barcelona for our highly anticipated sea trial, it\u2019s off to a flying start before we\u2019ve even stepped on board \u2013 and the good news keeps coming when we do.<\/p>\n

\"You

You can increase the range to around 500 miles at 6 knots<\/p><\/div>\n

Beneteau Swift Trawler 37 Fly: Cockpit and flybridge<\/h2>\n

The aft cockpit comes as standard with a pair of simple corner seats, each containing space for a large gas bottle to supply the standard two-ring gas stove for long spells away from home.<\/p>\n

Given that this boat, like the larger models, is designed as a proper liveaboard platform, that makes good sense. Here though, the transom rail between these two pods is replaced by an optional aft bench module. That adds plenty of extra storage and the fact that it can be pushed back over the swim platform helps free up a decent bit of deck space for freestanding furniture too.<\/p>\n

\"Even

Even with the optional bench module slid aft, there\u2019s still room to operate the davits<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s still room on the aft platform for a couple of davits to wield a 2.3m tender without getting in the way of the starboard gate and the rest of the cockpit arrangement is equally well managed.<\/p>\n

The Flybridge ladder uses a simple hinge mechanism so you can tether it tight against the back end of the pilothouse when you need extra space. But even with it screwed to the deck at a shallow angle, there\u2019s still room to open the big lazarette unimpeded.<\/p>\n

\"A

A simple lifting backrest makes a big difference to the usability of the bow<\/p><\/div>\n

In the absence of Beneteau\u2019s \u2018fashion panel\u2019 struts, there are no doors at the back ends of the side decks to keep the cockpit protected from the wind at anchor. But you can achieve the same thing with canvases instead and here, as in the saloon, there\u2019s an excellent handrail built into the underside of the flybridge overhang to help you move about in safety.<\/p>\n

\"The

The port dinette can be rigged as a double and cordoned off with the integrated privacy curtain<\/p><\/div>\n

Up on the flybridge, the port dinette uses a reversible forward backrest so a couple of people can keep the skipper company. There\u2019s also an optional fridge in the aft end of the unit plus plenty more storage and a power point so you can plug in a portable grill or raclette and have a sociable meal up top.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a handy touch, given that there is no option for a wet bar, and it\u2019s a practical space in other ways too. The reverse screen, for instance, creates extra rooftop space ahead of the deflector, which you can use either for a pair of skylights or for a solar array to help improve your autonomy at anchor.<\/p>\n

\"The

The multi-function co-pilot seat really couldn\u2019t be better<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s also a ready-rigged bimini folded flat to the deck ahead of the helm, plus a steel rack for your paddleboards at the aft end. And even on this fly-equipped model, a folding radar mast and a pull-out manual lifting davit enable you to reduce your air draft to sneak under low bridges.<\/p>\n

\"The

The co-pilot seat operates as a desk and a transverse lounger<\/p><\/div>\n

The fact that the furniture up here is modular rather than moulded is also very useful. It means Beneteau can simply sweep it all away to create the Sedan model. That\u2019s partly what enables them to keep the price so low and they\u2019ve gone further with the concept too.<\/p>\n

Pick the Sedan with the Active Lifestyle package and you get a set of D-rings and straps so you can use the entire roof space as a storage depot for your toys. Spec it for the Relaxation Lifestyle instead and you get a bimini and a set of loungers for lazy rooftop gatherings.<\/p>\n

\"The

The two corner seats double as large gas lockers for extended periods away<\/p><\/div>\n

Clever saloon<\/h2>\n

Step into the saloon and it\u2019s clear that the raised bow shape means you get no view forward from the port dinette. But this is mitigated partly by the big port side window and partly by the positive things that the saloon does do. For instance, the dinette itself can be converted into a large double bed and cordoned off with a privacy curtain that tucks neatly into a corner when not in use.<\/p>\n

\"In

In terms of finish, as well as spatial flow, it\u2019s an extremely pleasant place to be<\/p><\/div>\n

And ahead of that, the raised two-man co-pilot seat steals some very worthwhile design ideas from the Marex 440 and 390. A lateral cushion enables you to stretch out and face inboard with your feet beneath the raised armrest. There\u2019s also a lift-up desk here, plus some storage and a power point, so you can conduct
\nsome chartwork or use it as an office with a view.<\/p>\n

The galley is also very pleasing. While the 35 used a forward galley, making high-level storage impossible, the 37 runs a larger galley further aft on the starboard side. It uses a corian worktop (rather than laminate) and it\u2019s really good to see a shallow cutout that enables you to ease yourself out of the way so people can get past along the central walkway.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s another sliding window for ventilation, plus a TV that folds out from a cabinet to face the dinette. And the test boat also trades the standard 130L fridge and wine rack for a much more accommodating 150L fridge and 50L freezer, both tucked away beneath the worktop.<\/p>\n

\"The

The view aft is pretty good<\/p><\/div>\n

As you would expect of a liveaboard boat, access to the engine is good too. There\u2019s a large hatch in the deck between the galley and the dinette; and if you need extra space, you can remove the table and the aft seat pod and open up a second hatch to port. When you get down there, you find yourself confronted with a single inboard diesel on a straight shaft \u2013 in this case, a bulletproof Yanmar 6LY 440.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s all great, particularly as this boat eradicates any single-shaft handling concerns with a pair of Sleipner proportional thrusters. But of course, on a compact boat with an inboard diesel on a straight shaft, the space left over for your accommodation is inevitably quite restricted, so it\u2019s high time we popped down below\u2026<\/p>\n

\"As

As a single shaftdrive, the Yanmar diesel sits within easy reach beneath a saloon hatch<\/p><\/div>\n

Article continues below…<\/em><\/p>\n

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Two-cabin lower deck<\/h2>\n

By carrying the beam a good way forward, using large hull windows and elevating those bow mouldings, the lower deck of the ST37 is actually much better than you might imagine. The owner\u2019s cabin, in particular, feels significantly bigger and brighter than that of the 35 and, unlike the 35, it gets direct access to the starboard bathroom.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Luxe pack adds leather handles, posh carpets and fabric bulkhead linings<\/p><\/div>\n

This is, of course, used as the day heads too but the volume in here is excellent, with space not just for a vanity unit and a separate electric toilet as standard, but also for a dedicated shower compartment with a good size of seat and direct access to the pumps behind a waterproof hatch.<\/p>\n

Over on the port side, space constraints mean that the guest cabin is a bunk room rather than a twin but it\u2019s a very well used zone of the boat. There\u2019s a roof hatch for extra light and air, plus a couple of portholes, plenty more storage and lots of headroom.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a reading light with built-in charging point, plus a little tray for your cup of tea. But if you want to use the 37 as a couple\u2019s cruiser, rather than a family boat, you can do away with the mattresses in the guest cabin and use the bunk structure as shelves for a whole rack of storage boxes. In fact, Beneteau has designed this bunk room with precisely that in mind so it\u2019s actually more versatile than it looks.<\/p>\n

\"The

The sole bathroom can be accessed directly from the bow cabin<\/p><\/div>\n

The quality\u2019s good too. The doors use magnetic catches to avoid snagging shirts in tight spaces. The cleats and rails are all stainless steel rather than aluminium, and the wood veneers in here are 2mm rather than 0.6mm.<\/p>\n

The fact that the test boat features the Luxe Pack also gets you slatted door vents, leather handles and plusher carpets, plus extra mirrors and fabric bulkhead panels, so in terms of finish, as well as spatial flow, it\u2019s an extremely pleasant place to be.<\/p>\n

\"The

The second cabin takes the form of a storage-ready bunk room<\/p><\/div>\n

A simple drive<\/h2>\n

Thanks to the big reverse screen, the lower helm station is as good as you will see on a small flybridge-equipped cruiser.<\/p>\n

In addition to volume and vertical height, you get a pair of optional sunroofs for fresh air and natural light plus a superb all-round view. A big skipper\u2019s door and side gate make single-handed work a doddle. The ergonomics are equally impressive, thanks to a fold-down platform to increase your height and a dedicated plinth for the throttle and tabs.<\/p>\n

\"A

A yacht-style wheel is par for the course on a Swift Trawler<\/p><\/div>\n

Head up top and the flybridge helm is also strong. It\u2019s big enough for a pair of 16in plotters plus every other bit of gadgetry the lower helm enjoys; and the fact that the stairwell sits behind you means you get a direct view of the transom as you reverse into a berth.<\/p>\n

In terms of the drive, there\u2019s always a chance that an inboard diesel rumbling away beneath the saloon deck will prove a shade intrusive but at no point at all do we register more than 80dB.<\/p>\n

\"The

The 37 really is bigger, smarter and prettier than the outgoing ST35<\/p><\/div>\n

As you would hope, it\u2019s relatively affordable to run too, as long as you treat it to sensible speeds. At 5 knots, 1-litre per mile delivers a range in excess of 600 miles. That increases to 2lpm at 7 knots, 4lpm at 10 knots and 5lpm at the 17.6-knot top end, so it\u2019s simply a case of picking the speed you\u2019re comfortable with. It also illustrates that if you want to load up the boat with extras, it\u2019s worth upgrading the engine from the standard 400hp to 440hp.<\/p>\n

As for the helming experience, all is good in a very modest and compliant sort of way. Our only concern is the lack of a stabiliser, as these semi-displacement Swift Trawler hulls do have a tendency to roll a bit in a swell. At 37ft with a fully loaded displacement of nearly 11 tonnes, you might need a Seakeeper 4 rather than a Seakeeper 3 but there\u2019s potentially space for that in the lazarette aft of the engine bay.<\/p>\n

\"

In the absence of a wet bar option, there\u2019s a power point so you can use a grill or a raclette<\/p><\/div>\n

While the 4 weighs the best part of 340kg, you wouldn\u2019t imagine it would cause a critical issue – but either way, we\u2019re assured that a gyro is not on the options list, so if it\u2019s vital for you, you\u2019ll need to investigate the retrofit possibilities.<\/p>\n

\n

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Motor Boat & Yachting is the world’s leading magazine for Motoryacht enthusiasts. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams, as well as tests and news of all the latest motorboats.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You don\u2019t expect a trawler-style boat to look especially pretty but this one really is. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 37 Fly may be the same length as the Swift Trawler 35 it replaces (37ft 0in) but thanks to a longer, lower superstructure, a taller foredeck and a one-piece reverse screen, it looks better balanced. Factor […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":405,"featured_media":138157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[1620,1593],"review_manufacturer":[66],"review_category":[44],"review_type":[],"review_award":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review\/138136"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/review"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/405"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138136"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review\/138136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":138161,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review\/138136\/revisions\/138161"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138136"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=138136"},{"taxonomy":"review_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_category?post=138136"},{"taxonomy":"review_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_type?post=138136"},{"taxonomy":"review_award","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_award?post=138136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}