Beneteau Swift Trawler 48

Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 Overview

Designed for serious extended cruising, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 is a favourite from the Swift Trawler range. It combines long-range efficiency with exceptional stability and comfort. Her MICAD-designed semi-displacement hull delivers smooth, economical sea-keeping, ensuring full control and confidence in changing conditions. On deck, the intelligently planned layout features a wide starboard side deck, a seamless cockpit-to-saloon flow, and an expansive flybridge complete with an upper helm, generous seating, and a dedicated dining space.

Inside, the bright, window-filled saloon offers a true home-on-the-water feel, complete with a practical L-shaped galley and a raised U-shaped dinette. Below deck, three well-appointed cabins comfortably accommodate owners and guests, supported by ample storage tailored for extended voyages without compromise.

At sea, the 48 focuses on making distance effortless and safe rather than chasing pure speed, offering impressive range and stability at displacement speeds. Highly customisable to suit individual cruising ambitions, Fox’s Yacht Sales can help guide you through the specification options to configure the vessel perfectly from the start.

Performance & Handling

Power comes from twin Cummins QSB 6.7-litre diesels, driving straight shafts rather than outboards or sterndrives – a simple, proven set-up in keeping with the Swift Trawler’s serious cruising remit. Standard power is 2 x 380hp, giving a top speed of around 21 knots, while an optional 2 x 425hp pairing lifts that to around 25 knots for those who want a bit more.

The real story, though, is range. With 1,930 litres of fuel carried in twin aluminium tanks, Beneteau’s own figures put cruising range for this Swift Trawler 48 at over 600 nautical miles at a 9-knot displacement-mode cruise, or around 280 nautical miles at an efficient 18-knot planing speed, both allowing for a 10% fuel reserve.

The semi-displacement hull is built for comfort and confidence rather than outright speed, with a draught of just 1.15m keeping options open for shallower cruising grounds and a light displacement of around 12.7 tonnes.

Flybridge, Cockpit & Deck Layout

The Swift Trawler 48 carries forward the range’s signature asymmetric deck layout, with the whole superstructure offset to port to leave room for a genuinely wide, well-protected side deck to starboard – and, usefully, every service point for fuel, water and pump-out is grouped there too, so there’s never any argument about which side to bring alongside.

The aft cockpit is a proper extension of the saloon, with room for a folding table and two director’s chairs alongside a large bench seat, and a transom double gate opening onto a generous swim platform. An optional hydraulic hi-lo lifting platform, rated to 350kg, makes launching a tender or getting back aboard after a swim considerably easier, and adjustable dinghy chocks are fitted either side.

Designed for intelligent space and effortless flow, the Swift Trawler 48 features an expansive 20-square-meter flybridge that serves as a commanding second living area – complete with an upper helm featuring an adjustable pilot seat and three forward-facing co-pilot positions, a plush aft dining table, a wetbar for effortless entertaining at anchor, and an optional hardtop overhead. Down below, a retractable stainless-steel ladder folds away at the simple press of a pedal to seamlessly liberate cockpit space, while the foredeck extends the relaxation outdoors with an optional sunpad featuring lift-up sections for ultimate lounging. Every detail works in harmony to keep guests comfortably connected to the journey while delivering an exceptionally luxurious cruising experience.

Saloon & Galley

Inside, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 feels bright, spacious, and thoughtfully designed for extended cruising. Large windows and optional sliding panes flood the saloon with natural light and foster a seamless connection to the water, with Roman blinds fitted for shade and privacy. The comfortable raised U-shaped dinette seats up to eight around an adjustable, varnished wood table and converts into a generous double berth, complete with a dividing rail and curtains for extra guests.

Positioned aft, the practical L-shaped galley is fully equipped for proper onboard living rather than short stays. Standard features include a Corian worktop, a full-height 255 litre fridge/freezer, a large stainless steel sink, a gas oven, and a three-burner gas hob with a protective glass cover. Ample organisation – including overhead lockers, a cutlery drawer, and “magic corner” pull-out storage – ensures everything has its place for longer voyages, while an all-electric galley setup (induction hob and combined oven/microwave grill) or a six-place dishwasher can be specified as options.

Three Cabins for Extended Cruising

Below deck, the Swift Trawler 48 offers exceptional accommodation for up to six people across three well-appointed cabins, with space for two additional guests in the convertible saloon dinette, balancing privacy and practicality so that longer cruises always feel relaxed rather than confined.

The forward owner’s cabin houses a double berth (1.99m x 1.60m) with storage under and either side of the berth, a full-length mirror and a hanging locker, lit by two hull windows with opening portholes. It has its own en-suite head with a separate shower compartment. To port, a VIP guest cabin has two single berths that can be made up into a double with an infill cushion, plus an en-suite door through to the day head. The starboard third cabin has its own double berth, storage under the berth and a wardrobe, lit by opening hull portholes.

A second head sits on the day side of the boat for guest use, and both heads are fitted with electric flushing and a separate shower compartment, so getting ready doesn’t mean queuing.

Helm & Handling Underway

The lower helm sits to starboard, with a sliding side door giving direct access to the side deck for easy docking and line handling. Hydraulic steering, electric engine controls, and a full set of gauges – including rev counter, fuel level, rudder angle and flap indicators – are all within easy reach, and controls for the electric windlass, bow thruster and navigation lights are grouped on the dashboard. A joystick option, combining engines, bow thruster and an optional stern thruster, makes tight-quarters manoeuvring considerably more relaxed.

The same central console is echoed on the flybridge, so passage-making or docking from the upper helm feels just as intuitive.

A Connected Boat

Through the Seanapps mobile app and onboard unit, owners can check the status of the boat’s systems – including battery charge, fuel and water tank levels, and maintenance scheduling – straight from their smartphone, as well as plan routes and review sailing status on the move.

Why Choose the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48?

What makes the Swift Trawler 48 stand out is its focus on doing the fundamentals of long-range cruising properly. Twin shaft-drive diesels, a genuinely capable semi-displacement hull and a fuel capacity built for real distance give her the range to go further, while three real cabins, two heads and a flybridge built for entertaining mean she’s just as capable of comfortable, extended time aboard as a family or with friends.

The Swift Trawler 48 sits at the point where serious passagemaking ability meets genuine liveaboard comfort. With a wide choice of engine power, wood finishes and onboard equipment, she can be specified to suit anything from coastal cruising to longer offshore passages.

Key Features of the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48

• Largest model in Beneteau’s Swift Trawler range, designed by MICAD naval architects
• Semi-displacement hull with straight-shaft twin diesel power – 2 x 380hp standard, 2 x 425hp optional
• Cruising range of over 600 nautical miles at 9 knots from a 1,930-litre fuel capacity
• Length overall 14.74m (48’4″), beam 4.50m (14’9″), draught 1.15m
• Signature asymmetric deck layout with a wide, well-protected starboard side deck
• 20 sqm flybridge with forward-facing pilot and co-pilot seating plus an aft dining area and wetbar
• Three-cabin accommodation for up to six, plus a convertible saloon dinette for two more
• Two heads, each with a separate shower compartment
• L-shaped galley with Corian worktop and full-height 255-litre fridge/freezer
• Optional hydraulic hi-lo swim platform rated to 350kg
• Joystick docking control available across engines, bow and stern thrusters
• Seanapps app connectivity for onboard system monitoring

Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 FAQ

What top speed can the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 reach?

With the standard twin 380hp Cummins engines, the Swift Trawler 48 has a top speed of around 21 knots, rising to around 25 knots with the optional 425hp engines. Her real strength, though, is range – over 600 nautical miles at a 9-knot cruise.

How many people can sleep and travel aboard the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48?

The Swift Trawler 48 can sleep up to six people across three cabins, with a further two berths available from the convertible saloon dinette when needed. She is rated in CE Design Category B to carry up to 12 people while underway.

Are parts and servicing readily available for the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 in the UK?

Yes. As an authorised Beneteau dealer, Fox’s Yacht Sales can assist with genuine Beneteau parts, technical support and servicing enquiries, helping to keep your Swift Trawler 48 in excellent condition throughout your ownership.

Why Choose Fox’s Yacht Sales for Your Beneteau Swift Trawler 48?

At Fox’s Yacht Sales, we’ve been helping people get on the water for over 50 years. Our team knows boats inside and out, and we’re passionate about matching customers with the right boat for their needs. Whether you’re new to boating or moving up to your next boat, we’re here to offer straightforward advice, answer questions and support you long after handover day.

• Over 50 years of trusted marine expertise
• Fair and transparent pricing
• Options to sell your boat
• Expert guidance on specifications and options
• Friendly support the whole way through
• Access to marine finance and insurance solutions

As part of Fox’s Marina & Boatyard in Ipswich, you’ll also have access to one of the UK’s most established boating facilities. From servicing, maintenance and refits to our fully stocked chandlery, everything you need is in one place.

If you’d like to find out more about the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48, call us on 01473 971971. We’re available Monday to Saturday and always happy to talk boats.