Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 premieres in Asia

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Flyer 9, Antares 11, Gran Turismo 41, Swift Trawler 44 and Grand Trawler 62

Beneteau’s Grand Trawler 62 arrived in Hong Kong recently, courtesy of Simpson Marine, and its Asia premiere was the highlight of the Beneteau Power Days event at Club Marina Cove. Other Beneteau models on show were a Swift Trawler 44, Gran Turismo 41, Antares 11 and Flyer 9, while there were also a couple of Highfield RIB tenders.

The Grand Trawler 62’s Asia premiere was the event highlight

However, the Grand Trawler 62 was the star of the show. This is a full displacement vessel, meaning it has plenty of volume, generous living and social spaces, and an economical cruising speed of 8-12 knots. Perfect.

The multi-functional swim platform

Beneteau has poured all their experience with the Swift Trawler range into the Grand Trawler 62. Boarding via the transom, you’ll find a multi-purpose multi-height swim platform that provides steps into the water as well as a swim ladder, and becomes a tender parking spot when under way. The cockpit furniture is all aft-facing, and Beneteau call it ‘the terrace to the sea’. It works.

The cockpit features aft-facing furniture

Head indoors and the interior size is immediately apparent. The galley is positioned forward of the saloon and adjacent to the dining area, allowing for easy access or service to both. It’s something of a command centre, and even has a door to the port side deck to get the canapés and the tall frosty glasses to the foredeck as easily as possible.

The saloon sits on a lower level to the dining area

A well-designed dining table ‘pulls out’ and ‘slides away’ as required, and the helm station faces three 16-inch electronic screens and comes with an (optional) extra co-pilot’s seat. There are handrails and handholds everywhere. Those who never go further than the marina breakwater won’t notice, but anyone making passage round the coast in a nor’easter and bit of swell will appreciate that this yacht really is meant to go to sea.

The foredeck has sunpads and a sofa

On the day she was delivered from Aberdeen to Port Shelter for this show, it was lumpy going around Cape D’Aguilar. The delivery skipper confided that the boat was “very good”, with minimal pitch and well-controlled roll thanks to the gyro stabilisation system.

The flybridge covers 34sqm

The flybridge is impressively expansive. Aside from another helm station and direct access to the station on the main deck, the 34sqm flybridge has dining seating for eight, an L-shaped sofa, sunpads, and a wet bar with sink, grill and fridge … and there’s still room for a flybridge crane and dinghy storage area.

The full-beam master suite

Accommodation comes as either three or four-cabin layout, with more storage space than you can possibly imagine. The boat really does allow for extended cruising; it’s not just “something for the weekend”. The owner and VIP suites even have under-bed storage, and we quickly lost count of the number of lockers all around the boat.

The Beneteau Power Days line-up at Club Marina Cove

It’s often assumed that boating is Asia is based on ‘get there fast, get home quickly’. The Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 is a pleasant change from the ubiquitous pointy-nosed speed machines, and a classy invitation to drop anchor and stay awhile. If anyone’s inviting, I’ve got my hand in the air.