Beneteau 34 Trawler

C

cloud7

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 Apr 2005
Messages
571
Visit site
Afternoon,
Does anyone have experience or opinions of the single engine Beneteau 34 Trawler
Thks
 
Bouba said:
I have one, about a year now.
Ask away
Click to expand...

Thanks guys
Couple thoughts:
1: build quality
2: what's the living space like
3: is the steps to fly bridge ok for children / older visitors
4: ease of using crane
5: single engine , any stories on reliability
6: fuel consumption
7: cruising speed
8: sea keeping
Any other points , appreciate your time
Thks
 
McNessie said:
Interested to hear thoughts about this boat.

Would it be suited to taking down to the Med & cruising there?
Click to expand...
My boat is in the Med, we have just come back from a morning of cleaning her, I suppose that real boat happiness is not which boat you have but whether you have someone to clean it for you. But I digress.
Yes it's a good Med boat for the following reasons,
She is the biggest little boat out there, probably. Big enough for a couple to stay on her long term. Loads of storage and lots of head room for tall people. A spare room for guests and a good sized sofa bed (a click clack not a couch with infills). A reasonable sized galley, that is gas powered if you don't have a genset, although the lazaret is big enough for a genset and everything else.
On the down side, there is only one heads on the 34 and it's a bit tight, the shower is not a walk in and the shower tray is very shallow so you have to run the pump out the whole time you are showering or the water escapes under the bathroom door. On the plus side, there is an amazing amount of storage in the bathroom.
The bed is comfortable but it's not a walk around. The sides are taken up with storage, at first I thought this is a good thing but now I'd prefer an island bed.
For mooring Med style, it is very easy to do. There is usually a stern thruster, but it's not strong enough to overcome a good blow. But she prop walks well, which is important for a single engine boat. There is a full sized door next to the helm so the captain can be inside and out at the same time and be there to grab a rope (there is also a cleat and a door right there so mooring along side is probably easier than almost any boat out there). There is a very large and safe covered companion way so taking ropes and slime lines to the bow is easy and safe.
A tender is very important in the Med, and the ST34 can carry a proper rib, mine is a 2.6m aluminum rib but I could have had one size larger. And, unlike any thirty foot boat, she has a boat deck to carry the rib on, this means the swim platform is clear for Med mooring, we also carry a surf board on the boat deck.
She has a lot of outside space, very large flybridge (especially after the rib is launched) but unfortunately a ladder not stairs. The front of the boat is large, easily accessible and the coach roof is flat so useful for sunbathing etc. The cockpit is fully covered by the flybridge and there is a set of curtains to make it another room. There is even a door on the companion way that can close off the cockpit. If you don't get the optional bench seat then the cockpit feels big.
There is only one engine but it's the best in the world. Either the 5.9 or the updated version the 6.7 Cummins.
She is good at anchor, doesn't spin around like a lot of boats, handles a swell well and big waves or wakes don't bother her.
 
Last edited:
cloud7 said:
Thanks guys
Couple thoughts:
1: build quality
2: what's the living space like
3: is the steps to fly bridge ok for children / older visitors
4: ease of using crane
5: single engine , any stories on reliability
6: fuel consumption
7: cruising speed
8: sea keeping
Any other points , appreciate your time
Thks
Click to expand...
Good questions
Beneteau get a lot of stick for build quality, but I have no complaints the hull feels solid in a chop and the cabinetry looks good to me.
Living space is excellent for a thirty footer, the two companion ways eat into the salon but she is a fat boat to compensate.
The ladder can be a problem and it's possible to smash your head going up, so I've put a bit of padding on the hatch surrounds. I always warn people to watch their head. There is plenty of outdoor space if old people or dogs can't go upstairs.
The crane takes a little bit of juggling between the two winches but it's a skill easily acquired. Launching the surfboard takes skill but the rib is easy because it doesn't matter if it hits the sides going down. I use a winchrite, an electric winch handle, this is the cheapest way to electrify your winches. Launching in rough seas is hard and I would love a Seakeeper (the lazaret is big enough but the wallet isn't)
I don't know the fuel consumption but she's very frugal at slow speed, up to 9 knots, then she's thirsty. I've had her upto nearly 21 knots but fully loaded with a bit of slime expect 17
Very nice at sea, good with wake
 
Bouba said:
Good questions
Beneteau get a lot of stick for build quality, but I have no complaints the hull feels solid in a chop and the cabinetry looks good to me.
Living space is excellent for a thirty footer, the two companion ways eat into the salon but she is a fat boat to compensate.
The ladder can be a problem and it's possible to smash your head going up, so I've put a bit of padding on the hatch surrounds. I always warn people to watch their head. There is plenty of outdoor space if old people or dogs can't go upstairs.
The crane takes a little bit of juggling between the two winches but it's a skill easily acquired. Launching the surfboard takes skill but the rib is easy because it doesn't matter if it hits the sides going down. I use a winchrite, an electric winch handle, this is the cheapest way to electrify your winches. Launching in rough seas is hard and I would love a Seakeeper (the lazaret is big enough but the wallet isn't)
I don't know the fuel consumption but she's very frugal at slow speed, up to 9 knots, then she's thirsty. I've had her upto nearly 21 knots but fully loaded with a bit of slime expect 17
Very nice at sea, good with wake
Click to expand...
One other point, all the flooring comes off without any catches or screws, this gives additional discrete storage and access to almost every system and cable and piping on the boat, very easy boat to work on
 
cloud7 said:
Thank you for the info , did you go for air con ?
Click to expand...
No, I didn't even spec a genset, this has proven to be a mistake and I'm now on a mission to get one. Electric heating is more a priority than air con as we are year round boaters.
 
Bouba
Thks again for your time , I am looking at one in burton waters . & would be thinking about Estepona spain / lagos
Portugal..
 
The other point is that there is a lot out there, about 400 made so far. All without any upgrades to the model, this means there is a lot for sale at any one time, meaning an established market and prices, so you know what to expect for your money also what it's worth when it's time to move it on
 
My thoughts

1: build quality - It is what you expect for the money perfectly good but dont expect top draw cabinetry
2: what's the living space like - Excellent for two best big little ship sums her up
3: is the steps to fly bridge ok for children / older visitors - I found them no issue my 78 year old in laws managed then no issue
4: ease of using crane - Once you get the hang of it it is a godsend having had snap davits etc on a previous boat
5: single engine , any stories on reliability - Bullet proof in a different league to boats of similar size, these are virtual commercial spec engines
6: fuel consumption - Incredible at low speeds but as you push the stick forward it goes up but you get all options with the Swift diplacement and burn nothing or speed when needed
7: cruising speed - We found 14 knots was a sweet spot on ours - very comfortable
8: sea keeping - Had her out in reasonable seas and always felt safe, stern quartering sea can require a bit more effort but not untoward, mainly down to the keel.

Incredibly well behaved when marina manoervering, the keel helps here, with the wheel turned hard over and rocking the throttle ahead and astern she will turn in her own length.

Have you seen the boat test videos?

Fantastic value for money IMHO

They can pick their skirts up when needed... here was our sea trial
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

S
Cranchi Zaffiro 34 Battery Charger
Replies
0
Views
75
Sunway
S
I
Alternator upgrade on Volvo TMD41A
Replies
7
Views
212
boatmike
boatmike
M
Newer Generation Bav 34 anodes
Replies
4
Views
172
macca499
M

Share this page

Top