Beneteau GT44

[Halcyon Yachts]

Well, what can I say... A cracking boat and a perfect trip! 30 degrees + and glassy conditions almost all the way to the Solent.

The GT44 is an amazing boat, very comfortable and stylish and incredibly easy to manoeuvre in close quarters. We used around 80 lts an hour at 20 kts, she is very fast to get on the plane and impressively light and responsive to drive.

Here is a short video of the trip; it looks like we were doing 20kts up the Hamble (honestly though, we weren't!).

I hope you enjoy!

Pete

 

[Nautorius]

Great video and Shots. Really enjoyed it. Lovely looking boat and ideal conditions...must have been fun! Looked a relaxing trip in glorious weather. Could have been the Med

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Excellent vid. What did you think of the joystick thingy? There have been mixed reports about joystick control with sterndrives.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Excellent vid. What did you think of the joystick thingy? There have been mixed reports about joystick control with sterndrives.

The joystick control worked perfectly making her incredibly easy to handle in close quarters.

It really could have been the Med; But if we'd stopped for a swim I think the reality would have set in!

Pete

 

[rafiki_]

Great vid, many thanks, and the boat looks fantastic. Loved the OCD bit with the fwd warp.

 

[Andrew38]

The joystick control worked perfectly making her incredibly easy to handle in close quarters.

It really could have been the Med; But if we'd stopped for a swim I think the reality would have set in!

Pete

Great video of what is an excellent boat but have to disagree on the joystick. I've owned an MC42 (same boat before a name change) since new in 2011 and last winter paid for a bowthruster to be installed. The joystick works perfectly in benign conditions but the high windage of the bow means that she wouldn't turn through a strong wind - particularly bad in locks (eg Sovereign) where the wind can funnel through, get the bow a point or two to either side of the wind and you'll not stop her being turned with just the joystick. I put in one of the smaller Vetus units that they were doing deals on (courtesy of Tim Nichols at Sovereign Harbour) and now she's perfect! The small unit works because all it needs is a slight boost at critical moments. It's not just the sterndrives either, I know of Sealine owners with pods who complain of the same problem.

 

[volvopaul]

The v45 is just the same , very difficult to move sideways unless its flat calm he also said he's had many problems with the drives, software and general operating issues. My view is that the wear and tear on the cone clutches, shift actuators and steering rams must be horrendous as there forever changing direction in every operation. My view would be learn to drive it on the controls as per any normal stern drive boat and add a stern thuster for good measure, far cheaper than a new drive of which has already had one explode with gears out the side of the casing. A great boat but should have been built on v drives shafts like the old 40/42.

 

[Switch]

The v45 is just the same , very difficult to move sideways unless its flat calm he also said he's had many problems with the drives, software and general operating issues. My view is that the wear and tear on the cone clutches, shift actuators and steering rams must be horrendous as there forever changing direction in every operation. My view would be learn to drive it on the controls as per any normal stern drive boat and add a stern thuster for good measure, far cheaper than a new drive of which has already had one explode with gears out the side of the casing. A great boat but should have been built on v drives shafts like the old 40/42.

+ 1

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Great video of what is an excellent boat but have to disagree on the joystick. I've owned an MC42 (same boat before a name change) since new in 2011 and last winter paid for a bowthruster to be installed. The joystick works perfectly in benign conditions but the high windage of the bow means that she wouldn't turn through a strong wind - particularly bad in locks (eg Sovereign) where the wind can funnel through, get the bow a point or two to either side of the wind and you'll not stop her being turned with just the joystick. I put in one of the smaller Vetus units that they were doing deals on (courtesy of Tim Nichols at Sovereign Harbour) and now she's perfect! The small unit works because all it needs is a slight boost at critical moments. It's not just the sterndrives either, I know of Sealine owners with pods who complain of the same problem.

Interesting... It was VERY benign conditions throughout our trip. It seems ridiculous that they would use this set-up if sea trials proved it to be inadequate! Perhaps the assumption is that you don't take her out in stronger winds?!?

Pete

 

[Andrew38]

Interesting... It was VERY benign conditions throughout our trip. It seems ridiculous that they would use this set-up if sea trials proved it to be inadequate! Perhaps the assumption is that you don't take her out in stronger winds?!?

Pete

I believe that they do now fit GT44's with a bow thruster tube at the factory!