Sea keeping of similar size boats.

[Dirtyrat]

I'm looking at Beneteau Antares 36 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 in terms of sea keeping, and am asking which is better, if either at handling the rough stuff.

Both have exactly the same Hull length of 9.98M (but different hull designs!)
Antares 36 beam is 3.80M where as ST34 Beam is 4.00M
They are a similar Empty Weight (7050kg A36, vs 7450kg ST34)
I notice that the CE Certification for the Antares 36 is B10, where as the Swift Trawler is B8.
The Antares 36 has 2 engines compared to the single engined Swift Trawler

The trawler 'looks' like it could handle more extreme weather, but could it?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[LadyJ]

Sorry I can't add any comment but interested in the thread so have added myself to it. Hopefully someone will be along soon with some help/comment.

 

[piratos]

I'm looking at Beneteau Antares 36 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 in terms of sea keeping, and am asking which is better, if either at handling the rough stuff.

Both have exactly the same Hull length of 9.98M (but different hull designs!)
Antares 36 beam is 3.80M where as ST34 Beam is 4.00M
They are a similar Empty Weight (7050kg A36, vs 7450kg ST34)
I notice that the CE Certification for the Antares 36 is B10, where as the Swift Trawler is B8.
The Antares 36 has 2 engines compared to the single engined Swift Trawler

The trawler 'looks' like it could handle more extreme weather, but could it?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have not been onboard any of these two boats, but if your only concern is about the real "rough Stuff" I am sure that any of the boats will handle more than the crew.
Its rather a question of what you expect of the boat - Do you want a boat to keep up a fast pace in a chop then the boat with the deepest V (Antares ?) is likely to be best - in bigger waves, and slower speed probaly the boat with moderate V and bigger initial buyancy (Swift-T).

 

[JT57]

Assuming you mean rough enough to have to drop off the plane, then the semi-displacement hull of the trawler should handle better. It also has a small keel which helps as against the fully planing hull of the Antares. I have both boats on my shortlist but favour the layout of the Swift. Also not so interested in speed anymore and like the thought of cruising at 10-12 knots with the ability to brew up whilst at sea! All far more relaxing.

 

[Bandit]

From what I understand the Swift trawler may look like a trawler yacht above the water line but below it is a standard planning hull with a very small keel.

The dry weight is fairly small for the size. I understand that the boats are built to minimise weight.

For the "rough stuff" I would expect a Grand Banks of a similar size to handle it better.

 

[JT57]

It's true to say the Swift is a trawler in name only, and the poster is right to compare it with the Antares.
The hull will plane but is most efficient (I'm using fuel economy figures here) at around 8 kts, though you can squeeze out 22 kts if you want to get home before the rough stuff starts (my recommendation!).
BoatTest.com have a great review of the 34 online, and they describe the hull as semi-displacement. If the Swift was a car, maybe the hull would be called a X-over. It's either a semi-displacement that will plane or a planing hull which is happiest at semi-displacement speeds. Take your pick.
If I had to choose a boat to go out into the "rough stuff", it wouldn't be one with a full planing hull. It' not that you would necessarily be in any danger, it's the wallowing around and unpleasant passage making that would put me off. That said, best policy is stay at home if it's rough or conditions are worsening (I accept we all get caught out from time to time).

 

[pks1702]

I guess it depends on your definition of 'rough stuff'.

I boat for enjoyment not for a living so going out in an 8 would not be on my radar although I know one Swift owner that did from Ipswich to the Blackwater, it certainly tested if the flybridge leaked

We have had ours out in some lively wind over tide with decent size 'holes' and always felt comfortable.

We had a Viki 32 SD before the Swift which was beamy and quite heavy for its size I would say the Swift is equally as good but the small keel means that with a stern quartering sea the stern is a bit more lively but pretty benign overall.

As has been mentioned earlier Boatest have 4 or so videos relating to the Swift 34

 

[Dirtyrat]

Thanks for the replies !
My initial definition of 'rough stuff' meant definitely needing to come off the plane and everyone needing to sit down etc. I hadn't thought about it before, but I'm also now interested in performance in 'moderate' waves and making it home asap to beat the incoming weather (thanks piratos for the thought).

From reading above then, generally speaking in large seas (and not boat specific):
A bigger beam makes the boat more buoyant (if same hull length), and thus better
A hull more towards the 'displacement' style, is better for slower steady progress in big waves, (whereas a deep V could cut you home through moderate waves quicker)
A heavier boat is more comfortable
A large keel is better for directional stability

May I ask about the CE rating of B10 for Antares 36 vs B8 for Swift Trawler 34. Does this mean that the 'CE approver' believes that the Antares can handle 'slightly more', or is that far from the mark?

Love both boats for different reasons, and am enjoying my research.

Thank you very much for your replies everyone!

 

[desperatelyseeking]

My understanding is that the difference between B8 and B10 is to do with the number of persons on board. The Antares is certified for 10 people whereas the ST is only certified for 8. Classifications below:
A Class A yacht ( boat ) is a vessel that is built to navigate the open ocean and surpass a force 8 on the Beaufort scale and surpass waves higher that 4 meters. These yachts are constructed to be self sufficient in hostile seas.

A Class B yacht ( boat ) is a vessel built to navigate on the offshore waters (200 miles and less) and can substain UP TO force 8 and waves UP TO 4 meters.

A Class C boat is a vessel built to navigate inshore such as lakes, rivers, bays and close to the shore and can sustain UP TO force 6 and waves UP TO 2 meters.

A Class D boat is built for protected or sheltered waters such as canals, rivers, small lakes and sustain a force 4 and waves UP TO .3 meters (less that 1 ft).