Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 IPS

By John Armstrong

I had the pleasure of running and reviewing the Swift 50 when I was in Annapolis last October; the boat was supplied by Beneteau America and was moored at Annapolis Yacht Sales.

The French-built Swift 50 encompasses a traditional trawler look but with her twin 435 hp Volvo Penta IPS 600’s performs like a sedan bridge or a sport cruiser, topping out at 24.8 knots in calm seas. With the dynamic stability there was very little roll in all the conditions we encountered. The boat has vertical pilothouse windows that gives you a panoramic view from the helm. There is a joystick docking control at the lower helm as well as on the flybridge helm plus an an optional third joystick in the aft cockpit.

The Swift 50 has well thought out accommodations which make it a very comfortable boat for onboard  living. I will be writing a full review on this outstanding boat in a future issue, so once again stay tuned!

Length Overall: 49’2″ / 14.99 m

Hull Length: 43’9″ / 13.33 m

Beam: 15’3″ / 4.65 m

Light displacement: 35,264 lbs / 16,000 kg

Fuel Capacity: 2 x 317 gals / 2 x 1,200 L

Water Capacity: 2 x 106 gals / 2 x 400 L

Max Engine Power (hp) : 2 x 435 HP Volvo Penta

IPS 600

Price: US $900,000

Photo Captions:

1) The innovative design of the bottom is specially conceived for the IPS dirve system and enables a range of over 100 miles at crusing speed and a fuel consumption of less than 30 litres per hour.

2) You’re aboard an authentic traler, where every detail is designed to respond to a primary function: sailing long distances, in full safety and the utmost comfort.


Starcraft SV 16 OB

By Craig Ritchie

Photos by Starcraft Marine

Building great boats has always come down to a mix of art and science, and that’s particularly true when it comes to meeting the biggest challenge of all—creating an appealing yet affordable family runabout. Buyers want a boat that is affordable but not stripped to the bare bones.

Enter Starcraft and its delightful SV 16 OB, an all-new-for-2025 family deck boat that elegantly balances comfort, amenities and affordability.

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Destinations

The Erie Canal – An Extraordinary Waterway

By Mark Stevens

Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

As I shift our chartered canal boat into neutral, I’m soothed by the soundtrack of bird calls, the occasional plaintive horn of a distant train and the hum of our engine.

I reach for the VHF to radio the lockmaster in charge of Erie Canal’s Lock 32 dead ahead. Our boat spins gently in the current like a maple key in a mud puddle.

“This is Onondaga,” I say. “Headed westbound and requesting passage.”

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