New ST-44 Owner (almost... Delivery in January)

The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
nhislander

nhislander

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2019
Messages
33
Location
United States
Vessel Name
No Regrets
Vessel Make
Swift Trawler 44
I recently ordered a new Swift Trawler 44. The boat is currently in transit to the US for delivery in January. Hull #302 - I guess this may be one of the last ST-44s being built as I hear Beneteau has discontinuing the ST-44 model in favor of the new 41?

As I am new to the Trawler world... I would appreciate any advice regarding the boat, taking delivery, critical maintenance, trawler events/trips, best places to cruise/visit (SW-FL/Keys/Bahamas), etc...

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide...
 
Welcome aboard. Don’t know much about that particular boat, but I am assuming it will be nice so congrats.
 
Since you are paying close to a half million for that boat, I would hire a surveyor to do a complete survey and sea trial once it arrives, is commissioned and turned over to you by the dealer. On the seatrial make sure that the boat is propped correctly.

If you can hold the last payment until afterwards, so much the better.

I assume that you are taking delivery in Florida. I am in SW Florida, so if I can help, PM me.

David
 
Going by the video review of this boat I just watched, I'd have them install some LED strip lighting in the engine room, other than that, a great boat. Actually almost the perfect Pacific Northwest and coastal BC boat with that great covered cockpit to keep out the torrential rain in the off seasons.
 
nhislander said:
I recently ordered a new Swift Trawler 44. The boat is currently in transit to the US for delivery in January. Hull #302 - I guess this may be one of the last ST-44s being built as I hear Beneteau has discontinuing the ST-44 model in favor of the new 41?

As I am new to the Trawler world... I would appreciate any advice regarding the boat, taking delivery, critical maintenance, trawler events/trips, best places to cruise/visit (SW-FL/Keys/Bahamas), etc...

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide...
Click to expand...

Congrats

Read all the existing threads here on TF at a bare minimum, lots of info on tips/tricks/maintenance/etc

As for taking delivery, I highly recommend a close inspection and sea trial before taking final delivery. If you don't have the expertise yourself, hire a surveyor / mechanic, test every system, look at everything.

Make sure you get all manuals for engines, gensets, every system installed. Read them, understand operating instructions, maintenance, etc. In fact, I downloaded most of the manuals before I got my ST44, and read them in the weeks before I took delivery.
 
I just watched the vid’s on your new boat. Looks like a great layout for extended cruising. I was surprised at the cruise speed. Very quick and very efficient.
 
Arc said:
I just watched the vid’s on your new boat. Looks like a great layout for extended cruising. I was surprised at the cruise speed. Very quick and very efficient.
Click to expand...

performance / cruise speed depends on sea conditions, wind, currents, weight/load, etc.
 
Congrats!

Having done the same 2 years ago I also agree that you should have the boat surveyed before delivery. We did and found a few voids etc.

We also went through horrendous dealings with the dealer and Beneteau due to issues with the engine/drive train install. We had to fight and were going to court until they backed down!

New engine mounts - D6 versions rather than the D4's
New cutlass bearings
Props re pitched - They came stamped 24/25, when measured one was 24/24 and the other was 24/24.5. Quality was poor
Bend in 1 shaft
shaft tapers not matched to the props
Shaft threads were still dog threads.

Marine propulsion engineer recommended the struts to be aligned properly but Beneteau refused to do this. I expect we'll be in for another battle when the cutlass bearings wear out.

Great boat, we love it. Appalling after care service from Dealer/Beneteau.
 
I fully agree with the sea trial and full survey on this or any other new boat ordered. This boat especially because of things others have seen. All of these are correctable but you want them fixed by Beneteau before it's your boat and your responsibility.

As an example, I am friends with a captain whose customer took delivery of another brand recently, a boat very similar to one we owned of the same brand. We had no issues but this boat just has had way too many small things. Fortunately, the warranty service is good. Fortunately, he did not buy through one dealer that was notorious for lousy warranty service. Also, the boat was not achieving maximum RPM and the props had to be changed. Just saying, it's not just a Beneteau issue.
 
KiwiClive said:
Congrats!

Having done the same 2 years ago I also agree that you should have the boat surveyed before delivery. We did and found a few voids etc.

We also went through horrendous dealings with the dealer and Beneteau due to issues with the engine/drive train install. We had to fight and were going to court until they backed down!

New engine mounts - D6 versions rather than the D4's
New cutlass bearings
Props re pitched - They came stamped 24/25, when measured one was 24/24 and the other was 24/24.5. Quality was poor
Bend in 1 shaft
shaft tapers not matched to the props
Shaft threads were still dog threads.

Marine propulsion engineer recommended the struts to be aligned properly but Beneteau refused to do this. I expect we'll be in for another battle when the cutlass bearings wear out.

Great boat, we love it. Appalling after care service from Dealer/Beneteau.
Click to expand...

just sent you a PM :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

nhislander
ST-44 - Hurricane Ian Damage
Replies
15
Views
3K
captkev
C
S
New Member in Virginia Searching for a Boat
Replies
2
Views
370
Action
Action
G
Beneteau ST 44 flybridge railing size
Replies
1
Views
282
Comodave
Comodave
J
Help a newbie please
Replies
24
Views
2K
Jklotz
J
nhislander
Swift Trawler 44 - Forward fuel tank leaking diesel
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
seawinder
S

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom