Beneteau Flyer GT 49 Main

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Although the flying bridge is roomy and offers superior sight lines, I chose to do my evaluations from the salon station. The reason: When putting a boat with dual helms through her paces from the bridge, there is no way to assess what happens to the view of the seaway from the helm during acceleration. On many a vessel coming up out of the hole, while steering from below, the driver can lose the horizon long enough to miss that nasty “wood shark” lying dead ahead or some other nefarious flotsam just waiting to strike the hull or do damage to the propulsion units. This was not an issue with the GT 49. During four runs, all with the boat coming up onto plane accompanied by the normal bow rise, not once did I lose sight of the seaway. And consider that I am 5 feet 9 inches tall, was seated and didn’t have to crane my neck. The overall performance test resulted in an average fast cruise of 27.7 knots burning 42 gph at 3300 rpm, and a slow cruise average of 18.3 knots, with a 26 gph fuel rate at 2700 rpm. And with her responsive handling, the GT 49 is fun to drive. She quickly answers to the helm, executes tight turns and tracks a true course in a straight line.

I also liked the boat’s interior layout. Large windows all around and 6 feet 6 inches of headroom add to the feeling of spaciousness in the salon. The helm is on the starboard side; a sofa and table is opposite, giving occupants a perfect view of the TV abaft the helm. Below, light from the windshield and a view of the sky make the galley and dinette feel like an atrium. The guest stateroom is forward. The pods allow a full-beam master stateroom under the salon. It has an en suite head and a large locker.



The noteworthy fit and finish throughout is complemented by her quality construction details, including a solid fiberglass bottom with coring from the waterline up, low profile exterior styling featuring wide walkways on both sides and high, sturdy rails for safe passages, and the kind of attention to detail one would expect from a company of this pedigree. 

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Test Conditions: Speeds were measured by GPS in the Intracoastal Waterway in calm seas and 15-knot winds, with a 5/8 load of fuel, no water and three people on board. Fuel consumption was calculated by the electronic engine-monitoring system. Sound levels were measured at the helm.

RPM    Knots   GPH   dB(A)
 650    4.4    .7    62
1000    5.8    1.6    63
1200    7.0    2.0    66
1500    8.0    5.5    67
1800    9.7    8.6    71
2100    12.0    16.0    73
2400    14.2    21.0    74
2700    18.3    26.0    75
3300    27.4    42.0    80
3600    28.6    44.0    84

LOA: 51’2”
LWL: 45’11”
BEAM: 14’1”
DRAFT: 3’7”
DISPL.: 27,550 lb.
FUEL: 344 gal.
WATER: 170 gal.
TRANSOM DEADRISE: 16 degrees
TEST POWER: 2 x 435 hp Volvo Penta IPS600 diesels
BASE PRICE: $686,800
PRICE AS TESTED: $858,700

Beneteau USA, 410-990-0270; www.beneteauusa.com

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