Thinking of Buying a Beneteau Swift Trawler 50? Read This First
Beneteau 50 Buyer's Guide: Specs & Pricing
Considering a Beneteau 50? Discover detailed specs, sailing performance, pricing, and pros and cons in this comprehensive luxury yacht buyer's guide.
The Video That Changes How You Buy a Beneteau 50
5 minutes of focused, no-fluff information
The Numbers That Reveal True Value
Engine hours are one of the biggest drivers of value. This breakdown shows how each 2015 Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 compares—so you can spot overpriced listings and real opportunities.
See the Difference Between Asking Prices and Real Deals
Looking at listings alone can be misleading. When you compare them to actual sales, the real market picture becomes much clearer—and that’s where better decisions are made
Beneteau 50 Buyer's Guide: Specs, Pricing & Features
Stepping onto a luxury sailing yacht offers an unparalleled sense of freedom. The Beneteau 50 delivers this experience with a remarkable blend of performance and comfort. Combining elegant lines with practical marine engineering, this vessel captures the hearts of sailors worldwide. If you are thinking about adding this beautiful yacht to your life, you need a clear picture of what ownership entails.
Buying a sailing yacht requires more than admiring its profile at the dock. You must understand how it handles offshore conditions, what it costs to maintain, and whether its layout fits your cruising plans.
This guide provides everything you need to know about the Beneteau 50. We will explore its specific measurements, standout design features, real-world fuel consumption, and the true cost of ownership. By the time you finish reading, you will know if the Beneteau 50 aligns perfectly with your sailing ambitions.
The Beneteau Legacy: Sailing Meets Luxury
Built by the renowned French shipyard, the Beneteau 50 represents a sweet spot in the production yacht market. Designed by legendary naval architects like Bruce Farr, the hull prioritizes both speed and stability. You get a boat that performs admirably in local regattas while remaining comfortable enough for extended bluewater cruising.
Craftsmanship shines throughout the interior and exterior of this vessel. Warm mahogany or light oak finishes, sturdy stainless steel hardware, and premium fabrics create an atmosphere of classic elegance. Whether you plan to host sunset dinners in the Mediterranean or embark on an Atlantic crossing, the Beneteau 50 provides a sophisticated platform. It successfully bridges the gap between a high-performance sailboat and a luxurious floating retreat.
Key Specifications: The Beneteau 50 at a Glance
Before we dive into the luxurious amenities, we need to look at the hard numbers. Understanding the physical footprint and capacities of the Beneteau 50 helps you determine slip requirements and passage-making capabilities.
Length Overall (LOA): 49 feet 11 inches (15.21 meters)
Beam: 14 feet 9 inches (4.50 meters)
Draft (Standard Keel): 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters)
Displacement (Dry): Approximately 30,865 lbs (14,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 132 US gallons (500 liters)
Water Capacity: 264 US gallons (1,000 liters)
Sail Area: Roughly 1,200 square feet, providing excellent drive.
Standard Engine: Yanmar diesel (typically 75hp to 100hp depending on the year)
Standout Features of the Beneteau 50
The Beneteau 50 comes packed with features designed to enhance your time on the water. The shipyard carefully balances the needs of the captain with the comfort of the guests.
The Deck and Cockpit
The dual-helm cockpit stands out as one of the most popular design elements. It provides the captain with excellent visibility and easy access to the primary winches. The open layout allows passengers to move freely without interfering with the sailing operations. A large central table offers the perfect spot for alfresco dining, complete with integrated storage and lighting.
Luxurious Accommodations
Below deck, the yacht typically features three to four staterooms, depending on the specific layout you choose. The owner's version often places a massive master suite forward, complete with an island berth and a private en-suite head. Large overhead hatches and hull ports flood the cabins with natural light. This creates a bright, inviting space that rivals boutique hotel suites.
The Galley and Saloon
The main saloon serves as the social heart of the yacht. A large dining area sits to starboard, offering enough seating for a full crew. The galley, often arranged in a linear or U-shape, features deep sinks, a gimbaled stove, and massive refrigeration capacity. You can easily prepare gourmet meals while underway or at anchor, keeping your crew happy and well-fed.
Performance Under Sail and Power
A luxury sailing yacht must perform as beautifully as it looks. The Beneteau 50 utilizes a performance-oriented hull design that slices through the water with minimal drag.
See It for Yourself: A Full Walkthrough
Sailing Capabilities
Under sail, the boat feels balanced and responsive. The wide beam carries far aft, providing excellent form stability when the wind picks up. Whether you are beating upwind or enjoying a broad reach, the yacht tracks beautifully. All lines typically lead aft to the cockpit, making the boat surprisingly easy to handle for a couple or a short-handed crew.
Engine and Fuel Consumption
When the wind dies, you need reliable power to reach your destination. Powered by a dependable Yanmar diesel engine, the Beneteau 50 offers excellent motoring capabilities.
Cruising Speed: At a comfortable cruising speed of 7 to 8 knots, the engine consumes approximately 1.5 to 2 gallons per hour (GPH).
Range: With a 132-gallon tank and a conservative burn rate, you enjoy a motoring range of over 450 nautical miles.
Maneuverability: A bow thruster often comes standard or as a highly recommended option. This makes backing into tight Mediterranean moors or crowded marinas a stress-free experience.
Pros and Cons of the Beneteau 50
Every yacht involves compromises. Here is an honest look at where the Beneteau 50 excels and where it might fall short of certain expectations.
The Pros
Exceptional Value: You get a massive amount of volume, comfort, and sailing capability for a very reasonable price compared to custom builds.
Sailing Performance: The Bruce Farr pedigree ensures the boat sails exceptionally well in a variety of conditions.
Spacious Interior: The wide beam translates to massive interior living spaces, making it ideal for living aboard.
Parts Availability: As a major production builder, sourcing replacement parts for a Beneteau remains relatively easy worldwide.
The Cons
Production Finishes: While elegant, the interior uses veneers and production techniques that may not match the bespoke craftsmanship of a semi-custom yacht.
Upwind Pounding: The flat forward underbody can occasionally slap or pound when sailing aggressively into steep, short chop.
Complex Systems: A 50-foot luxury yacht carries complex plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems that require regular attention.
Pricing and Ongoing Ownership Costs
Buying a yacht of this caliber represents a significant financial commitment. Pricing for a Beneteau 50 varies widely based on the year of manufacture, the layout, and the overall condition of the vessel.
Initial Purchase Price
For a well-maintained, pre-owned Beneteau 50 from the late 90s or early 2000s, expect asking prices ranging from $150,000 to $250,000. If you are looking at much newer models in the Oceanis 50 line, the price can easily stretch from $350,000 to over $500,000.
Browse live listings on YachtWorld.com
Maintenance and Operating Costs
The purchase price is only the beginning of the financial journey. A common rule of thumb in the yachting industry is to budget roughly 10% of the boat’s value annually for maintenance and operating costs.
Your yearly budget will need to cover:
Slip fees and winter storage
Marine insurance premiums
Routine engine and generator servicing
Sail maintenance and eventual replacement
Bottom painting, zincs, and hull polishing
Staying ahead of routine maintenance protects your investment. Regularly servicing the winches, checking the standing rigging, and maintaining the engine will save you significant money in the long run.
Conclusion: Is the Beneteau 50 Right for You?
The Beneteau 50 caters to sailors who refuse to compromise on space, comfort, or sailing ability. It offers the performance of a thoroughbred cruiser wrapped in the elegance of a luxury floating home. If you value smart design, love entertaining guests, and want a vessel capable of crossing oceans, the Beneteau 50 deserves serious consideration.
Take the time to step aboard one in person. Walk the wide decks, inspect the rigging, and take it for a sea trial. Only then will you truly understand the unique blend of accessibility and luxury that this exceptional sailing yacht delivers.