Blakely will adapt to the cruising-under-power lifestyle as the Swift Trawler 34 departs Annapolis, Maryland, on May 15 for the initial run up the Atlantic coast to New York City. His reports for Soundings will highlight real-world observations on handling, fuel efficiency, onboard comfort, electronics and the overall suitability of a compact trawler for extended coastal and inland cruising.

The trawler, officially named The Greatest Loop, is hull No. 202 and was built at Beneteau’s facility in Challans, France. The boat arrived in the United States on March 23 and will be equipped with the latest systems and supplies from a group of industry sponsors. Onboard outfitting will include equipment from Cruisair, Dometic, Interlux, Raymarine and ValvTect. The Swift Trawler 34 is powered by a robust 425-hp Cummins QSB5.9 diesel, providing the propulsion needed for long-distance cruising under power.

Laurent Fabre, vice president of sales and marketing for Beneteau’s Powerboats Division, describes the Swift Trawler 34 as “a performance-based cruising boat offering exceptional fuel efficiency, stability and maneuverability.” Those attributes make it a natural choice for a continuous, multi-leg expedition such as the Great Loop, where reliable systems and good sea manners are essential.

About the Route and the Program

The 41-leg tour follows the classic Great Loop itinerary, encompassing a varied mix of waterways: the Hudson River, much of the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, the Tombigbee River, Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and then a northbound return via the ICW to Annapolis. Covering more than 7,000 miles, this continuous loop tests boats and crews across coastal passages, inland rivers, locks, and lakes, offering a comprehensive assessment of a vessel’s cruising capabilities.

During the voyage, Blakely will record observations on practical topics that matter to cruisers: fuel consumption and range, engine performance, helm response in tight quarters, electronics and navigation aids, onboard comfort and habitability, maintenance challenges encountered on the road, and how sponsored systems perform under extended use. Readers can expect detailed, experience-based coverage that will help other boaters evaluate the Swift Trawler 34 for similar cruising plans.

Equipment and Sponsors

The Greatest Loop benefits from partnerships with several marine-industry suppliers. Sponsors contributing to the outfitting include:

• Cruisair — climate control and air-conditioning systems tailored for marine use
• Dometic — onboard comfort and refrigeration solutions
• Interlux — marine coatings and maintenance products
• Raymarine — navigation, radar and electronics systems
• ValvTect — fuel and oil additives to support diesel engine reliability

These vendors supply equipment commonly relied on by cruisers and are intended to enhance safety, comfort and reliability during a long, continuous voyage such as the Great Loop.

Follow the Journey

Soundings readers and cruising enthusiasts can follow progress and read Blakely’s first-hand accounts as the Swift Trawler 34 completes its East Coast leg. Updates and multimedia coverage will document both the everyday realities of cruising under power and the distinctive challenges of a multi-leg Great Loop passage. For updates, look for The Greatest Loop online at www.TheGreatestLoop.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheGreatestLoopByBeneteau (these are listed as plain text).

Related Reading

For further context and additional perspectives on cruising and trawler lifestyle, see these related Soundings pieces (titles listed):

• A new adventure every day
• Trawler talk — about cruising grounds
• Easy cruising at 65 mph
• Checklist for your cruising destination
• About this month’s cover shot — a gale-force friendship