In the wake of the successful GT 40, Beneteau Gran Turismo 41 improves on the winning formula, adding even more comfort and some good performance.
The Gran Turismo 40 has been a bestseller for Beneteau, thanks to a good blend of sporty attitude, smart solutions, and cosy comfort. Now the French boatyard has decided it had to be renewed, along with the whole Gran Turismo fleet which ranges from 32 to 50 feet.
And so, here we have Beneteau Gran Turismo 41: a brand new cruiser, where one extra foot doesn’t explain much of the improvements behind.
Pick one: the look, the space, the handling…
Mathilde Tertrain, in charge of the Gran Turismo 41, says that the spirit was to preserve this spirit of GT 40 while improving and developing it. Let’s see how they approached this brief,
The exterior look is well balanced, with a foredeck long enough to give a bold look, but not too much in order to leave room for a large superstructure. The elegance of the lines is highlighted by metallic grey paint plates reminiscent, in Beneteau’s words, of the luxury cars.
On board, the builder’s expertise in terms of practicality is evident in many solutions which make life easier. For instance, the new aft sun bathing area placed at bench height, for an easy access and for creating a real lounge space: a tilting seatback allows to change configuration in seconds. The forward sun pad now offers optional reclining backs and a retractable canopy, as well as courtesy lights. The large U-shaped cockpit and the outdoor kitchenette make it possible everyone to enjoy time outside, breathing the sea but shaded by the hard top.
Talking of the hard top, it definitely is one of Beneteau’s trademarks, not only on the Gran Turismo 41 but on the whole line up. It combines a very large opening area, thanks to a standard sliding roof, and very thin pillars, so that the deck is bathed in light.
In our opinion, there wasn’t much chance to exploit the space any better than on this Gran Turismo 41.
The lower deck features accommodation space for four guests, but not just. Amidships, the companionway takes to the galley, with a kitchen cabinet to starboard and a dinette to port.
Both the cabins enjoy the full width of the boat, with the master to bow and the guest’s before the engine bay. Each has its own closets and receives natural light and air from the side opening portholes, but unfortunately there’s only one heads, with access from the main mess. In our opinion though, there wasn’t much chance to exploit the space any better than this. In the whole, the interior atmosphere is modern and relaxing, also thanks to gray walnut joinery which really matches the spirit of the GT 41.
The sporty attitude of Beneteau Gran Turismo 41 comes from several factors. The main one is undoubtedly the patented Air Step hull, developed by the shipyard and key to efficiency and stability even at high speed.
Anothe one is the powertrain, which consists of twin 300 hp or 380 hp Volvo engines, coupled to stern-drives, for a top speed of respectively 33 or 38 knots, and a cruise speed of 23 or 27.
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The helm in the center of the console and the pillarless windshield give the driver a safe view around, while the navigation balance can take further advantage of the optional automatic Zipwake trim. The dashboard itself is ergonomical and contemporary, and we think there’s some influence of the Sea Drive joint study made by Beneteau and Peugeot some time ago.
Last but not least, joystick control and bow thurster provide the bst possible handling when maneuvering in strong wind or limited space.
Beneteau Gran Turismo 41 will debut internationally in early 2021.
The numbers of Beneteau Gran Turismo 41
- Length overall …………… 12.55 m (41ft 2in)
- Hull length …………… 11.50 m (37ft 9in)
- Beam overall …………… 3.87 m (12ft 8in)
- Hull beam …………… 3.85 m (12ft 8in)
- Draft …………… 0.94 m (3ft 1in)
- Air draft …………… 4.20 m (18ft 10in)
- Light displacement (CE) …………… 7936 kg
- Fuel reserve …………… 2×325 l (2×86 US gal)
- Fresh water reserve…………… 200 l (53 US gal)
- Maximum power …………… 2×380 hp (2×280 kW)
- Naval Architect …………… Beneteau Powerboat
- Designer …………… Andreani Design
- CE design category …………… B10 / C10
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