With its Gran Turismo 46, the Bénéteau shipyard offers a very competitive Sport Cruiser that is a real success in combining brilliance, technological innovation and sportiness. A model worth the detour!

The range of Bénéteau's Gran Turismo (GT) Sports Cruisers experienced a profound renewal over the last few years that materialized in a more defined range, both in terms of quality and innovation, and with a clear Willingness of the French shipyard to propose very pleasant models for sailing.

The GT 46 is positioned in the middle of the GT range, between the 40, launched in the fall of 2015 and the 49, the latter being the oldest of the family.

A Magnificent Hull!

As an intermediate model, the GT 46 highlights a racy, and very Italian line, signed Novulari & Lenard, combined with a state-of-the-art technology including the IPS sterndrive or engines, and a never yet used on a unit of such size AirStep2 hull.

As we can tell, this marriage is perfectly successful, there is a great pleasure in driving the GT46, which shows an astonishing agility despite its 10 tons and its 15m long!! One surprises him/herself to multiply the turns, to try to get the beast down: nothing works!! The GT46 remains undauntingly very handy and is not tricky at all!

In short, driving a GT46 provides a lot of fun, the type of fun found typically on much smaller and lightweight units, and Bénéteau has made a challenging decision with this model, knowing that our testing was on the upper motor: 2x435cv IPS600 (top speed 35 knots @ 3600 rpm)!

Open Boat ... or Closed Boat!

Versatility is a must in the world of sailing and the GT46 is the champion of that. Initially, a Sport Cruiser is a sports boat whose center part is open to the outside.

This is the case for the Bénéteau GT46, except that .... well, except that it is possible to close the center space by means of an extremely simple, easy to handle articulated window that opens or closes the cabin to the outside!! Convenient at the port, and useful in navigation depending on the weather.

The center is more versatile because it is equipped with a sliding bench seat, matching the enclosed window and clearing the passage when it is opened. Very ingenious indeed to welcome everyone around the table!

This versatility is also reflected in the cabin, the owner will be able to personalize as desired, between a big sunbath, or a more traditional bench or a double sofa with adjustable backrests electrically adjustable, knowing that it is possible to opt for a cabin kitchen in the back, located against the swim platform.

Day Cruiser, with 2 or 3 Cabins

Sport Cruisers are generally used by day, weekend. The Bénéteau GT46 is none the less endowed with a habitable section, under the bridge and the center, that many more classical flagships envy.

The foot of the semi-circular well-lit by a zenithal turn descent gives access to a full kitchen, equipped with a refrigerator-freezer and a nice work plan worthy of the house, across to which there is a dining area for 4, replaced by a cabin with 2 berths in the 3 cabins version.

The owner’s cabin is central, located under and across the center of the boat, While the VIP cabin is lodged in the front tip.

The finish quality of the GT46 is obvious, with beautiful materials and assemblages. Clearly, the French shipyard wants to target its Italian competitors and decided to give itself the means to do so!

Bénéteau Gran Turismo 46 Technical Data

Length    14,78 m
Beam    4,20 m
Draft    1,11 m
Light displacement    10.061 kg
Engine (KW/HP)    2 x 435 HP (max.)
Cabins    2-3
Heads    1 -2
Shipyard    Beneteau

=> Vidéo - Sport et innovation pour le Bénéteau Gran Turismo 46