Beneteau Gran Turismo 46

First Look: Beneteau Gran Turismo 46.

By Jason Y. Wood

January 4, 2017

LOA: 48’6″
BEAM: 13’9″
DRAFT: 3’6″
DISPL.: 22,180 lb.
FUEL: 238 gal.
WATER: 106 gal.
POWER OPTIONS: 2/435-hp Volvo Penta IPS600s; 2/370-hp Volvo Penta D6s with Z-drive; 2/400-hp Volvo Penta D6s with Z-drive
CRUISE SPEED: 27 knots
TOP SPEED: 32 knots
PRICE: $750,000 (with IPS)
Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
Beneteau’s Gran Turismo 46 is considered the third generation of the company’s line of sporty express cruisers, and it shows.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
The GT 46 uses Beneteau’s patented Air Step 2 hull in conjunction with IPS.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
Because Air Step 2 introduces a cushion of air aft through channels along the hullsides,
it changes the way the wetted surface interacts with the water.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
“It’s the first time a stepped hull is actually authorized to use IPS,” says Laurent Fabre, president of Beneteau America. “In our relationship with Volvo, we were the first builder in the world to introduce the IPS system for recreational boats 12 years ago. We designed the first hull specifically for IPS and then it took us almost three years to get authorization from Volvo to apply the Air step to the Volvo IPS system because of the forward-facing propellers. There were concerns the cushion of air may create some cavitation. We knew the layer of air was too thin to cause any issues, but we had to demonstrate it.”

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
Concerns about the air layer increasing corrosion to the IPS pods were also put to rest during that testing.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
While we all may be familiar with the benefits of stepped hulls (speed, control, and comfort in choppy seas, along with less bow rise during acceleration) and IPS (reduced exhaust, vibration, and noise, plus heart-pounding performance), the combination of those perks could not have found a more fitting home than the GT 46.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
When aboard, guests will likely spend their time in the saloon and cockpit area,
since the clean, quiet IPS will make that space pleasant under way.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
The GTs have always provided indoor-outdoor space on one level.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
The GT 46 can have an open house, with no aft saloon bulkhead, but optional folding-glass doors (shown open, above) can enclose the saloon when desired.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
Depending on where you cruise, it just makes sense,
since closing up that saloon means air-conditioning on sweltering days.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
Throw in a large hardtop with sunroof, electrically opening saloon windows, and the hydraulic swim platform,
and the elements can help cool you down all summer long.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
And Beneteau has learned a thing or two about accommodations.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
“It’s got two very comfortable suites—two cabins that have private heads,” Fabre says.
“The two cabins are separated by a galley and saloon, so you have a lot of privacy.”

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
And on a boat this size, it’s worth noting the galley sports a full-height refrigerator
that makes the lives of all aboard, well … cooler.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46
Click here for Beneteau America Inc.’s contact information and index of articles ▶

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Jason Y. Wood

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