Review: Beneteau 32 Skidoo
This crafty little vessel is quick off the mark but comfortable when it counts.
The motivation behind Beneteau's Gran Turismo 32 was to find the sweet spot between day boat and express cruiser, which they achieved by marrying their Flyer 10 deck plan with the attitude of their Gran Turismo line. All in all, it's a tidy little package.
The GT32 has an air of big boat pedigree, which translates into lots of natural light and a spacious feeling, plus a hard top with plenty of head room. The deck layout offers a variety of practical spaces for lounging, dining and relaxing, which although seperate, flow together nicely.
Bow-deck sunpads provide a perfect lounge location, while also facilitating a good amount more headroom below. A semi walkaround makes it easy to get to and from the lounge area, beyond the helm and through to the cockpit. The open hardtop design creates a social atmosphere between twin starboard helm seats, the compact galley that's mounted behind and the dinette to port. In front of the dinette there's a double bench seat, so all up the boat provides four forward facing seats when underway.
The below-deck layout is a key factor in a boat like the GT32. Beneteau are able to fit two twin berths, along with a shower and independent head, regardless of whether the owner opts for outboard or inboard engines. The forward berth doubles as a dinette and converts for the night shift with a triangular infill. The second berth is a cozy double to the rear, though still more spacious than the half-height layouts seen in many similar boats. Separating the two sleeping quarters is the bathroom to starboard and plenty of storage to port.
But with all this emphasis on functional spaces, don't be fooled into thinking the GT32 has sacrificed any of its performance optimisation. Engine options allow for up to 700hp, which pushes the hull up to 35kt while maintaining easy handling. It's possible to option up to a joystick, zipwake system and bow drive, and while that's all going on, it'd make sense to opt for the big Garmin screens too.
All together, it's a tidy little package and with the backing of Beneteau's good name, and at prices of just over $450,000, it seems like a good value proposition.
QUICK SPECS
PRICE $447,148
LENGTH (overall) 9.95m (32ft 8in)
BEAM 3.35m (10ft 12in)
DRAFT 1.3m (4ft 3in)
weight 5,813kg
fuel 720L
WATER 160L
ENGINES 2 x 350hp