The Swift Trawler 34 Concludes 5,137-Mile Great Loop “Sea Trial”

After 5,137 nautical miles and nearly four months traveling the circumnavigation of the Eastern U.S. and Canada commonly referred to as the Great Loop, Beneteau’s Swift Trawler 34 has returned to her home port in Annapolis, MD last week.

“Beneteau is most grateful for the warm welcome received at the many marinas we visited, the dedication of The Greatest Loop’s twelve crews throughout her journey and the unfailing loyalty of her many followers on www.TheGreatestLoop.com, said Maryline O’Shea, marketing director of Beneteau’s North American Powerboats Division. “Our sponsors were instrumental in this awesome endeavor. We would not have even considered such an undertaking without their support,” O’Shea said.

“The success of The Greatest Loop’s adventure is quite remarkable especially given her achievement of such an ambitious schedule which began on May 15, 2012 and successfully concluded on September 6, 2012,” commented Laurent Fabre, vice president of sales & marketing for Beneteau’s Powerboats Division. “When we first consulted experts about our planned journey on the Great Loop, we were cautioned our schedule might be somewhat unrealistic, but we were fortunate no significant hurdles impaired our travel plans,” said Fabre.

The Swift Trawler 34 is a performance-based cruising boat offering exceptional fuel efficiency, stability and maneuverability.  The Greatest Loop, hull 202, was built at one of Beneteau’s trawler factories in Challans, France, and arrived in the U.S. on March 23, 2012. She was outfitted with the most technologically advanced equipment and products supplied by Beneteau partners Cummins, Cummins Onan, Raymarine, Dometic Group, Interlux, DeLorme and Zodiac. Other industry partners lending support for the journey included ValvTect, SGB Finance, BoatUS, Weems & Plath, America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association, Marina Life, Trawler Fest, Dozier’s Waterway Guide, T2H Advertising and Annapolis Yacht Sales in addition to other Beneteau dealers around the country.

Beneteau continues the evolution of the Swift Trawler range with the arrival of the Swift 50 set to debut at fall boat shows along the East Coast.  

Visit: www.TheGreatestLoop.com

Photo: The Swift Trawler 34 "The Greatest Loop" returns to her home port in Annapolis.