Claude Bourbon – owner of Maya 5 (Swift Trawler 44)

Every autumn, Claude Bourbon and his wife set their sights on a new destination.With charts and guides as their bedside books, they prepare their travels for the following season on board Maya 5, their Swift Trawler 44. They enjoy working out the details of their project over the winter and dream of their upcoming destination.  

What was your project in 2014, when you bought your Swift Trawler 44?

For a long time I sailed a sailing yacht and I still own a small wooden Cormoran, which I still love. Sailing is all about the joy of trimming and sensations, but when I retired I had a lot more free time, so I felt like travelling further and for longer by sea. The natural choice was to pick the Swift Trawler, whose speed and cruising range are, I believe, second to none. Since then, we have divided our boating season into two periods. At the end of April we generally head to the Channel Islands and then from early June to mid-July we set off on a long cruise. Even though the boat remains open to our children and friends, this month and half on board has become essential to our life as a couple. But we organize things in such a way that we can include a hiatus – the Beneteau Swift Trawler Rendez-vous, which we love.

What does long-distance cruising mean to you?

When we go cruising, we look to enjoy a maritime adventure as much as to enjoy stopping over in ports and setting out to explore the regions we are visiting. What won me over about the Swift Trawler is that it is ‘Swift’. We generally travel at a cruising speed of about 16 to 17 knots, because we always really look forward to getting to our next destination. The way we use our boat is close to the way some people might use a motor home, but, to me, the sea is essential. Two years ago, we felt like exploring London by the sea. Heading up the Thames and watching the Tower Bridge emerge from the fog is one of my most moving boating recollections. We are particularly fond of England and I must admit that you always receive a warm welcome in English harbours. 

“ What won me over about the Swift Trawler is that it is ‘Swift’ We generally travel at a cruising speed of about 16 to 17 knots, because we always really look forward to getting to our next destination.”

Apart from her speed, what else do you love about your boat? 

I think I can say that I’m sailor and this is why I need to feel that my boat is seaworthy. It’s absolutely essential. As regards living aboard, we love the Swift Trawler 44’s really bright interior, as well as the seamless connection between the lounge, driving station, galley and cockpit. It’s a boat made for sharing life on board. When we cruise, the thing I like most is navigation: choosing a course, taking the boat’s position, calculating our estimated time of arrival and so on. I love knowing that I can rely on the electronics, but I’m not dependent on them for my safety. Last year, when we were returning from Jersey, we had a power failure – no autopilot and black displays. I made my way back old-style, with a chart and a compass and I have to say that I enjoyed it!

“I think I can say that I’m sailor and this is why I need to feel that my boat is seaworthy.” 

What is your next destination?

One of our big projects is to explore Portugal, taking a few extra weeks in relation to our usual schedule, but we have not yet decided if we will do this next season.