When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Beneteau Flyer 12 2008 and the Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 2009 measures 44,3 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Flyer 12 2008 at 41,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Flyer 12 2008 tips the scales at 1 961 lbs — 1 939 lbs more than the Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 2009 at 22 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Beneteau Flyer 12 2008 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Beneteau Swift Trawler 42 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 44,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Beneteau Flyer 12 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.