Beneteau Flyer 9 Sundeck

The Beneteau Flyer 9 is loaded with innovative features for a broad appeal, especially for families with younger children

Boatbuilders can sometimes be led by their marketing team to overstate how successful their latest innovation might be in the real world. But when it comes to Beneteau’s claims about the benefits of their second generation Air Step hull, I’m prepared to swallow the hype enthusiastically. 

The ride and handling of their latest in the Flyer series, the Sundeck 9, is remarkable. It’s sporty, predictable and safe, and a hell of a lot of fun. Matched to a pair of powerful Mercury V6 engines turning out a total of 450hp, you might expect goose bumping performance, but I wasn’t ready for how nimble the 2500kg of roomy and versatile fibreglass would be.

THE BUILD

Beneteau is a European builder with a long 130-year sailing and powerboat construction history. Their factories in Europe have immense resources for product development and modern construction techniques across six models that range from 5m to 16m. The processes include vacuum moulding and robotic assistance with assembly.

The secret of the twin-step hull is how it aids performance by sending streams of air under the planing surface for improved lift and a softer ride. And, like many of the current range of European hulls, the broad upper section of the bow extends over a lower sharp entry and significant chines. Meanwhile, the full-beam design adds volume to the boat while delivering the soft ride of the deep V underneath.

With looks that flow across the Flyer range, the 9’s side profile rides high above the water, and the flowing lines run back to a scalloped transom where there is plenty of room to board. A high windshield protects the raised helm station, and the high sides add safety to those on board. Blacked out windows run back to amidship, and there’s a noticeable cut-out in the port side that opens out to an overwater patio for relaxing at anchor. 

THE LAYOUT

Several smart design features allow changes to the layout to suit the number of guests and your relaxing style. The specifications tell me the boat is rated for up to ten passengers on enclosed waters, but it seems the Flyer lacks the seating for that sort of crowd at first sight. However, a closer look revealed that on top of a wide bench across the transom, fold-down seats on the starboard side and behind the helm create a big U-shaped lounge around a large timber table on two sturdy removable legs — add a deck chair and start the party. 

There’s more to see, of course. The table lowers to form an optional 2m x 1.7m sunpad, and there are massive storage cavities under the deck and the fixed seating.

The cockpit is wide and roomy, but the feeling of space is enhanced even further by folding out the side deck to port and creating a platform level with the deck. The 1.6m long space is an excellent swim platform and comes with safety wires and stanchions for entertaining.

More timber-clad swim platforms extend either side of the engine well, and here there’s a ladder for reboarding.

To port of the helm station is a walkway through to the bow and a wide sunpad, which, on the review boat, includes the Elegance upholstery option and an easily deployed sunshade. It’s an easy and safe walk across the anchoring system for beach landings.

A small galley is moulded into the ports side of the windshield bulkhead and includes a single burner gas cooktop with a glass lid and a deep fibreglass sink with hot and cold water. Refrigeration is taken care of with a 49L Isotherm unit under the helm seat and a 65L Dometic version downstairs.

The beautifully crafted hardtop covering the helm and lounge area is perhaps the most brilliant option for local conditions. The 50mm stainless steel supports are seamlessly integrated into the design, and the sturdy construction ensured the top was rattle-free during our review.

SLEEPING SPACE

A tinted Perspex sliding door to port of the helm opens to the companionway and four steps to the cabin below. Here we find a second galley with a deep stainless steel sink, a microwave and practical overhead storage. The fridge is secreted out of the way under the stairs, and owners will appreciate a good flow of air and light from overhead hatches and ports in the long windows along each side.

The space here is roomy enough for a dinette with a decent size table with lounges that should seat four adults comfortably. Drop the table and add some infill cushions, and you have a full width 2m x 1.6m double berth. 

Behind the stairs is a second double berth. Again, it has good ventilation from side ports. It’s a bit of a squeeze getting onto the bed, but there is ample sitting room and plenty of length to spread out. 

Not so squeezy is the wet head with a combination shower and Jabsco electric flushing toilet and a neat vanity separated by a divider. It’s a modern, well-appointed space with a contemporary floating bowl set into a black vanity. There’s room to move, and head height stretches to 1.8m. A skylight and a couple of opening ports offer light and ventilation.

THE HELM

The twin bolster helm seat is a leaning post style, giving two options of height when driving. Both are very comfortable and provide ready access to all controls, and offer superb vision to all quarters. A tinted screen wraps around in front of the helm, and a neat grab rail over the top edge prevents damage and is well-positioned for passenger support.

Instruments are neatly laid out in the stylish black dash with a 12in Simrad Go display and Mercury VesselView screens. Options include automatic ZipWake actuators and a Side Power forward thruster.

THE DRIVE

Twin 225hp Mercury V6 engines powered the Flyer to 41 knots at 5600rpm, and that’s impressive for a nine-meter boat. The power delivery is seamless, with an excess of acceleration right through the range. You can opt for power up to a pair of 250hp engines and, with these strapped on, you could expect a couple of knots more if speed is a priority. But that said, even 200’s would be fun.

The boat quickly rose out of the hole from rest with a very flat take-off, and the energetic V6 rumble from the transom exaggerated the sporty performance. 

Handing was superb and a pleasant surprise for a boat of this size. Steering was sporty, precise and predictable, and there was no deviation across waves from ferries and such.

We settled into a slow cruise at just over 21kt and 3500rpm, where the engines consumed 70L/h between them for a range of 108nm, while 4000rpm showed 25kt and a similar potential distance. At full noise, the Flyer was, well, flying across the small chop at the western end of Sydney Harbour. It felt rock steady as it lifted high on its running surface with no hint of chine walk or vibration.

Mercury’s adaptive speed control maintained revs through corners, and the automatic ZipWake actuators did a great job of ensuring trim was at its most efficient. These two innovations, along with the bow thruster, make driving the Flyer an easy prospect even for those new to boating. Only a few hours of training will have drivers confident at the wheel.

THE WRAP 

Pricing starts at $282,873 with a pair of 200hp engines and a more basic fitout. As tested with engine upgrades, hardtop, healthy sound system, bow thruster, Zip Wake and more, you will be looking at $359,953.

Since its release in late 2020, the Flyer 9 has met with enthusiasm across the globe. The versatile layout even convinced the judges to award it the prestigious European Powerboat of the year for 2021 in the up to 10m class, and I can see why. It’s very user friendly with appeal across a broad spectrum of owners. Families should love it for the deep safe cockpit and attached sleeping space, along with its potential for all types of water sports. It’s a boat with many characters, so it will be at home fishing, wakeboarding, chilling out or blasting up to Pittwater for a weekend of sightseeing.

Find more on Beneteau boats here.

FACTS & FIGURES

PRICED FROM $282,873 (with 200hp DTS V6 Mercury)

OPTIONS FITTED Engine upgrade, windlass, timber bathing platform, water heater, electronics, sound system, fridges, T-top, bow thruster, Zipwake, timber floors more.

PRICE AS TESTED $359,953

GENERAL
MATERIAL GRP
TYPE Monohull Sports Cruiser
LENGTH 9.1m (29ft 10in)
BEAM 2.97m (9ft 9in)
WEIGHT 2500kg (hull)

CAPACITIES
PEOPLE 4 (NIGHT) 10 DAY (6 offshore)
FUEL 400L
WATER 100L

ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL Mercury 225 hp DTS
TYPE Four-stroke fuel injected V6
RATED HP 225
DISPLACEMENT 3.4L
WEIGHT 216kg
GEAR RATIO 1.85:1
PROPELLER 17in

MANUFACTURED BY Beneteau France

SEA TRIALS

Single 

Two people on board, fuel/light load Props 14.8in x 17 Revolution Four blade, 400L fuel tank (calculations using 360L, 10 per cent reserve)

RPM                                                      SPEED (KT)                          L/h                           RANGE (NM)

1000                                                      7                                           12                             210

1500                                                      9                                           21                             154

2000                                                     1                                            32                             123

2500                                                     12                                          40                             108

3000                                                     16                                          62                             92

3500                                                     21                                          70                              108

4000                                                     25                                         84                              107

4500                                                     30                                         105                             102

5000                                                     35                                         125                              101

5500                                                     39                                         155                              90

5650 (WOT)                                         42                                         180                              84