BENETEAU GT46

The 45-50ft sportscruiser market has long been one of the most hotly contested sectors in the motor boating world - and that's great news for used boat buyers in search of a quality secondhand purchase.

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From high-spec kit like the Sunseeker Portofino 47, Princess V48 and Fairline 47 GT through to more modestly equipped and accessibly priced vessels, there's something for everyone who's serious about getting afloat in a fast and comfortable midsize cruising boat.

A notch down from the premier league players are boats such as the subject of this report, the Beneteau GT46. Matched in the market against the likes of Bavaria's Sport S45 and Jeanneau's Leader 46, the GT46 more than holds its own in terms of performance, styling, comfort and family-friendliness.

The example we tracked down is on the books of Swanwick-based Solent Motor Yachts with an asking price of £324,950, tax paid. While that's pretty much in line with Bavaria and Jeanneau models of a similar vintage, it's considerably less than the top-tier brands.

Princess V48 of the same age, for example, might easily set you back in excess of half a million, so the sheer value on offer looks very strong indeed.

As for the styling, the GT46 still looks very fresh with a sleek sporty profile, a pleasing mix of curves and angles and that all-important hard top providing year-round protection. And actually, as the eponymous brand of Groupe Beneteau, the world's largest builder of leisure boats and a firm that has been around since 1884, the build quality here is very sound too. Where you tend to save the money with a Beneteau is In the fixtures and fittings and, with due respect to its other qualities, you can see that here.