The fresh styling and innovative interior of the Beneteau GT 40 offer something different in the U.S. sport cruiser market. Stepping aboard from the optional electric swim platform, from the transom forward to starboard is an long L-shaped settee providing enough room for entertaining eight to ten people in the cockpit. The galley is down in the GT 40, not on the main deck level as it is on so many express cruisers. With two staterooms and a single head below, the master stateroom is forward rather than amidship, and the full beam mid-cabin is accessed from the center using the area below the elevated centerline helm position. A wet bar is also mounted centrally, right behind the helm. You still get a double helm seat and its centerline position leaves room for a third seat on the starboard side. On the port side of the helm are the companionway steps, and a huge retractable sunroof is overhead. Instead of a tender garage, an outdoor galley with grill and sink is built right into the transom—very convenient. The GT 40 rides on Beneteau’s AirStep (notched) hull that operates at planing speed on a cushion of air. Volvo 370hp D4 sterndrive diesels cruise at 28–30 knots (high 30s top).