BENETEAU ANTARES 11
LOA 36ft 4in (11.08m) BEAM 11ft 6in (3.51m) DRAFT 2ft 4in (0.71m) WEIGHT 5.7 tonnes FUEL 800 litres ENGINES Twin Suzuki Df250-300hp TOP SPEED 35 knots PRICE FROM €162,990 ex VAT CONTACT www.beneteau.com
The Antares 11 feels more than the sum of its parts and customers seem to agree – at least two boats were sold to the UK within days of the show opening. There is no one feature that stands out as a game-changer, rather it’s the way they all come together to create a versatile weekend cruiser/sportsfisher.
The first thing to note is the full-length hard top that extends all the way over the cockpit. This not only gives it a longer, sportier profile but provides a rigid structure from which to hang canopies that enclose the cockpit for use in all weathers. Sit in the cockpit on a calm sunny day and you will also appreciate how the folding balcony on the starboard side increases your connection with the water as well as providing better access for swimming or fishing.
Then there are the patio doors which slide and stack on the starboard side to create a wide opening into the wheelhouse that allows the portside cockpit seating to run seamlessly into the saloon’s to create one big indoor/outdoor socialising space. And thanks to the offset wheelhouse there is still room for a wide, safe starboard side deck with direct access from the cockpit, helm door and pontoon. This leads up to a lovely sun lounging space on the foredeck with a folding bimini shade.
The wheelhouse itself feels light and airy thanks to the large side windows and four glass hatches overhead, two of which also open. The dinette not only converts to a double bed but also has a cantilevered backrest that allows the front section to face forward or back.
Below decks there are two separate cabins divided by a surprisingly large lobby area fitted with a second fridge to boost the galley’s capacity. The forward master enjoys ensuite access to the shared bathroom while the mid cabin stretches across the full beam with hull windows on both sides and a small extra single berth at the foot of the double bed. Limited headroom means a crawl to reach this single berth and even the double is only inches off the floor, but it would work fine for a young couple with a child.
Assuming it performs as well at sea as it looks on the showroom floor, without too much slamming or creaking, it should make an excellent buy.