Bénéteau currently offers 31 models ranging from 6.50 metre open outboard boats to 52-foot trawlers. This includes the Antares range, which is available with inboard and outboard engines. Our test boat, the Antares 7.80, is a further development of the Antares 7.50. In terms of workmanship, we mainly criticise the details. There are sharp-edged finger holes in the storage compartment floorboards, and almost all the plastic cut edges are neither rounded nor sealed. Instead, the 7.80 is predominantly fitted with a smooth inner shell. Where this is not fitted, the laminate is painted over. All drainage holes in the bilge of the inner shell remain unprotected. On the outside, there is nothing to criticise about the high-gloss gelcoat.
We would like the plastic edges on the wheelhouse roof and at the entrance to the forward cabin to be more rounded. Our only criticism of the Alpi woodworking is the sharp-edged corners, such as at the entrance to the toilet. The technical and electrical installations fit, as the openings are fitted with rubber grommets, at least where you can see them. All in all, not exactly good, but a B minus.
For road transport, the test boat requires a towing vehicle that can tow 3.5 tonnes and a special permit (as it is over 2.50 m wide), but this is not a problem in Germany.
Provided there is no strong crosswind or disturbing crosscurrent, docking or casting off manoeuvres are no problem, as the test boat reacts directly with the gear engaged forwards or backwards. We sail the slow passages at 6 kn (1500 rpm), which keeps the waves generated by the boat at an acceptable level. If someone changes their position during this time, it has no effect on the course or heeling.
From around 3000 rpm, the test boat begins to glide and, at 4000 rpm, it is a full glider with a speed of 15 knots over the water. At full throttle, the engine revs up to a maximum of 5500 rpm within the speed range permitted by the manufacturer and accelerates the boat to just over 29 knots. The transition from displacement to planing speed is accompanied by minimal trim, which benefits the always good foresight. Overall, little power trim is required.
We determine the most economical, fast planing speed for the test boat at 20 kn (4500 rpm). At slow speed, one tank of fuel (200 litres) is sufficient for a theoretical range of just under 200 nm, at economical planing speed around 106 nm and at full throttle just under 100 nm, plus 15% reserve in each case. This means that the test boat only fulfils our requirement of at least 150 nm range plus reserve at slow speed, which we rate as "sufficient".
Things look better in terms of sound pressure, where we measured no more than 79 dB/A at full throttle with the wheelhouse door closed. If the door, sunroof and side windows are open, we record a maximum of 82 dB/A at the driving position. As the sound pressure in the cockpit then exceeds the 85 dB/A comfort limit from 4500 rpm, this is only adequate.
The driver sits on a longitudinally adjustable bucket seat, and the U-shaped bench seat opposite is provided for the co-driver. Hydraulic steering, windscreen wipers and compass are standard, but an echo sounder is not. Reflections from the light-coloured surface in front of the windscreen interfere with all-round visibility.
The 7.80 with the 150 hp engine behaves excellently during all extreme manoeuvres at full throttle. In the increasingly tighter spiral curves, it leans only slightly towards the centre of the curve and brakes itself down to a minimum gliding speed (9 knots). At the tightest points, from a curve diameter of about 50 metres with the engine fully trimmed, the propeller will ventilate and regain power as soon as you steer out of the curve. With optimum trim, the propeller snaps for air earlier.
While visibility to port is somewhat restricted when cornering, as the cabin roof moves into the field of vision, it remains good when cornering to starboard. On the slalom course, the test boat can be made to sway safely over its longitudinal axis, and when the rudder is turned, it follows the course taken. The 180° turns are easily completed in one go without rocking or hooking within a radius of just under three boat lengths.
In the starboard corner, the driver's seat including the plastic folding board tore off, but this was solely due to the four inadequate self-tapping screws holding the plastic board to the hinges. The shipyard wants to change this.
Our test area, the Mediterranean in France, was calm on the test day, which is why we can't say anything about its suitability for rough water. When travelling in reverse, you must not accelerate too much, otherwise water will enter the cockpit from 1800 rpm via the cockpit self-draining system.
Engine, tank, electrics
The Honda 150 does its job well. It is firmly bolted to the rear and all supply lines and cables are packed in neatly sealed conduits. The fuel tank with tap is located under the cockpit floor and, like the storage compartment behind it, is accessible via the same floor hatch. In the latter, the fuel pre-filter without water alarm, but with sight glass, and the pressurised water pump and water tank are easily accessible. The main switch is located in the galley storage compartment, with the fuses under the dashboard.
Security
The boat is built asymmetrically: The port side deck is narrower than the starboard side in favour of the interior space. Access to the side decks is via the cockpit bench on the port side and via a step on the starboard side; handholds and handrails provide support alongside a sturdy railing. The cockpit is bilged outboard; below deck, electric and a hand bilge pump ensure a dry bilge. Praiseworthy: handling characteristics, cockpit interior and railing height.
Living, cockpit and equipment
At the front, an asymmetrical bunk offers space for two. Light and air enter through a porthole and the ceiling escape hatch. The bench seat with convertible table in the wheelhouse serves as an emergency berth. The headroom at the front and in the toilet room is limited, but there is sufficient headroom in the wheelhouse. There is a separate space in front of the wheelhouse, which is suitable for stowage or can be fitted with a chemical toilet or a marine toilet for an extra charge. There is ample storage space under all berths and seats as well as under the entire wheelhouse floor.
The driver sits with his folding chair on the galley, which is equipped with a fridge (extra), storage cupboard, sink with hose fitting and loose gas cartridge cooker, which also serves as a lid for the sink. Air and light enter the wheelhouse through a manually operated transparent sliding roof, two sliding side windows and a plastic sliding door. In the cockpit, you can take a seat on a U-shaped bench seat (extra), which can be converted into a lounger with the help of the table. The inlay cushion costs extra. A telescopic bathing ladder with grab handle is mounted on the starboard bathing platform.
The boat is moored at four cleats fore and aft, fenders are hung on the railing and the navigation lights can also be illuminated in Germany. Two equipment packages, Avantage and Elegance, supplement the standard equipment. A self-draining anchor locker is fitted at the front as standard.
An electric winch, chain and anchor cost extra, while a matching rubbing strake is standard
