For many, fishing is not just a hobby, but a passion that they would like to indulge in every free minute. Whether it's spring, summer, autumn or winter. The best fishing spots are rarely right outside the harbour, but usually a long way off the coast. In order to reach your favourite fishing grounds more quickly and feel safe and warm even in inhospitable weather, the pilothouse boat class was developed more than 40 years ago, with the original model, the Antares 7.50, being launched in 1977.
With a stable and seaworthy semi-planing hull, the boats in the Antares series are fast on the water, are easy to handle even in rough weather and offer plenty of storage and living space. But the boat was not only well received by anglers: Today, the Antares, Beneteau's best-selling series, is just as popular with families. The sheltered saloon with all-round views and the sleeping facilities including toilet room make the boat ideal for extended weekend trips.
The latest model to be tested in Port Ginesta in Spain is the Antares 8, which, unlike its predecessor, is only available with outboard engines. Of course, the new Antares still recognises its ancestry. Even though the semi-planing hull has now become a pure planing hull, the boat is still extremely seaworthy and functional. Buyers can choose between the "Cruising" and "Fishing" versions. The difference lies in the cockpit layout: In the fishing version, the bench seat is replaced by a fish cleaning console complete with bait tank.
Visually, the new model is more of a further development of its predecessor: the asymmetrically arranged side deck has been changed and the foot railing has been flattened to create more step space on the now 18 and 26 cm wide side decks. In addition, the cockpit bench seat moulded into the deck has been split and divided into modules. The aft bench can be pushed forwards so that the 250 hp outboard engine can be completely folded out of the water. Towards the front, a removable cool box replaces the bench seat. If even more seating space is required, the cockpit can be quickly converted into a U-shaped sofa thanks to a folding bench in the side wall or even into a lounger with a somewhat rickety tubular frame and a few cushions. Another new feature is the door in the starboard side, which makes it easier to get the fish on board or help grandma onto the gangplank. A bimini can be fitted as an extension to the cabin roof, effectively protecting the cockpit from the sun.
Thanks to the large windows, grey upholstery and discreetly dark wood surfaces, the Antares has both a friendly and high-quality look inside. The dinette on the bench side can be quickly converted into a somewhat short and narrow (1.70 x 1.07 m) berth that is suitable for children. The forward berth is slightly diagonal and offers more than enough space for occasional overnight stays, but the cushion is rather thin at 6 cm. If you want to find out how many people can fit into an Antares 8, there is another dog bunk halfway under the dinette and accessible from the forward cabin, but in most cases this is more likely to serve as a very welcome and spacious storage space for rods, deck cushions and other equipment. The only other storage space in the forward cabin is in the form of swallow's nests. The basic galley only has a sink with pressurised water system, but a gas or electric cooker and a refrigerator can be ordered separately.
During the test run off the Catalonian coast, there was little wind but high old swell, which demonstrated the boat's rough water characteristics. Despite the planing hull, the course stability proved to be extremely good even at a fast displacement speed of 2300 rpm, a fuel consumption of around 10 litres per hour and a speed of 6.8 knots, meaning that the Antares 8 should also be very suitable for inland canal cruising. Between 3800 and 4200 rpm, the boat slowly starts to planing, with the plate anchor briefly "coming into view", but hardly reducing visibility. From 4200 rpm, the Antares 8 runs at a good planing speed and reaches its most economical speed at 4500 rpm and 20 knots. With its 340 litres of petrol in the tank (15% reserve) and a still relatively high consumption of 2.16 litres per nautical mile, it has a range of around 133 nautical miles. We measured a top speed of 31.8 knots at 5900 rpm, which we were unable to maintain for long, however, as the Antares repeatedly crashed heavily into the waves when jumping over the high waves.
The handling characteristics are very suitable for families. With a little trim, the boat sits comfortably on the hydraulic steering and performs all fast manoeuvres passably. However, even when trimmed down, the propeller draws a little air when turning too tightly. Fast turns, slaloms and hectic tearing are all perfectly executed. The driver always has a good grip in his firmly upholstered seat, whereas the passenger has to lean forward a little to reach his grab handle.
Conclusion
The Antares 8 is no longer a fishing boat, but a functional and comfortable family cruising boat that is also well suited for fishing. With the 250 hp Suzuki, it is well motorised and easy to drive even in rough weather.
Technical data
- Shipyard:Beneteau/F
- Type: Antares 8 OB
- CE category:C/9 persons
- Hull and deck:Plastic
- Length over everything: 8,06 m
- Width: 2,80 m
- Displacement (without motor): 2125 kg
- Depth: 0,60-0,80 m
- Clearance height: 2,33 m
- Fuel tank:340 l
- Water tank: 100 l
- Holding tank:64 l
- Grey water tank: 45 l
- Berths: 3-4
- Bunk dimension: Bow 2.34 m x 1.28 m; saloon 1.70 m x 1.07 m
- Standing height/seating height:Bow 1.08 m seat height, saloon 1.95 m, heads compartment 1.50 m,
- Cockpit size: 1.89 m x 2.35 m,
- Interior cockpit side height: 0,70 m,
- Sun lounger: Fore deck 1.47 m x 1.74 m, aft 1.89 m x 1.83 m
- Freeboardabout 0.70 m
- Interior cockpit side height:0,80 m
- Test weight: about 3000 kg
- max. motorisation: 184 kW (250 hp)
- Test motorisation: Suzuki DF250AP 184 kW (250 hp)
- Price (standard boat with test engine): from € 92 500
- Dealer proof: www.beneteau.com
