Test with video: Antares 7 - Weekender from Beneteau for fishing and cruising
Jan-Ole Puls
· 15.11.2023
The French Beneteau shipyard continues to develop the Antares series. The 7.48 metre Antares 7 V2 adopts many details from the larger Antares 8, such as the asymmetrical deck layout with the deckhouse offset to port, the side access door in the bulwark and an optional separate wet cell. The boat is available in two versions. One is the fishing version and the other is the cruising version. In the Fishing version, the rear bench seat has been replaced by a fishing station with rod holders, drink holders, cutting board and storage space for bait and hooks. There is a fish tank on the port side. On the starboard side under the passageway is an additional storage space. We sailed the cruising version with a bench seat and table in the stern. The boat was designed by the French design studio Sarrazin Design. Their first collaboration with Beneteau began back in early 2000, when they designed the Antares 12 (later the Antares 42 in a modified form) and the Flyer 12. Today, they are responsible for the entire design of the Antares product family (inboard and outboard) as well as for the Barracuda models. The Sarrazin design studio is based in Vendée.
The cruising version of the Antares 7 is divided as follows
The saloon is identical in both versions and offers a good headroom of just under two metres. There is a spacious bench seat with cockpit table on the port side. Up to four people can be seated here. If the cockpit table is lowered, there is additional sleeping space for two people. A small galley has been installed to starboard. A single-burner hob and a sink with cold water are installed here. The tank for this has a capacity of 50 litres.
Underneath, there is an isothermal refrigerator that matches the size of the boat, as well as storage space for the Pütt und Pann. The front seat on the port side is foldable. This means it can be used either as a co-driver's seat or as a bench seat for the table. This is followed by the grey-painted steering position with plotter and small compass. The steering wheel sits comfortably in the hand and makes a high-quality impression. It is easy to reach from the driver's seat both when standing and sitting. All-round visibility is also good thanks to the many windows. Overall, the boat has a bright and friendly appearance.
The side windows can be opened. If required, the boat can also be ordered with a sliding roof. The small wet room offers sufficient storage space for towels or cleaning products. There is of course a small washbasin for washing your hands as well as a Jabsco pump toilet. The seat height in the toilet is 1.33 metres. Ventilation is via a porthole. There is a berth in the bow of the V2. It is not possible to sleep lengthways here, but it is possible at a slight angle. Two adults can easily be accommodated here. With the berth in the cockpit, a total of four people can spend the night on the Beneteau.
Exemplary workmanship on board
The routing of hoses and cables under the floorboards is exemplary. The openings are painted with bilge paint and protected with an additional rubber seal. This is to prevent cables or hoses from chafing - exemplary! If there is water in the bilge, an electric or manual bilge pump can be used. The sea valves are located directly under the floorboards and are therefore easily accessible.
Back on deck, there is a sun lounger in the bow. Thanks to the new asymmetrical deckhouse, it is easy and safe to get forwards. The railing is sturdy and there are plenty of handrails. There is a small self-draining anchor locker at the very front. The anchor winch is electric and can be operated from the steering position.
Drive and handling characteristics of the Antares 7
The Antares is powered by a 200 hp Suzuki outboard engine. The four-cylinder DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft) engine has a displacement of 2867 cm³. It accelerates the boat up to 32 knots. During our test on the Flensburg Fjord, it was very choppy with the short waves of around 40 cm typical of the Baltic Sea. Nevertheless, the 7-metre boat performed well. Even frontal waves caused no problems for the hull. You didn't get the impression that the boat was unable to cope with these conditions. But first things first.
At a slow harbour speed of around 700 rpm, the Antares runs well in a straight line. The influence of the weight shift is not noticeable. We accelerate the boat out of the safe harbour and are glad that the steering position is in the cabin. The spray flies over the boat and the windscreen wipers at the boatyard come into play. Nevertheless, we continue to accelerate and start our test drive. Turns are no problem and the boat is easy to steer even at full throttle. The boat masters slalom courses and tight bends well. On sharp bends, however, you get the feeling that the boat hooks briefly. Only a test in calmer conditions can show whether this is really the case or whether it is due to the somewhat higher waves. At 13.6 knots we see the most economical planing speed. The boat consumes around 22.5 litres per hour.
Measurement results
The tank holds 170 litres. If you subtract 15 per cent reserve, you get a range of 88 nautical miles. As is typical for outboards, the turning circle forwards and backwards is small at 1.5 boat lengths. Rough water sailing with waves from the side is tippy. Of course, this is also due to the narrow beam of 2.53 metres and the somewhat higher waves. In conclusion, however, it can be said that the handling characteristics are impressive and leave nothing to be desired. If you want to travel with your boat, you can also trailer the Antares 7, which weighs just under two tonnes, without any problems.
Technical data
The boat
- Shipyard: Beneteau
- Type:Antares 7
- CE category: C/8 persons
- Hull and deck: GRP
- Length over everything: 7,48 m
- Width: 2,53 m
- Displacement (empty without test engine): 1886 kg
- Draught (with drive): 0,80 m
- Clearance height: 2,30 m
- Fuel tank: 170 l
- Water tank: 50 l
- Grey water tank and faeces tank: 64 l
- Berths: 2
- Bunk dimension: Bow 1.95 x 1.65 m; saloon 1.70 x 1.09 m
- Standing height:Lounge 1.97 m; above the bed 0.98 m
- Turning circles (boat lengths):forwards tr. 1.5, bb. 1.5; backwards tr. 1, bb. 1
- Change course: from Stb. to Bb. 2 s; from Bb. to Stb. 2 s
- max. motorisation:200 HP
- Test motorisation: Suzuki DF 200 AP
- Price (test boat):95 500 €
- Dealer proof:www. bm-yachting.de
The motor
- Manufacturer: Suzuki
- Type: DF 200 AP
- Performance:147.1 kW/200 hp
- Full load speed:5500-6100 rpm
- Cylinder: 4
- cubic capacity: 2867 cc
- Fuel: Petrol
- Bore x stroke: 97 x 97
- Generator: 12 V/44 A
- Gear ratio: 2,50 : 1
Standard equipment
Aft bench seat; seat cushions; wet bar with sink; position lights; bathing platform; refrigerator; plenty of sockets (12 volt, 230 volt, USB); battery charger; shore power supply; Fusion sound system; plotter; electronic gearstick and throttle; waterproof switch panel; adjustable steering wheel; pressurised water system; pump toilet; windscreen wiper; stainless steel railing; sports seat as driver's seat; gas cooker; saloon table; compass; refrigerator; plenty of storage space; fold-down passenger bench seat; quick stop; sun awning; cushions
Our test judgement
Driving & manoeuvring
- + good rough water properties
- + bow thruster
Processing & technology
- + Good hose routing
- + Cleanly installed electrics
Security
- + Electric and manual bilge pump
- - Missing fire extinguishers
Comfort on board
- + plenty of storage space
- + Sports seat as driver's seat
Conclusion
With the Beneteau Antares 7 V2, the French shipyard has launched another well-built boat onto the market. With the 200 hp Suzuki outboard, the boat is well motorised. It copes well with the Baltic Sea waves off Flensburg. It also has nothing to hide when it comes to handling characteristics. She is safe and sporty.
