Beneteau launches new model at SIBS
Beneteau’s new Antares 7 will have its world premiere at the 2022 Southampton International Boat Show (16-25 September).
The French boat manufacturer says its latest model is an ideal weekender for people who love being on the water for family time, weekend cruises, or fishing trips with friends.
The Antares 7’s beam is under 2.5 m, so it is trailerable by road. Its large U-shaped cockpit seats five people, and there is a fold-down port bench in the freeboard and a bench facing forward, which can also contain a cooler. All these seats are easily converted into a spacious sunbathing area.
The cockpit has been displaced slightly to port which frees up space for a large starboard walkway, making it easy to access the forward sun pad and anchor locker. There is a small galley located behind the driver’s seat fitted with a hob, sink and fridge.
The wheelhouse can be extended by a bimini top, to offer passengers full protection in the cockpit. It can also be fitted with longitudinal bars to securely store additional equipment, such as a paddle board.
The cabin of the Antares 7 can be configured with a preference for comfort or for storage space. Along with the double berth, in the standard version, the Antares 7 has a large storage space to starboard, fitted with a chemical toilet. In the weekender version, this space is partitioned and has a sink as well as the chemical toilet, which Beneteau says makes the Antares 7 a comfortable boat suitable for small cruises.
The Antares 7 hull has been optimised to provide stable handling at a cruising speed of 21 knots and, with its 200hp engine, can reach maximum speeds of 33 knots. The boat can be equipped with a bow thruster option to assist docking.
The aft bench on the fishing version gives way to a fishing station including rod holders, drink holders, cutting board, and storage for bait and tackle. A live bait well is located on the port side and there is additional storage under the starboard walkway.
With a completely open deck plan, the Antares 7 Fishing makes it easy for fishers to move about and position themselves. There is a folding bench seat in the fishing station, and another removable bench can be positioned in the port freeboard. The side access gate makes lifting large fish much easier, and the roof can be equipped with five additional rod holders, as well as a spotlight and an additional nine-inch display connected to the depth sounder.
Alongside the Antares 7, the BGX60 motoryacht, Oceanis 34.1, Gran Turismo 45 and Swift Trawler 48 are also making their show debuts at SIBS.
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