Bénéteau Antares 8 has something for people who like cruises, without disappointing fishing fans. It is a very good boat to set out in the world of sailing without having to make a big financial outlay
by Niccolò Volpati photo by Nicolas Claris
Pilot boat, pêche promenade, small fisherman. There are numerous ways to describe this kind of boat. But we don’t really care: we want to get down to the substance of the matter.
At first sight, from the quay at Port Ginesta, south of Barcelona, what most strikes me is the height of the deckhouse. It is something you notice, and there is confirmation of that the moment I get on board. I check it out with my tape measure. 
Headroom in the dinette reaches as much as 210 cm, thanks to the floor being slightly lower than that in the cockpit. So this means that it is very liveable, but how will the boat behave at sea? I just have to try it to find out.
The first impression is positive. In the stern there is a 200 hp Suzuki outboard engine which can really get the boat moving. The acceleration feels like that of an open sports boat: it reaches planing speed in five seconds and we get to top speed in fifteen.
With the throttle right open, the GPS shows a full 31.7 knots. Despite the fact that we only have one engine on the transom, the agility is also more than sufficient. Bénéteau Antares 8 is easy to steer, it responds quickly to changes in direction and behaves well even when we are close to the maximum turning angle.
Turns to starboard are very smooth, but it is a bit harder work to turn to port, and this is because of just having one engine. The noise test also gets top marks. I did the test with the stern hatch closed, and that certainly helped to reduce the decibel level.
It seemed a reasonable experiment because there is a large hatch on top which slides open and allows for good ventilation. So you really can travel with the dinette hatch closed without feeling the heat. I am left with the curiosity of trying out how the hull performs with waves.
I am not going to limit myself to the current flat sea, so I push on towards Barcelona in the hope of finding a passing merchant vessel. After a few miles the opportunity presents itself. I find criss-crossing plentiful bow waves from merchant ships and ferries.
This when the fun starts. But I am amazed to see that the Antares 8 performed fantastically. This is thanks to the V-shaped bow and the stern deadrise. Inside there is over two metres headroom, but the external superstructure is not so overbearing as to affect handling.
That is definitely something that is appreciated by anyone who takes to the sea. It is true for those who like fishing and also for people who want to enjoy short cruises, or family outings for the day. The fittings are designed to meet both needs. 
The cockpit storage unit is easily removable and inside there are some very versatile options.
The helmsman’s seat, for example, tilts so that when you are at anchor or in harbour, you can “get rid” of the seat and benefit from a wider galley working space.
The small sofas in the dinette have strengthened backs which can be pushed down, creating a forward-facing seat so that the helmsman is not left isolated while sailing, or a sofa designed to complete the lunch area.
It can sleep four, two people in the bow and two in the convertible dinette, and the WC is separate. All round, it has everything one needs, both for those who like to go fishing and perhaps want to sail some miles off shore, and for those who want to use Antares for a weekend cruising with the family.
Bénéteau Antares 8
PROJECT: Bénéteau Powerboats
HULL: LOA 8.36 m • Length (without stern platform) 7.74 m • Length 7.48 m Maximum beam 2.95 m • Draft 0.68 m • Light displacement (without engine) 2785 kg • Fuel tank volume 300 l • Water tank volume 100 l • Max power rated 200 hp
MAIN PROPULSION: Suzuki DF200 • 147 kW (200 hp) 4 cylinders in line and 16 valves • Swept volume 2867 cc • Bore & Stroke 97mm x97mm • Maximum engine rotational speed 5500/min 6100/min • Dry weight 226 kg • 3 blades 20 pitch propeller made of stell
EC CERTIFICATION: Cat. C 8 people Cat. D 8 people
PRICE: from 30.450 €, Exclusive VAT (bare boat)
BÉNÉTEAU
Saint Hilaire de Riez, Francia,
www.beneteau.com
(Bénéteau Antares 8 Marzo 2018)
