Antares 6.8

[Hot Property]

I've been keen on this Beneteau for a long time now as it fits my requirements for outside social seating with an enclosed cockpit (and patio doors). Outboard powered so easy to maintain etc.

http://www.beneteau.com/en/antares-outboard/antares-680

My current boat is a Saver 690 with 200 Verado - quite similar to a 19' Fletcher Sports Cruiser but 23ft long and bigger cabin etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81KBl6YK70

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSkFKvSJfYs

Handling and performance on the Saver is really good, I just want some weather protection and I have seen some examples fitted with Eberspacher heating which sounds good and will please SWMBO.

Do any forum members have any experience on the Antares please?

 

[Matt341]

We owned an Antares 6.80 from new in 2010 until 2014. It was a great boat. Ticked all the boxes for what we wanted from boating at the time. We added a rear bimini/enclosure which really extended the living space. One option I regretted not going for from new was an electric windlass. Let me know if you have any specific questions that I may be able to help with.

 

[QBhoy]

I don’t know anyone with one, but you will notice a big performance drop, if that matters to you. Likely offset by better sea keeping and economy over your current boat perhaps ?

 

[Hot Property]

We owned an Antares 6.80 from new in 2010 until 2014. It was a great boat. Ticked all the boxes for what we wanted from boating at the time. We added a rear bimini/enclosure which really extended the living space. One option I regretted not going for from new was an electric windlass. Let me know if you have any specific questions that I may be able to help with.

Thanks for your reply and yes, an electric windlass is a great feature especially if bow access is restricted.

I currently burn around 30 litres an hour at 19/20 knots which is a nice cruising speed for the hull. What fuel burn/ speed did you obtain and what engine hp/make did you have please?

Is there anything that you didn't like about the boat?

 

[Hot Property]

I don’t know anyone with one, but you will notice a big performance drop, if that matters to you. Likely offset by better sea keeping and economy over your current boat perhaps ?

Always difficult to know how a particular boat will handle. The Saver I currently have was an improvement over the cap camarat walk around which was 21 ft long. Before that a 19 ft Fletcher which punched above its weight...

Ideally I would do a sea trial in the Solent before buying but that's not how boat buying is done! The chop in the Solent is difficult and variable so really I will have to just take the plunge should I decide I want/need one...

Yes, undoubtedly more fuel efficient than the verado but anyone who has one knows how addictive they are and just can't resist opening them up. (90 litres an hour at 34 knots, probably 2.2 ton boat all up��.

I can empty the tank in 2.5 hours but tell swmbo that marine petrol is much cheaper than road fuel...

 

[Matt341]

Thanks for your reply and yes, an electric windlass is a great feature especially if bow access is restricted.

I currently burn around 30 litres an hour at 19/20 knots which is a nice cruising speed for the hull. What fuel burn/ speed did you obtain and what engine hp/make did you have please?

Is there anything that you didn't like about the boat?

We had the suzuki 115, superb engine, 200 faultless hours covered over 4 years. Cruising rpm from memory was 4500-5000rpm which gave a speed of approx 18-20 knots. Fuel consumption at that rpm was somewhere between 20-25 lph.

When purchasing it was a toss up between the antares 6.80 or the merry fisher 645. In hindsight the interior layout of the merry fisher may have worked better for us as we mainly used the boat with 3 on board and the merry fisher had the forward facing crew seat which the antares didn't have. Over time we found this to be a drawback as there was no seating position where others could sit facing forward with a view when underway.

If you are looking at used models it may be worth taking a look around the bottom of the windscreen. This was the only issue we had with the boat, within a few months we started to get quite a bit of water leak through, the screen had moved/settled and the sealant had cracked. There was no drainage channel as such so the water would rest at the bottom against the seal and soak through. We re sealed the screen which worked for a short while until the water resting along the bottom edge began to find its way through again. I spoke to a few other owners of similar aged models who experienced similar. We eventually purchased some exterior window covers which obviously eliminated the whole issue. If there had been some sort of lip or Channel which drained the water away from the windscreen then it would have helped greatly. Having said that, it was the only issue experienced with the boat so I was happy with that.

 

[QBhoy]

Always difficult to know how a particular boat will handle. The Saver I currently have was an improvement over the cap camarat walk around which was 21 ft long. Before that a 19 ft Fletcher which punched above its weight...

Ideally I would do a sea trial in the Solent before buying but that's not how boat buying is done! The chop in the Solent is difficult and variable so really I will have to just take the plunge should I decide I want/need one...

Yes, undoubtedly more fuel efficient than the verado but anyone who has one knows how addictive they are and just can't resist opening them up. (90 litres an hour at 34 knots, probably 2.2 ton boat all up��.

I can empty the tank in 2.5 hours but tell swmbo that marine petrol is much cheaper than road fuel...

Haha, I know the feeling. It too much of a temptation with boats with HP like ours on tap. My own has over 300hp in an 18ft boat. Remarkably good on fuel cruising though. Around 19 lph at 2200rpm at about 24/25 mph gps according to smart craft.

Back to your situation. I can see why this boat attracts you. It does many other too. I think I might miss the open top ability your current boat has on a nice day...but perhaps our weather and the reality of it says otherwise. I’ve always had one eye on the Arvor boats. Perhaps a little more commercial feeling than the Ant I suppose. The arvor seakeeping, fair turn of speed from moderate HP and economy is a thought though.

 

[QBhoy]

love the fletcher 19 SC too. Likely isn’t a better all rounder at the size. Great sea keeping too

 

[Hot Property]

We had the suzuki 115, superb engine, 200 faultless hours covered over 4 years. Cruising rpm from memory was 4500-5000rpm which gave a speed of approx 18-20 knots. Fuel consumption at that rpm was somewhere between 20-25 lph.

When purchasing it was a toss up between the antares 6.80 or the merry fisher 645. In hindsight the interior layout of the merry fisher may have worked better for us as we mainly used the boat with 3 on board and the merry fisher had the forward facing crew seat which the antares didn't have. Over time we found this to be a drawback as there was no seating position where others could sit facing forward with a view when underway.

If you are looking at used models it may be worth taking a look around the bottom of the windscreen. This was the only issue we had with the boat, within a few months we started to get quite a bit of water leak through, the screen had moved/settled and the sealant had cracked. There was no drainage channel as such so the water would rest at the bottom against the seal and soak through. We re sealed the screen which worked for a short while until the water resting along the bottom edge began to find its way through again. I spoke to a few other owners of similar aged models who experienced similar. We eventually purchased some exterior window covers which obviously eliminated the whole issue. If there had been some sort of lip or Channel which drained the water away from the windscreen then it would have helped greatly. Having said that, it was the only issue experienced with the boat so I was happy with that.

A forward facing co pilot seat would be good, makes it more sociable for swmbo. I could fit a seat to the saver and have a cushion modified to sit around the pillar. That would solve one issue. I could also install eberspacher heating with little effort which may heat the cockpit area with full canvas up to give a warmer environment.

Seems I am persuading myself to keep what I have!!!

I do love the seating arrangement on it, 6 people were entertained at Bucklers Hard and sufficient space for wine and nibbles....

Is there an eberspacher unit powerful to heat the cockpit area perhaps? Thanks for your comments Matt.

 

[superheat6k]

Nick

A Corvette answers most of your requirements, including an electric windlass, and Caroline will love the dry interior and choice of which loo to use. You know it makes sense !

 

[Bigplumbs]

Nick

Don't do it I think you will miss being at the helm outside on nice days. I also looked at these but could not bare the thought of always being indoors. Your current boat is lovely. If you have an itch to scratch buy a small rib to blast about on and keep the saver

Dennis

 

[rwoofer]

I had a Merry Fisher 645 for 3 years, kept in the Solent. Great boat and accommodation for the size, but its weak point was handling short Solent chop. Invariably we just went from Gosport to Priory/Bembridge/Whitecliff because going upwind to the western solent was too much for the family. In all other respects I really liked it.

 

[Hot Property]

Nick

A Corvette answers most of your requirements, including an electric windlass, and Caroline will love the dry interior and choice of which loo to use. You know it makes sense !

That may be the case Trev but an exponential rise in running costs isn't on the cards at the moment! (and Caroline says at any other moment!!)

 

[Hot Property]

Nick

Don't do it I think you will miss being at the helm outside on nice days. I also looked at these but could not bare the thought of always being indoors. Your current boat is lovely. If you have an itch to scratch buy a small rib to blast about on and keep the saver

Dennis

Hi Dennis, I'm on the fence currently and the post is beginning to hurt! I have looked at co pilot seats and that is a feasible addition. I've had a look at Planar heaters which seem to be well received - a 4kw heater should pump sufficient heat into the cockpit area with canvas up to keep the chill off. Around £1k for the bits then a DIY fit.

I have a Honda 135 with only 50 hrs on it and I have been looking for a suitable boat to fit it to. Otherwise I'll have to sell it which I'm reluctant to do. A Fletcher 19 ft would be a good fit.... but have been there done that as you know!

 

[Bigplumbs]

Hi Dennis, I'm on the fence currently and the post is beginning to hurt! I have looked at co pilot seats and that is a feasible addition. I've had a look at Planar heaters which seem to be well received - a 4kw heater should pump sufficient heat into the cockpit area with canvas up to keep the chill off. Around £1k for the bits then a DIY fit.

I have a Honda 135 with only 50 hrs on it and I have been looking for a suitable boat to fit it to. Otherwise I'll have to sell it which I'm reluctant to do. A Fletcher 19 ft would be a good fit.... but have been there done that as you know!

Nick

I kind of wonder if you are doing something similar to what I was which is looking for the perfect boat that will suit your needs. I looked for ages and eventually bought the Sealine S24 we now have which curiously for us we are currently keeping on the Norfolk Broads. The thing is I am still looking but I think that is just me and of course the internet that allows us to look easily.

The thing is when I saw your saver last year I actually thought that you had found just the boat that I was looking for which was in effect a big Fletcher with an outboard. And you did very well on the price front. We are actually very pleased with our S24 but would still love an outboard version which of course does not exist.

I actually think you have a lovely boat and for my money I would fit the heater and any other small items that will make it better for your wife and try to stop looking...... which I know is impossible........... I am about to look on Boats and Outboards myself now as part of my morning routine

Looking forward to the Rally again we have booked in and gonna stay for the air show again which was excellent last year

Dennis and Her indoors

 

[Hot Property]

Nick

I kind of wonder if you are doing something similar to what I was which is looking for the perfect boat that will suit your needs. I looked for ages and eventually bought the Sealine S24 we now have which curiously for us we are currently keeping on the Norfolk Broads. The thing is I am still looking but I think that is just me and of course the internet that allows us to look easily.

The thing is when I saw your saver last year I actually thought that you had found just the boat that I was looking for which was in effect a big Fletcher with an outboard. And you did very well on the price front. We are actually very pleased with our S24 but would still love an outboard version which of course does not exist.

I actually think you have a lovely boat and for my money I would fit the heater and any other small items that will make it better for your wife and try to stop looking...... which I know is impossible........... I am about to look on Boats and Outboards myself now as part of my morning routine

Looking forward to the Rally again we have booked in and gonna stay for the air show again which was excellent last year

Dennis and Her indoors

Hi Dennis,

Yes big Fletcher as you say.

I have decided to stick with the Saver and fit the seat and heating system (if possible). Next years rally is already booked so we'll see you down there. Just need a decent trailer hire and a vehicle to tow it down - or I could travel by sea and make a 2 week holiday out of it..