Real world thoughts on Beneteau Antares 9OB Airstep Hull?

[LadyJ]

I’m hoping for some personal experience on the Airstep hull of the Antares 9OB in contrast to the Merry Fisher 895. I know the boats are very similar but wonder if the Airstep hull would tip the balance to the Antares (for me I prefer the interior in the MF895) an if so in what way? For me it would be the Offshore MF so twin 200s and the slightly heavier hull albeit believed the Antares is also B rated.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[SouthWales]

I’m hoping for some personal experience on the Airstep hull of the Antares 9OB in contrast to the Merry Fisher 895. I know the boats are very similar but wonder if the Airstep hull would tip the balance to the Antares (for me I prefer the interior in the MF895) an if so in what way? For me it would be the Offshore MF so twin 200s and the slightly heavier hull albeit believed the Antares is also B rated.
Many thanks in advance.

Did you ever find answer to your question? I am in the same position as yours.

 

[LadyJ]

Hi, I was advised that there wasn’t enough of a different to make the decision based on the hull but to go for the layout that best suited my needs. As it happens I changed direction completely and didn’t go for either. Hope you find the boat that best suits your needs.

 

[SouthWales]

Hi, I was advised that there wasn’t enough of a different to make the decision based on the hull but to go for the layout that best suited my needs. As it happens I changed direction completely and didn’t go for either. Hope you find the boat that best suits your needs.

Still looking...may I ask what you ended up with?

 

[LadyJ]

Still looking...may I ask what you ended up with?

Ended up with a Princess 38 Flybridge, my wife needed to be more home from home (shower, decent bed, comfy saloon and decent galley etc) and I found (in Scotland) that petrol limited my cruising range too much so went older and bigger. Love it but it comes at a price...... not that I’m complaining ??

 

[SouthWales]

Thanks for sharing.
I am drifting in your opposition direction, looking solely at dayboats sans shower or berth, easy to singlehandle, wheelhouse for protection, watersports and fishing ready, speedy planning hull and enough room to entertain.

Now looking at the smaller Antares and stumbled upon a Polish boat last night called Parker

 

[LadyJ]

Thanks for sharing.
I am drifting in your opposition direction, looking solely at dayboats sans shower or berth, easy to singlehandle, wheelhouse for protection, watersports and fishing ready, speedy planning hull and enough room to entertain.

Now looking at the smaller Antares and stumbled upon a Polish boat last night called Parker

It is all about what suits your current needs. I did that with my first boat then went to a half way house with the MF755 but after just 4 years and nearly 900 hours and 7000nm I decided I was turning essentially a 'day boat' or 'weekender' at best into a cruiser hence the change.

For what it is worth I have a couple of contacts with the Parker and they are very happy , I ran the Jeanneau for almost 5 years and was very happy and single handed around 90% of the time so kind of what you are after. I was single engine and worked ok but the bow thruster was good for those odd moments when coming into an unknown marina and the wind taking you where you don't want to go and you needed to save the bow from swinging the wrong way as these boats are all very light and have a bit of windage with the cabin top. They all tend to slam as they are a light boat with a cabin top that reverberates the noise but I've been out on windy days, 1.5 metre swells and gusts of 30-35knots (through necessity as on a leg of a trip) and with the right manipulation they handle ok but on calm days you can sit at almost WOT all day and they don't miss a beat.

Happy hunting and whatever you get it is just great to be on the water.. nothing beats it.

 

[cstewart37]

Parker is a fantastic boat I have a 750CC c/w 300ob build quality is fantastic & hull is very deep V no slamming with my one as it was designed of a RIB hull
I have done 4 ½ years with my one & no problems one of the best boats I have had & been round the UK in RIBs