Beneteau has debuted the Antares 12, the new flagship of an enclosed weekender line. The yacht’s world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival is set to be followed by its US debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October 25-29).

Featuring an overall length of 42ft 7in and a beam of 12ft 5in, the Antares 12 is 10ft longer than the former series-flagship 11 and 11 Fly models (32ft 6in) and can accommodate up to eight guests. The line starts from the Antares 6 (18ft 1in).

Antares 12 engine options comprise twin 400hp Mercury Verado V10 engines with an integrated joystick and triple 300hp Mercury Verado V8s. The yacht has lower and upper helms, the option of a Seakeeper gyro, and Groupe Beneteau’s Seanapps system to keep owners connected to their boat.

Accessed from the aft platform or by a starboard bulwark door, the covered cockpit has an L-shaped sofa to port and a folding table, while a starboard panel folds out to provide a balcony and easy access to the water. The foredeck has a triple integrated sunpad with an adjustable backrest.

Sliding cockpit stairs lead to the large flybridge, which has a J-shaped dinette aft, wet bar, helm seat and companion seating, with the whole area able to be covered by a bimini.

A three-leaf cockpit door can be opened to access the wheelhouse. The saloon has a C-shaped dinette to port, with the forward end able to become companion seating due to an adjustable backrest. The table can be lowered to convert the dinette into a double berth. To starboard are a full galley and helm station, with centreline stairs forward.

The owner cabin in the bow is spacious and bright, with detailed trims, and has its own en-suite bathroom, as does the VIP guest cabin to port. A modular third room to starboard can be used as a single or double-berth cabin, or act as a storage room.

Alexis Chas, Antares Product Manager, said: “Designing a new Antares requires a keen sense of detail and balance. The new flagship of the line is no exception. The layout and equipment have been designed to optimise the feeling of space and comfort, and to improve the number of things you can do with the boat.

“Versatility forces you to look for the right balance between indoor spaces and outdoor circulation, between opening to the elements and protecting passengers, and between performance and ease of use. Thanks to a close relationship with our customers, we’ve succeeded.”

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