Beneteau Antares 36: Twin-Diesel Flybridge Specs, Speed and Used Value

The Antares 36 began life as the Antares 11

The Antares 36 makes most sense once you know its first name. In 2009 Beneteau launched a new inboard flybridge called the Antares 11, which MBY tested in August that year as the replacement for the Antares 10.80. Beneteau's 2008 brochure gives it a 9.97 m hull, 11.35 m overall with the platform, a 3.8 m beam, 640 liters of fuel and 320 liters of water. The Antares 36 equipment list of 2018 gives a 9.98 m hull, 11.37 m overall, a 3.80 m hull beam, 650 liters of fuel and 320 liters of water, with the same twin Volvo D4 options, two double cabins and an L-shaped galley facing the saloon.

Those figures describe the same boat, later sold under a foot-based name in line with the Antares 30 and Antares 42 that joined the inboard range around 2009 and 2010. YachtBuyer dates the Antares 36 from 2009 to 2019, and Beneteau's European equipment list was still current in July 2018. If you see a 2009 or 2010 boat advertised as an Antares 11 with twin diesels, it is this model, not today's outboard Antares 11.

What the new hull brought over the 10.80

MBY stressed that this was a completely new boat from the keel up, not a revamp of the 10.80. It is a little longer and about a foot wider, and that width went into a larger superstructure. The saloon became full-width with seating on both sides, the galley moved forward opposite the helm, and the flybridge grew from little more than an upper helm into a real lounge with a second driving position, seating for four around a solid wood table and a sun deck of about 1.95 by 1.40 m.

Styling is by Sarrazin Design, with Beneteau Power responsible for the hull. Beneteau describes a semi-planing lower hull with a bell-shaped V bow and side stabilizer skids, and the brochure talks about the flared hull's stability in all sea states. MBY's test in choppy conditions found the ride commendably soft and the hull quick to level with a natural running attitude.

Twin D4s: speed and range

Beneteau offered twin Volvo Penta D4 diesels on shafts in two ratings, 260 hp or 300 hp, turning four-blade propellers with stainless underhung rudders. MBY's 2009 test boat had the 260s and recorded a 27 knot top speed and a 20 knot cruise, carrying about 7.5 tonnes loaded. YachtBuyer lists 26.1 knots with the D4-260s and 27.8 knots with the D4-300s, a cruise of 21.9 knots and a maximum range of about 200 nautical miles.

Fuel is split between two rotomolded 325 liter tanks, 650 liters or 172 US gallons in total. That is enough for a full day of coastal cruising with a margin, not for long offshore hops. The D4 is a common, well-supported engine in both Europe and the US, which is a real advantage on a used boat of this age.

• 2 x D4-260: 26.1 knots (YachtBuyer); 27 knots top, 20 knot cruise (MBY 2009)
• 2 x D4-300: 27.8 knots (YachtBuyer)
• Fuel: 2 x 325 liters, 650 liters total; range about 200 nm (YachtBuyer)

Two doubles, one head and the midships question

The owner's cabin forward has a double of 2.00 by 1.50 m (6 ft 7 in by 4 ft 11 in), a hanging locker, two portholes and a deck hatch, with 1.92 m of headroom. The guest cabin has a slightly wider double of 1.96 by 1.55 m, a hanging locker and two opening portholes, with headroom of about 1.94 m. One head on the port side has a separate shower, an 88 liter holding tank and a light trunk overlooking the wheelhouse.

MBY's one big criticism in 2009 was a poor midships cabin. The guest cabin tucks under the saloon, and while its numbers look fine on paper, it feels more enclosed than the forward cabin. For a couple who has the occasional guests aboard it works; for two couples sharing a week it is a squeeze, especially with a single head.

Wheelhouse, galley and lower helm

The main deck is a single bright space reached through a three-leaf aft door with black lacquered aluminum frames. An L-shaped settee for four sits around a wood table, with a second facing bench to port, and the settee can convert to a double. Beneteau's later layout offered a choice between an extra saloon seat or a continuation of the galley as a storage unit. The galley itself runs to port with a two-burner hob, oven, sink and a front-opening fridge.

The helm is to starboard with a two-seat bench, footrests, room for electronics and electric engine controls. MBY found that visibility from the lower helm suffered as the wheel went over, so a sea trial should include some tight turns from inside. Owners tend to drive from the flybridge in good weather, where an adjustable seat on rails, electric engine controls and optional bow thruster and trim tab controls make the upper helm fully capable.

Options that decide what a used boat is worth

Beneteau's 2018 list shows how much of this boat's comfort was optional: a 6 kVA generator, 24,000 BTU air conditioning, forced-air diesel heating, a fully electric galley, a quiet-flush electric toilet, TVs, a hydraulic gangway, a flybridge bimini and a 30 liter flybridge fridge. The Millenium trim level added an electric windlass, a bow thruster, electric trim tabs, Raymarine displays and autopilot, a cockpit bench and a bathing platform.

When comparing an Antares 36 for sale, treat the bow thruster, generator, air conditioning and D4-300 engines as the four items that most separate a good boat from a basic one. Slatted teak side decks and a teak cockpit were also options, and they look lovely but need maintenance.

Price and ownership costs

Used prices for an Antares 36 broadly run from about $120,000 for an early boat with the smaller engines to around $235,000 for a late, well-optioned example. That is reasonable money for a twin-diesel flybridge with a decent flybridge lounge and easily serviced Volvo engines, though the single head and modest second cabin limit the buyer pool.

Yearly costs are moderate: two diesels to service, shafts and rudders, a generator if fitted and canvas for the flybridge. Expect roughly $15,000 to $30,000 a year in a US marina before any major repairs, more in premium locations.