Antares 650 by Beneteau, a Used Buyer's Review of the 650 HB

The Antares 650 and the new generation of the 2000s

When Beneteau launched the Antares 650 HB, its brochure headline was simple: a new generation Antares. The copy tied it to the most recent Antares models of the time, the 9.80 and 13.80, and promised a sleek, modern profile on a powerful hull, fishing-first equipment and enough comfort for short coastal trips. Beneteau's heritage site places it in the fourth Antares generation, 2001 to 2011, with styling credited to Patrice Sarrazin.

The 650 is the cruising sister of the Antares 620 HB. They share a 136 liter fuel tank and the same maximum power, but the 650 is 20 cm longer and swaps the 620's open storage forward for a U-shaped saloon that converts to a double. If you want one small Beneteau outboard from that decade that can fish in the morning and host a nap after lunch, this is it.

Searches for antares 650 and beneteau 650 also turn up a much older boat, the Antares 6.50 of the 1970s, which we cover further down.

Early boat or late boat? Two sets of numbers

The launch brochure and the 2008 equipment list do not quite agree, and the differences are useful when dating a boat. The early sheet lists 6.30 m overall, a 6.15 m hull, 2.47 m hull width and 2.50 m maximum width, 950 kg empty without engine, 0.40 m draft, 2.06 m air draft, 136 liters of fuel, 20 liters of water and a maximum engine power of 90 hp, with CE certification still in progress.

By May 2008 Beneteau quoted 1,060 kg empty without engine, 1,375 kg (3,031 lbs) EC light displacement, 0.40 to 0.80 m draft, 2.10 m air draft, a 115 hp maximum (117 hp certification) and a C6 / D6 plate. In practice that means later boats were certified for a bigger outboard. Read the builder's plate on the transom before you assume a 115 is legal on an early hull.

• LOA 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in), hull 6.15 m
• Beam 2.47 m (8 ft 1 in) hull
• EC light displacement 1,375 kg (3,031 lbs) in 2008
• Fuel 136 liters (36 gallons), water 20 liters (5 gallons)
• Maximum power 90 hp early, 115 hp by 2008

A saloon in the bow instead of a cabin

Below the wheelhouse roof the 650 is laid out like a small day cruiser. Forward, a U-shaped saloon seats about four around a removable table and converts to a double, lit and ventilated by an opening hatch and lined with side cubbyholes. Aft of it, the helm is to starboard with adjustable pilot seating on slides, a wooden wheel, compass, rev counter, trim and fuel gauges, and a flat dash prepared for bracket-mounted electronics.

To port, a storage unit contains a polyester sink with a hand pump, a 20 liter jerry can, a fishing tackle box and cubbyholes, and a mount with cushions turns it into a copilot seat. The launch brochure listed a marine toilet as standard, while the 2008 list shows a chemical toilet as an option, so check what the boat in front of you actually has. A two-leaf aft door closes the wheelhouse, and the side windows open.

Flared bow, safe side decks and a fishing cockpit

Beneteau made much of the 650's flared bow, which it said protects a large foredeck and makes moving along the side decks safer and more pleasant. The hull is a progressive V meant to improve performance and the passage through choppy water. Forward there is an open pulpit and a self-draining anchor locker; aft, a stainless pushpit and a wide fold-down bench with a backrest that doubles as a leaning post.

The self-bailing cockpit carries a large lockable locker with access to the fuel tank and battery, two rod holders, two aluminum hawser posts and wooden gunwale caps. The swim platform has a ladder stowed in its own locker, and the transom is prepared for a 6 hp auxiliary outboard, a worthwhile backup on a single-engine boat.

Picking the right outboard

In 2008 Beneteau sold the 650 HB with Suzuki four-stroke outboards of 90 or 115 hp on long shafts, with fuel filter, decanter and a 110 Ah engine battery. Boats that left the factory under the early 90 hp rating should stay at 90 hp unless the plate says otherwise. On later boats, 115 hp is the better match for a family load and the 36 gallon tank.

There is no factory or independent performance data that we could verify for this model, so plan your fuel stops conservatively until you have logged your own numbers. A small four-stroke will troll all day on very little fuel, which suits the boat's fishing brief.

The 1970s Antares 6.50 that shares the number

Beneteau's first Antares generation (1970 to 1984) also included an Antares 6.50, drawn by Andre Beneteau. Beneteau's heritage page explains that he gave it a semi-planing hull so it could carry more powerful engines and run significantly faster than earlier fishing launches, with a large fishing cockpit and a small cabin for coastal trips. Beneteau has not published detailed specifications for it online.

The two boats share nothing beyond the number. A 6.50 from the 1970s is now more than 40 years old, so judge it as a restoration project, with the hull, engine installation and deck hardware surveyed from scratch. A 650 HB has an outboard, a 2000s Sarrazin profile and a molded, easy-clean interior.

Ownership reality check

Most surviving 650 HBs are in Europe, and when we checked no antares 650 for sale listings were live on the European portal we searched, so finding one can take patience. Brokers in France and Spain are your best bet, and a US buyer should factor in transport, import paperwork and a compliant trailer.

Running costs are low: we estimate 2,500 to 6,500 dollars a year for a trailered boat, covering insurance, outboard service, fuel and trailer upkeep. Gelcoat and window seals are the main age-related items, along with the wiring behind the helm.