Beneteau Antares 730, History, Specs and Restoration Buying Notes

Where the Antares 730 fits in Beneteau's history

Beneteau splits its Antares story into generations, and the Antares 730 belongs to the short second one, 1987 to 1990. Beneteau's own retrospective says that from 1987 seaworthiness and habitability became the hallmarks of the range, and the 7.30 is a good example: a 24 ft diesel launch that its brochure says can go urchin diving off Porquerolles or drop lobster pots off Belle-Ile and still offer an owner's cabin, a deck saloon, a galley and a toilet.

Its siblings in that generation were the Antares 5.60, 6.40, 8.00, 8.60, 9.20, 10.20 and 11.20. The 11.20 is the famous one; Beneteau notes that Luc Besson's crew used an Antares 11.20 to film the dolphins in The Big Blue in 1988. The 7.30 is the modest member of the family, which is exactly why it is worth understanding before you buy one as a project.

Andre Beneteau's semi-planing hull

The brochure credits Andre Beneteau with the design and describes a fast semi-planing hull that does not need much power and is remarkably stable. As on professional fishing boats, a long keel gives excellent directional stability, useful when trolling, and protects the hull and propeller so the boat can take the ground. Pinched forward sections let the hull pass gently through a short chop, and a tulip-shaped, flared bow throws spray aside.

Beneteau also pointed out that France's sea rescue service, the SNSM, had chosen Antares boats for part of its fleet, a strong endorsement for a builder selling seaworthiness. The brochure's structural drawing shows a hull stiffened according to load paths, like a traditional wooden boat: 15 mm longitudinal members are encapsulated in polyester along the full length, extra stringers stiffen the topsides, and the deck and coachroof are balsa-cored sandwich for rigidity and insulation.

• LOA 7.30 m (23 ft 11 in), hull 6.95 m, waterline 6.00 m
• Maximum beam 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in), draft 0.80 m (2 ft 7 in)
• Displacement about 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs)
• Maximum engine power 105 hp (92 kW)
• Sleeps four; French 3rd category approval for 4 or 7 persons

Two double berths in 24 feet

The headline feature, according to the brochure, is that a boat this size offers a double cabin for the owner forward and a deck saloon that converts at night into a second double, with a galley corner and a separate toilet. The deck saloon is reached from the cockpit through a sliding door and seats four to five around the dinette with a panoramic view, ventilated by sliding side windows and an opening roof panel.

The helm is a proper little bridge: a sheathed wheel, engine instruments, an electrical panel and space for electronics. The galley has a sink and stove, and the joinery is warm varnished wood with the patterned upholstery of its era. Treat any 7.30 interior as dated but repairable; foam, fabrics and headliners are the usual first jobs.

Deck details aimed at fishermen

Beneteau was proud of the small details. The aft bench has two retractable wooden panels that clear the cockpit when you want to fish. The self-bailing cockpit is deep enough to feel secure, and a large lockable hold under the floor swallows gear. If the steering fails, an emergency tiller fits through an aft hatch, which the brochure notes trolling fishermen will appreciate.

Two steps on each side lead to the side decks, hand rails are well placed, and a solid stainless rail runs from the bow to the cockpit. Forward, a stainless stem fitting with built-in fairleads and a roller makes anchoring easy, and the anchor lives in a dedicated well.

Engines and what to expect underway

Beneteau's spec table gives a 105 hp (92 kW) maximum and the copy speaks of brilliant performance even with a diesel of moderate power. Engine choices varied by market and year, and after more than 35 years many boats have been repowered, so verify what is actually installed, its hours and the shaft, coupling and stern gear.

We have no published speed or fuel figures for the 7.30 and will not invent them. As a guide to the breed, Beneteau's 2004 sheet for the 6.22 m Antares 620 inboard quoted about 12 knots cruising and 18 knots flat out with an 85 hp diesel, and the larger 7.60 was quoted at about 18 knots cruise and 24 knots top with 200 hp. A heavier, lower-powered 7.30 should sit closer to the slower end of that range, happiest at a semi-planing cruise rather than flat out.

Buying a 7.30 as a restoration project

Every Antares 730 for sale today is a late-1980s boat, so judge it as you would any classic diesel launch. The hull itself is usually sound; the risk is in the engine, the wiring, the fuel tank and anything wooden. Ask for a survey with moisture readings in the deck around fittings, and pull the floor panels to see the stringers, tank straps and bilge.

Original fuel and water tank capacities were not given in the brochure we read, so confirm them on the boat. Tank replacement is a common job on boats of this age and worth pricing before you make an offer.

Running costs and the boats that followed

A small diesel is economical, but old systems eat money. We estimate 4,000 to 10,000 dollars a year for a 7.30 kept afloat in Europe, including mooring, haul-out and antifouling, insurance and engine service, with a one-off refit budget on top. Parts for the hull and deck hardware are generic; engine parts depend on what is installed.

If you like the idea but not the age, the third-generation Antares 7.60 offers a similar diesel formula with an enclosed heads with shower and a 200 hp ceiling, and later boats such as the 2000s Antares 7 brought Patrice Sarrazin's modern styling to the same size.