Courtesy Groupe Beneteau
A chilly, windy, rainy day in South Florida was not an inviting way to take a ride on Beneteau’s new Antares 12 Coupe, but it was just the kind of day that showed why she’s fit as an all-weather family cruiser.
Having made her American debut at the 2026 Miami International Boat Show, the 12 Coupe complements the Antares 12 Fly, which launched at the Fort Lauderdale show in late 2023. Since 2000, Sarrazin Design has been working with Beneteau to create yachts with a unique style, sleek lines and insightful layouts. The 12 Coupe is no different.
The Antares 12 line is the builder’s newest flagship series, but it won’t replace Beneteau’s beloved two-cabin Antares 11. “We’re keeping both,” said Nick Vosinek, director of sales for Group Beneteau, who was at the dock as we prepared for the sea trial.
Customers expressed demand for more onboard living space and extended cruising capabilities, and Beneteau responded by adding 6 feet in overall length, a three-cabin layout, higher quality finishes and improved handling with more power. The boat is an addition to a range that now spans from 24 to 42 feet, and it complements an owner’s desire for more comfort in a weekend cruiser.
“One of the beauties behind the 12 is it’s now made with infujection technology,” said Vosinek.
Michael Guinet, Beneteau’s outboard product manager added, “The Antares 12 hull is infujected for better control of the weight, for a much quieter ride than conventional hand-laid designs, for improved durability and finish.”
Infujection technology is a construction method that combines infusion and injection molding to create a single, rigid hull and stringer system. It produces a lighter, stiffer and stronger structure that delivers an optimized power-to-weight ratio while reducing noise and environmental impact.
Advances in outboard technology also add to this boat’s performance and comfort. The noise level on the test boat with triple V-8 Mercury Verado 300-hp outboards remained in the upper 60-decible range at slow speeds and the low 70s at cruise.
The test boat ran well with the triple Mercs. Best cruise speed was 18 knots, where she has a range of 150 miles with a 20 percent reserve. At wide-open throttle, the Antares runs 36.8 knots, with a range of 142 miles.
Comfort while cruising is vital, and the Antares 12 incorporates unique features to maximize the feeling of being at home. Her design offers plenty of protection from the elements, and the ability to heat or cool the interior allows owners to cruise up North or down South any time of year.
“One of the key features of the Antares 12 is the fact that you can walk across the back of the boat, behind the engines,” said Vosinek. A transom access gate leads to the 15-inch-wide walkway that lifts to accommodate engines up. To port and starboard are swim platforms that allow for easy access to the water and to the engines when maintenance is on the agenda.
the sidedeck. Courtesy Groupe Beneteau
The layout is designed to provide passengers with seamless circulation and social connection. A large three-leaf sliding glass door between the cockpit and the wheelhouse opens to port or starboard, and the single-level deck allows for an easy transition between the two areas. Large windows in the pilothouse and a sizeable glass, electric-opening sunroof create a panoramic view with fresh airflow and a bright interior. Interior headroom at 6 feet, 4 inches is nice for tall passengers.
In the salon, a U-shaped settee can be adjusted to allow passengers to face face forward or aft, and the forward section transforms into a raised co-pilot seat. An optional walnut table with an electric pedestal converts the settee into a double berth.
A signature feature of the Antares line is the door beside the helm station to starboard. The pilothouse is offset to port, allowing for a 16-inch-wide sidedeck to starboard. The skipper has quick access to the sidedeck for anchoring and docking duties. That’s not just convenient; it’s a safety feature. The throttle and joystick controls are within reach of the driver when on deck, as is a cleat on the rail to assist in controlling lines. Garmin electronics are at the dash, with room for two 12-inch MFDs. With the Seanapps app, remote monitoring is at the captain’s fingertips.
Livability is enhanced by a full galley. It has all the room you need to prepare snacks or meals, plus two fridge drawers and a combo microwave oven with grill under a spacious countertop that houses a two-burner gas or electric cooktop and sink. A 43-inch TV is nearby. Cabinets above and below offer plenty of stowage.
Accommodations include three cabins and 6 feet, 3 inches of headroom. Hull-side windows with opening portholes provide natural light to the cabins and two heads. In the forward owner’s cabin, there’s a centerline double berth, an opening deck hatch and en-suite head with separate shower. Two single berths are in the port VIP cabin, and they convert to a double bed. The starboard cabin has a single berth that can fold out into a double.
Cruising comfort extends to the deck, where a roomy cockpit includes a nearly 7-by-4-foot L-shaped settee that converts to a huge sunpad. An electrically deployed starboard terrace provides a large platform for swimming (with removable swim ladder) and easy access to launch and retrieve water toys. When the terrace is up, passengers can make use of the integrated dive door.
At the bow, designers created a recessed area from which you can safely work the anchor, but what makes this spot special is how the forward section of the sunpad converts into a seat. With the optional table, you can create a “proper forward lounge,” said Guinet.
On both the flybridge and coupe models, the pilothouse roof extends to nearly cover the entire cockpit, and it can be fitted with a full side enclosure. On the coupe, owners can opt for an electric opening soft top or a hardtop with 130-watt solar panels. Stainless steel handrails and a rack on the roof provide safety for passengers walking the sidedeck.
“All the Yakima or Thule roof rack components fit our roof rack perfectly,” said Vosinek. Thus, you can enhance a cruising adventure by bringing along bicycles, paddleboards and kayaks.
Vosinek was enthusiastic as he took me through the Antares 12, particularly the features that make this model just right for cruising. The air draft is 13 feet, and 14 feet, 5 inches with options. “This is the ultimate boat for the Great Loop,” he says. “It’s a mini-yacht and a fully loaded 44-foot boat under a million bucks. My wife and I are planning on doing the Loop, and this is the boat we are going to do it with. It’s always been my dream.”
- LOA: 42’7”
- Beam: 12’5”
- Draft: 3’10”
- Displ.: 19,900 lbs.
- Fuel: 310 gals.
- Water: 106 gals.
- Max power: 900 hp
