It’s not uncommon to hear grumbling on the docks about the cost of new boats, and the challenges of finding a cruiser that’s affordable, seaworthy and efficiently set up for an active clan. Here’s the good news for those who are weary of sticker shock: Beneteau’s latest launch is a family-friendly pocket cruiser for all seasons that carries a competitive price.
The Antares 9 is a 30-foot, 6-inch-long boat that costs near $275,000 with most of the amenities you need for cruising, including a pair of Mercury outboards. It replaces the previous iteration of this model, which had a fan base for quite some time.
The 9 is one of six boats in the Antares series, a line of pilothouse cruisers that’s been in production for 47 years, ever since the 7.50 was launched by Andre Beneteau, son of the French builder’s founder, in 1977. The largest boat in the series is the 42-foot Antares 12.
“The 9 is inspired by that flagship, and you see that in things like the finishes and premium details,” said Nick Vosinek, Beneteau’s director of sales for North America, who was onboard with Soundings for a sea trial. “The boat is also well thought-out for entertainment, comfort and usability,” he said.
The new 9 resembles the 12 in its design language, inside and out. The exterior lines, for instance, have been elongated by a larger hardtop that extends the full length of the cockpit, and windows in the hull sides are more substantial than they were on the old 9. As for the planing hull, it’s now produced with an injection technology that the builder says provides a quieter and smoother ride.
A nice feature is the starboard side deck. It’s comfortably wide, fit with a faux teak that will grip wet shoe soles, and protected by a high gunwale and sturdy bow rail. The design makes it easy and safe to move from the bow to the stern, and when you step into the cockpit, there’s a nice boarding gate for dock access. In a pinch, the crew can use the port side deck, but it’s narrow with less freeboard.
There’s a reason for that slimmer side deck to port: It creates more usable space in the cabin, where accommodations qualify the boat as a true weekender.
There are two private cabins on board, each with privacy door, and a head. The owner’s cabin forward is taken up by what Vosinek called “the largest berth in a boat of this class.” It’s long and wide and offers plenty of headroom near the forepeak so you can sit up in bed and read. There’s also a TV, good stowage and plenty of natural and artificial light. It’s a cabin that can keep a couple comfortable for a few nights at anchor. Kids can sleep in the guest cabin to port, where there’s a double berth and less headroom.
The boat’s 9-foot 10-inch beam is maximized in the pilothouse, where a dinette converts to another double berth. It’s served by a galley to starboard that’s equipped with basics like a refrigerator, sink and Kenyon cooktop. The helm station is forward of the galley, and the builder designed a swiveling seat for the skipper, so he or she can rotate toward the dinette and join the conversation with passengers who are seated there.
One of the best features in the pilothouse is the sliding door beside the helm station. It simplifies docking maneuvers because the driver can keep one hand on the throttle or optional Mercury joystick while leaning out the door to work lines. “It’s easy to step from the helm onto the deck, where you have your cleat just inches away,” said Vosinek. “The setup is really great if you’re operating the boat solo.”
Base power on the 9 is a pair of 200-hp Mercury V-6 outboards. Two 250-hp V-8s are optional, and Vosinek likes those motors because they offer more torque, power and alternator output. “Think about the charging capacity and the electronics you can run off these V-8s,” he said.
After leaving the dock at Nautical Ventures in North Palm Beach, Florida, the Antares 9 made a run toward Peanut Island in the ICW near Lake Worth Inlet. The boat cruised between 22 and 25 knots and hit 35 knots at 5500 rpm. (Company sea trials with the 250-hp Mercs showed a 40-knot top speed at 6000 rpm.) Trim tabs were installed on the boat but we didn’t need them. A Sidepower bowthruster is offered too. That company has a good reputation for service, which is important, since novice boaters sometimes overuse the equipment when wind and tide are strong.
Sightlines from the helm were good and enhanced by slim mullions on the windshield. To make the run even more enjoyable we opened the manual sunroof overhead. The helm module is narrow, but it accommodated a 12-inch plotter. Beneteau got creative with space by mounting the VHF and Fusion stereo controls overhead.
Back at the dock, we got a closer look at the stern end of the boat. Space is maximized here too. For instance, to create a roomier area for socializing, the builder devoted more LOA to the cockpit and its L-shaped seating and less to the engine well. That means that when the boat is tied up and the motors need to be raised out of the water, you must slide the transom bench seat forward so the tops of the outboards can tilt in. It’s a different arrangement, but it works.
We like the big stowage compartment under the hatch in the cockpit. It holds everything from bench cushions and table bases to shore power cords and extra fenders. The space can also house an optional genset (about $30,000), which you’ll need if you opt for air conditioning ($7,900).
On the test boat, the cockpit sunroof had a fabric top that wasn’t perfectly fitted. And when we went to stow the cockpit’s removable table in the cabin, the fabric piece designed to secure it in place seemed too lightweight for the job. But these are a few of the trade-offs the builder made to offer this boat at a competitive price. Overall, the Antares 9 has an impressive amount of cruising comfort, good-quality equipment and a modern style. This is proof that 47 years after the first Antares was launched, Beneteau continues to find new ways to make the most of usable space in a family cruiser.
Specifications:
LOA: 30’6”
Beam: 9’10”
Draft (max.): 3’2”
Displ. (w/power): 10,182 lbs.
Power: (2) 200-hp Mercurys
June 2025
