2023 Beneteau Antares 12 pocket flybridge cruiser revealed

The new model was designed with an emphasis on extended cruising, making the Beneteau Antares 12 more versatile than just weekend cruising.

“The Antares 12 naturally lends itself to sunny trips with friends, or weekends enjoying boating activities with the family in dream surroundings,” Beneteau said in a statement announcing the new range-topping pocket flybridge cruiser. 

“However, there is now the addition of a more elegant and comfortable feel to the occasional extended cruise.”

That added feel takes the shape of separate ensuite bathrooms for both a twin-single stateroom and the owner’s cabin built into the bow, and the option of converting a third single cabin into a double, or using it as a storage space. The saloon can also convert into a separate berth, making enough space onboard for up to eight people depending on the layout below decks.

The Beneteau Antares 12 sticks to a similar design to other members of the Antares range including the distinctive sheer line and sizeable hull windows.

Above, the low-profile flybridge deck, accessed via a floating ladder from the aft cockpit, keeps the visual clutter to a minimum to give the Antares 12 a coupe-style profile.

Inside, the Beneteau Antares 12 features a glass bulkhead with sliding panes and a wheelhouse enclosed in deep windows. The interior design pushes everything outboard to leave a large, clear path leading to the companionway to below decks.

The saloon space includes a two-drawer fridge and freezer, a convection microwave oven and an induction cooktop, overhead cupboards, and a set of storage drawers built in under the helm seat. The helm has easy access fore and aft via a pilot door.

To port, the motor yacht features a C-shaped dinette.

The aft cockpit is quite large and features a drop-down coaming that greatly increases its size. A large L-shaped seat backing onto the transom features a drop-in table and protection overhead via the flybridge deck.

A transom door to starboard opens to a walkaround aft deck built around the outboard engine pod, with pod extensions running down each side.

The Beneteau Antares 12’s deck is offset to port, which creates a large forward-access walkway to starboard. The bow houses a large two-person sunbed with a flip-up backrest and a drop-in table that converts the space into a forward-facing lounge.

Upstairs, the flybridge deck features a second helm station forward and outboard to starboard, as well as forward-facing jump seats. Behind the helm is a wet bar, while opposite is a large C-shaped seating area with a table.

One of the big changes for the 12.7-metre length overall Antares 12 is that Beneteau has chosen to fit it with outboard engines rather than traditional inboards.

You can fit it with twin 400hp Mercury V10 Verado outboard engines or, for higher performance, a trio of 300hp V8s. The engines also come with the option of Mercury’s joystick control system that makes the boat easy to manoeuvre at low speeds.

The Beneteau Antares 12 is also ready to have a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabiliser installed.

The Beneteau Antares 12 will have its world premiere at September’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

Specifications*
Model: Beneteau Antares 12
Length overall: 12.97m
Hull length: 12.34m
Beam: 3.78m
Draft: 1.1m
Air draft: 4.9m (max, with options)
Weight: 8814kg (light, twin engines)/ 9111kg (light, triple engines)
Engines: 2x400hp Mercury V10 Verado/3x300hp Mercury V8 Verado
Fuel: 1174L
Water: 400L
Accommodations: 5 berths, 3 cabins/6 berths, 3 cabins
Passengers: 10
*Provisional specifications