Beneteau Antares 13.80

Sydney's new Jones Bay Wharf is some venue. The revamped harbourside pier has a marina in the making, great views, a trendy new restaurant, a cafe or two and lots of swanky offices.

The office I'm led inside has groovy eMacs with cordless installations, sharp-white workstations, casual meeting places marked by red-leather lounges, projection screens and a boardroom adorned with boating bits.

Welcome to the new home of the Beneteau powerboat distributors. The swish surrounds are fitting for an avant-garde French boating marque. Beneteau is the largest yacht builder in Europe and is coveted by sailors for its exciting boats that blend performance with cruising comforts and design artistry.

But what isn't so widely known here is that the French company builds powerboats. In fact, Beneteau was formed more than a century ago on the strength of the trawlers it made for crusty North Sea fishermen.

Today, Beneteau is something of a marine giant that focuses on pleasureboats. It employs more than 4000 people at 18 production sites in 30 countries, and offers something for everyone - trailerboats with cabins and centre consoles; 20-30ft single-screw picnic-type rigs for cruising; swish sportsboats; flybridge fliers; a traditional 42ft trawler due for release at the Sydney Boat Show; and a bunch of motoryachts.

All Beneteau's powerboats are built to CE Certification. If you're familiar with the company's yachts you might notice some common features, finishes and fittings. If you are au fait with the motorboat market you will surely find a lot of refreshingly different thinking and contemporary design concealed behind the traditional lines.

FRENCH EXPRESS
Beneteau's flagship, the Antares 13.80, is part of a range of cabin boats starting at 9m. Unlike most production motorboats, the Antares 13.80 is the result of a collaborative effort between boatbuilder, designer and engine manufacturer Volvo.

Beneteau says the Antares was designed expressly for Volvo's new TAMD75P EDC motors. The inline six-cylinder marine diesel donks were themselves developed for fast-planing craft, Volvo says. The 480hp (crankshaft) engines have an excellent power-to-weight ratio and good low-end torque for acceleration and response.

The Antares hull makes the most of the motors. There is a flat shaft angle, half tunnels and underwater exhausts that really do reduce running noise to a murmur. Construction is balsa-cored sandwich below the waterline and solid GRP decks and liners. Displacement stands at 11,900kg (dry), which is more than 10 per cent lighter than, say, a Fairline Phantom 46. Yet the boat doesn't feel skittish or lively.

Tied to Jones Street Wharf, the Antares 13.80 takes on the appearance of a traditional cruiser, almost reminiscent of a semi-displacement passagemaker such as a Grand Banks or an HMG. Underway, the boat isn't so tame - the modern planing hull exhibits a good turn of speed.

Adding to the clever disguise is a forest of teak decking and wide, ship-like bulwarks that lead to a huge flared foredeck. The boat looks seaworthy, like a passagemaker in which a couple might gad about the coast.

I really like the walkaround decks and the boat's generous cockpit space. Both areas come at the expense of a full-width saloon. But the generous outdoor areas make for a great entertainer upon which you could host a French champagne cruise, drop anchor and party on, or go dolphin spotting.

DECKCHAIRS & SUNBEDS
I accessed the boat via the full-width boarding platform and noted a wide but inward-opening portside transom door.

The boarding platform has a concealed swim ladder and wet locker for togs or mask and snorkel. A push-button paserelle or extending boarding platform (quasi springboard) was a listed option.

There are two Besenzoni davits in case you want to swing a RIB, but the cleat for tying off the pulley line could be better positioned - that is to say, not located at a lounge backrest. Plastic covers conceal the shorepower connector and H/C deck shower, but most other deck fittings are sturdy and trendy. There is also a manual bilge pump and a liferaft locker on the boat.

Once aboard you will find that the transom doubles as an impromptu seat. Unlike most local boats, the Antares has a permanent moulded lounge wrapping around the starboard corner of the cockpit. There is room for four people and storage space beneath lounge base.

The terrific folding teak deckchairs and a portable dinette table in the saloon let you create an al fresco dining area for six. The chairs and lounges come with upholstered, cream-coloured vinyl cushions.

A bridge overhang offers shade for at least two people on the deckchairs, and alongside the companionway door into the saloon is a moulded sink with H/C water, cutting board and storage locker for the gas bottle. Very yachtie.

The highlight of the decks is the access to the bow. There are steps up to wide, teak-topped bulwarks backed by handrails and a high bowrail with an intermediate wire. The safe passageway makes for an all-over accessible boat.

In fact, the huge, flat foredeck is actually a second stage upon which sightseers, kids and couples can cruise. There are toerails, a central sunpad and a good anchoring setup with a windlass and a couple of deep, self-draining rope/chain lockers.

ENGINE ROOM
Despite there being no watertight rear bulkhead, the subfloor lazarette is set aside as a utility room for the genset, battery charger, batteries and lots of wiring leading to a circuit-breaker board.

There is a separate plumbing room inside the boat forward of the engine room with a 42lt hot-water service and pump-out tanks. Water capacity of 640lt in two tanks will cater for most extended trips away. A 60lt/h watermaker was fitted just in case.

The engine room is accessed via the lift-up moulded stairs leading inside the boat. Thanks to the aft utility room and plumbing room, the engine room is wonderfully spacious if not strangely empty.

Twin aluminium fuel tanks live on the centreline, forward of the motors, where they will have the least effect on the boat's stability. The tanks are linked to Volvo fuel filters and sea strainers. There are remote fuel shutoffs outside the engine room.

The motors themselves rest on GRP bearers, which are also used to provide rigidity to the hull. Suffice to say there is generous servicing room around them. And I noted lots of sound insulation to supplement the underwater exhausts with idle-relief valves. Did I mention quiet?

UPSTAIRS LIVING
A moulded staircase sweeps up from the cockpit to the bridge, which is small compared to some Euro motoryachts with extended top decks. There is adequate seating for the skipper and a swivel pedestal seat that is a bit tight to access for the mate. Guests can enjoy the views and lunch from the U-shaped lounge set around a small teak table to starboard.

The contemporary helm console has Volvo engine gauges where you can read them, EDC throttles and a hip silver sports wheel. However, I thought the trim-tab buttons were a bit close to the throttle.

There is an aft sunpad big enough for two people and a smart-looking radar arch reminiscent of something from a superyacht. Bridge amenities include a small moulded sink with a teak cutting-board lid. The boat had a factory-fitted optional flybridge canopy.

I noted bowthruster controls and a good view over the foredeck. I could also see back through the open transom door for parking. The bridge is traced by nice, high rails to help keep everyone contained up top.

While it is a small bridge, the big decks compensate. In party mode, you can drive from up top with a few close friends while the throng plays about at deck level. Should the weather turn nasty, no worries - the boat has a lower helm. With optional air conditioning fitted, the Antares is an all-seasons and all-climate boat.

INDOOR LIVING
You step up to the saloon through a big Plexiglass sliding door, which should ensure that the interior stays dry. Despite tinted side-opening windows, there were no leaks during our test.

In fact, the big flared bow makes for a very dry boat. And because the saloon is inboard from the bulwarks there isn't a lot of ambient water around the windows.

The interior finish was nautical but nice, with lots of high-gloss cherrywood joinery, timber blinds and pelmets, cream-coloured leather upholstery and rich mahogany flooring with rubber grip strips. Lighting - always a Beneteau strongpoint - includes a ceiling feature. Headroom was a lofty 1.97m to 2.00m. Terrific.

Lining the port side of the saloon is one continuous timber counter concealing a pullout glass and bottle locker, storage space for the entertainment system or library, and an 80lt fridge. You could delete the glass locker and put a second drinks fridge or an icemaker in its place. Opposite that is a four-to-six-person lounge wrapping around the dinette. Ahead of that is the lower helm. Good views extend out the boat - use some tab to keep the bow down when driving - and the two-person leather seat was comfy.

The lower helm is adorned with a nice spread of chrome-rimmed VDO engine gauges as well as EDC throttles, 10in Furuno Navnet screen, VDO sound system and thruster buttons. There is room to drive standing, too.

The galley to port is sufficiently equipped. There is no extractor fan, but those opening windows deliver crossflow ventilation. Bench space is ample, and a concealed garbage bin is nearby.

In keeping with yachting tradition, the boat has a three-burner gas stove and oven. There is also a microwave in a cabinet, while under the twin sinks there is a mini dishwasher.

While the outdoor living space can host a party, the indoor living spaces are better for a cruising couple. This way you can better maintain the cream leather and recline in the lounges while watching the flatscreen television.

FAMILY FRIENDLY
The high headroom continues down to the accommodation beneath that big foredeck. There are three cabins and two heads, and no skimping on space in any of them. High-gloss timber joinery and blue bedspreads create an inviting atmosphere, which is something Beneteau does best.

Guests have the choice of a roomy VIP cabin to port with a double bed and hanging locker, or a second cabin across the way with twin single beds, a hanging locker and bedside table. Both cabins have small seats for pulling on your deck shoes or sharing a lazy coffee with your partner.

Owners get a great, big island berth in the bow cabin that positively shimmers with varnished cherrywood. There are steps either side to help you into bed, his and her hanging lockers, and clean white liners and upholstery. This distinctive yachtie look may very well encourage owners of Beneteau blow boats to jump ship!

The guest's bathroom and dayhead has a handheld shower but no separate shower stall, as exists in the owner's en suite. Both heads have electric loos and moulded vanity counters. Owners get a linen press, but it is open and exposed to the shower. There are no extractor fans.

SAIL AWAY
Beneteau honours its reputation for creating sweet-performing boats, be they power or sail, with the Antares 13.80. I was suitably impressed by the boat's efficiency, the dryness of ride in the windy conditions - so long as you kept the power up - and the smooth ride offshore. And once again I must mention the quietness.

The boat comes onto the plane at 1600rpm and holds a low speed of 14.5kt, which spells efficiency. A low-speed cruise at 2000rpm produces just under 20kt, but at 2200rpm the turbos are working and you'll get a smart 23kt. The top speed for the day was 28.3kt, but Beneteau quotes 31kt at 2660rpm.

But for the top speed, the supplied factory figures were true. At 2250rpm or about 24kt you will use 120lt/h in total. Leaving 10 per cent in reserve, this equates to more than 11 hours' running for a fast passage of 270nm.

Because the boat has a naturally high bow, it also works a treat in displacement mode. Break out the Bollinger, put the throttles into gear at 1000rpm for an 8kt cruise, and each motor will consume just 8lt/h. And at such speeds the decks are nice and stable.

Beneteau has pretty much saturated the yachting market worldwide. Now the French legion is out to grow its share of the lucrative powerboat market too . It is my view that the Antares 13.80 will be at home here, as it was tied to Jones Bay Wharf. A chic new venue, indeed.