Antares 44. Guided Tour & Review. Is this the perfect cat for a couple to live on full time?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- We took a guided tour of the Antares 44 Catamaran at this year's Annapolis Sailboat Show. It has a great reputation for being a quality built boat that is designed for full-time liveaboards. Is this the perfect Catamaran for our needs as we sail the world? Watch the video to the end to find out what we like and possibly don't like about this Cat.
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Two important features for me are the helm position and the galley. I also like that the engines are inside, protected from the weather when you have to check something and shaft drive. Many other features make this iteration of the Antares 44 make it a great boat: . . . . flat bow sprint, more solar, running the lines in protected areas . . .
Not covered in this video is how the boat sails compared to the "big three". Weight, sail area, hull width and keel design are factors which have to effect how the boats sail in various winds and points of sail.
I greatly enjoy your videos, thanks for sharing.
It does have a lot of nice features. Checks a lot of boxes for us.
I agree with you, there is very little to dislike. I prefer the washer dryer in the salon, as I would not want to lose that hanging locker. Also, when doing laundry at night, you won’t hear it as much. It takes about 3 hrs to wash and dry a load in a vented Splendide, and, on my Nordhavn, I often put a load in before I go to sleep. I much prefer galley down in a seaway, and the Antares galley is very open to the rest of the boat. Although I was on the boat at the show, I missed some of the new improvements which have made the boat much better. I am sure I will miss some of the creature comforts on the Seawind 1190 Sport I have just ordered, but I felt the Antares would have been a bit of a handful by myself. Interestingly, the final price was not that different because Antares includes so much.
Best,
Maldwin
PS Beth, and her parents have done a great job of building and managing the brand.
I hear you on the washer in the Salon. There is a pro and con for both spots. Janice likes the extra Sofa in the salon by not having it there.. FYI: Everyone that I know that has the Washer/Dryer combo on boats all say the same thing. You only use it to wash clothes and then you hang them in the cockpit for 1/2 and hour to dry. It hot climates with a breeze, it will dry much faster outside and if you dry in your boat it takes forever, wastes a lot of energy and adds a lot of heat and humidity into your boat. On the X5 crossing the ocean, we almost never used the drying cycle.
I replaced the unvented Splendide on my Nordhavn with a vented Splendide, and the dryer worked much better. I always wash and dry towels at night, throw them I before going to bed, and wake up with clean dry towels! I probably should worry about the energy, but I am plugged in or on generator most of the time. No heat and humidity come into the boat, as it is vented. On the Seawind 1190, there is a place behind the shower which has room for a vented Splendide, but I will have to think about energy consumption more.
Another very well done review! Great job you two!
Thanks Rusty.
That’s a really well thought out design……. & Great Value!
Very comprehensive review. We love our Antares and wouldn’t swap it 😊
Glad to hear it. We hear that a lot from Antares owners.
Hey guys, your reviews are getting better everytime. Great job.
Thanks Gerald.
@@Bowmans-Woods You're welcome. Stay safe and hope to see you on the ocean someday.
Great video great cat!!!!
Thanks Star.
Nice catamaran. I like the down galley, I know it's a point of contention but I personally prefer it. Now this is a vessel that we could really get interested in. I really appreciate the fact that they build their cats nearly ready to go. 950k is steep for a cat under 45ft, even with all the bells & whistles that are included onboard like the water maker, generator, etc. Yet, on the other hand, they seem to maintain resale value like no other. It's a bit of a catch 22.
I agree Mark. It seems, on paper, to be overpriced for it's size but the owners rave about the quality, so it seems clear "you get what you pay for" and if the boat doesn't depreciate as much as another builder's 44' Cat then it seems to be worth the extra money. Or be like us and try and find a 5 year old one with most of the depreciation already taken out. :-)
Cruising Off Duty Yeah, we're looking for used as well. Although, It's not easy to find any of these guys on the market. I've come across a very limited number of them since they came to our attention just over a year ago. We're technically not looking to buy for another few years, so maybe their numbers will increase a bit, but it's like you said....The owners really appreciate them & aren't really looking to sell.
I hate to say it but, a recession may help you and us, who are looking at the used market, as long as it is just before you are ready to buy. People NEED their house to live, but if they also have a vacation boat, they DONT NEED that. So when times get tough the boats are the first thing to go on sale and prices drop like a rock as everyone is trying to sell at the same time and undercutting each other's price. In the last 2008-2010 recession, boats got really cheap and the Canadian dollar went to above par vs the $US dollar as well. So, much lower boat prices and a stronger Canadian dollar makes buying a boat much more affordable. We shall see what happens in the future, but I doubt "The good times" BULL market, can keep going for that many more years. The next Big Bubble Burst is coming. Just a matter of when. We are looking to go in 4 years so we want the good times to go on for at least another year or 2. Again, we shall see how things unfold.
Cruising Off Duty The market is absolutely on its way toward a significant downturn...The economy is on an intense, yet temporary, sugar high.
Totally agree. My gut is we will be lucky to get through 2020 before the bubble bursts. It is probably coming too soon to benefit us since we are retiring in 4 years but if it as deep and painful as I think it will be, it may make people reluctant to buy large ticket luxury items for years after the collapse.
That's an awesome boat! It's as close to ideal as I've seen. The price, although seemingly steep, is reasonable when you consider the included 'add-ons.'
Good vid, guys!
Thanks Fred. I agree.
Incomparable Beth Simkins!❤ Real "frontman" Antares Catamarans!😊
She does a great job, explaining the benefits and features.
Worth watching
Thanks
The workmanship is amazing , A lot of thought , Like .
It does have a good reputation for being a quality boat that is very blue water capable.
wow this yatch so good... 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 and good job sir your channel and video explain everyhing... salute
Thanks. It is a really solid Cat. 44' is on the smaller side of what we are looking at getting but if we found one of these used at a good price (which is rare) then I could see us on this.
Great review, I love this boat. They are able to incorporate everything you need for extended cruising in a 44' boat, it checks all the boxes and the finishes are beautiful. I like the galley down, center at the waterline on passage makes sense.The helm station is secure with good visibility, I like the glass wind screen. Engine placement is not ideal but as you state from a weight distribution standpoint I can see why.
Thanks.
Thanks Michael. I agree with you. The Galley down gives more space to sit in the indoor Salon, so I am becoming a fan. Now I just have to convince Janice of that. :-)
This woman has a very pleasing personality. Feel like I could really talk to her.
She is nice.
Great boat.
Agreed
This is basically the dream yacht for me. Living on the west coast in BC this baby looks really fit for local cruising, then heading off round the world.
It has many owners who have world traveled on this Cat. So it will serve you well there in BC and when you go off to far flung locations. I wish we lived in BC and could leave our boat in the water year round and still remain in Canada. Jealous!!
It’s, among other things, the great protection of the helm, and simple protection for the cockpit, that I really love. Yes, we can play year ‘round out here, but it does get cold and rain a little.... LOL. I actually love the Galley down as well. Feels better equipped for living. If it had electric drive, more solar, maybe some wind generation, and a second Genset? All electric cooking, to eliminate one system, and a either a diesel or electric dinghy..... perfection!
Well if it was cold and rainy for part of the year than a protected helm like the Antares, Maverick or St Francis, would really come in handy. Sailing in 5-10c would be brisk if you only had a Bimini over your head.
Good to see the price disclosed. Thanks for that.
All in all, I think it's a very sweet Cat, perfect for 2 people and some guests from time to time.
Totally agree. Seems like the perfect size for a cruising couple like us that wont be bringing a ton of guests on for long passages. Having a slightly bigger boat would be good if we were planning to bring people with us, but that is not necessarily in the plans. Then again, SV Delos was just started with Brian, Brady and Brian's girlfriend (3 total crew). Then it turned into a channel with constant guests to help film and document the journey. That might be fun too? It is big enough for 4 to sleep comfortably. That should be fine for us.
I can see why many people like this boat. I used to not like the down galley but am slowing coming around to see the good points. The thing that I personally don't like about this boat is the sunken salon. I really like the continuous flow from main salon out onto the aft cockpit. Thanks for the great review.
We are slowly coming around to a down galley as well. it does make sense on a smaller cat like this. It gives you a usable Salon that is big enough for eating and entertaining and the galley is close enough to be part of the crowd conversation for those "boat party" evenings.
Love the cherry! She explained it down galley so very well. 👍
It is some beautiful wood. Probably some of the best wood interior of the boats we have seen.
This boat is so nice and practical I almost feel guilty watching the vid!
It has a good rep for quality too.
I like that they are a shaft driven boat myself. I disagree somewhat about sail drives failing, I think if they are well maintained they will last you. My issue with the sail drive is that there are more moving parts so more things to go wrong. They also stick down and depending making them more vulnerable to damage if you hit something or run aground. And they require maintenance that requires the boat to be hauled out.
Lol okay this crew looked like they got wasted the night before and were trying to hold it together. Very nice cat and the Argentine wine. For the price I really think that’s a deal. I like the slogan simple stupid. Keep it easy.
Yes. Great live aboard cat. Staff obviously knows how to have fun.
Love your reviews. Small piece of advice. If your really looking to find a Cat for yourselves then don’t delay. Seize the day now. One bad report from your doctor can put an end to your sailing dreams. So don’t delay. Buy what you can today and get underway. 👍
Thanks. Yes, I agree. I will pull the plug on the whole working thing as soon as I can with a pension to keep the cruising kitty funded. I'll only be 56-57, so that is pretty young to retire Go as soon as you can but you have to be reasonable. Othewise we would all retire in our 30s. ha ha
Well said... just diagnosed w/ MS, so Volare is going to be mine! :)
The idea of the down kitchen is great for liveaboards. More space, eye level fridge, etc. The new 44 Hybrid is the way to go IMHO. Now, let’s talk money ….
Wife refuses to have galley down. So that isn't going to happen. LOL. Electric propulsion is the future IMO.
Overall a well thought out and finished yacht. A HUGE negative is that the master berth requires the inside occupant to crawl over their partner if they want to get up in the middle of the night. I can't imagine adults would put up with that, but interested in Craig and Janice's opinion? I also like the galley down. Allows for a bigger galley in a smaller yacht, and opens up the saloon. Great video as always. Your "production values" keep getting better!
Hey Mike. Ya. one person crawling over the other to get out is not a perfect option. I guess when there are no guests on board we would probably sleep in different bed, especially if we are on a long passage and sleeping at different times. When we had guests we would just have to wake each other up to get up. Janice luckily can fall asleep in seconds so it is not a huge deal to her.
Not much to dislike with this one! You hit all the points that are great- helm protection, water catchment, solar, 'all-in' price, weight centralization of engines and galley, WOODWORK! OMG, that is beautiful. I will have to watch this one again and see if I can get 'nit-picky' about anything.
About my only dislike at this point is that it is currently out of my budget. But as you say, it is cheap by comparison to some of the others.
Hey Marcel. It is above our budget as well, but, like almost all the cats we look at, we think of them as a good option if we found one in our budget on the used market
@@Bowmans-Woods You might be in luck. I checked largecatamarans.com and they started around mid 500s for used ones. Look basically similar (except for that extra settee in salon) and some of the other newer details which I could probably do without- given my current spending limit! 😉
Thanks Marcel.
Hey Craig and Jen wonderful boat there although the whole turn key concept really puts these boats out of the price range of most people the big design features I would like to see in production boats especially made for cruising and crossings is the forward protected sheeting sail trimming area forward of the salon with the helm in the salon like the gunboat in the h&h
Thanks for your input. I hear what you are saying. You got my name right, Craig, but my sisters name is Jen (not relevant to my videos, ha ha) but my wife, that you see in the videos is Janice. :-)
Thanks for great presentation
Could you go in to the dimensions of batteriets, energy-consumption, how much/long you need running the gen, etc. Both on present boat, nyt Maybe also in future review? Thanks
They are beautiful boats. They sail very slow compared to many others. I wish they would come out with a newer design, slightly bigger and faster. The curved seating in the cockpit is kind of a pain as you can't lay out and relax. The shaft drives are great but the engine noise is louder in these boats when under power. If they changed some of these issues, it would be a no question. I forgot to mention. having a heavy dingy is a no no, sure they are nice, but can be impossible to pull up on a beach and if the tide goes out, you will be waiting for a long time to leave. This has come up from other cruisers.
One other thing not mentioned, is the wait time to get a new one. I believe its over two years.
Thanks MRM. All good points. The curved seating would be a pain to try and sleep on. If we did get a center console dingy we would probably never try and beach it. Just too heavy to drag on and off the beach. Most places have some sort of dock you can tie to to go shopping ashore for provisions. If on some unmanned island with a beach, we would probably just throw and anchor and swim or walk in the rest of the way to avoid being stranded by the tides. Your dinghy will be your defacto car for getting around, shopping and exploring so you want something good and comfortable for long periods of travel. IMO a center steering is far preferred to a tiller steering set up. But it is heavier when you go that way.
Thanks for the review!! Regarding used prices, I think much of it has to do with Rhumb Line's near monopoly of the used market. There was a sweet 2014 listed for more than a year at $680k by another broker (eventually Beth got the listing, but kept the price the same, and it sold quickly). By comparison, a 2011 is still listed by her at $710 and a 2004 at $545!?!? The 2011 has been for sale for some time (not surprisingly). TMC has a 2010 listed for the same price as Rhumb Line's 2004 listing (although the condition of the 2010 is, well, it looks a little suspect (was pending sale, but no longer, so I do wonder what they found)). Still... Regardless, great boats even if in need of a little updating. Okay, a lot of updating. Still our #1 choice should the used prices become a little more responsive to the market at some point in the future. If not, then likely a used Privilege for us. Thanks again for the review!!
Hey Iam. I get what you and a few people are saying, that the hull shape has that dated "Early 90's" look so it could go with a bit of a face lift but it has such a rich history that I guess it is like driving a Bentley. It may look old fashioned but if it does the job and does it well, why break the mold and start over? If we could find a good deal on a used one in our budget, we'd have no problem living on an Antares.
The consideration with the down galley which the charter market doesn’t like is this - an owners version with galley in the salon provides for smaller galley and a bit smaller salon. The area you pick up below is always an awkward settee with desk and lockers. I’ll take the larger galley and refrigeration over a settee I will never use - maybe the desk too as there are other desk like surfaces for you to work from . Just better thinking on usable space and space you use more.
I also think on a smaller cat that Galley Down makes more sense. Get a bigger galley and bigger Salon seating area. This case you lose out on your 3rd bedroom having a head. Which I am OK with.
Love your reviews, and I have always liked the Antares. Davit, Davit and Davits? Could you please be more specific here (with all reviews). You said it, you would like a decent tender! So what length will fit between the hulls and what weight? Beth stated about 700 pounds, what is the actual rating? Also I dont like to look at wind screen wipers hanging down in my view. Not good enough for a million dollar boat. I think it is lacking in beam and this may be the real reason for the lower rig. The galley down is perfect and the forward facing nav station is brilliant. Beautiful boat thanks for the review. I wear my Off duty tee regularly, gold plated by the time I got it here in Australia.
Good questions. Read the designer's blog Catamaran Concepts. Link on Antares website. He explains the design choices with lots of humour. Great perspective and information. Lots of useful information for evaluating various Catamaran fads.
It's an interesting boat. I agree with most of your points. If they could keep everything the same and just make it 2 feet longer would be a plus. I'm not entirely sure about the galley down. It looks nice, but I'm concerned that the cabins in that hull would be too squeezed (hence the 2 more feet of hull length). I love the engine placement. I don't like sail drives for several reasons: First, the engine gets shoved to the very back of the boat and then you're on the sugar scoop trying to work on them. Second, I do have concerns about the shaft of the drive hangin down and striking a submerged object. Lastly, every change in shaft direction results in lost power. On a sail drive, you have 2 (horizontal to vertical and then back to horizontal). On this boat there is no changes. The shaft exits the engine and then runs out through the stuffing box. Simple and straight forward.
I like how it comes ready to sail for full time cruisers. Some boats seem to be mainly set up for a weekend/week long maximum trip. BUT, how are these components? Is it a cheap water maker that you'll be replacing in a few years? Same question for the generator, A/C, kitchen appliances. Can the generator power a dive compressor? Nice review!
I agree with you. It ticks a lot of boxes. Now if it was just a tad bit bigger. But, it has to stay the same price. ha ha
Everything just exponentially goes up the bigger you go. Marinas, fixing, cleaning, parts. Not to mention handling. 40-45' would just be wiser overall purchase.
This 44' is definitely plenty big I agree!
I agree. 44' is a perfectly fine size for a couple to live on. Just saying that for a million dollars you use to get a much bigger boat. Like a St Francis 50 or a Majestic 53'. So the 44 use to seem small for the price. Now the boats have gone way up in price and the Antares has stayed the same. That was more my point.
@@Bowmans-Woods absolutely. I'd be more than happy with a used 40-45' FP, Lagoon or Leopard for less than half the price with upgrades already in place
Biggest issue I have with the layout in this boat is the port head is in the bow. So the aft guests have to either tramp thru the forward berth or use the master head/shower. Not a deal breaker, but seems to me for a little bit more $$ you can get the St Francis 50 and solve all that. Really liked your review of that boat and it turned me on to a new option.
Ya. That 3rd spare room is probably a "last resort" sleeping accommodation. You would have to get cozy with your guests and let them walk through your bedroom to go pee. ha ha. A St Francis would be awesome but it sells for $1.2M (new) vs $950K. We will probably buy used to save some money but a St Francis 50 would have to come down a lot to get into our budget. One can dream though! :-)
@Asim Ayyubi especially for the 1% of the time you have guests. Don't want them too pampered or they'll never leave. LOL
I agree. A 48 or 50 would be ideal !!!
Yes. 44' is at the absolute bottom of our size range. It could work but it might feel tight at times. 48-50 would be our perfect size.
Another great video 👍 I couldn’t tell but was there a electric exhaust fan above the stove in the galley? But I think it makes more sense to have the galley down in the hull,
I do not think so. No area for the fan to exhaust to. But you do have a high ceiling there so the roof wont get hot or greasy.
Cruising Off Duty Thanks, I hit the lottery perhaps I can have them swap the sink and stove area, I would think it help on a hot summer Caribbean day, you would want the extra ventilation while cooking
Merry Christmas 🎄 🎁
It is a nice boat, kind of a mini version of the St Francis 50.
Ya. I could see that.
I can think of one I think is pretty significant, no head for the fwd guest cabin. Imagine that guest needing to use that in the middle of the night when the aft cabin is occupied, etc. Also that fridge looks like a 4 cubic ft RV style. Totally inadequate for a ocean crossing passage. Other than that I really love that boat also, especially the down galley and the sailaway fitting out.
The fridge can always be supplemented with a stand alone chest fridge freezer. On my last transatlantic he had one of those under the table in the back salon. Most boats are not built with enough fridge space for full time live-aboards who are trying to cross oceans. So the stand alone chest is a must. You can always shut if off if you don't need it.
Fridge is 7. Freezer is 4. Heads are in the bows not aft
Not sure where you are in the buying process but there is one available now (Oct/22) on the West Coast of Canada for $1M Canadian.
This cat is one of the best. It is difficult to find fault with it. The finish is realy high quality but the roundness can look a bit dated in some areas. The outdoor saloon area and cockpit is very cleanly designed. For a low galley design it is in a good position but it can seem very close to the cabins. Some other yachts have better windows, potholes and hatches within the cabins than this yacht. Also some yachts have 3 or 4 heads which is what you need these days in my opinion. Also the transition from the outdoor saloon area to the indoor saloon area is at a different level and it lacks nice double sliding doors that give it that indoor outdoor feel found on some cats. That being said the quality of finish is very good overall but I don't think I would choose it over others at the same price range.
So you're looking for a charter cat with lots of heads and beds and a service life of 4 years until junk
Lovely boat, but there are definitely more Antares boats on the second hand market now and some of them stay on the market for many months, so there is no waiting line for sure. Still would be one of the top choices on my list if could afford one...
OK. Well perhaps the price of the used ones can start coming down then. :-)
Lovely yacht, I agree it’s among my favorites. I’m thinking the galley down is the better way to go. Makes for a spacious salon.
Does it come with Lithium batteries? What are the specs of the dingy that it comes with?
Hi Lewis....yes, the Antares has a Lithium battery option. The standard dinghy is an 11' rib. 👍
Good questions. Probably something you could find on their website or by emailing them. I bet the standard dinghy is probably a 10' standard RIB. We would probably spring for the extra cost of a center steering RIB because it will be our "Car" for doing shopping, chores and exploring from our boat while at anchor, so, it will get a lot of use. She didn't mention the batteries being Lithium but I know all the builders are definitely giving that as an option for not too much extra money. We will probably end up buying a used Cat of which ever brand we end up choosing to save money and minimize the depreciation you get in the first few years of a boat. No matter what, if the boat does not come with a lithium battery bank and charging system, we will change it over. It is the future and I bet in 5 years all the new builds will come with that as the standard battery system. Led Acid is archaic in comparison.
Beth Simkins thanks Beth!
Cruising Off Duty Thanks!
@@bethsimkins9715 Where is this boat built? Do they have other size options? Whose outboard is on the dinghy?
Water catchment is a great idea but I would think that you would need more than ‘filtering’ to get deck salt residue out of the water?
that's why you let it rain for 10-15mins. although you might lose the squal(sp?) by then. i would prefer a dedicated tarp as a collector.
Yes, as the other commenter said, and I said at the end of the video, you would want to let it raid and go straight overboard until you are sure the roof is pretty darn clean before you flip the switch that sends it into your tank (Even if it is filtered). It may be a godsend if you had your watermaker break on you while in the middle of a long passage.
This boat is amazing...if I have a spare 950k this would be the one for me. Like the sunken galley, lack of hard corners yada yada
Yes. It would be nice to have a spare $950K lying around, wouldn't it? ha ha
Just as an info, Bobby Schenk once wrote that the limit for a boat is 45f - reason; there are way less crans to get bigger boats out and "in the south sea I recall only one in Tahiti". Therefore 44 is the size for me, kitchen down is the right idea, I see a lot all in (I sailed last time 25y ago), which is nice as I do not need to study beforehand. The problem is the world goes dictatorship and unfree travel. People are too complacent and do not see the depression and do not fight for rights. So if travel has a future again, I would like to sail this boat. Thank you.
One more: As a European in Latinamerica there is the 220/110V thing. I use the 220V from the dryer to use all my stuff (yes, printer et al are in the laundry area). I saw the Latino/US connections, for the European sailors you could ask if there is 220V somewhere and if other entrances would be possible. :-)
Larger boat is not always better. Bigger is definitely more expensive to maintain too.
Why would you want solar panels recessed? They'll run hotter and it makes the layout unmodifiable :/
I hear what you are saying.
one thing which i thought the same as you was they have good resale, or demand but ive been watching them on beths site and they seem to sell slowly. would beth tell us the average sell time over the last 3 years. she will have this info in a jiffy. be interesting to see if demand has slowed. i personaly think they are a great boat, dated in areas but still sensible design and quality build and thats a rare thing im discovering.
This is just me talking but I think a recession is on the horizon so perhaps people are reluctant to go out and buy a big ticket (non essential) luxury item, like a Cat. So I am guessing that sales are taking longer these days. But, if that is true for Antares, I am sure that is also true of any of their competitors. If a full blown recession hit in the next year, I could see the prices of Used boat dropping like a rock. If people are hurting, the first thing they have a "fire sale" and get rid of is their boat.
@@Bowmans-Woods we are riding a high here in nz but im cautious of whats around the corner, tend to agree with you. shit will hit the fan at some stage. but when is the question.pefect timing is to sell up at the peak and buy some bargains at the low, impossible to predict and time is of the essence as you get older.
Hi Simon. Our listings are on the market for all different time lengths. There is sometimes no rhyme or reason. We may have a prospect who has been looking for that exact Antares (year/options/price) and it doesn't even hit Yachtworld. Other times, we could have a seller who has had offers but wants to hold strong. Our owners tend to hold their boats for about 5 years but again sometimes life gets in the way and they have to change plans. We purposely only represent Antares so we can not only know the boats inside and out, but we get to know the owners as well...where they've cruised, how they care for their boats, etc. Hope that helps! We can always chat offline.
Beth Simkins Thankyou Beth for replying. I’ll be in touch closer to the time when I’m in the market, see if an antares is for me.
Thanks Beth. Feel free to chime in on any of these comments. You would be better to answer them than me. :-)
A very humble opinion, but this seems to be a top choice for a couple with the occasional guest. The master cabin, with amenities like a vanity, which Jance might say now isn't to important, would be in time when its your home. Also, maybe for the part time or seasonal couple, a galley down might be too disconnected, but this will be your home and it's gonna get small fast and I think the separation will help that, even better than a larger 50' with galley up, and now you have a large living room. And as far as the guest cabins, and very temp ones they'll be for y'all, as long as its adequate, it doesn't have to be a second master. Room for living, storage, and all those needed systems are the important things.. I'm only disappointed at the lack of a front sitting or lounging area, but I like this Cat more and more. Again nice video..
Thanks Andrew. This would suit us just fine. Would we like a bigger boat? Sure. But that comes with a bigger price tag too. So we will get what we can afford. USED. :-)
Does the Watermaker and Generator cavitate in normal seas? Being Installed far forward. (Overheat)? Love the Boat.
It shouldn't but that is something a present owner could probably answer. They seem to like that boat. Rarely do you hear complaints from existing or past owners.
@@Bowmans-Woods All the air from hull turbulence interrupt solid flow of water. AC Units always have issues with Raw water placed anywhere on the boat under way.
We used our AC at night on the X5 almost every day while on passage to cool our rooms before bed. We never had an issue with it working while the boat was moving.
@@Bowmans-Woods Where was the the thru hull? Not in the bow! Engines even have this issue from time to time. You changes impeller on main engine! Its a forever issue!
The wheel looked so much lower than the large loveseat that you steer from. It looked like you would steer with your feet. Or maybe there is a remote or something? Really liked the review and the boat though.
Thanks. I hadn't noticed it being low but in rough sees you would probably be standing. In calm seas you you be lounging and as long as you can touch the wheel, you are good. I find I spend most of my time with the autohelm controlling the wheel anyway. LOL
When Janis gets into shower it does not look like a lot of headroom to spare. What would you guesstimate the headroom is?
It is over my head and I am 6'0" But you may need to bend a bit to get under the shower head if you are tall. It is only a 44' boat so you cant expect it to be massive inside.
Perhaps the most expensive 44 foot catamaran made!
It is not cheap, for sure. But you get quality so you have to decide if it is good value for the money?
If I had a couple million bucks, I'd get one and I'd spend the rest of my days exploring the world.
That’s our plan. Maybe not with an Antares and we probably wont have any close to a $2M budget, but exploring is the plan.
Very nice boat. A negative could be that there seems that there is no way to close the owners side. No privacy walking from the bedroom to the bathroom. Maybe there is a way to close that hull that is not apparent in the video?
Hmmm. I will have to look at the video again. Usually there is a sliding wall that blocks the stairs. It is not always obvious.
@@Bowmans-Woods for those very rare occasions when it would matter then 2 hooks and a big towel (or fancy curtain)
so when are you planning to pack up and and get on the blue
We retire in 4 years. Perhaps we buy a boat just before that if we sell our house quick and see a good deal.
It is tough to find fault with this boat. Was that an electric furler on the jib ? Always..good stuff from COD.
Peter Torrey yes furling winches are electric (w a remote)
A 48 foot (vs 44) would be more expensive hence closer to competitor pricing? Also wonder about redundancy. Are there two engines or one? Generators? AC? (Is there AC?) Seems the larger cruisers take redundancy a bit more seriously which also has an impact on cost... but like you said, you don't want to be in the middle of the ocean trying to fix something and have no back up.
There is A/C with three zones (shown next to the electrical panel) Assuming one for each hull and one for salon.
Yes there is AC. 3 zones. And every Cat (two hulls) has 2 engines. So in this case there are 2 40HP Volvo engines. There is redundancy, like you would expect in a Cat.
Hey y'all two, it's always nice watching your reviews and this boat seems to have some nice features. However, even though y'all are looking at ultimately used to afford a bit more boat, it would be nice if the companies (boat manufacturers) would be put on the spot.
You talked up how Xquisite took care of their customers regardless who made the components on the boat such as the refrigerators or engines, etc. Every other builder needs to be graded against this standard as it is an issue in the industry based on the owner forums/blogs.
Thanks. Yes. I could say that with the Xquisite because I really got to know that company well and experienced the factory tour and the transatlantic. I can't say if another company will be as good without spending a lot of time with them also doing factory tours and long sailing passages. Clearly I can't just as a sales person if they treat their customers as well as an Xquisite customer seems to be treated. Of course every sales person is going to say they have great customer service. ha ha. What sales person is going to go on camera and say "Once we sell you a boat, you are on your own. We don't care after that". So there is no point asking that. As we get closer to buying and we have narrowed down our choices to just 2 or 3 boats I will be doing the deep dive into each and asking past owners to give me their perspective on after sales service etc. That will come to y'all in future episodes in years to come. :-)
@@Bowmans-Woods I'm just saying/asking that if you're there talking to a company representative then they should be able to discuss the hard truth. The Xquisite Rep/Owner brought up the same concerns with the industry succinctly so the others should either have a clear response or will be taking the concerns back to corporate.
Y'all mention for those that can afford new so it would behoove y'all to get the full picture. If those that can indeed afford such boats new start asking such questions before the sale because they saw it in your review, then the companies might have to address it.
Do the inboard engines and fuel filters create diesel fumes in the living areas?
Jamil Abdelhadi no not at all. They are under the floorboards in a well insulated area.
There you go Jamil. You ask and the expert answers. It has to be better there than under the back bed like some Cats have.
Davits are low. In storm following seas, the dinghy can fill (until it drains) or get ripped-off. More sophisticated davits should have a high position for rough weather. This is a serious problem for world cruisers. There is no mention of what kind of dinghu is standard. An aluminum hull RIB is desirable. Is it Hypalon? What brand and type of motor is it? What HP?
Height of the davits may be an issue. I'd have to look into that further. The standard dinghy is a 11' RIB with a Yamaha 10hp Motor ( so, I have been told). I don't know more than that. You'd have to email Antares to see the brand and see if it is Hypalon. I am sure they would give you the option to get an upgraded dinghy if you were buying new.
@@Bowmans-Woods Thank you and Merry Christmas!
I've been watching a lot of catamaran vids lately. I haven't heard anyone talking about my biggest objection/fear to a catamaran and that is being unexpectedly knocked down and capsizing. Boat looks like it would be quite stable upside down. Is that a valid worry?
Only a very light racing Cat has a chance of flipping over. The big production cruising cats are WAY too heavy to flip. The mast would snap before the boat would flip. Even if a Cat did flip they float so you can survive inside the upside down cat while you wait to be rescued. They put a rescue hatch in the floor so you can get in and out while upside down. You should always have an EPIRB that will send a distress signal with GPS coordinates if it gets dunked in water.
@@Bowmans-Woods Thank you for your thoughtful reply. A little education never hurt anybody!
You might need a boat hook to get the bottom basket out of that freezer.
Ha Ha. Ya maybe. But I guess it is good to have the space if you need it.
I wonder what seaside house you can get for the same money somewhere. Same view, doesn't move and much more space. And less things that break down all the time. With a small, cheap monohull in the nearby marina you get same freedom feeling. Most "sailors" spend most of the time in marinas or on anchor anyway, so what's the point?
We wont be marina people. We plan to keep moving and anchor as much as possible. We are not stay in one place people. To each their own.
As a foodie I really like the benefits of that huge galley-down which is tons of storage and large appliances. You'll only spend 3% of your meals eating out. The only weak point to this boat is the cockpit. With the huge centerline table you'll have to constantly walk around it. The bean shaped seats don't look that comfortable you can't really lay out or use them as a day bed. Most other Cats this size have better designed cockpits.
I hear what you are saying Jon. Some good points. No cats are perfect and if they have everything, they tend to cost A LOT. So you always have to live with some trade-offs.
So At this point what would be In your top 5 ?
Hard to compare as they are at all different budgets.
Wasn’t this posted earlier ??
We did a guided tour a year ago on a different Antares.
Is it 44'?? or 40'with a 4'bowsprit??
shane villis it’s 44 LOA. 👍
DOES ANYONE MAKE A CAT THAT FILLES THE WASTED SPACE TAKEN UP BY THE TRAMPOLINES WITH ALL USEABLE LIVING SPACE , I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH BUT I SAW ONE THAT PEOPLE COULD WALK THE BRIDGE ARIA INSTEAD OF AROUND THE OUT SIDE SO IT ALLOWED FOR A WIDER BRIDGE AND THE BOW WAS MORE USEABLE . BUT I HAVE NOT USE FOR TRAMPOLINES I SEE THEM AS A COP OUT WAST OF SPACE. . MY DREAM CAT WOULD HAVE A FULL HOME MACHINE SHOP BUILT INTO IT .
DAVID ADAM GRENIS BOULDER COLORADO 80304 .
Has there ever been an Antares walkthrough that indicates the location of the life raft? I've seen 3 or 4 of these by now and I *still* don't know where the life raft is stored.
you could look up Ruby Rose, they did a similar series recently and nick was usually very particular about where the life raft was. i to noticed there was no mention of it here.
I believe that the life raft is stored under the helm seat.
Life Rafts locations are up to the owners. Not all owners choose to have one. When mounted they usually go on the stainless rails by the steps.
Are the rooms air conditioned,
Most modern cats either have AC as standard or have AC as a highly suggested option. But if you dont stay in marinas much do you want to run your generator all night so you can sleep in AC? Most people who are world travellers, do not use the AC much at all. If you are anchoring out you usually have a breeze that can cool the boat down at night.
But how does it sail?
Owners don't seem to complain. I'd need to go on an extended sail in multiple conditions to say for sure.
@@Bowmans-Woods : Thanks!
hard to nap on round couch
True. Good for having everyone at the table able to socialize but not the best shape for sleeping on.
If I bought a boat like this new I would get a hybrid electric propulsion system. An extra cost that would slowly pay for itself in maintenance savings. I find the most disgusting part of cruising is getting down and dirty with diesel engine maintenance.
I think that is in the future. I think the battery technology to store larger quantities of power has to improve a bit before that is something that is mass adopted. Right now the issue with electric propulsion is that if the sun is not out and it is a clear blue sky, you end up having to run a generator to charge the batteries, which isn't saving you from working on a diesel motor. Most of the electric propulsion boats depend primarily on lots of solar. But on a cloudy or rainy day??? You are kind of sunk. The batteries are not usually big enough for around the clock propulsion like a diesel powered sailboat can do.
@@Bowmans-Woods I don't think understand how they work. You power the batteries with a generator. It is still a diesel engine but much smaller and easier to get to and maintain and much more portable for repairs. Like internal diesel engines the range is only limited by your fuel capacity. They are more expensive than Diesel engines though.
Look here
oceanvolt.com/solutions/private/multihull/
Maverick run a hybrid propulsion system
@@Bowmans-Woods Checkout a TH-cam channe "Top Secret." It is a fully electric 50' cat, heavily customized former charter boat.
@@Bowmans-Woods Volvo Penta are making electric hybrids I see
www.volvopenta.com/marineleisure/en-en/news/2018/jun/volvo-penta-unveils-hybrid-marine-propulsion-concept.html
Galley downs are so much better. Living space is for living space, Galley's are for cooking, which you really aren't doing that much. Same with giant showers. Why waste space with a giant shower you don't even use that much.
I hear you. On a smaller Cat like a Antares, the Galley down makes good sense. Now on a St Francis 50 or an Xquisite 50' a galley up makes more sense because the bigger boat makes the cook (usually Janice in our case) feel like they are being excluded from the conversation in the back cockpit, which is where everyone tends to hang out all day in the hot climates.
Antares used to be easy to resell and held their value, sadly these are things of the past, like the design.
Hmmm. Not a fan, I am guessing?
@@Bowmans-Woods It's a nice boat and great craftsmanship behind it but time has moved and Antares haven't. The only thing I realy don't like is the cockpit layout.
I like the rain catchment system and don't understand why it's not common practice in the industry. The central position is great for the deisel. It's where the heavy stuff belongs on a boat and it's super easy access to work on even at sea.
@@tigersharkzh Yes the centered weight of the diesels is great but you end up with a rather high freeboard and a lot of windage.
Hey Andrew. Seems like more positives than negatives. Im guessing you are saying that the hull shape looks a bit dated? I can understand that. They have made some changes over the years but it does look similar to the Antares of years ago.
Andrew B. Why high freeboard?, weight does not change? Am I missing something?
If you are going off shore sail drives have no place on your boat other than in a yachting magazine..
I will never be able to afford one of these boats and just looking at one is going to make my 53 foot spencer ketch act like a jealous wife . It appears to be a very well laid out boat. If I ever convince my wife to sell our house and move on to our boat full time I am sure we will be knocking on your door shortly after.As we get old having systems that can all be operated from the cockpit instead of going out on deck have huge benefits. There are some days we won’t hoist the main because we just don’t have it in us we will just roll out the Genoa and hoist the mizzen .
No- you blagged a different brand, remember?
Loving your introduction of reviewing these catamarans with either brokers, owners etc, as apposed to jumping on a cat like a pirate and reviewing without the permission and knowledge of theses boats, and then conducting your own biased and probably unknown knowledge for reviews and subscribers ! No way to make friends in the industry in the long run!
Not a fan anymore of this couple! 🇦🇺
Glad you approve of our approach of only doing video with a knowledgeable person doing the guided tour. Then we get all the features and we can give our unbiased opinion at the end once we review the footage at home after seeing all the boats.
Cruising Off Duty thank you for your reply, and well said, you are professional and clearly have ethical standards! Have fun, it’s a great industry that required assistance so consumers could window shop and manufacturers could show their products, a win win for both business and client! ⛵️🚣🏽♂️
if money wasn't a issue would you buy this or the x5.....things that make you go uummm
If I was ultra rich and money was no option? I would probably want something bigger than a 44'. I may want an HH then. ha ha. Might as well have a large Cat that can also have performance.
x5 just has way too many electronic bells and whistles to fail.
@@FeelItRising like the hh but to big wasted space i LOVE the x5 it would be my first pick sounds stupid but from all the videos i watched all i can find i wish the pop-up tv would swivel lol are they selling stock with the market might be a good pick love your videos thanks, guys
Thanks Michael. We love the X5 for sure. So if your question was what would we buy if we had $1.3M and not unlimited, then the X5 would be at the top of our list.
@@Bowmans-Woods saw this thought you might like it hard sailing th-cam.com/video/uAdv7l-mfp8/w-d-xo.html
Are Police Officers in Canada being paid too much?
Ha Ha. Probably not. I guess I have just been good at managing money. I have always had tenants in my basement apartment and am willing to have roommates living in my house to stretch the income to beyond what a Police Officer makes. You have to sacrifice something to get ahead.
We sacrifice some privacy. :-)
Is it too much to put your life on the line? In reality, cops are paid too little for all they have to endure.
Thanks H.V. Of course I agree but when a police officer says they are underpaid, we sound like whiners. So we just let other speak for us. Those that have needed us when things are BAD, know what we are worth. :-)
When are you going to purchase a boat for Christ sake?????? Exhausting! Lolol
4 yrs I retire. Fun window shopping with a view to a used cat that will be new now