This is the catamaran I would get. Everything is so well thought out, It has everything I want, and none of the useless flashy gimmicks. I was apprehensive about the galley down situation, but it's open enough to not be a problem. Plus, everything looks quality. If I won the lottery, this would be it!
The Galley down did seem open to the Salon enough that you wouldn't feel claustrophobic or excluded from the rest of the guests out in the back outdoor Salon or at the helm.
I have an older Antares and really like it. I love the look of wood with no sharp edges - important! Also, the nice wood cabinetry makes it look more like a boat should. However, all the new upgrades are what we've been saying it needs. I'm referring to the rain catchment system, more solar panels, separate shower stall for guest shower, and especially the windshield with wipers! Now I want to trade up! I just want to add, what I really appreciate is the protected helm with the full enclosure. I can't believe how many boats leave the helm exposed to the elements. It's not only a safety issue, but a comfort one. Do they think sailors only go out in nice weather? The enclosure keeps you dry, warm on night passages, and gives protection from sun as well. It really does function as a second "room" as well, and keeps seats and table dry on rainy days.
We totally agree. This new Antares really ticks a lot of our boxes and it’s high on our list. But we probably can’t afford one new. So the trick is finding a used one in good shape at a good price. That may be tough.
I got rid of all my solar. Shading kills output. Larger battery bank and a DC genset is much better. Solar, with all it's expensive components are not going to viable until cheap full spectrum panels become available.
Thank you for taking the time to go through each boat so thoroughly. Your series provides great information of the various catamarans available, and how each might be for live aboard cruising.
Became intrigued with the Antares from the videos explaining their boat systems, particularly impressed with the design, execution, and operation of the electrical system. I urge anyone interested in the Antares to watch their extensive video list of all the features and aspects of their cats
Thanks. It seems like a well-designed boat made for full-time liveaboards. Not a Charter cat that can be converted into a liveaboard with a lot of extras bolted on after the fact. I would have confidence in sailing this boat far and wide.
That boat reminds me more of how a ship is built. And as Janice says the trampoline is made out of the good stuff. I don't know what the good stuff is called so I am with you we will just call it the good stuff. This boat was so inviting that I have already chosen the rear cabin by the galley as my cabin. Easy access to snacks and a full shower to boot. They should put that on the sales brochure that each boat comes with it's own stowaway. Very impressive catamaran.
I think this is the best exterior deck layout I've seen on a cruising cat! Great room for the panels (maybe room to expand as well), hard bimini even with a windshield, easy access to sails, the catwalk for wrapping up sails, and a raised helm... it seems to have it all without getting in the way of itself. Great design.
This one is and continues to be at the top of our list. Some complain the design is dated, but I disagree. It's "classic" and "timeless". Jealous you get to go in five. Ten here (seven possible, but even twelve is likely).
It is a very nice boat. This new design is a better than past versions. 5 years seems long. It could be 4. But I’m sure those years will fly by. As we get older, the years go faster. Hope your years fly by too.
It's up there for us near the top of our list. But the price new is too much. If we find one on the used market at a good price, then yes. We can't expect that though when they only build 3 a year.
@@Bowmans-Woods yea if money were no issue then maybe? But in my case a used mono hull is more my price range? In live on the gulf coast of Florida and we are thinking about a boat?
Glad to see this pop up! The Antares are quite nice! One thing I love about both this boat and the Maverick is that both have very nice galleys. I would still lean towards the Maverick, but this is my #2 choice for sure. So glad to get a nice guided tour on some of the features!
Eva Greenwell 👍 I went back and watched the Maverick video and found myself liking the Antares more. Of course when you’re only building 3 hulls a year it’ll be tough to find something on the used market.
It's a tough choice. They are close but the Maverick is way cheaper. Like 200K cheaper. Finding one of either boat in the used market at a good price may be tough because both of these companies only make a few boats per year. Timing will be everything. We will start looking at least a year before we really need to buy.
Very well done! Really like the improvements on this years model too. This years reviews are great. Love your explanations, every boat is a compromise and everyone needs to pick the things that are most important to them and their own purpose and plans and you do an excellent job helping people to realize some of those things. And always price comes in to play! We really love our helia 44, but I still drool over the new ones. Lol thanks again for the reviews.
You are very welcome Rick. Price is always the key factor to consider. Would I love to have a boat that has everything almost perfect. Performance, Comfort and top notch build quality and component parts? Sure, who wouldn't, but I dont have $2M to spend to get it. Most people don't. So it is all about making compromises to get you back down to your budget. We assume to get the best boat for the budget we are aiming for, we will need to buy a used Cat. Just trying to narrow down which Cats we should be focussing our more detailed attention on at this stage. Then keep our eyes peeled to the used boat listings once we get closer to the retirement day.
Cruising Off Duty that’s a what we did as well, took a while to get enough information to make a good decision. It was definitely a learning curve buying it. Very difficult to get quality information that you can trust. You do a great job of pointing out the differences in the models I used a Lot of your videos last year to help us decide what we wanted and what we could afford as well! Lots of opinions out there, but only the wife’s really matter! Thanks again.
So first off love you guys. I have learned so much about boats watching your videos. I wish I could sail with you guys, and now I sound like a weirdo. LOVE
Thanks. I was in the master when I filmed the engine and then we waked through the master hallway to the Master bathroom. If I didn't point enough at the bed, rest assured it was similar to the other side.
Thanks Wayne. Being a Police officer is why, even when we sell everything to buy the boat of our dreams, it will be at a more budget level than $1M. We are regular people and not rich. Just willing to sell everything to live the dream. 😃👍🏻
Love it, especially the interior. Not sure I like a non retractable bow sprit, but it's not a deal breaker. Sorry you missed the owners side in detail. It is different than the guest side. None the less, thumbs up!
I recall looking at the Master bed while she was opening the engine room doors and it seemed the same to me. Shame I forgot to film the bed. But the rest of the owner's side was filmed. Hallway, Head.
this lady knows her stuff what a great tour and what a great boat. It would have been nice to have scene the owners cabin. I am not sure who it was, but they just put out a video a few weeks ago and they poured hot water down the main/all to get rid of salt and this keeps it free flowing, but ask around I"m not anything but a video watcher. I do enjoy all your boat tours and videos, thanks COD. : ) peace Also, the builder/designer great job. I love the addition of color and the convenience of every part of the hull, BRAVO.
Thanks. Yes she was very helpful and gave a great tour. Not sure why she never took us through the master head. Brain fart I’m guessing. The cabin looked similar to the other side. She was so focused on showing the engine I forgot to film.
I was standing in the Master when I filmed the engine and then I walked through the master hallway to the Master Head. The bed was not much different than the back cabin bed on the other side so I guess I didn't focus on it.
You were standing in next to the stairway looking aft towards the master cabin. The master bed is orientated for and aft instead of athwartships. Queen size as well as though. Good walkthrough.
I’ve never liked ‘Galley down’ designs, except this one is great! It would be nice to have the hybrid system that the Maverick 44 has as an option. Also, I really like the videos where they give you an in-depth tour! Also, I like that the solar is designed right in, instead of an afterthought.
Agree. Guided tours with knowledgeable salespeople made for the best videos. We did ask for a tour guide on the production boats at the beginning of the show, but no one seemed interested or available to help. So we sort of gave up asking until we got to the boutique builders and they usually recognized us and offered to take us around (often without us asking) which we always were happy to take. It really showed us the level of after-sales service you probably would get in the future with these smaller builders. They seem to care so much more about their customers satisfaction. Your not just a number to them, like you feel with the big production builders. The big production cats have gone way way down our list of possible future boats, after this years show.
I like these boats a lot, and Beth is a wonderful ambassador for the brand. At first, I also preferred the new layout with a stall shower in the fore peak, but after talking to a couple who had cruised extensively on a sistership, i am inclined to think it would be better to save that space for storage. Also, i prefer the old placement of the washer dryer which allows for more closet space. Best, Maldwin
Janice loves having a big stand alone shower. "Happy wife". She really didn't like the old tiny master bathroom before as it felt way too tiny for a master.
On October 16th, I got the follow information from Memo Castro - The founder and president of the Antares boat builder ... It said, "Our boatyard builds yachts directly for the owners, not for charters, or for dealers, therefore, we have lowered the starting yacht price to $510,000. This price allows prospective customers to get their yacht sail away equipped and provide the option for future upgrades in yacht equipment according to the needs and wants of each client." Their website still says $950,000 new on their configuration tool- but this message that came from the boatyard founder slashed the cost in half to start. I have not reached out to them, but would love to know if this price is real - that would make the Antares VERY competitive.
@@Bowmans-Woods - Hey Craig - I did get a hold of Memo and he did clarify, although to me it doesn't really sound like anything more than marketing double talk. Evidently the $510k price tag was for a fully stripped down version of the Antares - with pretty much nothing on it. So basically the $945-950k is really the starting point. Still, looking at the used market - at around $800-600k (with some dipping into $500k), it's very enticing. The only bad part is that you are inheriting someone's custom boat, which if you have a similar style of living and sailing might not be bad.
There is no such thing as a company policy "we only build for owners". Money is money. If a charter company wanted 10 boats that policy would change in a second.
You guys are really crushing the reviews this year. I'm really fond of both the Antares and the Maverick 400. The Xquisite ticks off the high-tech boxes, but I also recently stumbled across the Silent Yachts "Silent 55 Sailor", which is about the greenest tech I've seen yet. The only downside to the Silent 55 Sailor is the flybridge. Well, and the cost. Currently, I think the Maverick 400 gives the biggest bang for the buck and the fewest squeaks.
Thanks a lot for the compliment. I agree with you. I think if we were staying to our budget, our choice for best bang for the buck boat is the Maverick 440 (longer version of the 400). If we had more money and wanted to bring along crew on our world tour, I think the best bang for the buck is the much larger Majestic 530. The Xquisite is a really well thought out boat and checks a lot of boxes but at $1.3 million, it is WAY out of our price range.
@@Bowmans-Woods Yeah, the 440 is probably the better choice to smooth out rougher seas. Given the identical interiors, I'm not certain that I'd spring the extra cheddar, though. Huge selling point for both the Maverick and the Antares is that both can be beached. I love that flexibility for shallow sailing and variable tides. Gotta love a skeg rudder.
The new model is certainly an improvement in many areas. I was surprised that the forward windows were not more vertical and opening for ventilation but I guess that would have been a major design change for Antares. It's no wonder these cats have such a huge following, very impressive.
Hey Glen. I noticed that as well when I was editing the footage. I think they are one of the only builders that only uses some rooftop hatches for ventilation in the main salon. Almost every other boat has some opening windows or portlights in the front of the Salon. I was thinking that may be hot sitting in the front of the salon on a bright sunny day with no breeze. So there is room for some minor improvements still.
Good stuff! I am more of a monohull guy. The cats do not appeal to me but I liked this boat. It seems they put more emphasis on quality vs quantity and that is appealing.
Thanks for the review. Friends of ours put a deposit for a PDQ when these were built in Canada. The company moved to Argentina and the deposit was gone. Trust?
Oh for sure. I assume we will keep the channel going through the narrowing down process and then the final purchase and post-purchase experience. Once we are super comfortable that we know the boat inside out and backward, we will then set off sailing around the world. The plan will be to show that as well.
Beth gave us the best tour of all the reps. Great job Beth !!!!! There is no doubt that this would have been my #1 boat hands down. It is really the best cruiser boat . Problem is 1.2 million.🇨🇦 Lotto max where are you??
Nice Boat but a tuff cliffhanger not to be able to see the owner side. Hope you cover it later. Ohh and Thanks for sharing this videos really really interesting.
When I am showing the engine it was on the owner's side. You see the hallway. The owners bed looked the same as the other side. I was following her lead.
Good walkthrough. We have an older one and did a video as well. The master is nearly the same. I would have liked to see the port bow locker now that they have the separate shower on that side. It was tight before. I wonder if it smaller now or if they moved some things around. I'll have to catch them at a show or stop by the factory when we go around the world.
Couple of things that would really bug me: Lines buried in the hull - yeah, it makes walking around nice until something goes wrong. If you take a wave over the stern, that step down will fill with lots of water and that little drain hole will NOT remove that water fast enough (why you don't want forward cockpits on a blue water boat - adding a ton of water to the front of your boat is bad bad). Finally, where are they winches? I want my jib and main sheets RIGHT NEXT TO ME! How are you going to do a quick-stop man-overboard when you have to leave the wheel and engine controls?
Thanks for your insights on the layout. I wondered about that little drain whole. I doubt following waves break into the cockpit with that wall at the back. But if it did, the drain did seem close to the door and sort of small. Probably not an issue if no big waves.
@@Bowmans-Woods Check out thisMaverick in Fort Myers! Looks super clean (no cracks) and just in the $ ball-park! Only missing wattermaker and generator (strange) www.yachtworld.com/boats/2013/maverick-yachts-of-south-africa-440-custom-owner-version-2740104/?refSource=browse%20listing
The changes really impressed us. We were luke warm on last years model but if I recall, the one they brought to the show last year was actually a 2012 model. New GS is a big step up. Like you, it is too rich for our blood so if we got one it would have to be a used one at a discount and I hear Antares hold their value very well, so that may be asking too much.
We would as well if we could afford it. Price is the reason we are not gushing over this boat. I think it would be hard for us to find one used at a big discount considering they only make 3 a year and I hear they hold their value well.
Craig and Janet, not too long Fontaine Pajot introduced the Elba, at 45ft, that is/might be a better proposition. At least from the specs, 14tn is less weighty than that dream boat X5 at 26tn.
So every time you want something from the kitchen you have to go downstairs and if you are in the kitchen but want something from the freezer you have to go upstairs. My joints are too worn out for that.
Ok, so this is search for a live aboard but the owners side isn't featured. That's one of the more interesting features. It is a very nice boat for sure though. In about four or five years a boat with some owner who never really sailed will be selling for half the cost. 🤞🏼
Ya Sorry. The Bed in the Master looked similar to the bed in the Guest back cabin so I must have skipped past it. I filmed the engine from the Master bedroom and the Master hallway and Master Head. So I just missed focussing on the bed. I guess to my eye it didn't look any different so I didn't film it again. My bad. Sorry for the confusion.
That's how I got mine. I paid about 40% less by getting a very nicely kept used boat. The couple I bought it from lived aboard for 6 or seven years. However, we surmised they weren't hard core sailors, and liked to stay in marinas. They also kept it it great condition.
Thanks again for a very informative and entertaining in its own way. I will never be able to purchase any type of boat, over 6', too old and malfunctioning but I can dream, can't I? I was wondering, given the obvious new price numbers, have you gotten online and looked at pricing of used models about 5 years old to get an idea what might be available, statistally speaking? Just to get an idea what boat you might be able to afford? I have done that with several of the "custom" boats and see that you might find something more than you expect. Again, great narrative Craig, keep up the good work. Be safe especially on the job. I am a retired emergency comm person (not dispatch) so have an affinity for you first responders.
Thanks Floyd. Yes we have looked on-line at used models of various boats. A lot of the previous episodes I showed in the episode some of the used prices on Yachtworld of the models were were about to review. If you are not in a rush to buy and you wait for the right time, you can often find a screaming deal on the Cat you have always had your eye on. People often have some massive change in their life (health issues or divorce are the most common) that forces people to sell their boat fast and that usually means putting their boat on the market at "Fire sale prices". Bad for the seller but great for the patient buyer. Luckily we have time and can be patient.
Couple of observations: First, there didn't seem to be a lot of deck storage for fenders, sails, etc. Seems like a similar lack of opening hatches for ventilation. Nothing to hold pots on stove. Serious blind spot forward from the cabin. Would seem that ther e is a blind spot to the port from the nav station, a real minus. Jury still out on "down" galleys. Wood work seemed to be first class, no sharp corners a real plus. Hard windshield is a real plus in nasty weather.
I might be mistaken but almost every Cat review when summarizing at the end is the comment about needing a LOT of space for all your stuff that will bring aboard. Hmmm, you might need to reconcile the notion of "down sizing" your possessions into what's needed & what is not, then your storage needs become more realistic & the boat size is accordingly appropriate.
A lot of "talk" about safety first but I did not hear her say one thing or show a single redundant system. So far, the Maverick wins, hands down, when it comes to safety.
It has solar and a lot of it, how about wind and lastly some way to do hydro generation. I love the Antaries My thinking with all this power generation is could the engines be replaced with electric motors and equivalent litium ion batteries? A few have done this and the advantages are huge....zero maintenance, zero noise and it seems there is more then enough room to pull all of this off. I no environmentalist but look for ways to make things more efficient and on a SV this seems to answer a lot of issues, still have a generator with fuel but odds are it would seldom be needed, but its there. Just throwing out idea's as the marine electric motors have come a long way as have battery technology.
Yes electric motors with solar for most power generation and then a generator as a backup if the solar isn't doing enough. That is probably the future. Like you said much less maintenance, noise and pollution than with diesel.
First time I see an in-mast furling mast on a Catamaran. My understanding is that takes a lot of power out of the main,.... this is interesting¡¡¡¡ I will have to do some more research
The 50' Cat I sailed across the Atlantic (many episodes filmed) had in-mast furling. It is there for ease of raising and lowering sails, especially when single handing, but we have one on our boat now and it can have issues and yes, it will make your sail area smaller. It is also hard to get a good sail shape, especially if trying to reef in higher winds, with no battens. We will try and opt for a regular battened sail on our next boat. Although, if we buy used we may not have a choice.
@@Bowmans-Woods Wondering how an in-boom furling set up compares vs. the in-mast. They would have battens and there's the reduction of weight aloft and I would assume the sail is easier to get to in case of problems incurred.........
Sorry no. We saw the Master cabin and it looked the same as the other side. For some reason when she was don't showing us the engine she walked up the stairs and we followed and missed the Master head. Supposedly it is also similar to the other side.
The hallway and the Master Head were shown. I didn't focus a lot on the master bed because it looked very similar to the bed on the other side. Sorry for the confusion.
The changes they have made in this new GS model has really turned our head. We like it a lot. It's hard to find one used at a good price though, so it may be out of our price range if we had to buy one new.
Love these boats; however, the dark wood look is traditional and dated in my opinion. Would LOVE to see the offer a light oak in the future which would give it a more updated, lighter and more uplifting feeling. Hope they will listen because I'm sure I'm not the only one with this opinion?
I am sure for $1M, if you were ordering one new and were on the 13 month waiting list, you can tell them you want lighter wood and they would find it for you.
@@Bowmans-Woods Sent them an email a while back and they are not interested in lighter finishes. My guess is that they make only three catamarans a year and sell out each year so there is no need to make special concessions to grow their business. Oh well, we you know there are many good choices out there : )
Yep. I hear that. So if a Antares are still really expensive used when we are ready to sail full time, then we will probably not end up on an Antares. There are plenty of other great builders out there. Antares seems to have a following and since they don't produce that many hulls they tend to not drop that much in price. Great for the owner of a new Antares but if I am buying somebody elses used boat, I want a sizable discount. Or we move on to something else. :-)
This is my absolute favorite boat...and I still haven't seen what the freezer looks like. You mention it, but the camera doesn't show it. Grrr. Otherwise, nice video. :)
Been on the Canadian boats and a 2016 , Canadians build it much better. and they still got the hatches sticking up out of the deck. Kubota engines are much easier and cheaper to operate than the volvos.
I asked the wait list. Presently 13 months. So if you want a new one you have to put your name on a list a while before. We will probably be looking in the used market so that number didn't really matter to me. Most of the boat builders need many months. Some have a couple of years backlog. These cats take a ton of time to build and they generally only build them when they know they have a customer waiting for it. So much customization goes in.
Mmmmmmm.. Everything is well thought out apart from the huge issue of Head/bathroom access for guests in aft cabin. Got to go through galley & sleeping quarters of bow berths ???? Or else cross the boat and use owners head?? I know guests are not the priority for live aboard but that seems daft to me.
It does seem like the forward guest cabin is not expected to be used that often. Or they have to be deep sleepers and not mind people walking through to use the head. Maybe for young children, you need to check up on through the night.
You are probably right that it could be suitable for kids, but for me the lack of privacy means a different layout (do they do that?) or a different boat. Such a shame as rest of it is near perfect.
Yes. As you have been told, the Antares was the original PDQ design that was made in Canada. Sadly all the boat builders in Canada went out of business mostly because our labour costs can't compete with cheaper places like South Africa or Argentina. Sad. It would be cool to buy a boat made in my own home country. Who knows maybe some wiz kid will build a boat factory with all robotics and we can one day have a boat builder come back. 😄
What is all this concern about liferafts? a rubber duckie with a canopie is not going to save you... Lighten your load and learn how to sail & navigate as your life DEPENDS on it... Abandon ship at your risk...
Couple of observations: Aft guest cabin: bunk sideways and no head. Really? On a 44-footer? Are guests here supposed to use front cabin's head or owner's head. Generator at bow locker. I always thought you put heavy items as close to the center as possible in a cat. And definitely not in the bow area.
I hear you. Yes they expect the 2 guest cabins to share heads. I guess compared to the overall size and weight of this boat (what did she say 24,000 pounds?) the weight of the generator is negligible (Maybe 200 lbs?) so putting it on the bow isn't going to make a difference to how the boat performs. Lots of builders put them up there. It certainly is easy to work on where they have put it.
@@Bowmans-Woods I don't mind shared head for guest cabins. But with their layout back cabin guests have to walk through the front cabin in order to go to the head. I don't think the guests in the front cabin would be very pleased with this arrangement. But maybe I only think like this because we Finns are privacy freaks.
You have a good point. The front cabin guests have to be very understanding to have people walking through and then hearing the toilet flushing in the middle of the night. Not the best location but I guess you can stick the guests in there that you want to stay for only a short visit. haha
@@TheUglyGnome I would imagine you wouldn't want that many guests ... maybe another couple only ... or kids that visit ... so walking through to use the head/shower would be a non-issue. I guess the extra cabin could be for unexpected guests/ emergencies/ unusual situations etc. The whole idea is dialling back ... who the hell wants to cook for 4 more guests ... it's time to relax and cruise. The 3rd cabin could be used for day snoozing when off your watch.
I changed my mind about it being better having a guided tour of the boat by one of the Reps. You and Janice don't get to comment about what you like and not so much like as you're doing it.
Thanks for that. We get conflicting comments. Some like our comments because then it doesn't look like a sales video for the boat. Others wish we would say nothing and just let a sales person walk us through. Its good to hear from people like you that appreciate a prospective buyers perspective.
@@Bowmans-WoodsYeah, at first I thought it would be a good idea to hear more about some potential missing details on a guided tour like that hatch below the salon deck in the previous tour but I'd rather hear your interpretation walking around. See if they have a 1st responder promotion....Maybe you can get a new one..
Jason Filippi ...Yes Sir ...I agree !!! Not to mention the awesome bathroom on the FP 42 too !!! But for world crushing, I would pick this Antares 44 GS !!! :)))
I think the Antares is a better-built boat with a strong owners group of people that say nothing but great things about the quality and they have tested that quality by sailing far and wide. You may pay less for a big production boat (but probably not a ton less after adding all the extra options you would need to live full time on it) but you often find you get what you pay for. 10 years from now the Antares will probably be in good to great shape. The FP or Lagoon may show the wear a lot more. The Lagoons floors constantly creaking as we walked around showed me that the craftsmanship and attention to detail is just not the same.
This is the catamaran I would get. Everything is so well thought out, It has everything I want, and none of the useless flashy gimmicks. I was apprehensive about the galley down situation, but it's open enough to not be a problem. Plus, everything looks quality. If I won the lottery, this would be it!
The Galley down did seem open to the Salon enough that you wouldn't feel claustrophobic or excluded from the rest of the guests out in the back outdoor Salon or at the helm.
I have an older Antares and really like it. I love the look of wood with no sharp edges - important! Also, the nice wood cabinetry makes it look more like a boat should. However, all the new upgrades are what we've been saying it needs. I'm referring to the rain catchment system, more solar panels, separate shower stall for guest shower, and especially the windshield with wipers! Now I want to trade up!
I just want to add, what I really appreciate is the protected helm
with the full enclosure. I can't believe how many boats leave the helm exposed to the elements. It's not only a safety issue, but a comfort one. Do they think sailors only go out in nice weather? The enclosure keeps you dry, warm on night passages, and gives protection from sun as well. It really does function as a second "room" as well, and keeps seats and table dry on rainy days.
We totally agree. This new Antares really ticks a lot of our boxes and it’s high on our list. But we probably can’t afford one new. So the trick is finding a used one in good shape at a good price. That may be tough.
I got rid of all my solar. Shading kills output. Larger battery bank and a DC genset is much better. Solar, with all it's expensive components are not going to viable until cheap full spectrum panels become available.
Probably the most functional boat I've seen to date for blue water cruising.
It has a good reputation for sure.
I've been following Antares for years, I want one if ever I'm able!! Glad to see some improvements and thanks for the in-depth walk through.
You are very welcome Tony.
Thank you for taking the time to go through each boat so thoroughly. Your series provides great information of the various catamarans available, and how each might be for live aboard cruising.
You are very welcome.
Became intrigued with the Antares from the videos explaining their boat systems, particularly impressed with the design, execution, and operation of the electrical system. I urge anyone interested in the Antares to watch their extensive video list of all the features and aspects of their cats
Thanks. It seems like a well-designed boat made for full-time liveaboards. Not a Charter cat that can be converted into a liveaboard with a lot of extras bolted on after the fact. I would have confidence in sailing this boat far and wide.
That boat reminds me more of how a ship is built. And as Janice says the trampoline is made out of the good stuff. I don't know what the good stuff is called so I am with you we will just call it the good stuff. This boat was so inviting that I have already chosen the rear cabin by the galley as my cabin. Easy access to snacks and a full shower to boot. They should put that on the sales brochure that each boat comes with it's own stowaway. Very impressive catamaran.
HaHa. I thought that too. I want the back cabin beside the kitchen for midnight snack runs. 😜
I think this is the best exterior deck layout I've seen on a cruising cat!
Great room for the panels (maybe room to expand as well), hard bimini even with a windshield, easy access to sails, the catwalk for wrapping up sails, and a raised helm... it seems to have it all without getting in the way of itself. Great design.
Agreed. Only complaint is the round cockpit seating.
I use to wire these in Whitby Canada ..Nice to see they are still.buklding them. Still a nice vessel. Happy Sailing folks.
It is a shame that PDQ out of Canada does not still exist. Oh well, it seems like they make a good product our of Argentina.
I like the tour, the lady gives, very much. She's absolutly in it. Nice! Nice boat also.
It is very nice. Seems well built. Owners seem to love it.
This one is and continues to be at the top of our list. Some complain the design is dated, but I disagree. It's "classic" and "timeless". Jealous you get to go in five. Ten here (seven possible, but even twelve is likely).
It is a very nice boat. This new design is a better than past versions. 5 years seems long. It could be 4. But I’m sure those years will fly by. As we get older, the years go faster. Hope your years fly by too.
So far this is my favorite of all the boats you have reviewed!
It's up there for us near the top of our list. But the price new is too much. If we find one on the used market at a good price, then yes. We can't expect that though when they only build 3 a year.
@@Bowmans-Woods yea if money were no issue then maybe? But in my case a used mono hull is more my price range? In live on the gulf coast of Florida and we are thinking about a boat?
Glad to see this pop up! The Antares are quite nice! One thing I love about both this boat and the Maverick is that both have very nice galleys. I would still lean towards the Maverick, but this is my #2 choice for sure. So glad to get a nice guided tour on some of the features!
Eva Greenwell 👍 I went back and watched the Maverick video and found myself liking the Antares more. Of course when you’re only building 3 hulls a year it’ll be tough to find something on the used market.
It's a tough choice. They are close but the Maverick is way cheaper. Like 200K cheaper. Finding one of either boat in the used market at a good price may be tough because both of these companies only make a few boats per year. Timing will be everything. We will start looking at least a year before we really need to buy.
Damn, I want one. Once you've seen the Antares 44 GS nothing else will do.
Very well done! Really like the improvements on this years model too. This years reviews are great. Love your explanations, every boat is a compromise and everyone needs to pick the things that are most important to them and their own purpose and plans and you do an excellent job helping people to realize some of those things. And always price comes in to play! We really love our helia 44, but I still drool over the new ones. Lol thanks again for the reviews.
You are very welcome Rick. Price is always the key factor to consider. Would I love to have a boat that has everything almost perfect. Performance, Comfort and top notch build quality and component parts? Sure, who wouldn't, but I dont have $2M to spend to get it. Most people don't. So it is all about making compromises to get you back down to your budget. We assume to get the best boat for the budget we are aiming for, we will need to buy a used Cat. Just trying to narrow down which Cats we should be focussing our more detailed attention on at this stage. Then keep our eyes peeled to the used boat listings once we get closer to the retirement day.
Cruising Off Duty that’s a what we did as well, took a while to get enough information to make a good decision. It was definitely a learning curve buying it. Very difficult to get quality information that you can trust. You do a great job of pointing out the differences in the models I used a Lot of your videos last year to help us decide what we wanted and what we could afford as well! Lots of opinions out there, but only the wife’s really matter! Thanks again.
HaHa. I agree. Lot of oppinions on each boat, good and bad. The wife is the most important person to like your next floating home. :-)
So first off love you guys. I have learned so much about boats watching your videos. I wish I could sail with you guys, and now I sound like a weirdo. LOVE
Thanks Timothy. Sailing can be very social and We enjoy meeting people. Hopefully one day we get to meet in person. Regards. C&J
Great job. But did you cover the master side here or are both the same? I think you went to the other side and just covered the engine.
Thanks. I was in the master when I filmed the engine and then we waked through the master hallway to the Master bathroom. If I didn't point enough at the bed, rest assured it was similar to the other side.
Did not know you are a police officer, my hat is off to you. Really like the Antares 44. Thank you.
Thanks Wayne. Being a Police officer is why, even when we sell everything to buy the boat of our dreams, it will be at a more budget level than $1M. We are regular people and not rich. Just willing to sell everything to live the dream. 😃👍🏻
Another lovingly crafted boat. Very, very nice.
Agree.
Love it, especially the interior. Not sure I like a non retractable bow sprit, but it's not a deal breaker. Sorry you missed the owners side in detail. It is different than the guest side. None the less, thumbs up!
I recall looking at the Master bed while she was opening the engine room doors and it seemed the same to me. Shame I forgot to film the bed. But the rest of the owner's side was filmed. Hallway, Head.
this lady knows her stuff what a great tour and what a great boat. It would have been nice to have scene the owners cabin. I am not sure who it was, but they just put out a video a few weeks ago and they poured hot water down the main/all to get rid of salt and this keeps it free flowing, but ask around I"m not anything but a video watcher. I do enjoy all your boat tours and videos, thanks COD. : ) peace Also, the builder/designer great job. I love the addition of color and the convenience of every part of the hull, BRAVO.
Thanks. Yes she was very helpful and gave a great tour. Not sure why she never took us through the master head. Brain fart I’m guessing. The cabin looked similar to the other side. She was so focused on showing the engine I forgot to film.
Am I crazy or did you not even show the owners cabin?
I thought I got distracted and missed it? Guess not? Lol
I thought the same
I was standing in the Master when I filmed the engine and then I walked through the master hallway to the Master Head. The bed was not much different than the back cabin bed on the other side so I guess I didn't focus on it.
You were standing in next to the stairway looking aft towards the master cabin. The master bed is orientated for and aft instead of athwartships. Queen size as well as though.
Good walkthrough.
@petnzme01 It is an Owners live-aboard not 4 hotel room with en-suits
I’ve never liked ‘Galley down’ designs, except this one is great! It would be nice to have the hybrid system that the Maverick 44 has as an option. Also, I really like the videos where they give you an in-depth tour! Also, I like that the solar is designed right in, instead of an afterthought.
Agree. Guided tours with knowledgeable salespeople made for the best videos. We did ask for a tour guide on the production boats at the beginning of the show, but no one seemed interested or available to help. So we sort of gave up asking until we got to the boutique builders and they usually recognized us and offered to take us around (often without us asking) which we always were happy to take. It really showed us the level of after-sales service you probably would get in the future with these smaller builders. They seem to care so much more about their customers satisfaction. Your not just a number to them, like you feel with the big production builders. The big production cats have gone way way down our list of possible future boats, after this years show.
I like these boats a lot, and Beth is a wonderful ambassador for the brand. At first, I also preferred the new layout with a stall shower in the fore peak, but after talking to a couple who had cruised extensively on a sistership, i am inclined to think it would be better to save that space for storage. Also, i prefer the old placement of the washer dryer which allows for more closet space.
Best,
Maldwin
Where is the new location? I must have missed that (hoping it's in the shower).
I think it is in the place of a hanging locker just outside the master
Janice loves having a big stand alone shower. "Happy wife". She really didn't like the old tiny master bathroom before as it felt way too tiny for a master.
The master shower is the same, the added shower is in the guest head
Love this one , for a couple long term cruising , well protected helm 👍
We agree!
On October 16th, I got the follow information from Memo Castro - The founder and president of the Antares boat builder ... It said, "Our boatyard builds yachts directly for the owners, not for charters, or for dealers, therefore, we have lowered the starting yacht price to $510,000. This price allows prospective customers to get their yacht sail away equipped and provide the option for future upgrades in yacht equipment according to the needs and wants of each client." Their website still says $950,000 new on their configuration tool- but this message that came from the boatyard founder slashed the cost in half to start. I have not reached out to them, but would love to know if this price is real - that would make the Antares VERY competitive.
No idea Brian. You'd have to ask Antares where that $510K price is. They told me $945K
@@Bowmans-Woods - Hey Craig - I did get a hold of Memo and he did clarify, although to me it doesn't really sound like anything more than marketing double talk. Evidently the $510k price tag was for a fully stripped down version of the Antares - with pretty much nothing on it. So basically the $945-950k is really the starting point. Still, looking at the used market - at around $800-600k (with some dipping into $500k), it's very enticing. The only bad part is that you are inheriting someone's custom boat, which if you have a similar style of living and sailing might not be bad.
There is no such thing as a company policy "we only build for owners".
Money is money. If a charter company wanted 10 boats that policy would change in a second.
You guys are really crushing the reviews this year. I'm really fond of both the Antares and the Maverick 400. The Xquisite ticks off the high-tech boxes, but I also recently stumbled across the Silent Yachts "Silent 55 Sailor", which is about the greenest tech I've seen yet. The only downside to the Silent 55 Sailor is the flybridge. Well, and the cost. Currently, I think the Maverick 400 gives the biggest bang for the buck and the fewest squeaks.
Thanks a lot for the compliment. I agree with you. I think if we were staying to our budget, our choice for best bang for the buck boat is the Maverick 440 (longer version of the 400). If we had more money and wanted to bring along crew on our world tour, I think the best bang for the buck is the much larger Majestic 530. The Xquisite is a really well thought out boat and checks a lot of boxes but at $1.3 million, it is WAY out of our price range.
@@Bowmans-Woods Yeah, the 440 is probably the better choice to smooth out rougher seas. Given the identical interiors, I'm not certain that I'd spring the extra cheddar, though. Huge selling point for both the Maverick and the Antares is that both can be beached. I love that flexibility for shallow sailing and variable tides. Gotta love a skeg rudder.
The new model is certainly an improvement in many areas. I was surprised that the forward windows were not more vertical and opening for ventilation but I guess that would have been a major design change for Antares. It's no wonder these cats have such a huge following, very impressive.
Hey Glen. I noticed that as well when I was editing the footage. I think they are one of the only builders that only uses some rooftop hatches for ventilation in the main salon. Almost every other boat has some opening windows or portlights in the front of the Salon. I was thinking that may be hot sitting in the front of the salon on a bright sunny day with no breeze. So there is room for some minor improvements still.
Good stuff! I am more of a monohull guy. The cats do not appeal to me but I liked this boat. It seems they put more emphasis on quality vs quantity and that is appealing.
Agreed Billy. Clearly focussed on quality and function over just being big with lots of bells and whistles.
Thanks for the review. Friends of ours put a deposit for a PDQ when these were built in Canada. The company moved to Argentina and the deposit was gone. Trust?
Really? Wow. Sorry to hear that. I think PDQ went bankrupt and Antares bought mold and was a new company
This boat is very impressive!
After this series you definitely will be obligated to show the boat you choose in five years. Holding my breath.
Oh for sure. I assume we will keep the channel going through the narrowing down process and then the final purchase and post-purchase experience. Once we are super comfortable that we know the boat inside out and backward, we will then set off sailing around the world. The plan will be to show that as well.
Beth gave us the best tour of all the reps. Great job Beth !!!!!
There is no doubt that this would have been my #1 boat hands down. It is really the best cruiser boat . Problem is 1.2 million.🇨🇦
Lotto max where are you??
Yep. Too steep for us too. That's why we can't get too excited about it. If we find one used at a great price, then we can get excited again. haha
Nice Boat but a tuff cliffhanger not to be able to see the owner side. Hope you cover it later. Ohh and Thanks for sharing this videos really really interesting.
When I am showing the engine it was on the owner's side. You see the hallway. The owners bed looked the same as the other side. I was following her lead.
Good walkthrough. We have an older one and did a video as well. The master is nearly the same.
I would have liked to see the port bow locker now that they have the separate shower on that side. It was tight before. I wonder if it smaller now or if they moved some things around. I'll have to catch them at a show or stop by the factory when we go around the world.
Thanks. We saw the master bedroom and it did seem similar to the other side.
Couple of things that would really bug me: Lines buried in the hull - yeah, it makes walking around nice until something goes wrong. If you take a wave over the stern, that step down will fill with lots of water and that little drain hole will NOT remove that water fast enough (why you don't want forward cockpits on a blue water boat - adding a ton of water to the front of your boat is bad bad). Finally, where are they winches? I want my jib and main sheets RIGHT NEXT TO ME! How are you going to do a quick-stop man-overboard when you have to leave the wheel and engine controls?
Thanks for your insights on the layout. I wondered about that little drain whole. I doubt following waves break into the cockpit with that wall at the back. But if it did, the drain did seem close to the door and sort of small. Probably not an issue if no big waves.
@@Bowmans-Woods Check out thisMaverick in Fort Myers! Looks super clean (no cracks) and just in the $ ball-park! Only missing wattermaker and generator (strange) www.yachtworld.com/boats/2013/maverick-yachts-of-south-africa-440-custom-owner-version-2740104/?refSource=browse%20listing
one of the best thing is the shaftdrive .........!!!!! with gori-propellars and ropecutters youre on the right trac.
Shaft drive is the preferred choice, for sure.
It's great that there's someone producing cats under 50'
👍
Really nice boat. Thanks
I always loved this boat! Seems to just keep getting better. Too bad I'm priced out of this one. Maybe could get a gently used one down the road.
The changes really impressed us. We were luke warm on last years model but if I recall, the one they brought to the show last year was actually a 2012 model. New GS is a big step up. Like you, it is too rich for our blood so if we got one it would have to be a used one at a discount and I hear Antares hold their value very well, so that may be asking too much.
Awesome boat. I would definitely look at this
We would as well if we could afford it. Price is the reason we are not gushing over this boat. I think it would be hard for us to find one used at a big discount considering they only make 3 a year and I hear they hold their value well.
EXCELLENT VIDEO! Holy crap the price was a lot.
Thanks. Yes it is not cheap for a 44’ but they have a good rep for quality.
You guys are awsome !! Cheers from Australia..
Thanks Umit. Always nice to hear.
Wow - very nice review - def my favourite - so well thought out
It is a great live-aboard option.
Craig and Janet, not too long Fontaine Pajot introduced the Elba, at 45ft, that is/might be a better proposition. At least from the specs, 14tn is less weighty than that dream boat X5 at 26tn.
Ya the X5 is on the heavy side for sure. Built to last but you do lose some speed because of that weight.
Good idea to end with the next video preview. I think you skip the master bedroom on the Antares.
I guess I did. The bed on that side looked similar to the other side.
Old fashion cat. Stepping back in time about 20 years! Things have really moved on from this. Are they selling this really? How many units per year?
So, Im to read you are not a fan. LOL
Would you do a review on Silent Yacht? Looking forward
If we see one at a boat show, sure.
@@Bowmans-Woods thank you so much, cheers.. Stay safe...
It is a beautiful boat, but I was thinking after watching the location of the engine, ‘ how do you remove the engine if it needs to be replaced?’
That is a good question. I never thought of that. Taking out that motor would be a real challenge. Thanks for writing in.
Its after all Volvo D2 which means two tough guys would suffice 😎
Definitely my choice for a Cruising Cat ---
It does have a great reputation for quality by those that world cruise.
When you have a boat, you no longer have a boatload of money. :-)
It is the boat, (where the money is) :-) ...
Great interview and walk through Thanks!!
Thanks Maniac. :-)
So every time you want something from the kitchen you have to go downstairs and if you are in the kitchen but want something from the freezer you have to go upstairs. My joints are too worn out for that.
Ha Ha. It’s only 3 steps. Consider it healthy exercise. 👍😁
Ok, so this is search for a live aboard but the owners side isn't featured. That's one of the more interesting features. It is a very nice boat for sure though. In about four or five years a boat with some owner who never really sailed will be selling for half the cost. 🤞🏼
Ya Sorry. The Bed in the Master looked similar to the bed in the Guest back cabin so I must have skipped past it. I filmed the engine from the Master bedroom and the Master hallway and Master Head. So I just missed focussing on the bed. I guess to my eye it didn't look any different so I didn't film it again. My bad. Sorry for the confusion.
That's how I got mine. I paid about 40% less by getting a very nicely kept used boat. The couple I bought it from lived aboard for 6 or seven years. However, we surmised they weren't hard core sailors, and liked to stay in marinas. They also kept it it great condition.
Looks better! They upgraded it.
It does look better. We went from lukewarm to liking it.
That's a great layout nice saloon
Yes. We also liked the layout a lot. An improvement over previous models.
Thanks again for a very informative and entertaining in its own way. I will never be able to purchase any type of boat, over 6', too old and malfunctioning but I can dream, can't I? I was wondering, given the obvious new price numbers, have you gotten online and looked at pricing of used models about 5 years old to get an idea what might be available, statistally speaking? Just to get an idea what boat you might be able to afford? I have done that with several of the "custom" boats and see that you might find something more than you expect. Again, great narrative Craig, keep up the good work. Be safe especially on the job. I am a retired emergency comm person (not dispatch) so have an affinity for you first responders.
Thanks Floyd. Yes we have looked on-line at used models of various boats. A lot of the previous episodes I showed in the episode some of the used prices on Yachtworld of the models were were about to review. If you are not in a rush to buy and you wait for the right time, you can often find a screaming deal on the Cat you have always had your eye on. People often have some massive change in their life (health issues or divorce are the most common) that forces people to sell their boat fast and that usually means putting their boat on the market at "Fire sale prices". Bad for the seller but great for the patient buyer. Luckily we have time and can be patient.
Couple of observations: First, there didn't seem to be a lot of deck storage for fenders, sails, etc. Seems like a similar lack of opening hatches for ventilation. Nothing to hold pots on stove. Serious blind spot forward from the cabin. Would seem that ther
e is a blind spot to the port from the nav station, a real minus. Jury still out on "down" galleys. Wood work seemed to be first class, no sharp corners a real plus. Hard windshield is a real plus in nasty weather.
Thanks for your input. We are still not a fan of galley down.
Openable? that's a new one, not a bad boat, I do like the Antares
It is a solid boat, for sure.
Why are the hatches NOT flush?
What happened to the master cabin?
Wow...!!!excelent video..!!!
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks.
Thank you for the review. How does this boat compares to Maverick 440? Based on your vid for that boat it was also purpose built for couple’s crusing
Both are nice but the Maverick is way cheaper. They both seem to be built for the live aboard cruisers
I might be mistaken but almost every Cat review when summarizing at the end is the comment about needing a LOT of space for all your stuff that will bring aboard. Hmmm, you might need to reconcile the notion of "down sizing" your possessions into what's needed & what is not, then your storage needs become more realistic & the boat size is accordingly appropriate.
Downsizing will be needed but it’s nice to have additional space if needed
A lot of "talk" about safety first but I did not hear her say one thing or show a single redundant system. So far, the Maverick wins, hands down, when it comes to safety.
A lot to like on both boats. Each boat has its pros and cons.
It has solar and a lot of it, how about wind and lastly some way to do hydro generation. I love the Antaries My thinking with all this power generation is could the engines be replaced with electric motors and equivalent litium ion batteries? A few have done this and the advantages are huge....zero maintenance, zero noise and it seems there is more then enough room to pull all of this off. I no environmentalist but look for ways to make things more efficient and on a SV this seems to answer a lot of issues, still have a generator with fuel but odds are it would seldom be needed, but its there. Just throwing out idea's as the marine electric motors have come a long way as have battery technology.
Yes electric motors with solar for most power generation and then a generator as a backup if the solar isn't doing enough. That is probably the future. Like you said much less maintenance, noise and pollution than with diesel.
First time I see an in-mast furling mast on a Catamaran. My understanding is that takes a lot of power out of the main,.... this is interesting¡¡¡¡ I will have to do some more research
The 50' Cat I sailed across the Atlantic (many episodes filmed) had in-mast furling. It is there for ease of raising and lowering sails, especially when single handing, but we have one on our boat now and it can have issues and yes, it will make your sail area smaller. It is also hard to get a good sail shape, especially if trying to reef in higher winds, with no battens. We will try and opt for a regular battened sail on our next boat. Although, if we buy used we may not have a choice.
@@Bowmans-Woods Wondering how an in-boom furling set up compares vs. the in-mast. They would have battens and there's the reduction of weight aloft and I would assume the sail is easier to get to in case of problems incurred.........
I agree. If I need to have a furling mainsail, an in-boom seems like it would be far superior.
Did you see the Neel 51 trimaran on the show. Wold like to se your thoughts on it. It is multihull of the year owed 50'.
Yes we did see it. But no guided tour. Just walked through.
Cruising Off Duty. Did you like it? It’s a bit big. I think they’re up coming 47’ will be a more affordable and good size.
Yes we did like it and I agree the 47' will be more in our price range so we may get more interested in it when we see that one.
Hi guys, do you have a video for the starboard side?
Sorry no. We saw the Master cabin and it looked the same as the other side. For some reason when she was don't showing us the engine she walked up the stairs and we followed and missed the Master head. Supposedly it is also similar to the other side.
Great boat. My favorite so far but no owners side?
Sorry, followed her lead. I saw the master bedroom and it looked the same as the other side but we did miss the Master Head when she went upstairs.
They added the stall shower in the guest head, but the master head is the same.
Thanks.
I love this one
It is a great boat. Just wish it was a bit cheaper to be in our price range.
WERE IS THE MASTER ?
liveantares.com/interior/#mastercabin
The hallway and the Master Head were shown. I didn't focus a lot on the master bed because it looked very similar to the bed on the other side. Sorry for the confusion.
11 and a half tonnes. Bloody heavy mate.
Not compared to many cats. But, weight can be a benefit in a more comfortable ride and at anchor.
Just Wow!
It is nice.
Nice boat :)
The changes they have made in this new GS model has really turned our head. We like it a lot. It's hard to find one used at a good price though, so it may be out of our price range if we had to buy one new.
Very very nice,
Agreed.
getting ready to place our deposit
Congrats!
Love these boats; however, the dark wood look is traditional and dated in my opinion. Would LOVE to see the offer a light oak in the future which would give it a more updated, lighter and more uplifting feeling. Hope they will listen because I'm sure I'm not the only one with this opinion?
I am sure for $1M, if you were ordering one new and were on the 13 month waiting list, you can tell them you want lighter wood and they would find it for you.
@@Bowmans-Woods Sent them an email a while back and they are not interested in lighter finishes. My guess is that they make only three catamarans a year and sell out each year so there is no need to make special concessions to grow their business. Oh well, we you know there are many good choices out there : )
Interesting. You may be right then. If you sell out, why source different wood. We like the colour but for those that don't?
If new is too expensive I have some bad news for you - the other thing Anteres do very very well is retain their value....
Yep. I hear that. So if a Antares are still really expensive used when we are ready to sail full time, then we will probably not end up on an Antares. There are plenty of other great builders out there. Antares seems to have a following and since they don't produce that many hulls they tend to not drop that much in price. Great for the owner of a new Antares but if I am buying somebody elses used boat, I want a sizable discount. Or we move on to something else. :-)
This is my absolute favorite boat...and I still haven't seen what the freezer looks like. You mention it, but the camera doesn't show it. Grrr. Otherwise, nice video. :)
Its a top load freezer from the countertop Janice is standing beside. It goes a long way down. So pretty decent sized.
@@Bowmans-Woods ahhh, now i see. So the freezer is "up" in the salon
wish you had time stamps - did not have enough time to skim thru and find the specs for this. :(
You didn't cover the master
Owners cabin?
Did i miss a washer/dryer?
I don't recall if one is included? I am sure you could get one put in if it is not.
The first boat without a master?
Sorry missed it. Already gone over this in other comments.
What about the owners cabin???
Yep. As mentioned in previous comments. Missed it in the footage. Sorry. Similar in size to the back cabin on the other side.
Been on the Canadian boats and a 2016 , Canadians build it much better. and they still got the hatches sticking up out of the deck. Kubota engines are much easier and cheaper to operate than the volvos.
Yes, it is a shame this company couldn't have stayed in Canada.
That guy screaming with the hat and glasses is all I hear!
3 boats a year? Makes for a multi-year waiting list?
I asked the wait list. Presently 13 months. So if you want a new one you have to put your name on a list a while before. We will probably be looking in the used market so that number didn't really matter to me. Most of the boat builders need many months. Some have a couple of years backlog. These cats take a ton of time to build and they generally only build them when they know they have a customer waiting for it. So much customization goes in.
Mmmmmmm.. Everything is well thought out apart from the huge issue of Head/bathroom access for guests in aft cabin. Got to go through galley & sleeping quarters of bow berths ???? Or else cross the boat and use owners head?? I know guests are not the priority for live aboard but that seems daft to me.
It does seem like the forward guest cabin is not expected to be used that often. Or they have to be deep sleepers and not mind people walking through to use the head. Maybe for young children, you need to check up on through the night.
You are probably right that it could be suitable for kids, but for me the lack of privacy means a different layout (do they do that?) or a different boat. Such a shame as rest of it is near perfect.
Originally a Canadian PDQ design wasn't it? Went all over one in Hope Town Bahamas. Excellent boat.
Yes it was Oshawa Ontario . Here in Canada we penalize success with taxes
@@jimanderson2518 That's right. I went through their factory en route the Toronto Boat Show.
Yes. As you have been told, the Antares was the original PDQ design that was made in Canada. Sadly all the boat builders in Canada went out of business mostly because our labour costs can't compete with cheaper places like South Africa or Argentina. Sad. It would be cool to buy a boat made in my own home country. Who knows maybe some wiz kid will build a boat factory with all robotics and we can one day have a boat builder come back. 😄
Life raft location? Thank you for tour??😃⚓
What is all this concern about liferafts? a rubber duckie with a canopie is not going to save you... Lighten your load and learn how to sail & navigate as your life DEPENDS on it... Abandon ship at your risk...
Brian Ballard
Ok Brian😩👊
a Maverick 400 with electric drives and cheaper ,,,,,,,,so Is this that good ?
He seemed to be saying the Hybrid was in the 440 model. Not sure if they do a 400 as well.
Couple of observations:
Aft guest cabin: bunk sideways and no head. Really? On a 44-footer? Are guests here supposed to use front cabin's head or owner's head.
Generator at bow locker. I always thought you put heavy items as close to the center as possible in a cat. And definitely not in the bow area.
I hear you. Yes they expect the 2 guest cabins to share heads. I guess compared to the overall size and weight of this boat (what did she say 24,000 pounds?) the weight of the generator is negligible (Maybe 200 lbs?) so putting it on the bow isn't going to make a difference to how the boat performs. Lots of builders put them up there. It certainly is easy to work on where they have put it.
@@Bowmans-Woods
I don't mind shared head for guest cabins. But with their layout back cabin guests have to walk through the front cabin in order to go to the head. I don't think the guests in the front cabin would be very pleased with this arrangement. But maybe I only think like this because we Finns are privacy freaks.
You have a good point. The front cabin guests have to be very understanding to have people walking through and then hearing the toilet flushing in the middle of the night. Not the best location but I guess you can stick the guests in there that you want to stay for only a short visit. haha
@@TheUglyGnome I would imagine you wouldn't want that many guests ... maybe another couple only ... or kids that visit ... so walking through to use the head/shower would be a non-issue. I guess the extra cabin could be for unexpected guests/ emergencies/ unusual situations etc. The whole idea is dialling back ... who the hell wants to cook for 4 more guests ... it's time to relax and cruise. The 3rd cabin could be used for day snoozing when off your watch.
No master?
Washer / Dryer?
Yes. In the owner's stateroom closet. I think it is an option. Not everyone wants a washer. Just Janice thinks it is a "MUST" . haha.
I changed my mind about it being better having a guided tour of the boat by one of the Reps. You and Janice don't get to comment about what you like and not so much like as you're doing it.
Thanks for that. We get conflicting comments. Some like our comments because then it doesn't look like a sales video for the boat. Others wish we would say nothing and just let a sales person walk us through. Its good to hear from people like you that appreciate a prospective buyers perspective.
@@Bowmans-WoodsYeah, at first I thought it would be a good idea to hear more about some potential missing details on a guided tour like that hatch below the salon deck in the previous tour but I'd rather hear your interpretation walking around.
See if they have a 1st responder promotion....Maybe you can get a new one..
Ha ha. Maybe a promotion would get me a bit closer to being able to afford one a little less "used and abused". :-)
Engine in the galley would be noisy!
My wife wouldn’t hear me yell out for another sandwich 🤣
Ha Ha. Janice is not a fan of the Galley down but it seems Antares do it that way.
That would only be a problem if you're actually motoring while she's cooking! LOL!
You didn't show the master cabin buckwheat.
I thought I have found the perfect catamaran in the all new FP 42, and now come this gorgeous babe !!! :))) I am torn between 2 lovers indeed !!! :)))
Same here... but I do like the swim platform on the FP42.
Jason Filippi ...Yes Sir ...I agree !!! Not to mention the awesome bathroom on the FP 42 too !!! But for world crushing, I would pick this Antares 44 GS !!! :)))
DAIVIET NGUYEN keep in mind the FP 42 will be some 40-45% less expensive.
Play b4work ...Yes Sir indeed !!! :)
I think the Antares is a better-built boat with a strong owners group of people that say nothing but great things about the quality and they have tested that quality by sailing far and wide. You may pay less for a big production boat (but probably not a ton less after adding all the extra options you would need to live full time on it) but you often find you get what you pay for. 10 years from now the Antares will probably be in good to great shape. The FP or Lagoon may show the wear a lot more. The Lagoons floors constantly creaking as we walked around showed me that the craftsmanship and attention to detail is just not the same.