Thanks for the video and I think the honest opinions are refreshing, although I think some of your conclusions are technically incorrect. The cockpit, salon and bow area on the Antares 12 and the MF1295 are exactly the same. All of the 1.5 extra feet of length comes at the stern of the boat with the additional gangway. This means you don't have to compromise cockpit seating to raise your outboards. So the salon in the MF1295 is not bigger than the A12, the layout is just different. In addition, the Antares 12 makes better use of the bow space by having the bench in the front, giving more headroom in the forward master v-birth, and the seating arrangement of the salon gives more headroom in the VIP cabin. In addition, the flybridge is actually larger on the Antares 12 vs. the MF1295 as the A12 has an extended fiberglass overhang and the helm position is moved forward giving significantly more seating room on the A12 over the MF1295. The ladder steps on the Antares 12 are also deeper. The MF1295 shares the 1095/Antares 11 shallow steps and the Antares 12 uses the deeper steps from the SwiftTrawler range. And finally, the Antares 12 can be had with 2 V10s where the MF1295 is only available with 3 V8s, and the Antares 12 motors are pre-rigged saving significant costs on the back-end for customers as well. This saves you over $70K MSRP starting price on the Antares 12. Again, I completely respect your opinion as the MF1295 is a nice boat for sure. I've seen both in person and spent extensive time on both. However, the Antares 12 is longer, with more cabin headroom, en-suite access to the VIP head, larger showers, a larger flybridge, a gangway across the stern with easier access to fuel and shore power, no compromise to cockpit seating, and has a starting price over $70K less than the MF1295. Objectively, I don't see how the Antares 12 doesn't beat the MF1295 in every measurable way.
Great boat for the US, but this side of the pond I personally don’t see the outboards being popular. Great review though Alex, plenty of honest detail as always.
I must admit this Antares will be a popular boat for families or for boat owners who like an upgrade, a weekender boat. The salon feels for me cramped with the galley, dinning table, helm in there If its warm then you'll eat outside. The cabins are better I'd not feel as cramped as in the salon. I'll be honest she not my type of boat, I feel despite the extra lenght, drop down side balcony in the cockpit I'd feel closed in. But for somebody who know the brand well she'd properly work well for then. A weekender boat. No I'm not sure about her, but maybe if I actually stepped on board I'd change my mind.
A seakeeper on an outboard cruiser? I think I could spend my money on other things. What do I know, my Beneteau has a mast and sails. I have to say that the finish looks better than my boat which is getting pretty old now. Good video.👍
When wearing a mic, try not to shout even though ambient noice is loud for you. I think this boat is rubbish considering it needs triple engines to reach just above 30 kts. Similar boats reach that kind of speed with a single D6. Enough rant, thanks for a great review, love these videos 😊
Non boater here, the slap of the water on the fibreglass, sounds very disconcerting (although clearly isn't). Is this eliminated with an aluminium or steel hull?
That rear table looks like it has a bad seam on it or it may just be an odd artifact of the video. If it is a flaw, then on such an obvious piece of equipment I wonder what is going on where I cannot see it.
Having owned several Benetoys over the years, I'm struck by how cheap and "IKEA-ish" the cabinetry is.... some people are really good at building to a particular price point, while others just cut a little too much. I think my opinion of Beneteau is unchanged by this boat.
Thanks for the video and I think the honest opinions are refreshing, although I think some of your conclusions are technically incorrect. The cockpit, salon and bow area on the Antares 12 and the MF1295 are exactly the same. All of the 1.5 extra feet of length comes at the stern of the boat with the additional gangway. This means you don't have to compromise cockpit seating to raise your outboards.
So the salon in the MF1295 is not bigger than the A12, the layout is just different. In addition, the Antares 12 makes better use of the bow space by having the bench in the front, giving more headroom in the forward master v-birth, and the seating arrangement of the salon gives more headroom in the VIP cabin.
In addition, the flybridge is actually larger on the Antares 12 vs. the MF1295 as the A12 has an extended fiberglass overhang and the helm position is moved forward giving significantly more seating room on the A12 over the MF1295. The ladder steps on the Antares 12 are also deeper. The MF1295 shares the 1095/Antares 11 shallow steps and the Antares 12 uses the deeper steps from the SwiftTrawler range.
And finally, the Antares 12 can be had with 2 V10s where the MF1295 is only available with 3 V8s, and the Antares 12 motors are pre-rigged saving significant costs on the back-end for customers as well. This saves you over $70K MSRP starting price on the Antares 12.
Again, I completely respect your opinion as the MF1295 is a nice boat for sure. I've seen both in person and spent extensive time on both. However, the Antares 12 is longer, with more cabin headroom, en-suite access to the VIP head, larger showers, a larger flybridge, a gangway across the stern with easier access to fuel and shore power, no compromise to cockpit seating, and has a starting price over $70K less than the MF1295. Objectively, I don't see how the Antares 12 doesn't beat the MF1295 in every measurable way.
I appreciate your honesty, it must be difficult when you've got people from the company on board with you.
A very comprehensive review. If only all reviews were so inclusive of content. You clearly love this model.
Ok, this one is now in my "favorites" list. VERY nice with everything on my daydreamers list.
Great boat for the US, but this side of the pond I personally don’t see the outboards being popular.
Great review though Alex, plenty of honest detail as always.
I must admit this Antares will be a popular boat for families or for boat owners who like an upgrade, a weekender boat.
The salon feels for me cramped with the galley, dinning table, helm in there If its warm then you'll eat outside. The cabins are better I'd not feel as cramped as in the salon.
I'll be honest she not my type of boat, I feel despite the extra lenght, drop down side balcony in the cockpit I'd feel closed in. But for somebody who know the brand well she'd properly work well for then. A weekender boat.
No I'm not sure about her, but maybe if I actually stepped on board I'd change my mind.
Great review Alex. Really helpful to have a direct comparison with the similar Merry Fisher as you were going along 👍
Nice boat but not a fan of outboard engines but thanks for the video.
A seakeeper on an outboard cruiser? I think I could spend my money on other things. What do I know, my Beneteau has a mast and sails. I have to say that the finish looks better than my boat which is getting pretty old now. Good video.👍
When wearing a mic, try not to shout even though ambient noice is loud for you. I think this boat is rubbish considering it needs triple engines to reach just above 30 kts. Similar boats reach that kind of speed with a single D6.
Enough rant, thanks for a great review, love these videos 😊
Non boater here, the slap of the water on the fibreglass, sounds very disconcerting (although clearly isn't). Is this eliminated with an aluminium or steel hull?
Those wipers need adjusted big time, esp STBD. The blade is right in line with your view from the helm
BEATIFUL LADY, SHE IS GOERGUS
That rear table looks like it has a bad seam on it or it may just be an odd artifact of the video. If it is a flaw, then on such an obvious piece of equipment I wonder what is going on where I cannot see it.
I never understand why you have to stoop down to see through that windscreen that would drive me crazy and give me a bad back
Griddle must mean different things in the UK vs America. That's a grill to us.
Having owned several Benetoys over the years, I'm struck by how cheap and "IKEA-ish" the cabinetry is.... some people are really good at building to a particular price point, while others just cut a little too much. I think my opinion of Beneteau is unchanged by this boat.
Love it all aside from the outboards. They don't belong on a cruiser sticking out in the way. Just a personal beef.
Same, If I'm crusing I don't need 40+ knots, I want range, fuel economy and big platform
Way too many ads...