A port that makes you act
In 2018, Marilyn Yebra is taking the leap from crew member to captaineuros! In her family, everyone has their own boat and it is with her ex-partner that she enjoys motor sailing, on a boat with a transportable cabin. 12 years ago, she decided to ask for a place in the port of Toulon to avoid having to tow the boat every time she went out. A place that she finally gets in 2018, 9 years later, the average time in Toulon. It costs her 1euros400 euros per year (85 euros/m2). But the boat is no longer, since she separated from her companion.
"So I decided to buy a boat. I had a license, a berth in the old dock. I wasn't afraid to commit to buying my boat. At first, my brother accompanied me on my first outings, then I ended up cutting the cord. We don't go on big outings, but we have fun." explains Marilyn.
Bénéteau, a safe and reliable brand
marylin's choice is an Antares 6.80, equipped with an original 90 hp Honda outboard engine with a hundred hours on the clock. The 2010 boat, which she acquired in October 2018, cost her 21euros000 euros.
"This boat was in Cannes and the place is very expensive. The former owner wanted to sell it quickly before the end of the year. It is always easier to negotiate at the end of the year. Today, for similar ads, same year and same engine, the asking price is between 25 and 26euros000 euros. I negotiated it well" says Marilyn.
Her boat was already equipped with all the options, so Marilyn only had rear platforms installed to facilitate access to the boat and swimming. The work was done by the Bénéteau dealer in La Seyne-sur-Mer.
"I was looking for a motor boat first. Bénéteau is a safe brand. It's a beautiful brand. As for the Antarès, it met my specifications perfectly: a boat under 7 m to avoid taxes and in the spirit of a camper van to have all the comfort I was looking for. 6.80 m seemed to me a good size develops Marilyn.
Antares 6.80, a comfortable and livable boat
In the cockpit of the Antares 6.80, there is a U-shaped bench seat with a table that can be transformed into a sundeck. Inside, there is a beautiful cabin at the front with a marine toilet, a saloon on the starboard side that can be transformed into an extra bed, a kitchen unit with a refrigerator, a sink and a small stove integrated in the plate closing the sink.
"It's really comfortable and livable. I also spend a lot of time on my boat without going out to sea. We have aperitifs on board, it's very pleasant. It's as if I had a studio in the port of Toulon. There is no closed bathroom, that would have been comfortable, but we shower with the outside shower, because we sail mainly in the summer and it is perfect." says Marilyn.
A low-speed ride program
Regarding the engine performance, the Antares 6.80 can reach 25 knots with its 90 hp - it gets 150 hp at the maximum - but it is between 15 and 20 knots that Marilyn prefers to sail. A speed which lends itself well to her program of excursions.
"We don't go on long trips. We usually sail less than an hour to reach small spots nearby. At 18 knots, my cruising speed, we can go around without the boat hitting, without it jumping. There is also the financial side. At 18 knots, I consume between 12 and 13 L per hour. I stay on a walk. Everyone is happy, no one is shaken. Speed is not my thing. I remain reasonable" explains Marilyn.
Before concluding: " It's a boat that holds the sea well, that is very stable once it's lifted off. At the same time, I don't go out when the sea is bad. I watch the weather and I go out when the weather is favorable, with a favorable wind. It's more pleasant."
