Several versions and packages
The basic price of the Antares 7 depends on the version chosen. The Cruising version costs ?50,880 inc. VAT, while the Fishing version costs ?52,560 inc. In addition to these two versions, there's also the Weekender version, which consists of partitioning off the toilet space and adding a washbasin as well as a toilet. To make life easier for yachtsmen, Bénéteau also offers a range of finishes and packages that include several options.
The Essential trim includes three optional extras: tilting backrest, interior table and 2nd electric windshield wiper + washer kit. It is priced at ?2,760 incl. VAT. The Comfort finish includes these 3 elements, plus fishing equipment, interior curtains, an opening deck hatch in the cabin and an opening porthole in the washroom. Price: ?4,104. Several packs are also available, notably for water kits; ?2,772 for a marine toilet pack and ?3,084 for an electric toilet pack. Both packs require the weekender version.
Individual program options
In addition to these packages, individual options can be added according to the program chosen. For example, the mattress in the forward cabin is ?1,188 in the weekender version, the forward sundeck mattress is ?924 in its basic version, and the polyester cockpit table is ?1,092. The galley is also extra at ?1,872.
In the end, the price of our test model, in kitchen and weekender versions with the Comfort finish and some twenty additional options, is ?109,700.40 inc. tax, with a 200 hp Suzuki engine.
Competition on the same wavelength
American manufacturer Quicksilver's comparison is the Quicksilver 705 Pilothouse, 6.63 m long. It offers a similar layout, but with less night space and a less comfortable cockpit. With a number of options, notably for fishing, and a 200 hp Mercury engine, the all-inclusive price is around ?72,000.
Jeanneau's Merry Fisher 695 Series 2 offers the same versatility, with a similar hull length of 6.45m. On board, the layout is much the same. The base price with the same engine is around ?90,000.
While Quicksilver offers a lower price, but a version perhaps more focused on Fishing, Jeanneau, which belongs to the same group, has the same price.
