What immediately strikes you about the Antares 12 Coupé is how intelligently it uses every square metre to deliver genuine liveaboard comfort. It is a cruiser built to serve equally well on a weekend in the Hauraki Gulf or a two-week summer passage up to the Bay of Islands.
The hull's parentage is unmistakable. Sarrazin Design's trademark lines show clearly in the graceful glazing and flowing profile, marking the Antares 12 Coupé as unmistakably a Beneteau product. Look beyond that first impression, though, and fresh thinking becomes apparent. A sculpted, streamlined aft coachroof delivers real cockpit protection, high freeboard adds a sense of security, and a sleek coachroof keeps the weather where it belongs. A retractable sunroof, optional cockpit enclosure, and generous ventilation options mean the boat handles everything from the brisk winds of Cook Strait to blazing Coromandel sunshine without complaint.
Among the standout features is the electric starboard terrace. Drop it at anchor and the boat instantly acquires a private beach-club platform broad enough for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply lying back and taking in the surroundings. It adds genuine usable space without disturbing the hull's clean lines in any way.
Family cruising sits at the heart of what the Antares 12 Coupé is about. Every design choice points toward shared time on the water, whether that is a meal at anchor, a morning of watersports, or a quiet afternoon drifting in a sheltered bay. The wheelhouse saloon is arranged as a bright, sociable space built around a U-shaped dinette and a fully equipped galley, so the cook stays part of the conversation rather than hidden away. A glass sliding door disappears neatly into the bulkhead, erasing the boundary between saloon and cockpit and turning the entire main deck into one flowing social zone that feels substantially larger than you would expect aboard a 42-footer.
Below deck, the accommodation lives up to the promise of the spaces above. The forward master cabin comes with its own private head and shower, and the guest cabin offers a comparable level of comfort. A third space can be adapted to whatever the owner needs, whether that is an extra berth, a reading nook, or dedicated gear storage. Add the convertible wheelhouse saloon to the equation and the Antares 12 Coupé can sleep up to eight people, making it a practical choice for family adventures or hosting friends for an extended trip.
Where many boats of similar length are suited mainly to short hops, the Antares 12 Coupé is built with longer passages clearly in mind. Twin 400 HP engines handle the power requirements, with an optional triple 300 HP configuration also available. Paired with joystick control, handling is precise and reassuring even when manoeuvring into a tight marina berth. For those planning serious offshore mileage, an optional Seakeeper gyroscopic stabiliser reduces fatigue and seasickness over longer runs. Fuel capacity of 2 x 587 litres and 400 litres of water storage give the boat genuine range, while light displacement of just over 9 tonnes and a draught of only 1.1 metres make it well suited to New Zealand's varied coastlines and shallower anchorages.
Beneteau has built its Seanapps connected system into the package. Owners can monitor onboard systems, prepare the boat remotely, and stay in touch through a smartphone or tablet. For families juggling busy schedules or owners managing multiple logistics, that kind of digital oversight adds real convenience without making the boating experience any more complicated than it needs to be.
Step aboard and the quality of finish is one of the first things you register. The interior styling is crisp and contemporary, with considered lighting, high-quality upholstery, and storage tucked thoughtfully throughout. The wheelhouse makes a strong impression in its own right, with a commanding helm station and exceptional headroom that reinforce the open, airy character of the whole boat. Forward, an integrated sundeck with bench seating provides a peaceful spot for sunbathing or an evening drink, while wide, secure side decks allow safe movement fore and aft, something families with younger children will value.
Nothing aboard feels overdone or included simply for show. The grab rails are positioned where your hand naturally reaches for them. The storage is both accessible and surprisingly deep. The layouts shift to meet changing needs rather than locking you into one way of using the boat.
The Antares 12 Coupé reads as a natural step forward for a brand long associated with the family cruiser segment, combining the core qualities of the Antares range, including safety, seaworthiness, and ease of use, with genuinely useful modern features. It is a boat comfortable on a sunny day off Waiheke, on a longer run up the coast, or sitting out a chilly southerly in a sheltered anchorage. With room for the whole crew, thoughtful adaptability, and solid offshore credentials, it offers something more than simply a stylish new model. It is a versatile platform for building real memories on the water.
