Beneteau Antares 23 Game Changer | How to Buy a Sportboat
For couples that have always wanted to go coastal cruising, or venture out on a big lake, or even go across the Gulf Stream to Bimini on a good day, but thought they couldn’t afford it, the Antares 23 may be a game-changer. She’s an affordable mini cabin cruiser that reminds us of wooden boats that were popular in the 1950s as recreational boating got back on its feet in the U.S. after WWII. She has a 9’1” (2.76 m) beam and flared-out hull in the bow that permits both a sharp entry for a more comfortable ride and robust topsides for more room inside. Our test boat was powered by a 200-hp Mercury 3.4L V-6 outboard. She has a forward sleeping cabin, a booth dinette, a mini galley, wet head, a cockpit, and an enclosed pilothouse.
Taking full advantage of the expansive forward deck, the Absolute 58 Fly can host a party in comfort on her bow, or just be a deluxe floating sun pad. Belowdecks are three staterooms for guests along with four heads, and there’s an added accommodation for a crewman at the stern. As with most Italian builds, the 58 Fly also carries graceful styling that serve to make a statement. And the owner of such a vessel, therefore, makes a statement as well.
From a U-shaped lounge forward with loads of legroom to a cockpit outfitted for fishing, the World Cat 280CC-X is a center console with the benefit of a catamaran beam, and the handling and efficiency of that multihull design. Best of all, she’s ready for any mission: take out a large group of friends or bring along a team of dedicated anglers, or both.
Like all boats in the Formula line, owners can personalize aspects of the interior and exterior to suit with the “Formula Flex” program. For example, the Formula 310 bowrider tested here was powered with twin 380-hp Ilmor MV8s with One Drives. Colors and fabrics can be mixed and matched; hullside paint jobs and graphics are totally up to the buyer. Formula boats are among the most prestigious – and expensive – on the water, so personalization is icing on the cake.
The NITRO® Z18 has recently been upgraded with an angled flush bow fishfinder panel, more leg room under the helm console, and integrated net storage abaft the seats. The boat, motor, and trailer remain among the most complete – and lowest cost – turn-key bass packages available. Powered with the optional Mercury 175 Pro XS FourStroke, she ran 62.5 mph.
With so many choices, figuring out which sportboat is best for you is not an easy task. With every builder saying that their boats are the highest quality, have the best features, and are the best value, what is a consumer to do? Our suggestion is to do what our test captains do: look at the details and compare them feature by feature. BoatTEST.com captains use a checklist of 10 points to inspect before writing their Captain's Reports on the boats they test.
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