Courtesy Groupe Beneteau
A chilly, windy, rainy afternoon in South Florida was hardly ideal for a sea trial, but it proved the Antares 12 Coupe is built to perform in real-world conditions. Beneteau’s newest coupe—making its U.S. debut at the 2026 Miami International Boat Show—showed why it’s a true all-weather family cruiser, offering comfort, protection and capability when the elements turn unforgiving.
The Antares 12 Coupe joins the Antares 12 Fly and complements the Antares 12 Fly introduced earlier. Designed by Sarrazin Design—Beneteau’s longtime partner since 2000—the 12 Coupe continues the firm’s focus on sleek lines, practical layouts and a distinctive profile. Beneteau has positioned the Antares 12 as the flagship of the Antares range while retaining the popular two-cabin Antares 11 for buyers who want a more compact option.
Responding to owner demand for greater onboard living space and extended cruising capability, Beneteau lengthened the model by about six feet, added a three-cabin layout, upgraded finishes and specified more power for improved handling. The result is a weekend cruiser that feels more like a mini-yacht, offering a comfortable liveaboard experience for coastal or extended cruising.
Construction benefits from advanced infusion-injection technology, a process that integrates resin infusion with injection molding to produce a single, rigid hull and stringer structure. This method yields a lighter, stiffer hull with improved strength, better weight control and a finer finish—enhancing the boat’s power-to-weight ratio while reducing noise and environmental impact.
Modern outboard systems further improve the Antares 12’s performance and onboard comfort. On our test boat, equipped with triple V-8 Mercury Verado 300-hp outboards, noise levels stayed in the upper 60-decibel range at low speeds and climbed only into the low 70s at cruising pace. The test vessel’s most efficient cruise was about 18 knots, offering roughly 150 miles of range with a 20 percent reserve. At wide-open throttle the boat reached 36.8 knots, with an estimated range near 142 miles.
The layout and features emphasize livability. The transom includes a gated access that opens to a 15-inch-wide walkway behind the engines, which lifts to provide clearance when engines are raised. Port and starboard swim platforms give straightforward access to the water and to the engines for maintenance. A nearly seamless flow between cockpit and wheelhouse is created by a large three-leaf sliding glass door and a single-level deck that supports social interaction and easy movement around the boat.
the sidedeck. Courtesy Groupe Beneteau
The pilothouse is designed for visibility and weather protection: expansive windows, a glass electric-opening sunroof and generous headroom (about 6 feet 4 inches) create a bright, airy helm station. The helm sits offset to port, with a side door to starboard and a 16-inch-wide side deck, giving the skipper safe, rapid access for docking or anchoring. Controls, including throttle and joystick, are positioned so they remain within reach when the captain steps onto the deck, and a cleat on the rail helps manage lines efficiently. Garmin electronics are integrated into the dash with space for dual 12-inch displays, and remote monitoring via smartphone apps is supported for added convenience.
The salon layout centers on a versatile U-shaped settee that can face forward or aft; the forward portion converts into a raised co-pilot seat. An optional walnut table with an electric pedestal lowers to transform the settee into a double berth. The full galley is laid out for serious use, with two fridge drawers, a combo microwave-grill, a two-burner cooktop and ample counter space and storage. A 43-inch TV is positioned nearby for entertainment.
Sleeping accommodations include three cabins with approximately 6 feet 3 inches of headroom and abundant natural light from hull-side windows and opening portholes. The forward owner’s cabin features a centerline double berth, an opening deck hatch and an en-suite head with a separate shower. The port VIP cabin has two single berths that convert to a double, while the starboard cabin offers a single berth that can expand to a double.
The cockpit is designed for relaxation and utility: an L-shaped settee roughly 7 by 4 feet converts to a large sunpad, and an electrically deployed starboard terrace creates an extended swim platform with an integrated dive door and removable ladder for water access and launching toys. Forward, a recessed anchor-handling area keeps work safe and out of traffic, while the forward sunpad converts into a seated lounge when paired with the optional table.
Both coupe and flybridge versions extend the pilothouse roof nearly to the cockpit and can accept a full side enclosure. Coupe buyers may choose an electric opening soft top or a hardtop option equipped with 130-watt solar panels. Stainless steel handrails and a roof rack make sidedeck travel secure, and the roof accommodates common aftermarket racks for bikes, paddleboards and kayaks to expand cruising possibilities.
Beneteau’s sales team emphasized the Antares 12 Coupe as a capable, comfortable platform for long-distance cruising. With an air draft around 13 feet (14 feet 5 inches with options), the model is suited to a wide range of cruising grounds and owner ambitions—delivering mini-yacht comforts in a package built for practical family cruising.
- LOA: 42’7”
- Beam: 12’5”
- Draft: 3’10”
- Displ.: 19,900 lbs.
- Fuel: 310 gals.
- Water: 106 gals.
- Max power: 900 hp