Antares 44

[Yinka]

Does anyone out there have experience of the Antares 44 ?

[henryv]

If you go to the Antares web site they have links to several owners web sites - you will probably find some usefull info there.

[Yinka]

Thanks Henryv... The Antares site is indeed packed with information..however over the past months I have completely 'rinsed it out'. I've read every word, looked at every photo and emailed two of the owners. My problem is that I am only hearing glowing reports and I need them to be balanced with some constructive critisism.

Happi days

[Nordic]

I walked all over the one at the Miami show. This is a very big 44 footer, with systems well designed to get at. Very robust it seems, no scrimping on sizes regardless of what it is.

I didn't get to sail on it, but she seems very heavy. I haven't run the SA/D numbers, so no idea of performance.

Only real negative was the height under the bimini when standing at the steering station, but something one can adapt to.

My only questions would be the financial situation/robustness of the new company, and the quality of the workmanship in Argentina, can they keep it up to scratch.

A solid cruiser that should take good care of you.

Alan

[Yinka]

Thanx Nordic... thanx for sharing your observations. I agree that the major questions concerning this boat are the strength/stamina of the new company... and can they maintain the high standards set by PDQ.
As to the wieght of the boat... I have seen it listed as 7.937 t (unladen) and 10.000 t (laden). Thats lighter than the FP Orana 44 (?)...which considering the amount of gear installed as standard... is rather surprising.

Happi days

[Nordic]

All these weights are probably a couple of tons too low, at least:D

Alan

[Yinka]

Wow.. A couple of ton is a lot. But actually, I'm not that bothered because from all the reports I have read and heard.. they sail very well. Ok, they are not as fast as some other 44's ...but speed is way down my list of priorities.. after reliability, comfort, strength and one or two other things. The reason I mentioned the weight was because I have difficulty believing that the Orana is a heavier boat.

Happi days

[tyrntlzrdking]

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[Yinka]

Thanks 'The Capitalist'.. I've watched this and all their videos many times. I have also read just about every word on their site. I hear there are one or two of their boats around the Florida area.. As I'll be in America end of April... hopefully I'll be able to step onto one and get physical ...untill then I'm hunting around like a ravenous shark devouring every and any scrap of info available.
Besides the cost.. I've not heard anything significantly negative said about these boats. I say 'significantly' because mention of the windage appears to be small potatoes within this particular context/package.
Would you agree ?

Happi days

[tyrntlzrdking]

Yinka,

This one looks nice to me.
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1858050&checked_boats=1858050&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=38346&url=

They were asking $750,000. in the fall.

[Yinka]

Yes this is a very nice boat and ticks most of my boxes. It is one of two Antares for sale in that 'neck of the woods' so I'm hoping to get up close and personal. Is your interest in these boats just casual curiosity?

Happi days

[tyrntlzrdking]

Casual curiosity?
I guess.
I hope to retire in a year or two, and plan to buy the best sailing catamaran I can afford.
I have spent a lot of time learning about the options.
The Antares 44i is an outstanding boat. (Shaft drives are a big plus in my book).
Not sure I can afford it, but we shall see. I got a lotto ticket for tonight.
Just trying to be helpful.

[Yinka]

There has been a very interesting discussion on this site about the ability of a boat to remain afloat if upturned and flooded. Do you have any knowledge of how the basic PDQ design prepared for this eventuality?

Good luck with the Lotto ticket. However, you'll only win if you have the same numbers as me.

Hap..Happi days

[mdsilvers]

For what it is worth, like you Yinka, I have been doing a LOT of research of boats myself. I have been torn between the St. Francis 50 and Antares 44i. Fit and finish goes to the Antares. Bang for the buck the St Francis. As far as design, more clearance per beam on the Antares so it should have less pounding. that was a key driver for me. Leaning hard towards the 44i...but not been easy.

[Nordic]

I spent a good bit of time on both at the Miami show. It depends on how you weight the different features in your evaluation. For me, a boat has to look nice also, and this is where the Antares fares badly in my book. The boat looks clumsy and inelegant IMO, not more than 5 or 6 out of 10. The St Francis 50 would be 6 to 7 on looks.

The Antares has plenty of other great features so it would be a tough call between the 2.

I would go with the St.Francis after having spoken to both company owners, my gut feeling is that Duncan Lethbridge will stand behind his product to a greater extent, and he is a really nice bloke as well.

Use the extra money for cruising, or if you will spend it on the boat, then get it made in Epoxy with vacuum bagging, add a rotating carbon mast and use Dynex Dux for all standing rigging...


Cheers

Alan

[ForumAdmin]

Antares so it should have less pounding. that was a key driver for me.

I really do not think its as simple as that.
The SF 50 is a much bigger boat and would in my, albeit biased opinion, provide a much better sea going ride.

I lost count of the SF owners I spoke to and all praised the sea handling and the speed of the SF. So I truly think that you would experience more pounding on the smaller boat.

[Yinka]

I like the SF 50 very much.. it is a very nice boat and I'm following Pauls build with keen interest. I agree that the SF has better lines than the Antares. The extra 6' certainly helps... as I am sure it also effects the way the SF moves through the water... However, when comparing just about everything else between the two boats..(overall length, galley, births, shower, engine placement, light through hull windows, angle of saloon windows, cockpit seating, storage, quality of fixture & fittings etc).. the Antares does it for me.
As for performance.. Although the Antares is not a greyhound..and doesn't attempt to compete with the likes of Gideons creation. I have questioned (e-mailed) most of the Antares owners.. and they all say it is fast enough and fun enough..if sailed wisely.
Of course, on some levels it's easy to understand and explain why we prefer one boat over another..but there is usually a personal 'something else' that tips the balance. I'm not entirely sure what that 'something else' is for me but... hmmm

Maybe one of these days the Antares team will increase the length to 48' as well as adding a couple of feet to the beam... wow!

Happi days

[Catalysis]

Paul and Yinka:

We spent a lot of time at the recent Miami Boat show (Paul sorry to have missed you by a day) and came to the conclusion that the two best cats manageable by a couple were the SF-50 and the PDQ-44i.

In the end we bought the 2007 PDQ that was for sale on Florida's West Coast.

We are re-commissioning her (now called "Indigo") and will be sailing her to Fort Lauderdale then she will be transported to the Sea of Cortez.
Will let you know how it all goes.

Indigo's long term home base will be the San Francisco Bay Area.

Paul and Maureen

[mdsilvers]

Congrats Paul on the purchase of the new 44i. You got a great deal on the Cat's PJ. We too looked at the boat - and at that point had not made up our mind on the 44i or SF50. I have a larger family - 3 adults and 2 kids - traveling - so we are liking the 44i but still uncomfortable about payload and overall livability with the larger family. If it was just a couple, no doubt we would buy the 44i. Tough decisions - given both boats are comparably priced when outfitted in a similar fashion.....good luck on the boat!!!

[Catalysis]

Thank you - all boats are a compromise and time will tell.

We have been monohull sailors for 20+ years and like the engineering that has gone in to the PDQ Antares line.

We hope that the Argentinia boats continue the great tradition of the Canadian boats.

Paul

[Yinka]

Hi Paul (Catalysis) - ((Indigo))

Well done to you and your wife. I've been watching that boat for months .. The Cats PJ's looked like a fantastic buy.. but sadly (for me) my plans are not as far down the line as yours are. Considering how little the previous owner used the boat.. is there any work that needs doing ?

Happi days
Yinka

[Catalysis]

Yinka;

It's not so much work that needs to be done but rather completing the initial fine tuning of the sail systems - the boat has had so little off-shore use that it hadn't been tuned. And of course each new owner has their preferences :-)

We will stress-test Indigo on a 4 day sail through the Florida Keys in mid April and are adding appropriate systems for her new life on the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Paul

[Yinka]

Hi Paul
How do you plan to transport her to the Sea of Cortez.. Is a sailing trip not an option?

[Catalysis]

Unfortunately I don't have the time - Indigo is hitch-hiking a ride on a "Yachtpath" freighter.

Have carved out a month for sailing fun in the Sea of Cortez this summer :-)
Paul

[Yinka]

Hey Paul... Is your boat on the west coast and in the water yet?

[Catalysis]

Yinka:
Indigo arrived in Manzanillo on Yachtpath last week. I met the boat and sailed to a great little spot called barra de navidad (Christmas bay). Delivery crew took over and should arrive in La Paz after 550 mile sail tomorrow at about 9 am.
The family and I will be in La Paz in mid July for Sea of Cortez adventures :-).
Paul

[Yinka]

Wow... And so it begins!

[Catalysis]

Yinka:
I have uploaded a few pictures of Indigo being offloaded and in the Isla de Navidad marina.
Paul

[Woodbrook]

She looks stunning! You and yours are in for a real treat come July :D

Fair winds
Darren