Beneteau Antares 8 is now almost the only gliding cruiser up to 8.5 meters long, equipped with a stationary motor, transmitting power to the screw through a straight shaft. The advantages of this propulsion system are obvious: simplicity, reliability and high efficiency.
But why does it only have the French RHEA 28 Timonier and the American Albin 28 Tournament Express, mainly for fishing? Let's look at the disadvantages of a hospital with a shaft. High rainfall, extremely inefficient use of the boat's interior space, increased vibration load. Judge for yourself - 200 hp French diesel Nanni T4 on Antares 8 is located under the floor of the cabin and with any technical tricks it will not be possible to make the noise level comparable to the engine in the cockpit and the corner column. Or with an outboard engine, as on Antares 8.80.
Otherwise, the Beneteau Antares 8 is not a bad family cruiser. With a large bed in the nose, located diagonally, a latrine, where you can straighten full-length, and a dinette in the cabin, which folds out into two beds. Except for the slightly lower speed: at a maximum of 3,600 rpm, the Nanni engine is only 20.7 knots. However, the fuel consumption is also low - only 41.5 liters per hour.
