Beneteau Antares 13.80 - Definitely Not your Father's Cabin Cruiser
Article Page 3: A User Friendly Design

User Friendly Design

If you are wondering what's different about the boat; it’s the fact that the whole boat is user friendly. For example, she is very easy for a couple to handle. Case in point - the windlass system is phenomenal. It activates from both driving stations as well as from the bow.

There are two anchor lockers. All the pistons are stainless steel.

Great for your fenders so you don’t have to have fender brackets on the rail.

Taking a Look at the Power

The 13.80 has twin 45 Volvos on it which are second generation VFI, so they are monitoring fuel. The trawler is a naturally aspirated yanmar as opposed to the Volvos that are electronically controlled. That translates to 0 smoke; they burn really clean and are very quiet.

• Engine: Volvo TAMD 75 EDC 353 Kw
  (480 hp)
• # of Engines: 2
• Gear Box Type: IRM280A, ratio:1.77/1
• Total Displacement: 33,960 lbs
• Propeller Type: 057313 propeller,
  4 blades 600x780 LH50 S8

  Volvo's Comments: The TAMD75P EDC marine diesel is specially developed for fast planing and semi-planing craft. The engine’s high output and low weight combined with a rich low-end torque curve ensures excellent acceleration and response. The EDC system takes full account of variation in operating temperature and other contributing factors which optimizes engine performance and efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

More importantly, unlike other engines, if you cruise on a four-hour ride, you start out with 480 hp and at the end of 4 hours you are still running at 480 hp. Normally diesel engines heat up the fuel because of the return and lose their hp rating, affecting fuel mileage and power significantly. And, "yes Gracie" that does translate to more fuel $$ in your pocket. Volvo does an incredible job with a very low power curve and very clean engines.

Beneteau Antares 13.80 's Well Laid Out Engine Room
Boater's LIFE's very own Captain Tom Checking the Oil

Volvo 75’s provide easy access to fuel crossovers. Everything is double clamped. Complete with dripless shafts. This boat has a structural grid system in it, not just fore and aft, but amidship. It's similar to their sailboat design but more open. Very rigid and strong.

Everything is labeled and all through hulls are labeled in English. The engine room access is hydraulic and the room itself has florescent lighting. Another special feature of the boat is its aluminum substructure on the floor. It, too, is very stiff and very light. And, it can be raised to open up the entire engine room.

The boat is obviously well planned and Beneteau should be very proud of it. We approve.