Beneteau · Motor yacht

Beneteau Antares 8

The Antares 8 is Beneteau’s mid-size outboard weekender: an 8.06 m wheelhouse boat with a forward double cabin, a convertible saloon and a head under the helm, presented in August 2021 in a Cruising and a Fishing version and still in the range in 2026. Beneteau sells it as a hull without engine; the buyer fits one outboard of up to 250 hp, from Beneteau’s Suzuki or Mercury packages or on a Honda, Suzuki, Mercury or Yamaha pre-rig, so engines and electronics differ from boat to boat. Its predecessor, the Antares 8 OB from Beneteau’s fifth Antares generation (from 2012), has the same 6.98 m hull length but is 8.23 m overall, with a 280 l tank and no starboard side gate. The inboard Antares 8 and the Antares 8.80 of 2001–2011 are different boats and are not covered here.

Manuals & documents

The links go to Beneteau’s own documents — some as archived copies of pages the maker has since taken down. We host no manuals or drawings.

Equipment & its manuals

Standard equipment as the builder’s documents list it. Boats were ordered with options and refitted since — check what is actually aboard.

ItemModelManual / pageNote
Outboard1 × max. 184 kW · XL 635 mm1,2,3All boats from 2021: one outboard of up to 250 hp with an extra-long shaft; Beneteau sells the boat as a hull without engine—Pre-rig kits in the July 2026 European list, all for one side-mounted control station: Honda mechanical 40–250 hp; Suzuki mechanical keyless 150–200 hp, mechanical non-keyless 200T/250T, electronic keyless 150–250 hp; Mercury mechanical 150 hp, electronic 175–225 hp and 250 hp; Yamaha mechanical 150–200 hp, DBW 150–200 hp, SBW 150–250 hp, HMEX DBW 225–250 hp. Controls and gauges come with the kit.
OutboardSuzuki 200 APX, 250 APX4From 2021: factory option in Beneteau’s international configurator (checked October 2026), in white—These are Beneteau’s labels; it gives no fuller Suzuki model code, so read the engine plate before ordering parts. The preset Cruising configuration uses the 250 APX.
OutboardMercury 200 XL, 225 XL, 225 XL DTS, 250 XL Verado4,5,6,7From 2021, factory options (configurators checked October 2026): 225 XL DTS and 250 XL Verado, in white, in the international configurator; 200 XL and 225 XL in black or white and 250 XL Verado in white in the US configurator, which offers Mercury only—The international configurator writes ‘225 XL DTS CW’ and ‘250 XL Verado X2 CW’; its preset Fishing configuration uses the 250 XL Verado. The July 2024 US list sells only Mercury pre-rigs (F150 mechanical, V6 electronic, V8 Verado electronic); the September 2021 US list also had Honda, Suzuki (digital DTS and mechanical) and Yamaha (mechanical, DBW, SBW) kits.
OutboardSuzuki · Mercury8,9,10,11Predecessor Antares 8 OB (from 2012): Beneteau’s pages name Suzuki (international) and Mercury (US); max. 147 kW / 200 hp on the 2016 page, 184 kW / 250 hp in the June 2020 list—Pre-rig kits in the June 2020 European list: Honda mechanical 115–200 hp; Suzuki electronic keyless 115–200 hp; Mercury mechanical F150 and Verado 150–200 hp; Yamaha mechanical 150 hp, electronic 200 hp. A second set of controls in the cockpit was an option.
Steering—1Hydraulic steering, standard on all boats; make not named—Helm to starboard with wheel, compass, rev counter and fuel and engine gauges, and room for a 12″ display. The engine controls and gauges come with the pre-rig kit, so they match the engine make.
Trim tabsLenco · Zipwake1,6,7,8,4,5Options: Lenco electric trim tabs in every list from 2020 to 2026, also on the predecessor; Zipwake automatic trim system in the 2024 US and 2026 European lists—The configurators call the Lenco tabs ‘Electric flaps’ or ‘Electric trim tabs’ without a model.
WindlassLewmar · 700 W1,4,5,8Option on both generations: electric windlass, 700 W—The configurators name Lewmar but no model; read the plate on the windlass before ordering a motor, gypsy or remote.
ChartplotterGarmin ECHOMAP UHD2 9″1,6,7Electronic Pack in the 2024 US and 2026 European lists, with a Garmin GT23-TM transducer; the 2021 US list had the first-generation ECHOMAP UHD 9″Garmin ECHOMAP UHD / UHD2 Parts & service pageCharts are not included.
ChartplotterGarmin GPSMAP 1223xsv · ECHOMAP Ultra 2 12″1,6,7Electronic Upgraded Pack: GPSMAP 1223xsv 12″ in the 2026 European and 2021 US lists, ECHOMAP Ultra 2 12″ in the 2024 US list; GT23-TM transducer—A second GPSMAP 1223xsv under the cockpit roof is a separate option.
ChartplotterGarmin ECHOMAP Plus 72cv · ECHOMAP UHD 9″8Predecessor Antares 8 OB, June 2020 list: Electronic Pack (72cv, 7″) or Upgraded Pack (UHD 9″), each with a Garmin GT20-TM transducerGarmin ECHOMAP UHD / UHD2 Parts & service page
VHFGarmin VHF 215 AIS1,7,4Option from 2021—
Audio systemFusion MS-RA210 · MS-RA70N1,6,7,8Sound Pack: MS-RA210 with 4 × 50 W speakers in the 2024 US and 2026 European lists; MS-RA70N in the 2021 US list and on the predecessor (June 2020 list)—
Batteries2 × 200 Ah · Victron1,4,5,12Option: in the Tropical Pack of the 2026 European list and in both 2026 configurators; the 2021 launch text already mentions lithium batteries for the air conditioning—Beneteau supplies the wiring for the engine battery with the pre-rig, but not the battery itself. The fridge option adds wiring for a second 12 V battery. The battery master switch is under the aft saloon seat.
Charger25 A1,4,6Option: full 220 V system with battery charger in Europe (25 A in the international configurator), 110 V system with charger in North America; make not named—The US Pack has the 110 V system but only a pre-fitting for a charger.
Bow thruster—1,4,8Option on both generations; make not named, battery not supplied—
Toilet—1,6Option: marine toilet with a 64 l holding tank, or a fresh-water electric toilet; makes not named—As standard the head under the helm is an empty closet with a door. The US Pack includes the fresh-water electric toilet with holding tank.
Fridge42 l · 49 l1,6,7,4,8Option: 42 l in the 2024 US and 2026 European lists, 49 l in the 2021 US list and both 2026 configurators; make not named—Comes with wiring for a second 12 V battery (battery not supplied); standard in the US Pack. The predecessor’s June 2020 list also has a 42 l fridge.
Stove—1,6,7Option: gas cooker, or electric hob (220 V in Europe, 110 V in North America), each with a black ARPA worktop; make not named—The 2021 US list calls the electric hob a ‘Keynon 110 V electric hotplate’ (Beneteau’s spelling).
Heater—1,6,7Option: forced-air diesel heater (the US lists call it ‘air pulse’); make not named—
Air conditioning8000 BTU1,6,7,12Option: on shore power, or on batteries with the 2 × 200 Ah lithium and Victron system (Tropical Pack in Europe, battery version in the US lists)—
Water heater25 l1,6Option: 25 l water heater on shore power, with a shower in the head; make not named—
Bilge pump—1,8Standard on both generations: one manual and one electric bilge pump; makes not named—Fishing versions add a seawater deck-wash pump and a livewell with water circulation.
Remote monitoringSeanapps1,6,7,3Standard in the 2024 US and 2026 European lists, not in the 2021 US list: connected unit that shows battery, tank levels, engine data and GPS position in the Seanapps app—What it reports depends on how the boat is equipped.

Specifications

Length overall8.06 m (26’5″) with options; predecessor Antares 8 OB: 8.23 m (27’)1,8
Hull length6.98 m (22’11″), the same on both generations1,8
Beam2.80 m (9’2″) overall, hull 2.76 m (9’1″); predecessor 2.79 m overall, hull 2.76 m1,8
Draft0.60 m min., 0.80 m max. (2’–2’7″); the same on the predecessor1,8
Air draft2.33 m (7’8″), both generations1,8
Displacement2125 kg (4684 lb) unladen without engine; 2545 kg (5609 lb) light displacement (EC). Predecessor: 1985 kg / 2269 kg (2016 brochure), 2167 kg / 2451 kg (June 2020 list)1,13,8
Fuel tank340 l (90 US gal), rotomoulded, at the back of the cockpit locker, filler on the stern deck; predecessor 280 l (74 US gal)1,8
Water tank100 l (26 US gal), rigid tank; both generations1,8
Holding tank64 l (17 US gal) with the optional marine toilet; optional grey-water tank 45 l (11 US gal)1,6
Maximum speed35 kn with a 250 hp engine (Beneteau’s figure); Beneteau publishes no cruising speed or range for the Antares 82,3,12
Engine optionsOne outboard, max. 184 kW (250 hp), sold without engine. Factory options: Suzuki 200 APX or 250 APX and Mercury 225 XL DTS or 250 XL Verado (international), Mercury 200 XL, 225 XL or 250 XL Verado (North America); pre-rigs for Honda, Suzuki, Mercury and Yamaha. Predecessor: max. 147 kW (200 hp) in 2016, 184 kW (250 hp) in the June 2020 list1,4,5,11,8
DriveSingle outboard with extra-long shaft (XL, 635 mm / 25″); hydraulic steering1,8
BerthsUp to 5: forward double 2.20 × 1.70 m, saloon converting to a berth (option, 1.90 × 0.92 m), single berth 2.00 × 0.70 m in the space under the saloon1,2,12
Cabins2 (Beneteau’s figure); its page describes one double berth in the forward cabin and a second in the wheelhouse; separate head with door2,1
CE categoryC (9 people) and D (9 people), both generations1,8
DesignerBeneteau Powerboats (naval architecture and development); Sarrazin Design (design)1,3
BuilderBeneteau (SPBI)1
VersionsAntares 8 from 2021 (‘Antares 8 OB V2’ in the US launch list): Cruising (sliding aft bench) or Fishing (fishing station instead of the bench, livewell, seawater deck wash); Standard or Elegance upholstery; Essential and Comfort trim; Electronic, Electronic Upgraded and Sound packs, Tropical Pack in Europe, US Pack in North America · Predecessor Antares 8 OB from 2012: 8.23 m, 280 l tank, no side gate1,6,7,8
Years builtFrom 2021: announced on 6 August 2021 with a world premiere at the Southampton show, still in the range with an equipment list of 30 July 2026 · Predecessor Antares 8 OB: in Beneteau’s heritage section ‘5th generation Antares, from 2012’; earliest archived model page September 2016, last European equipment list June 202012,1,9,11,8

Good to know

  • Antares 8s leave the yard without an engine, so every used boat has its own engine and control set-up. The pre-rig kit (Honda, Suzuki, Mercury or Yamaha; mechanical or electronic; keyless or not) brings that make’s controls and gauges, so changing to another outboard make later usually means a new control kit and new gauges.1
  • The boat is rated for one outboard of at most 184 kW (250 hp) on an extra-long shaft (XL, 635 mm / 25″); check the engine plate of a used boat against this limit. For the predecessor Antares 8 OB, Beneteau gave 200 hp in 2016 and 250 hp in its June 2020 list.1,11,8
  • Telling the generations apart: the boat from 2021 is 8.06 m overall and has a starboard side gate and a 340 l tank. The earlier Antares 8 OB is 8.23 m overall, with a 280 l tank and no side gate. Both have a 6.98 m hull.1,8,12
  • The battery master switch is under the aft saloon seat. Beneteau wires the engine battery with the pre-rig but does not supply the battery, so battery type and size vary from boat to boat; the fridge option adds wiring for a second 12 V battery. Boats with air conditioning that runs at sea normally have the optional 2 × 200 Ah lithium batteries with Victron monitoring.1,12
  • Fishing versions have a livewell with water circulation and a seawater deck-wash pump: extra seacocks, hoses and a pump to check at a survey. Every Antares 8 has one manual and one electric bilge pump as standard.1
  • Beneteau does not publish the owner’s manual online. Ask the selling dealer, or e-mail Beneteau (info@beneteau.fr) for a PDF copy; the US configurator lists the owner’s manual in English, French and Spanish as standard.14,5

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Sources

  1. pro.beneteau.fr/documents/bateau/13631/EN_INVENTAIRE_ANTARES%208_EMEA_O826.pdf
  2. beneteau.com/antares-outboard/antares-8
  3. beneteau.com/antares-outboard/antares-8-fishing
  4. configurator.beneteau.com/boat/antares-8-ob-v2
  5. configurator.beneteau.com/en-us/boat/antares-8-ob-v2
  6. pro.beneteauusa.com/documents/bateau/15058/M12885_Antares_8_US_light.pdf
  7. pro.beneteauusa.com/documents/bateau/12883/M12885_Antares_8-OB_V2_US_light.pdf
  8. pro.beneteau.fr/documents/bateau/11118/M12581_ANTARES_8OB_EN_light.pdf
  9. beneteau.com/antares-2012-2022/antares-8-ob
  10. beneteau.com/en-us/antares-2012-2022/antares-8
  11. web.archive.org/web/20160921142857/http://www.beneteau.com/en/antares-outboard/antares-8-…
  12. beneteau.com/newsroom-news/new-antares-8-ultimate-family-weekender
  13. web.archive.org/web/20170902115314/http://www.beneteau.com/sites/default/files/public/Pro…
  14. web.archive.org/web/20240302040811/https://help.beneteau.com/hc/en-us/articles/3600195847…

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