The 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 represents exactly what a refined and refreshed member of the Antares line looks like. This is a dedicated weekend cruiser with refined comfort, superior handling, and upgraded amenities all at a modest price point. According to Beneteau, this model brings “innovations and enhancements taken from larger models” and it is “built for fun-filled weekends on the water.”
Visually, the Antares 9 strikes a nice balance between sophisticated and sporty. Its silhouette is defined by its flowing lines that provide it with a modern profile that truly stands out. Its design is refined enough that it appeals to many boaters who are looking for full featured comfort and style but in a compact and easy to manage size.
The 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 is positioned as a boat that offers you more than just a fun day on the water – it is setup for family use, overnight stays, social cruising, and even watersports. With dual outboard power, modern finishing, and flexible interior space, this boat aims to bridge the gap between a day cruiser and serious weekender.
Walkthrough of the 2026 Beneteau Antares 9
In this walkthrough section, we will explore the different areas of the 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 stepping through the major zones to give you a full sense of how nicely arranged and luxurious this boat is.
Transom and Aft Platform
At the stern, the 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 features a beautiful, large swim platform that provides easy access from the water or dock. A boarding ladder is nearby to aid with entry and exit from the water as well. The aft transom and platform space is designed to enhance both the ease of boarding and the space needed for socializing.
There is a large U-shaped bench at the aft that converts into an oversized sun pad when the table insert is stored, and the cushion fill is used. The side bench also slides forward to accommodate tilting up the engines. When returning the engines to their in-water state, the bench slides right back into place with ease.
Boarding the boat is never a concern either as there is a side door on starboard side making it easy to transition from dock to boat and vice versa.
Cockpit
Moving into the cockpit area, you are protected by the hardtop which stretches aft to cover the seating area offering you shade from the sun. The cockpit is large and spacious allowing you to enjoy company and socialize without the worry of tripping over one another.
The side walkways are well designed, and you will find the starboard walkway is a bit wider and deeper allowing you to feel much more secure while walking.
Galley and Saloon
Moving in from the cockpit, you immediately enter the wheelhouse / saloon and galley area. The interior of the wheelhouse is surrounded by beautifully designed and well thought out accents that add to the charm of the boat while allowing natural light to provide an open feel.
The entire area is air conditioned and AC controls are conveniently located right here as well. Should you choose to have a more natural experience, there is a sun roof that does feature a sun shade that allows you to let fresh air in. You can capture the breeze throughout the wheelhouse by opening up the sliding skipper door.
On the starboard side of the wheelhouse, you will find the galley which has a modern fit out including a refrigerator, two electric stovetop burners, plenty of storage space, a sink and faucet, and an optional microwave oven.
The dining area is opposite the galley with a large U-shaped seating area with a table in the center. For additional sleeping arrangements, the table can be lowered, and the seating area converts into a berth.
The captain’s chair swivels 360 degrees and the co-pilot seat converts into a dining seat, so the helm never feels excluded or left out.
Helm and Console
At the helm, you will find a large, plush captain’s chair with a bolster function allowing you to use the chair sitting or standing for your convenience. There is a panoramic windshield providing superior visibility and a sliding skipper door allowing for quick access to the starboard walkway.
The console is set up to be home to a variety of different options including Garmin electronics and touchscreens allowing you to see all vital information about your boat at a glance.
Head / Bathroom
Descending from the galley and saloon area, you will be met with the head. The head is a wet head meaning that the shower is already integrated into the toilet and basin area making it easy and convenient to use. Inside the head is an electric toilet, sink, and portlight opening.
Cabins / Sleeping Accommodations
Below deck, you will find quite generous and spacious accommodation for a boat of this size. The forward owner’s cabin features a queen-sized berth, padded headboard, mood lighting, a hanging locker, and lacquered furniture. This area offers high comfort and luxury.
A guest cabin is located to the port side and is home to a double berth and a hanging locker allowing guests to stay overnight too.
Furthermore, as discussed above, the saloon area can double as an additional berth if you need more sleeping accommodation than what is below.
Optional Features and Upgrades
- Heating system
- Solar panels
- Roof racks for bicycles or paddle boards
- Underwater lighting
- Color upgrades to the hull and interior
- Upgraded galley features such as a microwave oven
- TV pre-wiring and TV mount
- Interior curtains including blackout shades
- Garmin MFD upgrades
- Audio system upgrades
Engine and Performance
The 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 is built to perform on the water while making sure that handling is simple and easy. The hull is an injection molded hull for increased rigidity and a reduction in noise and vibration. Since this boat is lightweight, you can expect it to glide on the water with little effort needed to control it.
The Antares 9 comes standard with twin outboard motors, specifically dual Mercury 200 HP V6s. You do have the option to upgrade to twin 250 HP Mercury engines. On average, the top speed with the dual 200 HP engines is around 35 knots and the top speed with the dual 250 HP engines is 40 knots.
The 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 uses an Airstep hull with twin strakes which help to contribute to a smooth ride all around, even when faced with choppy or rough conditions.
The helm station is well laid out for a user friendly experience and excellent visibility on the water. The ergonomics in this area make for a comfortable ride, even on longer trips.
Overall, the Antares 9 is said to offer a comfortable and responsive ride.
Pricing and Specifications
Pricing information is readily available on the Beneteau website and the starting MSRP of the 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 is $247,200. This price does not include tax and does not include any additional upgrades, dealer fees, or any other fees associated with the boat.
It is important to remember that any upgrades and optional add-ons will add to the price of the boat and can change the final price of your 2026 Beneteau Antares 9.
To receive the most accurate pricing information, it is recommended that you work closely with an authorized Beneteau dealer.
Specifications
- Length: 27 feet
- Beam: 9 feet and 10 inches
- Dry Weight: 10,182 pounds
- Fuel Capacity: 2×79 gallons
- Water Capacity: 42 gallons
- Maximum Horsepower: 2×250 HP
Warranty Information
Beneteau does provide a warranty on all of its new boats, and you will receive a warranty with the 2026 Beneteau Antares 9.
Warranty information is sparse, but some can be found online. It does appear that Beneteau offers a 3-Year Limited Warranty for parts and systems and a 10-Year Limited Structural Warranty for the hull and deck.
As with any warranty, there are exclusions and limitations that you must know about. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the warranty.
It is also recommended that you work closely with a Beneteau authorized dealer to learn more about the warranty you will receive and any stipulations or exclusions it may include.
Thoughts on the 2026 Beneteau Antares 9
The 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 is a remarkable boat that delivers a nice blend of social functionality, size-efficient design, and operational performance. Below, we will cover some of the standout features that make this boat an awesome choice.
First, this boat is the perfect size for weekends on the water. This vessel is under 30 feet and has A LOT to offer you. In fact, it has a queen berth in it along with a full galley, head compartment, and plenty of deck space. Many boats in the same class require sacrifices to create the lovely spaces the Antares 9 offers.
Next, the usability and safety of this boat are second to none and can be seen when looking at the deep starboard walkway and side boarding gate. Furthermore, this boat offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sun and breeze with a sliding skipper door, sun roof, and large hull windows.
The ability to reconfigure the U-shaped bench at aft into a sun pad and the sliding aft bench are both clever additions and really add a lot of value to the boat owner, especially those boat owners who like to entertain
If you are looking for a boat that gives you true versatility of water sports, day cruising, social evenings, and the ability to stay overnight or over the weekend, the 2026 Beneteau Antares 9 is the perfect choice. This boat is manageable in size and does not require any sacrifices for the luxury and comfort that it offers to you.
Whether you plan to take the family out, entertain friends, or simply want to spend the night on the water, this boat checks off all the boxes you need for an enjoyable time. The comfortable ride, attention to details, and flexible layout make this a stand out vessel in its class.
Images from: https://www.beneteau.com/en-us/antares/antares-9
