The Saba is a beautiful boat! Looks are important but so is quality. Many factors to consider. Firstly the Saba is 6 feet longer so you have more to manage. Ascetically in many ways I like the Saba better but that being said there are lots of other factors to be considered. For me shaft drives are a must and the
rudder skegs on the Antares are right up there. Resale is also a factor. Not sure how the Saba will do but the Antares does better than most. I don't like the high center of gravity on the Saba and the lack of a glass enclosure at the
helm along ability to close off the entire aft section. Lot of people tell me oh get a
Catana or an
Outremer...you'll want the speed... And I do but I'm not willing to make the
trade offs... That the Antares can provide. exposed helms don't cut it for me even if you use
autopilot 99% of the time. If I or one of the crew is on watch... I want to be sitting at the helm of the Antares. My best advise for you is to read Ted Clements blog catamaranconcepts you can find the link on the Antares site. He is a no BS straight shooter and gives you the real drill down on boats(not afraid to say what others won't) ...he's a sailors sailor. There is a video somewhere of him being rescued in the middle of the pacific on an overturned Chris White designed cat interesting story.
Remember the magazines pander to the big advertisers... Antares makes 6 boats per year. The quality and thoughtfulness of the design is unparalleled. Another item people don't speak about much is
mast height. If you travel the
east coast and want to use the
ICW the 61 ft
mast height will allow you to clear all the bridges on the
ICW. The other thing that kind of gets me is how people knock the
galley down on the Antares. It's not cut off from the
saloon and it's a real
galley. My
family cooks! We are foodies and I just don't see the "galley up set ups on like size boats appropriate for ad quite counter space and
cooking. Another thing about the Antares galley is you don't have to bend over to get something out of the fridge! You'll never find everything you want it's all about
trade offs. Check out the owners blogs too on the Antares. I hope this helps and best of luck with whichever boat you decide on I'm sure you be happy being out on the
water either way!
P.S. I have 4
kids 2 younger who will be with us 90% of the time. The older ones will be meeting up with us at various
ports with their spouses...could I use a little more room yes but again I'm in it for the
safety, comfort when sailing in
weather, design and build.
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