Both are excellent boats that will meet your "comfortable cruiser" priority quite well. The
Antares has a long provenance from the original
PDQ 42 and then 44 (they put transom extensions on it to improve load-carrying and performance). When
PDQ in
Canada went under due to economic changes, the Antares manufacturing moved to
Argentina, but the reports indicate that they have not
lost any of their emphasis on quality manufacturing and fittings.
The Knysna also has a long provenance from the original design by Angelo Lavranos, who has designed many mono and
multihull boats. Knysna seems to have developed a reputation for quality, too.
While both would meet your "comfort" criterion quite nicely, given the choice between the two for a world cruiser, I'd go with the 500SE. While performance might not be your highest priority, it should certainly be a part of it! When the
weather forecast is wrong, believe me, you want to get out of Dodge as fast as you can, and that extra speed of 1 to 2 knots can make a big difference. The Knysna can give you that. The waterline is longer, the
hull to beam ratio on the hulls is narrower, and the sail plan is larger. Those things make a difference.
Of the two, I personally prefer the Antares layout and the
cockpit is wonderful. But, I wouldn't let that make or break on either. Sail handling on both will be fine. You can customize both. Performance will be better on the Knysna and for long-distance, world cruising, that would be what would put me more on that side. On the other hand, if you think you'll be keeping pretty much to one or two regions and limit the long ocean passages, then I'd probably go with the Antares.
People often have their strong preferences for
galley up versus down. But, many people haven't used
galley down since they are much less common. Galley down has distinct advantages, especially when
cooking under way. Also, it keeps that out of the social area. That might be a pro or a con. I don't
recall ever seeing an Antares with galley up and they might not offer it. Knysna would probably do either.
What a nice dilemma to have! I don't think you can go wrong with either.
ID