Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 14-03-2008, 14:58   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Netherlands / Brazil
Boat: 50ft mono hull. SOLD!!
Posts: 103
Maybe not a bad deal.

With the euro now at a high against the $ a brand new Antares 44i is now less then 500K euro. Keeping in mind that the boat comes loaded that should make it an interesting proposition for european buyers. What is the general consensus here on this boat? I did a search here on this forum but I did not find very much info. Personaly I would like something bigger but it seems that this boat has a lot of room for it's 44ft.
Erik C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-03-2008, 16:07   #2
CF Adviser

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Wherever our boat is; Playa Zaragoza, Isla Margarita
Boat: 1994 Solaris Sunstream 40
Posts: 2,449
Erik, the previous builder (PDQ yachts) had a reputation for high quality construction and virtually incomparable service. Unfortunately, they went into receivership late last year. I would recommend that you read some of the previous threads concerning the PDQ bankruptcy before putting down a deposit.

Brad
Southern Star is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-03-2008, 16:41   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Netherlands / Brazil
Boat: 50ft mono hull. SOLD!!
Posts: 103
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Star View Post
Erik, the previous builder (PDQ yachts) had a reputation for high quality construction and virtually incomparable service. Unfortunately, they went into receivership late last year. I would recommend that you read some of the previous threads concerning the PDQ bankruptcy before putting down a deposit.

Brad
Thanks for the warning but untill we sell our house nothing goes. The way I read it only the PDQ part was sold off and Antares went on as a new company. But because of the exchange rate I was looking what boats are available build in the US/Canada and this was one that came up.
Erik C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-03-2008, 17:11   #4
CF Adviser

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Wherever our boat is; Playa Zaragoza, Isla Margarita
Boat: 1994 Solaris Sunstream 40
Posts: 2,449
Agreed, Erik. And the Antares 44 is a terrific boat if they maintain the same quality of construction/equipment. There is good bridgedeck clearance (I believe 30 inches) and a terrific interior designed for an owner and guests, rather than for the Charter industry. The galley down is extremely well finished and places the heaviest part of the accomodation down, where it belongs in order to keep the center of gravity low. It has not gone with a 'flying bridge' in the way that Lagoon has with some of their new designs, keeping both the weight lower and the center of effort of the rig low. While emphasizing accomodation and comfort over performance, it nevertheless should have a good turn of speed and be capable of handling the loads that so many long-distance cruisers put into their boats.

The only issue, as I say, is the solvency of the new company. Subject to visiting their new facility (and having confidence in the experience of their new labour force), I would have no hesitation in buying a completed boat. I would, however, be extremely nervous about paying Antares during the course of construction unless the money was kept in escrow pending delivery of a vessel that passes a rigid inspection/sea trial.

Brad
Southern Star is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14-03-2008, 18:16   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Netherlands / Brazil
Boat: 50ft mono hull. SOLD!!
Posts: 103
I think it would be fair to compare it with a Privilege 445 (owner version)as a european counter part, you would save a lot of money going with the Antares, it comes fully fitted out vs basic boat for roughly the same amount of dollars. Again, I'm not in the market yet, just trying to figure out to a way to make the exchange rate work in my favor by exploring boats build on a dollar basis.
Erik C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 04:05   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Winters cruising; summers Chesapeake Bay
Boat: Catana 471
Posts: 1,239
Hi Erik - I think the Antares 44 is a really good product - but not having sailed one. Very nice level of finish. Very few on the aftermarket - I know because I was on the lookout for one for a long time. I like the galley down arrangement, but not all folks do. Shaft drives with engine weight where you want it (downside of this - engines in the living spaces). Definitely geared for owners, not charter service. My only criticism of the boat is that it's well, er, sorta ugly on the outside - even for a cat. Looks too much like PDQ's power cats. Once inside, this can be easily overlooked IMHO.

I sincerely hope the new ownership is successful.

Dave
2Hulls is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 06:13   #7
Registered User
 
chicagocat's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Chicago
Boat: 1996 PDQ 36
Posts: 13
Hi Erik,

As a PDQ 36 owner I can tell you that they certainly were a great company, and that they really cared about the product. The last Antares is now being finished by former PDQ workers up in Ontario. I know that all the former PDQ workers didn't want to see the purchaser get screwed just because the company went under, and they've really bent over backward to help the guy.

That said, I agree with Dave. The only downside is that it's ugly, even by catamaran standards. But hell, if I wanted pretty I'd be sailing a Swan or a Morris...

The upside of the ugliness is that it has insane bridgedeck clearance. Higher than almost anyone else.

I know some of the people involved in the new company, and they're all really great. The new boats will be made in Taiwan and they hope to have the first ones done by the end of the year. I hope that the Taiwan construction works out for them. There is a pretty well-developed industry there, with Tayana and several other pretty good manufacturers, so we'll see.

Brendan
chicagocat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 12:36   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Netherlands / Brazil
Boat: 50ft mono hull. SOLD!!
Posts: 103
By now I have read just about everything there is to find about this boat on the internet and I have to admit that I'm impressed. Like 2hulls said, not the best looking cat on the outside but what matters more is the inside. The best dog I ever had was the ugliest mutt in a 200 mile radius. Lets hope the company makes it.
Erik C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 14:05   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sanibel, FL
Boat: currently a power boat :(
Posts: 249
I visited the PDQ Antares 44 at the Miami boat show and I have to say it was my favorite boat there. My fiance wants the galley up but after being on the PDQ and seeing how much larger the galley/storage and salon become in that configuration she has converted and the PDQ became her new favorite. I am 6'3" and I felt very comfortable on every part of the boat. I didn't get to go on a test sail but I would assume the light wind performance would suffer from weight and windage, although the broker told me otherwise, stating PDQ is short for Pretty Darn Quick .

I agree with Dave it is ugly exterior wise but not a factor for me. When you are on/in the boat you don't see your boats profile anyway. In my opinion how it looks is not as important as how comfortable you feel.

It will be interesting to see how the move to Taiwan works out.
__________________
Regards,
Skye
Blue Skye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 16:11   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 123
I also saw them at the miami boat show, there service i recived on that boat was far from polite but it is what it is, they had a attitude that theres was the best out there. I do wish other cats would pick up the galley down feature.
Randall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 17:05   #11
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Netherlands / Brazil
Boat: 50ft mono hull. SOLD!!
Posts: 103
Quote:
Originally Posted by Randall View Post
I also saw them at the miami boat show, there service i recived on that boat was far from polite but it is what it is, they had a attitude that theres was the best out there. I do wish other cats would pick up the galley down feature.
That's unfortunate, the impression I got was that their attitude toward customers was very good.
Erik C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 17:19   #12
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sanibel, FL
Boat: currently a power boat :(
Posts: 249
My experience was different with the PDQ people. Randall may be speaking of the used PDQ (yellow hulls) with a broker (he was friendly too), but I am not sure. The second time we walked the boat it was crowded and I had a few questions not answered but wouldn't suggest they were impolite, just busy.
__________________
Regards,
Skye
Blue Skye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 17:37   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 123
Nope didn’t see a yellow one, (he was friendly too), have no idea what this means but ok. It was later in the day , and the boat was not crowded at this time. It could have been because they were tired or because I am some what young but if that’s the case one shouldn’t assume younger i.e. 34 = no money which is how they acted but that’s why there are other boats out there .
Randall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-03-2008, 17:45   #14
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sanibel, FL
Boat: currently a power boat :(
Posts: 249
Yeah pre-qualifying is a nasty habit for the sales arena. What day were you there? There were 2 PDQs next to each other on Saturday. The one with yellow hulls was a used one listed by Bluewater Brokers, i believe, from North Carolina.

I was there with my 24 yr old fiance, maybe thats why I received some attention .
__________________
Regards,
Skye
Blue Skye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-03-2008, 09:08   #15
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 123
I tried to walk on the new one but i will have to remeber that last part good idea.. They are very nice boats but that first impression was a pain.
Randall is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What's the deal with Hawaii? Limpet Pacific & South China Sea 26 06-10-2012 01:32
Say I Got a Good Deal on Chartering - Would Anyone Go??? ssullivan General Sailing Forum 41 04-03-2008 14:55
turkish gulet what the deal? bigwhyte Monohull Sailboats 6 30-04-2007 01:04
Great deal on Formosa vilanomark General Sailing Forum 1 17-03-2006 12:11

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 00:32.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.