Technical
7 Questions you should ask every catamaran boatbuilder
- Coring: What kind of coring do you use in the construction of the hull and deck?
- Steering: What kind of steering system is installed on your boat? Is it shaft, wire or hydraulic steering?
- Propulsion: Do you install shaft drive or sail drive? Where are the engines located?
- Rudders: How do you protect your rudders from impact? Are they skegged?
- Rub Rails & Toe Rails: What’s going to protect my boat when I’m tied up at a concrete fuel dock? Is there a rub rail on your boat? How about a toe rail?
- Battery Bank: What is the capacity of your battery bank? How many amp hours will it provide?
- Anchors: Is the boat designed to accommodate more than one anchor?
Link on the questions to read an in-depth discussion on what makes Antares Yachts different from other production catamaran builders. Link here to download a PDF of the 7 Questions.
 Antares
MainTamer
The Antares exclusive MainTamer allows easy handling
of the Mainsail without compromising proper sail shape.
With the objective of creating a method for easier
Mainsail handling, we originally started looking at
various furling systems that would not compromise proper
sail shape, would provide reliability and maintain simplicity.
Mast furling systems, for example, were not satisfactory
in terms of maintaining proper sail shape requirements.
High-tech solutions also increased the potential for
failure. Other alternatives were the available sail
gathering systems, which proved to be prohibitively
expensive.
 Using
our in-house design team, we built a sail gathering
system specifically designed for the Antares 44i. The
result was an add-on to the existing boom. Because this
boom continues to carry the various sail generated loads,
we were able to keep the structural engineering requirements
out of the equation and build a lightweight structure
specifically geared to sail stowage requirements.
 With
3-dimensional computer modeling, we also made provisions
to incorporate Seldén's Rodkicker for a rigid
vang system. We also calculated the stowed sail volumes
to build a complementary shape into the top surface
dish of the MainTamer to efficiently handle the sail
folds as they flake down. The designed in provision
for an integrated sail cover adds to the ease of use
as the cover easily zips off and on without an epic
struggle.
Standard Bowsprit/Furling Screecher
 The
standard bowsprit on the Antares 44 supports the
Furling Screecher and puts the sail in better air by
pushing it forward and away from the mainsail - giving
you better downwind performance.
The use of the Screecher is commensurate with wind
speed. In lighter air, you can have a much closer reaching
position, and in strong winds, you can put the screecher
up without the mainsail for an easier and more comfortable
downwind passage. With a furling screecher system, you
are able to keep the self-tacking jib in position and
easily use less sail area without having to leave the
cockpit - ideal for short-handed sailors.
 The
bowsprit system coincides with developments in the sail
making industry. The robust Mylar film laminate sails
provide good strength for their weight, which on the
Antares, translates to 635 square feet of horsepower that
you can easily handle on a furling system.
While a bowsprit is an option offered by other boat
builders, the ability to stow the bowsprit on the front
crossbeam prevents potential accidents in tight marinas.
The stowable bowsprit also gives you the ability to
service the furling gear and lines with ease.
Antares Design Comments
 Developments
in affordable 3D software and computer capabilities
gave us the ability to efficiently construct a virtual
model of the Antares. This gave us the ability to evaluate
the functionality and aesthetics of a wide variety of
configurations and concepts. The model was, by its nature,
more accurate and informative than mechanical drawings
and complements modern manufacturing processes.
A 3D visual representation of the whole vessel or selected
components was developed within seconds and then rotated
for inspection from all angles. A virtual person was
placed on the model to ensure that ergonomic issues
were correctly assessed. Click
here for more information on the concepts we incorporated
into the design of the Antares.
Propeller Selection at Antares Yachts
 Can
I install a bigger prop and go faster?
This is a common question with a complicated answer
that is, generally, no.
We are frequently asked about propeller selection for
our vessels and instead of having to dig up and dust
off your Physics 101 textbooks to understand the concepts
behind why we choose certain props over others; we compiled
a brief overview highlighting the issues and parameters
in this selection process. Below is a discussion on
the diameter, pitch, direction of rotation, and number
of blades and shaft diameter that all play a role in
this process. more
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