The Beneteau Antares 6 0 vs Beneteau R/C 27 1978 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Beneteau R/C 27 1978 measures 27,7 feet overall (1978), giving it roughly 9,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Antares 6 0 at 18,1 feet. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau R/C 27 1978 tips the scales at 5 291 lbs — 2 205 lbs less than the Beneteau Antares 6 0 at 3 086 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Beneteau Antares 6 0 has a 99-hp advantage over the Beneteau R/C 27 1978's 16-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau Antares 6 0 carries 26 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Beneteau R/C 27 1978. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau R/C 27 1978 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Beneteau Antares 6 0 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau R/C 27 1978 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau R/C 27 1978 displaces 5 291 lbs — a 2 205-lb difference over the Beneteau Antares 6 0 at 3 086 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau R/C 27 1978 draws 5,1 ft, compared to 1,1 ft for the Beneteau Antares 6 0. That 4,0-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
For auxiliary power the Beneteau Antares 6 0 carries a 115-hp engine against 16 hp on the Beneteau R/C 27 1978. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau R/C 27 1978 carries 24 gallons versus 13 gallons on the Beneteau Antares 6 0 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau R/C 27 1978 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 5 291 lbs displacement and 28 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Antares 6 0 at 3 086 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.