The Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 vs Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 at 30,0 ft versus Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012 at 32,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012 tips the scales at 11 858 lbs - 2 335 lbs less than the Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 at 9 523 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 260 hp, the Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 has a 258-hp advantage over the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012's 2-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 Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012 carries 129 gallons versus 106 gallons in the Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005. 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 Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 34 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 32,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.