The Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 vs Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 44 2011 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 Flyer Gran Turismo 44 2011 measures 44,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 14,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Antares 9.80 2005 at 30,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 44 2011 tips the scales at 19 616 lbs — 10 093 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 44 2011's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 106 gal and 106 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 44 2011 is rated for 13 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 44 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 44 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 44,3 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.