Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Series 2 vs Beneteau Antares 9 Series 2
If you are looking at stepping up into a premium pocket cruiser, two absolute standouts dominate the market: the Beneteau Antares 9 Series 2 and the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Series 2. Both of these European weekenders bring incredible features to the table, but their design philosophies differ significantly when you get them out on the water.
Let’s dive into a detailed, side-by-side comparison of their performance, deck layouts, interiors, and helm setups to see which boat earns a permanent spot on your driveway or marina berth.
Quick Specs: At a Glance
Feature | Beneteau Antares 9 Series 2 | Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Series 2 |
Engine Brand | Twin Mercury Outboards Max 2 x 250hp | Twin Yamaha Outboards Max 2 x 250hp |
Manoeuvre Tech | Mercury with Bow Thruster and Joystick avialable | Yamaha with Bow Thruster and Joystick avialable |
Sunroof Setup | Single Sunroof | Dual Sliding Sunroofs |
Galley Design | Fixed, exposed cooktop | Covered modular cooktop (extra counter space) |
Engine Power and Performance
Starting with the heart of these vessels—the outboards. The Beneteau Antares 9 is traditionally powered by twin Mercury outboards, renowned for their smooth digital throttle response and athletic acceleration.
Conversely, the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Series 2 pairs beautifully with twin 250-horsepower Yamaha outboards. Yamaha's latest generation engines are legendary for their bulletproof durability, exceptional low-end torque, and superior fuel efficiency—a major factor if you plan on extended coastal runs or want to keep your long-term running costs in check.
Both vessel will usually come with bow thrusters for maneuvering in tight areas and now can be paired with joystick control from both manufactures.
The Verdict: It's a tie, equally powerful and equally capable of easy manuveorability
Cockpit Layout and Beam
The cockpit is your primary outdoor living zone, and these two hulls use the space very differently.
The Antares 9 utilises a traditional wide-beam layout in the cockpit, creating a large, static footprint that works well for standard social gatherings. However, what it gains in fixed volume, it loses in adaptability.
Jeanneau has taken a much more innovative approach with the Merry Fisher 895 Series 2. It features a highly modular cockpit seating arrangement. The entire rear bench slides forward on tracks, allowing you to tilt the outboards completely out of the water at the boat ramp or anchorage without sacrificing your seating. The lounges can fold away or transform into a sunpad dynamically. Furthermore, the deep side decks and secure bulwark gate on the Merry Fisher offer significantly safer, easier movement when stepping onto the dock.
The Verdict: Tie the Antares for cockpit volume; Merry Fisher for safety around cockpit
Bow Layout
When you’re looking at weekends away or extended coastal cruising, forward deck design speaks volumes. The Antares 9 offers a traditional, flat forward sunpad. It’s a comfortable space to relax, but it remains entirely isolated from the rest of the vessel’s interior layout.
This is where the Merry Fisher Series 2 shifts the goalposts through pure engineering cleverness.
Instead of just laying down a massive expanse of vinyl, Jeanneau rethought how the bow interacts with the master cabin below. The Series 2 features an adjustable, modular forward sunpad that splits apart to reveal a massive, integrated glass lightwell directly over the forward V-berth.
When the cushions are away, natural ambient light completely floods the master cabin below, transforming it from a typical dark bow berth into a bright, airy oasis. It’s a stellar example of smart deck design pulling double duty.
The Verdict: Merry Fisher 895 Series 2. This brilliant bow update is a complete game-changer for interior livability.
Cabin Interior and Windows
Stepping inside the saloon, the differences in atmosphere are immediate. The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 is designed around a modern, panoramic glass house concept. It boasts incredibly deep side windows that lower the sightlines, meaning you get an unobstructed view of the water even while seated at the dinette. Coupled with a dual sliding sunroof system, the saloon feels completely open to the elements and allows massive airflow to circulate on warm summer days.
The Antares 9 opts for a more traditional cabin window design. While functional, the smaller glass surfaces feel more enclosed. Additionally, the Antares only features a single sunroof, which limits the cross-ventilation you desperately want when at anchor.
Galley Setup
If you're spending a long weekend out on Moreton Bay, meal prep matters.
Beneteau Antares 9: Features a fixed, permanently exposed cooktop. While easy to access, it permanently consumes valuable counter space in the saloon and remains visible at all times.
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Series 2: Utilizes a smart, covered cooktop design. When you aren't cooking, the countertop closes over the burners to create a seamless, clean prep surface. This maximizes your usable galley space and keeps the saloon looking remarkably tidy and uncluttered.
 Antares 9 interior |  Merry Fisher interior |
The Verdict: Merry Fisher 895 Series 2. Dual sun roof, more light, more bench space, bigger windows.
Helm Position and Equipment
Both vessels offer highly modern helms with room for large-screen electronics, but the ergonomic execution varies:
The Antares 9 positions the helm slightly forward with a broad console area, though the dash angles can occasionally catch glare depending on the sun position.
The Merry Fisher 895 Series 2 excels by prioritizing the captain’s connection to the crew and the dock. It features an incredibly convenient starboard side helm door. This allows the skipper to look directly down the side of the vessel while docking, and even step straight out onto the gunwale to secure a spring line themselves—eliminating the stress of short-handed boating.
The Verdict: Merry Fisher 895 Series 2
Final Thoughts on Choosing Between the Antares 9 Series 2 and Merry Fisher 895 Series 2
As you'd understand we are bias being the owner of the Merry Fisher 895 but both the Beneteau Antares 9 Series 2 and Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Series 2 bring strong features to the table. These two boats obviously have a lot in common so it could be a very personal choice for which you prefer. On paper they are very equal with most options available on both boats, which make them both great weekender vessels. These two boats obviously have a lot in common so it could be a very personal choice for which you prefer. The Antares offers a more spacious cockpit with a larger helm position, but has less interior light due to smaller windows and a single sunroof.
The Merry Fisher has a very clever sun pad, is extremely light and airy with huge windows and dual sunroof but does have slightly less room in the cockpit and around the helm.
Whichever you choose, both boats are excellent options for cruising the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay waters. They represent the best of modern boating design and technology, ready to make your time on the water more enjoyable.
Which do you prefer?
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