Antares was built in 1947 at the Spit (possibly by Lyons boatyard) for Mr A. P. Mackerras as a tender for his sloop.

The dinghy was built to a design by English yachtsman Uffa Fox who was a specialist in dinghy design for international 10ft and 14ft class racing dinghies.

Fox firmly believed that a yacht, no matter how small, should be equipped with sails.