mullions ensure there are very few
blind spots, and quick access to that
starboard deck makes single-handed
crewing a breeze.
We had the middle option of
a 115hp Suzuki outboard but you
can have a 90hp or 140hp. I would
recommend the latter as the 115hp
felt laboured and made noisy work
of getting us up to a top speed of
27 knots. At the top end, the engine
became ‘boomy’, a side effect most
likely of the hooded transom acting
as an echo chamber.
For regular coastal work,
the 140’s extra grunt will
be necessary and should
hopefully help the 6 on to
the plane a little quicker
than the 115 could.
The handling isn’t
particularly engaging
but the boat turns tidily
enough and it’s well
weighted, so there isn’t the need to
make constant minor adjustments
at the wheel. And despite only being
21ft 4in (6.5m) long, the Barracuda
handled our choppy test conditions
admirably. It wasn’t carving through
the crests with the grace of a Cormate
or a Goldfish, but it stood its ground
and would look after you and your
family if it did kick up in the afternoon.
It’s easy to be critical of the
Barracuda 6 with its potting shed
looks and basic fit-out, but it fills
a crucial void in the new boat
market for low-cost products that
allow people to get into boating
for a sensible sum of money,
turn the key and go. It lacks
grace and needs to have
the right spec but for the
price, it’s hard to complain.
Contact See Bénéteau
website for dealers.
Web: http://www.beneteau.com
19
QUICK SPIN
Open bow is ideal
for anchoring and
enjoying the view
The toilet is
fairly basic but
also very handy
Flip-down
seats enable
easier fi shing
Practical design
makes it a good
sports platform
All-round view
from the helm
is excellent
Useful storage
in the offset
wheelhouse