Massively advertised as the boat in the tv soap, Howard’s Way, the concept of the Barracuda, launched in 1988, was exciting. She was the first production of a Ultra Light Displacement Boat (ULDB) in this country and combined conventional and sophisticated construction techinques.



She was designed to be lightning fast off the wind yet easily handled by a small crew and was unsinkable. In some respects the concept succeeded. It was certainly fast off wind and reasonably easy to handle. But the engineering of the lifting keeland twin rudder, and some of the advanced construction technology let the boat down.



The accomodation, built round the massive keelbox, is rather fragmented, the large galley and chart table being either side of the box and the saloon well forward. She is one for the enthusiast.



LOA 45ft (13.7m), LWL 42ft (12.8m), beam 12ft 6in (3.8m) draught 3ft 6in/8ft (1.1m/2.4m), displacement 16,000 lb (7,272kg) Price guide: £80,000 to £100,000. YM Test Report June 1988.