Barracuda for the battler

Barracuda is based at Oxenford on the Gold Coast and the company's principal, Jonny Gardner, said he decided, after failing to find any good family, sport, fishing and cruising boats at a price that the 'battler' could afford, that they could combine business with leisure and give great value to people who want the same as they do.

After all, Gardner said, his motto asks: "Why should only the wealthy have all the fun?"

"Because we try to offer the very best price and value for money, we do most of our business on the web, keeping our overheads to a minimum, so this is our virtual boatyard/shop front. 

Of course, you are welcome to come to see the boats in the flesh and get to touch the goods," Gardner said.

The two models Barracuda offers are great play machines, said the company.

Barracuda said its Bowrider 500 has the most usable 16-foot of space ever seen on water. It draws little water, so it's ideal to cross the bar at low tide, and a 40hp motor will push it around fine, said the company.

Barracuda said its other offering, the Sports Cruiser 580, is something else again, being a cuddy cabin style 18-footer.

Standard for the two boats are: ski bar, bimini, nav lights, bilge pump and marine battery, as well as a multi-roller trailer.

Base price for the Sportscruiser 580 is $14,950 and $12,990 for the Bowrider 500.

Barracuda's are supplied with or without engines and start in price from around $4200 for a Tohatsu 40hp, up to $12,500 for a Yamaha 100hp four-stroke. Or you can get your own preferred engine fitted.

The company's catchcry of "you won't buy a new boat cheaper" is hard to ignore, said Barracuda, especially with prices like these.

For more info, phone Jonny Gardner on (07) 5529 4589; 0421 734 575, or visit www.barracudaboats.com.au