Spotlight: Beneteau Barracuda 7

When Beneteau launched the new Barracuda range a year ago, it enjoyed immediate success all over the world, from the fjords of Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, and the American and Pacific coasts.

In September, Beneteau will extend the range with the addition of the new Barracuda 7.

The planing hull, designed specifically for this model, features a tulip-shaped bow, stylish and spacious wheelhouse, and a deck plan full of clever inclusions. This new single-engined boat with 150 to 200hp outboard, will be capable of top speeds of around 35 knots.

This versatile boat will be just as suited to chasing shoals of fish as it will be to exploring rivers and esturies.Depending on your requirements, there is a choice of a fishing pack, or a 'well-being' pack, for a quick and comfortable cruising or commuting boat.

Beneteau says the boat is simple, clever and seaworthy and that keen fishos will appreciate the hull design, which makes the Barracuda 7 a highly stable and seaworthy boat in all weather.

The boat is equipped with three lockers which can be converted into fish bins, it also has stowage aft which can be used as a locker for ropes and fenders and the like or optioned as a live-bait tank.

The beam is a wide 2.75m which makes it easy to get around and the freeboard is a good 60cm.

Fishermen are in for a treat with a 10-inch screen on the instrument panel and Lowrance electronics equipment including a new Scan Structure depth sounder.

Entered by two sliding doors, the wheelhouse is comfortable both for the skipper and crew. The designers have placed importance on making it light and airy with the doors and the sliding roof panel offering plenty of ventilation.

The modular design of the of the Barracuda 7 allows for a galley with sink, a place for a stove, a fridge and storage. In the forepeak, there is a double berth and a head which is pretty good for a 6.5m boat.

Heating and air-conditioning are available as options.

Other feaqtures of the Barracuda 7 include:
- Central wheelhouse which can be entered on either side
- Walkaround decks
- Very open cockpit which can hold up to seven people seated
- Optional swim platform
- Cockpit bench which is removable to increase space
- Large foredeck that can be used as a lounge and fitted with cushions
- Big anchor locker forward

The Barracuda 7 will be shown for the first time at the Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes (Cannes boat show).