Boats like the Barracuda 9 are actually more familiar from Scandinavia, where they are used not only for water sports but also as workboats and generally enjoy the reputation of a "maritime all-terrain vehicle". The French shipyard Bénéteau in Saint Hilaire de Riez has also thought of such an all-rounder and has laid the keel for the two Barracuda models 6 and 9.
The Barracuda 9 is a pleasant companion for life. You can take her out fishing or cruise elegantly to the nearest restaurant; she is equally suitable as a transporter or towing boat for water ski fans; rough water is always mastered with ease. The boat is available with or without a flybridge. If there are no more than four people on board, it is certified in CE category B (outside coastal waters). For more people, CE category C applies (near-shore waters).
In terms of workmanship, our test boat is polarising. The Alpi woodworking in the cabin area reveals stapler clips in the shelves above the folding tables, and some of the wooden edges lack a fine finish. The technical and electrical installations were also criticised, with a wild tangle of cables and hoses rubbing against corners and edges.
The engine installation is better, the supply pipes are fixed watertight in the engine hull wall. We are not satisfied with the angular plastic edges of the roof overhang and at the entrance to the living area. The fact that some of the plastic cut edges in the boat are not properly treated does not detract from the positive overall impression of the plastic finish. We give it a "good" rating, which is also due to the smooth inner shell.
Driving and manoeuvring
Our test boat is equipped with the Bénéteau air-step hull. This means that air is channelled under the floor during the journey, which should help the boat to sail more efficiently. Our test boat is equipped with two Mercury Verado four-stroke outboard engines. Thanks to the counter-rotating gearboxes, it drives straight ahead at the same engine speed and turns on the spot at slow speeds when one gearbox is in the forward position and the other in the reverse position. Mooring and casting off is no trouble at all, and the optional bow thruster is only required in the event of a disturbing crosswind or crosscurrent.
To keep the waves generated by the boat at a low level, we sail the slow passages at a maximum speed of 1500 rpm or at a speed of 6 knots. Around 3000 rpm or from 10 knots, the test boat begins to planing and lowers the bow barely noticeably from 3500 rpm to then rush across the water as a full glider. Within the speed range permitted by the manufacturer, we measured a top speed of 38 knots at 6300 rpm.
Economically, the test boat is travelling at a speed of 22 to 26 knots at fast planing speed when the engines are turning 4000-4500 rpm. In terms of range, this means a theoretical range of just over 220 nm at slow speed, 127 nm at economic speed and 85 nm at full throttle, plus 15% reserve in each case. This means that the test boat fulfils our requirement of a minimum range of 150 nm plus reserve only at slow speed.
The reactions during 180° turns at top speed dissolve into air, which is channelled under the hull to the propellers. The boat turns into the bends and quickly loses speed without rocking or hooking. The increasingly tighter bends are also unspectacular, with the test boat leaning slightly towards the centre of the bend and slowing down to a low planing speed on its own.
With the engines fully trimmed, the propellers start to ventilate from a turn diameter of around 50 metres. The air snapping stops when you steer out of the bends and the boat picks up speed again. A slight build-up of resistance in the hydraulic steering prevents overly hectic rudder movements, which limits the already harmless oscillation on the slalom course. When the rudder is jerked, the Barracuda willingly follows the course it has set.
The rough water behaviour of our test boat is pleasing and gives no cause for criticism, even if you have to adjust the ride a little. You have the most fun on the flybridge, where it is a bit draughty, but you hardly notice anything of the sea. The driver and crew can just see the anchor from the foredeck and nothing else that is happening directly in front of the boat. This tempts you (more so than at the lower helm station) to speed up the journey, even in rough seas. Down below, you can hear every "wave crash" visually and acoustically. Upstairs, neither; you can only feel the boat moving minimally through the waves because everything is very muffled.
On the mini flybridge, the carpool shares a common, non-adjustable bench seat. In the pilothouse, the driver and co. sit in bucket seats that take up a lot of space and are adjustable on all sides. There is comfortable and safe space in the boat both above and below. In the lower area, the co-driver has to get used to sitting in front of the open access to the living/sleeping area. The skipper has everything in view and under control at both driving positions and has access to all switches.
On the flybridge, a spoiler windscreen is designed to keep out the wind; below, you sit behind a large glass front and enjoy a reasonable all-round view. Ahead, two windscreen wipers with a modest wiping field ensure (limited) visibility in bad weather. An analogue compass is standard, the plumb bob can be purchased separately.
From 3000 rpm, the sound pressure in the cockpit rises above the 85 dB/A comfort limit. We still rate this as sufficient, as the measured values in the pilothouse or in the cabin with the doors open are lower.
Engine, tank, electrics
The shipyard specifically opted for outboard engines "because they make you more agile". This applies to the two 200 hp Mercury Verado engines. They respond well to the throttle and deliver propulsion when you need it. The boat is offered either with a maximum of two 200 hp engines or with a 300 hp outboard motor. You can choose between the brands Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Mercury, for which the equipment is pre-assembled in the Bénéteau shipyard for an additional charge.
The batteries are well mounted on the port side under the cockpit floor, accessible from above via a floor hatch. The associated main switches and fuses are located in the pilothouse under the seat bench behind a flap. The fuel tank is located in the centre under the cockpit floor. It is not visible when the large floor hatch is opened, as it is concealed from above so that the space above can be used for stowage.
The petrol flow is supposed to be regulated by solenoid valves that can be switched via the ignition. However, we didn't see any of these, nor did we see any fuel pre-filters, where the engine manufacturer is relied upon to clean the fuel. As neatly as the engines were installed on the outside, the below-deck area is a hustle and bustle and sometimes confusing. Only where you can look without straining your neck is everything organised.
Security
This is where the Barracuda 9 scores with its safe handling characteristics. We rate the cockpit interior height and the almost all-round handrail positively. In addition to electric bilge pumps, the bilge can also be steered manually and water in the cockpit runs unhindered outboard. We did not like the position of the sliding door handles in the pilothouse, which are better only touched at the top so that you don't accidentally crush your fingers when closing them.
Living, cockpit and equipment
The Barracuda 9 belongs more to the day cruiser family in terms of space and the limited headroom in the foredeck. There is an expansive bunk, where you have to decide whether to sleep lengthways or crossways due to the T-shape, as well as a separate room with a marine toilet and sink with shower hose fitting. There is plenty of storage space under the loungers and under the floor in the pilot house. However, the latter is almost filled with the two seemingly bulky bucket seats. To get to the rear bench, you have to wriggle between the seats. In keeping with the limited space, two folding tables are attached to the side walls.
There is no galley, but there is a separate cooker. If you want a fridge, you need to consider one of the three equipment packages "Avantage", "Elegance" or "Nordic" when buying a boat, which include extra accessories such as a bow thruster or water heater, along with various other items. A flybridge cover is not offered. Otherwise, the Barracuda 9 is equipped ready to go: with 230 V shore power, RINA-approved navigation lights, six mooring cleats (which we thought were too small), an anchor locker with bow fitting at the front, a stern bathing ladder with grab rail and a few other things. What we missed was a rubbing strake that really lives up to its name.
Data sheet: Barracuda 9
Shipyard: Bénéteau
Type designation: Barracuda 9
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 8,91 m
Width: 2,96 m
Displacement: 3,40 t
Price: 112.110,00 €
