Barracuda Beachcomber Ultralight
7 reviews
I purchased two Beachcomber Ultralights way back in 2007 and both are still going strong 18 years later. The only issue has been the deterioration of the elastics that hold the hatches on, etc. but parts are available. As others have said, the boat doesn't track particularly well in a straight line with the rudder up (but it will do fantastic… Read more
360's and turn quickly to get out of trouble on tight creeks). It does much better with weight in the hatches, and I have no trouble tracking when it's fully loaded for camping trips, despite sitting a lot lower in the water. Due to the light weight and high front I found it impossible to roll it when I did a course, so that's a skill I'll never master in this boat, and the front bobs around in waves (a 10lt water bladder in the front hatch fixes this issue). Thigh braces may help with control if you're small like me. The boat is also super tough - it's been dropped nose first onto concrete, scraped over rocks and tree branches and survived. It's easy for novice paddlers (with the rudder) and comfortable for long distance treks. I've always carried it in cradles as the side seams are very strong and this avoids denting the hull if you're tying down tight for long drives. If you want a good, reliable, lightweight touring boat for recreational paddling on rivers, lakes and calm water seas it's ideal. I'd get something more serious if I wanted to do major sea crossings where the ability to roll is essential.
Great manoeuvrability – A couple of people have criticised the tracking of this boat and there is no doubt that it is not the best when it comes to straight line tracking… but the other side of that coin is that this boat has excellent manoeuvrability and is really good in the shore break and for navigating through narrow passages of water. And with the rudder it is actually still OK at tracking in a straight line…
I still like my Beachcomber – Now 9 years old, the Barracuda Beachcomber kayak is still going strong. I recently had two novice paddlers try it out and they were both quite comfortable and in control of the boat, even on their initial paddles - (remember though that I have fitted thigh braces, for better body-boat contact.) I recently went for a paddle near Bundeena and rode… Read more
a 1 metre swell for about 100 metres in distance, what a blast that was. A photo of me in Sydney Harbour is attached. I still love this boat for small surf and choppy water action, but do also like the Enigma (Barracuda) for longer journeys, as that is a bit faster paddling it in a straight line. Happy paddling. Astrolote.
Very light but tracks awfully without rudder – I'd strongly agree with Tom's report, the handling is awful. I was attracted by it's weight and with it being plastic it's toughness. But it track's awfully and a devil to keep straight with the rudder up. Otherwise it's got neat features, a decent carrying capacity, nice small storage area inside the cockpit, secure hatches etc. However I was glad to get rid of it, without too much financial loss. Show details
There are far better choices out there for the price – I bought mine almost 3 years ago on the basis that it was one of the lightest and toughest models out there which was true but after paddling a range of other kayaks since then I am regretting my purchase. The handling is horrible, there is no feel between the paddler, the boat and the water. Other kayaks that I have paddled since respond… Read more
amazingly to paddle stokes and edging, really connecting the paddler to the water, the barracuda feels like a big awkward barge (suprisingly larger kayaks feel much more nimble than this boat) and if the rudder is up the kayak is almost uncontrollable, it spins and rotates as it wishes, there is no subtle control, nothing. I feel sorry for the person who is paddling in open water and it gets rough and then their rudder breaks, you are in for hell. I have paddled other kayaks with the rudder and skeg up 'in 25 knot winds' and they track straight and true, one paddle stroke and some edging and they respond beautifully. If you are a serious paddler you won't be considering this kayak but if you are a beginner save yourself the hassle and get something else, there are plenty of similarly priced options out there that are far far superior. As an extra gripe about this boat, it developed a crack where the foot rest is bolted to the hull (badly designed feature) and trying to get the manufacturer to offer some advice or help was just about impossible, thanks for nothing barracuda... It's lightweight and reasonably tough compared to a fibreglass boat The terrible handling, there is no feel between the paddler, the boat and the water. If the rudder breaks on this kayak it is nearly impossible to control. it is a barge.
BEACHCOMBER BARRACUDA SEA KAYAK – We purchased out Beachcomber Barracuda in 2008. My wife paddles it, I have a Pacific Kayaks "Storm" sea kayak. The Barracuda is faster and more manoverable, it is also easy to enter and exit due to the large cockpit. The weight is great and easy to carry and load onto the car.We only paddle in still water such as rivers and Morteon Bay, not in… Read more
surf or open water. We have had no problems with it and find it very stable at 600mm wide. Sure there are faster kayaks out there but you sacrifice stability for speed.We don't want to spend time upside down in the water. The boat tracks well with the rudder down and sits flat in the water.Would recommend it to others. Weight, stability,easy to use. nothing
An absolute cracker! – Light weight (17kg), very maneuverable, great in small surf or flowing river, or a lazy lake paddle, good storage space. Great steering system (counter balanced rudder) makes it really responsive and is great for getting out of tricky situations.In short great multi purpose boat for weekend paddler whether going for a splash or kitting up and… Read more
going for a few days. Good rocker, high nose for getting through chop. Quick to respond in current (handy when dodging trees,stumps etc). Tracks very straight due to whopper of a rudder. Seat back is fairly agricultural. Due to light weight crosswind or crosschop can make life a bit interesting.
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