Barracuda 45's

[JohnOwen]

Barracuda 45\'s

I had the great pleasure of sailing on a Barracuda 45 Named Kracktit many times in the early 90’s and have never since found a yacht that gets the adrenaline flowing in the way that she did. I am interested to find out any information on this boat or any of the other’s that where built which isn’t very many 18 or 19 I think is all that Sadlers produced. I would also be interested to find out where the moulds are and if there is any plans to bring this boat back into production.

 

[hugh_nightingale]

Re: Barracuda 45\'s

As used in the series "Howards Way" I believe.

Look up:

http://www.sadlerandstarlight.co.uk/

and go to "the boats"

It used to be a favourite of mine as well though I never sailed on one.

Hugh

 

[Guest]

Re: Barracuda 45\'s

"RonHilda" based in Itchenor is still around. I sailed on it once. Very fast but I didn't like the internal layout with the lifting keel.

 

[brianhumber]

Re: Barracuda 45\'s

Hi Arcturus, this is Brian, I am still in Itchenor, laid up at the moment (see the other forum) waiting a new mast. With new mast, main and geny should be able to crack on a bit faster in the future, have continued the refurbishments so she looks a lot better now even if I say so myself, want another spin this Autumn? and I still feel being able to wedge yourself in to cook or Nav against the keel box is safer in a heavy sea than an open saloon.

 

[charles_reed]

Re: Barracuda 45\'s & other Tony Castro designs

Isn't it interesting, how many Tony Castro designs seem to enjoy mast failure.

 

[brianhumber]

Re: Barracuda 45\'s & other Tony Castro designs

Nothing to do with the design Charles, one of the welds in the fitting had no fusion at all between the compoents ( at sea this was known as chicken s*** welding). I have no hesitation about replacing with a new selden mast, I did have a problem as a Chartered Marine Engineer accepting the insurers offer of a repair that entailed 2/3kgs of additional weight almost at the top of the mast and they refused provide any design cals as well. I have been out in 50kts in Ronhilda and she will look after me quite happily until my bottle runs out in heavy weather which is as it should be.

 

[charles_reed]

Re: Barracuda 45\'s & other Tony Castro designs

I've got some lovely shots of cyclic fatigue failure on my mast - the insurers repudiated.
Insisted, with the mast manufacturer's principals, that the stability calcs be re-run - guess what, a 40% increase in cross-sectional area.
No QA faults (I think) just under-spec.
Daughter is just doing the SPARC analysis on the stubs, which I flew back to Southampton, so we'll know for sure soon.

If you're interested, e-mail me, I've some photos.

 

[alant]

Re: Barracuda 45\'s

'Barracuda of Tarrant' the 'original Howard's Way - built for Bob Fisher was still in Haslar last year & sailed like a dream. Big main & able to be steered easily by a small lady without recourse to large muscles- no weather helm (or tendancy towards lee helm).