No one can ever say that Iñigo Toledo of Barracuda Yacht Design is fresh out of new ideas. The concept project showcased here may be the same length as several other recent launches and new designs these days, but the Barracuda 70m, as she’s referred to, bucks the trend for packing in staterooms and multiple decks to maximize volume. As Toledo puts it, the 70-meter (229’7″) megayacht is intended to “claim back” the sleek proportions and more modest accommodations of the past.
Take, for example, the fact that there are only four guest staterooms. Many superyachts in this size range have a total of six. While those boats do have beautiful accommodations for friends and family, by keeping a smaller total headcount, Toledo’s design permits each stateroom to feature a bedroom plus a separate saloon/office area.
Even with the claim-back-the-past concept, the Barracuda 70m exhibits some thoroughly modern thinking. A bilge-deck tunnel runs the length of the yacht, connecting everything from the two-level engine and control room to the transom garage, to make the 16-person crew’s job of maintaining and operating the yacht easier. In addition, take a close look at Toledo’s drawing here: Each of the four guest staterooms is just a few paces away from hull doors to each side that form gym/beach areas. Imagine going for a morning swim and/or catching some rays without ever having to head up three levels to the sundeck. As for the owner, the suite has the customary large office, but it additionally includes a saloon with separate breakfast area. Skylights overhead in the suite are nice extra natural-lighting touches.
Speaking of nice touches, two hull doors are situated aft, to each side of the transom garage, permitting tenders to launch and be retrieved via overhead cranes. The yacht is also designed for touch-and-go helicopter operations on the upper deck. To make serving food and drinks to the upper-deck’s less-formal dining/coffee area and lounge easy, the Barracuda 70m calls for an adjacent second galley, just aft of the wheelhouse.
Envisioned as an all-aluminum yacht with a proportionately long waterline length, the Barracuda 70m is intended to achieve a 23-knot-plus top speed, thanks to twin 600-hp diesel engines.
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