Description
The Chrysler Barracuda, often referred to as the Barracuda 13 or C-13 Barracuda, is a compact fiberglass daysailer produced by Chrysler Marine, a division of the Chrysler Corporation. Designed by renowned naval architect Gus Lönnberg (also known as Gus Linell) and initially built by Lone Star Boat Co. starting in 1964, it was acquired by Chrysler in 1965 when the company purchased Lone Star to expand its boating division. This small sailboat shares its name with the iconic Plymouth Barracuda car introduced the same year, leveraging Chrysler's automotive branding for marketing appeal. The Barracuda was aimed at beginners, families, and casual sailors, offering an affordable, trailerable entry into sailing with simple, forgiving handling. It's a scow-hulled design with a daggerboard for shallow-water access, making it ideal for lakes, protected bays, or youth programs.
Production was limited, primarily in the mid-1960s at Chrysler's Plano, Texas facility, as part of their broader sailboat lineup that included models like the Mutineer 15 and Buccaneer 18. Chrysler emphasized quality construction, using techniques like Foam-Pac (riveting deck and hull, gelcoat with UV protection, and polyurethane foam flotation for buoyancy and rigidity). The boat was available in lateen or cat rig configurations, with the cat rig being more common for its simplicity.
