“I feel like I am paddling a proper boat.”

This may be the ultimate endorsement for a packraft, a watercraft that is both unique and fun and often uncomfortable, cumbersome, and meandering in how they track on the water.

Not the MRS Barracuda.

In the past, serious North American packrafters turned to Alpacka. Alpacka had a stranglehold on the rafting market in terms of quality and performance (to be clear, they are still excellent boats). There were serviceable, and certainly more affordable, options, but packrafters and adventure racers alike knew that there was truly only one outfitter if you cared about the quality of the boat and how it would perform.

Enter MRS. Founded in 2007, MRS has largely evolved on the international market, but outdoor enthusiasts in the US are slowly catching on that MRS boats are worth a closer look. Increasingly, elite international adventure racing teams show up to events with boats crafted by MRS, and one AR World Championship podium finisher recently declared the tandem Barracuda to be the single best packraft on the market for adventure racers.
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Our initial experiences with the Barracuda confirm that this very well may be true, especially with Alpacka’s decision to discontinue production of the iconic Gnu, the boat serious paddlers turned to historically. At expedition Oregon, we found that the Barracuda was significantly faster than the newer iteration of the Alpacka Gnu, and reports from some racing friends who also purchased this MRS tandem confirmed the same thing at a local 24-hour race. In short, for teams looking to maximize their investment, the MRS Barracuda has emerged as the fastest, and most comfortable, tandem boat on the market.

What do we Love?

1. Speed. As noted, it’s fast, and we see why it has become a popular boat among on the international racing scene. Alpacka is the king of the North American market, but we wonder if that would be true if more people tried out the MRS?
2. Tracking. It tracks very well. With an easy-to-attach skeg, this raft really travels like a kayak.
3. Responsiveness. In our initial test runs, the boat handles well, turning and responding naturally and easily.
4. Spacious. Longer than the older Gnus and many other tandems, we were able to sit down in the inflatable seats with legs stretched out ahead of us. Taller paddlers will surely be a bit more compressed, but this is the roomiest tandem packraft we have used.
5. Inflation. Inflating the Barracuda was similar to other standard packrafts. It comes with a two-way inflation valve and a standard inflation bag. We liked that the inflation bag was a bit sturdier than some we have seen and used. It may weigh a bit more as a result, but it feels more durable; we expect it will hold up well over time. Without any hustle, we had the boat inflated in four minutes and fully ready to go in five. With an electronic inflater, it will take no time at all.
6. Position. With inflated seats, we were positioned well over the water. Compared to many rafts that require creative and often uncomfortable seating solutions, we simply sat and went. No adjustments necessary, and we were well positioned to paddle with an easy, natural stroke.
7. Weight. Tipping the scales at 11.2 pounds, the boat may not be the absolute lightest, but for an extra pound or two, the performance and comfort gains are worth it. We need to get it on a scale, however, as we remarked on the feeling that it weighed less than advertised. 

So, are there any cons? 

1. Cost. Some will undoubtedly point to the price tag. Compared to some brands, yes, $1,300 for the entry-level Barracuda will force many racers to consider whether they want to throw down that kind of money. That said, we don’t think any other boats actually meet the value of the Barracuda. Consider that Alpacka doubles are hundreds of dollars more, and reports from overseas suggest they cannot keep up with the Barracuda. In short, the Barracuda is worth the extra money for a boat with its strengths, and in the market of higher-end packrafts, it’s priced fairly. If you want a boat that offers this kind of durability, performs well, and is as spacious and comfortable as the Barracuda, you will have to invest. We think it’s worth it if you can make it happen.
2. No bells or whistles, BUT… We have the stripped-down version of the Barracuda. You can’t store gear in the hull; there is no spray deck. The good news is, MRS can work with you on this. For a fee, you can install an Internal Storage System (ISS), and the Barracuda R2 Pro comes with a spray deck.
   
3. Not ideal for technical water, BUT... As is true of any boat, tandem packrafts, even with spray decks, are not necessarily ideal for more technical whitewater. That said, few races include such paddling, so having a boat like this for flat water and more gentle river paddling will likely be the best option for most adventure racers in most races. 

Concluding Thoughts

​We have been paddling and racing in the Alpacka Gnu since 2015. We love that boat. Over the years, the only boat that rivaled it was a newer edition of Gnu, which is no longer in production. Simply put, the Barracuda outperforms the Gnu by a clear margin. If you are in the market for a new boat with racing in mind, take a good long hard look at MRS. You won’t be disappointed.
 
And if you are participating in the Endless Mountains Adventure Race, you are eligible for a discount from MRS. Get in touch with us and we will help you get set up!

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