BARLETTA C24UC
Barletta’s C-Class marks the builder’s first foray into an entry-level category. This boat shares many of the construction details, fit and finish, and overall attention to detail we’ve noted aboard Barletta’s high-end offerings. Ibeam crossmembers are bolted to welded risers, with V.I.P. technology: polyurethane rubber isolation pads placed anywhere aluminum meets aluminum. Power Biminis come standard, rather than being a pricey add-on. Furniture proves plush and comfortable. And yes, there’s still a pull-out doggie dish.
The C24 UC combines two bow couches (one is 6 feet, 2 inches in length, the other is 6 feet, 8 inches) with twin captains’ chairs amidships and a versatile Ultra Lounge aft. Bow couches feature generous thigh bolsters and pillow tops, with integrated storage below.
Captains’ chairs are comfortably high-backed, with flip-down armrests. It’s the Ultra Lounge, however, that should prove a crew favorite. Upright, it’s a 4-foot-10-inch bench seat, with a spacious sun pad behind. Pivot the seatback forward and form a mega-recliner. Lower it fully flat and that sun pad grows to a full 6 feet, 6 inches by 5 feet. In this position, you also can raise one or both of the aft-most cushions to create a forwardfacing recliner.
As you might expect on an entry-level model, the helm is somewhat minimal, but it’s still full fiberglass, with a pair of chrome-rimmed, analog combo gauges front and center on the dash and a standard Lowrance 4x Hook GPS fish finder set off to the right. The premium steering wheel is surprisingly stylish for the price point. Stereo controls are within arm’s reach, as are a neat row of chrome-accent rocker switches.
Throttle the Mercury 200 outboard up and the C24, riding on a trio of 25-inch pontoons, smoothly transitions right onto plane, never presenting any notable bow rise to interrupt the captain’s forward view. Turn the wheel over and the C24 banks into corners with the same silkiness of its flagship siblings. Thirty miles per hour is reached in 6.7 seconds. Top speed peaked at 37.2 mph.