Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the Start 6 was to democratize weekend cruising by offering a highly functional interior within a compact, twenty-foot footprint. Unlike many pocket cruisers of the late 1970s that relied on cramped, single-cabin "caves," Harlé maximized the boat's interior volume through clever ergonomics. The layout features two distinct sleeping areas: a semi-private forward V-berth separated from the main cabin by a curtain, and a salon configured with two lateral berths.
To solve the headroom limitations inherent in a boat of this size, Harlé incorporated an innovative pop-top companionway hatch. When anchored or moored, the hatch can be raised to increase the salon's headroom from a seated height of nearly four and a half feet to a standing height of over six feet. Built with a robust, low-maintenance structural fiberglass interior liner, the cabin is bright, dry, and easily cleaned. This design prioritized space and light, making it a highly attractive option for cruising couples or small families who wanted to avoid the heavy trailering demands and high slip fees of larger vessels.
Variations & Configurations
The most notable configuration choice for the Start 6 relates to its production era. Following the closure of Chantier Mallard, the tooling and design rights were acquired by Jeanneau, which rebranded the boat as the Bahia 22. While the hull lines remained identical, the Jeanneau Bahia featured a slightly heavier interior mold and a mast that was roughly nine inches taller to offset the added weight. Lake racers and class purists generally prefer the original Mallard-built Start 6 for its lighter laminate and superior light-air agility, while those prioritizing comfort and cosmetic refinements lean toward the Bahia.
Beneath the waterline, the boat features a single, highly specialized centerboard configuration. Rather than utilizing a standard swing-keel that retracts into a flat bilge, Harlé designed a shallow, ballasted fiberglass stub keel—often referred to as an "aileron"—to house a heavy, profiled cast-iron centerboard weighing nearly 198 pounds. This design places a significant portion of the ballast low in the stub keel, providing a lower center of gravity and stabilizing the boat even when the centerboard is fully retracted. The board is raised and lowered via a differential drum winch system, allowing the board to kick up harmlessly if it strikes an underwater obstacle.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The sailing dynamics of the Start 6 are defined by its light weight and generous sail plan. Sporting a high sail area-to-displacement ratio of 27.35 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 125.69, the boat behaves more like an agile racing dinghy than a plodding cruiser. It accelerates rapidly in light air and is exceptionally responsive off the wind. The 3/4 fractional sloop rig keeps the headsails relatively small, which makes tacking easy and allows for effortless short-handed sailing.
With a low comfort ratio of 8.49 and a capsize screening formula of 2.72, the Start 6 is initially tender and lively. It reacts quickly to crew weight and heels rapidly when the breeze climbs above twelve to fifteen knots. To keep the boat sailing flat and to prevent the rudder from stalling, skipper and crew must be active with sail trim, and the mainsail should be reefed early. Despite this initial tenderness, the profiled cast-iron centerboard provides excellent lateral resistance. This allows the Start 6 to point remarkably high and sail efficiently to windward, outperforming many shallow-draft pocket cruisers of its generation.
Known Issues & Triage
The primary structural concern for any aging Start 6 is the integrity of the centerboard trunk and its lifting mechanism. The internal walls of the fiberglass trunk are subject to wear from the heavy cast-iron board. Water intrusion can occur if the pivot pin shaft becomes loose or if stress cracks develop in the surrounding laminate. Buyers must inspect the trunk carefully for structural rot or previous poor-quality repairs. The differential drum winch system must also be verified, as corrosion can seize the drum and snap the lifting cable.
On deck, the factory placement of the winches is a common source of frustration; they are positioned too far aft in the cockpit, which makes them awkward to grind under load. Additionally, the original deck layout lacked a proper genoa sheet car adjusting system, limiting headsail trim efficiency in heavy air. Finally, the deck chainplates require close inspection, as neglected leaks at these deck penetrations can migrate down and weaken the structural bulkheads over time.
Modernization & Upgrades
Many veteran owners have modernized the Start 6 to improve its usability and safety. Leading all halyards, reefing lines, and control lines aft to clutches and organizers on the cabin top is a highly recommended upgrade. This modification allows the helmsman to manage the sails entirely from the safety of the companionway, effectively neutralizing the awkward ergonomics of the factory aft winches.
The electrical and propulsion systems are also prime candidates for modernization. Replacing heavy, original lead-acid batteries with a lightweight lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack significantly reduces weight in the stern. When paired with a small, flexible solar panel on the cabin top, this setup provides more than enough clean energy to power modern VHF radios, depth sounders, and USB charging ports. Given the boat's light displacement, many owners have also transitioned from heavy, noisy four-stroke outboard motors to lightweight electric outboards. An electric motor provides ample torque for tight marina maneuvers while eliminating the weight, fuel storage, and maintenance headaches of a gasoline engine.
The Verdict
The Start 6 remains an outstanding example of clever French naval architecture, packing surprising cruising accommodations and spirited sailing performance into a trailerable package. While it is too light and tender for offshore passages, it is highly prized as a coastal "gunkholer" capable of sneaking into knee-deep waters and beaching where keelboats cannot go. For sailors seeking a low-cost, high-fun entry into pocket cruising, its combination of design pedigree, interior space, and sailing agility is difficult to beat.
Pros
- Responsive sailing performance with excellent light-air agility.
- Profiled, heavy cast-iron centerboard provides superior upwind pointing ability.
- Pop-top companionway hatch delivers impressive standing headroom at anchor.
- Extremely shallow draft with the board up, ideal for beaching and easy ramp launching.
- Semi-private double cabin layout is highly innovative for a twenty-foot boat.
Cons
- Low comfort ratio results in a lively, motion-sensitive ride in choppy seas.
- High initial tenderness requires early reefing and active crew weight placement.
- Vulnerable centerboard trunk and differential drum require diligent maintenance.
- Awkward factory cockpit winch placement makes sail trimming mechanically inefficient.
- High freeboard relative to length increases windage, making close-quarters docking in crosswinds a challenge.
