The boats in the Pogo programme are well known for the ultimate combination of ocean racing and the demands of family and touring sailing. Hardly any other brand pursues and masters this difficult compromise as consistently as the yacht builders in Benodet. The current line of their "Bateaux Croisière" currently comprises four types between 30 and 50 feet in length.
With the new Pogo 44, the shipyard is now committed to line maintenance, but is keeping the somewhat smaller, long-serving Pogo 12.50 (YACHT 1/2012) in its programme. The designers from the Finot/Conq office have been commissioned to radically update their own design from back then and completely rebuild it. The wide stern with the flat frame is striking; double rudder blades are therefore unavoidable. Unlike the 12.50, however, the new Pogo 44 will only be available with the hydraulic swivelling keel; a fixed keel will no longer be offered. The draughts of at least 1.38 to 3.10 metres when the ballast fin is fully swivelled out are remarkable.
Another exciting feature is the design of the deck with the cabin superstructure, which is conspicuously retracted towards the front, similar to its little sister Pogo 36 (test in YACHT 1/2017). The forward-angled superstructure windows also allow a clear view forward and into the sails below deck. The shipyard can also save pounds thanks to the reduced-area deck structures. In general, maximising weight savings is an important issue for Pogo. With a weight of just 5.9 tonnes, the 44 will be a real flyweight in comparison, despite a fully-fledged interior and a not inconsiderable amount of ballast in the keel. The shipyard manufactures both the hulls and the decks using a vacuum infusion process with a foam core throughout.
Pogo Structures builds all boats with double tiller steering, even the large models. For the new Pogo 44, however, two steering wheels will be available as an option. For this, the customer must choose between the standard aluminium rig and a carbon fibre rig. The carbon fibre option without backstay allows a flatter mainsail with a widely flared sail head (square head) to be used. The rig is positioned very far aft on deck, even behind the centre of the boat. This makes the genoa very large in comparison. With a value of just under 5.9, the sail carrying capacity is well above the average for comparable performance boats. A small stay jib and a rollable code zero will also be available as options. In "normal operation", all headsails remain in a row, just like on a Class 40 or Imoca 60.
Inside, the boat will be fitted with two spacious double cabins aft, with the option of one or two cabins in the foredeck. And instead of the second toilet room at the front, a separate shower cabin could also be realised here. In the saloon, the galley is realised as a long row with large work surfaces and plenty of storage space to the side. The L-shaped seating area is positioned opposite around the fold-down saloon table.
The prototype of the new Pogo 44 is now under construction and should be ready in July of this year. The French have also already announced an initial price for the new model: Equipped with a 50 hp inboard from Volvo Penta and Saildrive, the racy Frenchwoman will cost 323,340 euros ex shipyard, including 19 per cent VAT, but still without sails and without electronics.
Pogo 3, Mini 6.50, series boat
