"Les course au large" is what the French call deep-sea sailing, which enjoys almost cult status, especially in western France, and whose successful protagonists are celebrated as the great heroes. The Pogo Structures shipyard in Combrit in Brittany is firmly rooted in the scene. The small Pogos 6.50 are particularly well known and are used by young sailors to lay the foundations for a career in offshore sailing.
The Pogos are now also available in larger versions. The Pogo 12.50 (YACHT 1/2012) was even awarded the title of European Yacht of the Year 2012 just this spring. And, with the brand new Pogo 50, the Innovative shipyard is now even presenting a vessel over 15 metres in length. The new flagship successfully completed its first test runs a few days ago with the designers, technicians and mast builders involved. Shipyard manager Charly Fernbach reports: "Everyone on board was amazed at the potential of the Pogo 50. The boat sailed very stiffly and everything on board worked perfectly.
The Pogo shipyard concept remains untouched in the new 50. This means a strong reference to the designs of current ocean racing yachts with a super-wide stern, huge sail area and an enormous draught. However, as a special feature with a swivelling keel. The fin with a deep ballast lump can be raised hydraulically, reducing the draught from 3.50 metres to just 1.50 metres. The wide stern also requires double rudder blades. As with the large Open 60', the boat is steered with two tiller wheels, but two wheels are also possible.
The Pogo 50 is built as a fibreglass sandwich construction using the vacuum infusion process. With a total weight of just 8.9 tonnes, the boat is relatively light in comparison, despite the complete interior fittings, which meet all comfort requirements with three generously dimensioned cabins and two wet cells.
The shipyard has not yet announced the price of the Pogo 50. The exciting ship will be officially presented for the first time at the Grand Pavois trade fair in La Rochelle (19 - 24 September).
The technical data:
Length (hull length): 15.20 m
Overall length with bowsprit: 16.15 m
Width: 5.15 m
Draught with canting keel: 1.50 - 3.50 m
Weight: 8.9 tonnes
Mainsail: 88 m2
Genoa: 63 m2
Trinquette: 35 m2
Gennaker: 200 m2
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
