OWNERS’ PERSPECTIVES

Richard Hargreaves was looking to replace his 28ft long keel Twister with a modern boat that sails really well when the Pogo 30 test by Yachting World's Toby Hodges piqued his interest.

“I found a simple, light, very strong sailboat, put together by people who enjoy sailing fast and efficiently,” he says. “Sailing it downwind with the kite up, bearing away on the face of a wave at 16 knots felt like a slightly more loaded up 505.”

He then couldn’t resist the 36 when it launched. “The transition from displacement to planing is seamless,” he says. “Suddenly you are doing 10 knots and all that’s happened is it’s become quieter. I’ve sailed both boats in Force 8 – they feel solidly planted on the water and secure, with power to punch through a seaway, without huge sheet loads.”

Ian Baylis owns a 12.50 in which he completed the ARC with his family. For his next boat, even though “7 knots of wind gives 5 knots of boat speed,” he would like larger fuel tanks, which the 44 provides (and later became an option for 12.50s).

He would also like more stowage, which the 44’s larger forecabin provides, though there’s proportionately less extra volume on deck. Baylis remains a fan of the Pogo concept: “The formula is pretty near perfect – 100 odd boats in the queue across the range validates that.”