Pogo12.50. The reference setter

Awarded European Yacht of the Year 2012, the Pogo12.50 became quickly the reference fast cruiser. As of 2016, our fleet consists of four Pogo12.50s, ideal for some “unoficial” match racing! Designed by Finot-Conq and built by Pogo Structures in France, she does not hide her oceanic racing roots: robust structure, wide beam, form stability, double tillers, deep keel, carbon mast, square top main…after all she shares the exact same hull as the Class 40 racer Pogo40S2. With voluminous shape, she offers plenty of cockpit and interior comfort, that can only be found in cruisers at least 10ft longer.

Speed

We are talking about a truly fast saiboat. Not an IRC/ORC “optimized” floating caravan….
 
Enjoy gliding at 8…10…15 kts with ease, comfort and safety. Max boat speed for the Pogo12.50 so far is 24.8kts!
 
This is how it is possible:
 
Super powered:
  • Sail area /Displacement2/3 =  34.34 for upwind (D=5.5t, Upwind SA = 107m² )
  • Sail area /Displacement2/3 = 69.96 for downwind. (D=5.5t,  Downwind SA=218 m²)

Optimized hull:

  • Flat hull shape optimized for planing both upwind and downwind
  • Pronounced rocker => minimal drag in light airs + bow up when sailing downwind in strong breeze
 The Crazy Polar Diagrams and VMG graphs. We like to see them compared to those of the X-41:
  • At equal true wind speeds up to 10kts, the Pogo12.50 is up to 4kts faster…
  • for stronger winds >10kts the Pogo12.50 gets crazy!
  • for TWS= 8 – 12 kts they have equal upwind VMG,
  • for TWS >12kts, the stronger it blows the more Pogo12.50 outperforms the X-41 in upwind VMG
  • Downwind VMG is always higher

Certainly Polar Diagrams are theoretical predictions assuming certain “ideal” conditions (perfect trimming, sails’ conditions, steering etc). However, they do provide however a useful tool when it comes to comparing yachts. Double digit boat speed sensations are now for everybody!

Comfort

Interior and exterior comfort that you can only find in much bigger yachts.

Interiors: 3 cabins, WC with shower, hot water, full kitchen, fridge, storage, excellent ventilation

Deck: Large and unobstructed cockpit, cockpit shower, low diving platform

Sailing fast does not have to be uncomfortable!

Safety

Absolute safety. Sail relaxed, feel and be safe at all times, no compromise on that! Safety comes from 5 basic characteristics: Robust structure, Stability, Unsinkability, Offshore design, Speed potential Robust structure:

  • Hull reinforced both longitudinally and transversally
  • All bulkheads are structurally integrated
  • Extra reinforcement on highly stressed areas of hull and deck (winches, rudder pits, engine etc.)
  • Keel pivots backwards to absorb a grounding shock
  • Structures naval yard construction quality

Stability:

  • Very low center of gravity – below the hull. 1.9 out of the 2.0tons of total keel weight,  located at the lowest part from -2m to -3m.
  • Keel/Displacement ratio is at 2.0/5.5=36.4% (most cruising yachts have <30% , most racer/cruisers are rarely above 35%)
  • Significant righting moment
    • Form stability (4.5m beam compared to ~3.5m in conventional boats of similar length)
    • 3.0m deep keel
    • max righting moment of 6.3tm @ 65o or equivalently max righting arm of 1.145m (Most racer/cruisers are rarely above 0.8m…)
    • AVS (angle of vanishing stability) = 124o, with keel down
    • AVS = 100o with keel up.
    • Even with the keel lifted, the Pogo12.50 could be classified as a Class B Design Category under ISO 12217 (minimum required AVS= 130o -0.005xDisplacement = 130o -0.005×5500 = 102.5o >95o)
  • Twin rudders inclined to leeward.
    • Always a rudder fully submerged for control.
    • Rudder stands ~vertical => no hydrodynamic lift => steering is always soft and responsive
    • When downwind both the rudders in the water => extra stability.
    • When upwind only one of the rudders remains submerged => reduced drag

Un-sinkability:

  • Buoyancy foam below front and aft cabins
  • Watertight aft and bow crash compartments

Offshore design:

  • All controls and manoeuvres are cockpit lead.
  • All winches are close to the cockpit’s central axis. The crew does not have to lean towards the yacht’s extremity for monoeuvring
  • No permanently fixed table that can seriously hurt the crew during rough seas
  • Banks protect from incoming waves
  • Open aft section for immediate drainage in case a wave breaks into the cockpit.
  • Watertight sliding door is not the classic detachable panel type, but always in place, and ready to be closed at any time
  • Life-raft is stored permanently within the cockpit for immediate access and safe deployment in case of emergency

Speed: Being fast is an element of safety per se:

  • reach shelter quickly
  • escape from a weather front

Technical Specifications

Pogo12.50

Hull,  deck & rigging  
 Length overall 12.50m
Max beam 4.5m
Draft 3.0m/1.4m
Light displacement 5.5t
Mast Carbon
Boom Aluminum/Carbon (only for Hermes)
Bowsprit Carbon, retractable
Steering system Twin rudders, Tiller
Motor Volvo Penta D1-30 HP
Propeller 2-blade folding
Navigation Category  ISO 12217 A – unsinkable

 

Sailplan:  
Mainsail Square top 63 m²
Genoa 44 m²
Staysail on removable stay 27m²
Asymmetric spinnaker A2 155 m²
Asymmetric spinnaker A5 120 m²
Gennaker/Code 0 85 m²

 

Interiors / Amenities  
double cabins 3
single bed 1+1 folding to double
Kitchen  
WC with shower 1