Pogo 8.50 Information, Review, Specs

The Pogo 8.50 cemented POGO Structures' position as a leader in innovative, fast, and accessible yachts. With 180 units built between 1999 and 2010, it became a pivotal model that offered sailors a taste of offshore racing performance without sacrificing the joys of family cruising.

History and Design

The creation of the Pogo 8.50 in 1999 was a natural evolution for POGO Structures, building upon the success of its smaller sibling, the Pogo 6.50. Designer Pierre Rolland aimed to retain the high-performance features that made the 6.50 so notable while incorporating more comfort for family cruising and high-speed Atlantic surfing capabilities. POGO Structures, founded by Christian Bouroullec, has always been driven by a passion for building modern, enjoyable sailing boats. Their ethos centered on creating wide, light hulls that excel in all conditions and on all points of sail.

While POGO Structures would later generalize the use of vacuum infusion across all models by 2004—a technique that produces lighter, stronger, and more consistent laminates—the Pogo 8.50 was already benefiting from the builder's commitment to robust, yet lightweight construction. The design features a distinctive wide, flat hull form, reminiscent of a fast racing dinghy, which contributes to its planing ability. There is no information to suggest significant variations or mark versions (e.g., MkI, MkII) during its production run.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Pogo 8.50's design ratios underscore its performance-oriented nature. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 26.8, she is well-powered, suggesting excellent performance in light air and the ability to accelerate quickly. Her displacement to length ratio of around 136 is very low, classifying her as a light, performance-oriented boat designed for speed and responsiveness, especially off the wind. While her ballast to displacement ratio of about 0.30 is relatively low compared to heavier displacement cruisers, this is typical for a boat designed to be light and fast, relying more on form stability from her wide hull.

Owners and reviewers frequently praise the Pogo 8.50 for its stable and balanced feel, both upwind and downwind, thanks in part to her twin rudders and generous 11.81-foot beam. She is known to be a "dry boat," even in challenging conditions. The Pogo 8.50 is recognized for its ability to plane, offering an exhilarating sailing experience. While it requires active sailing and potentially frequent sail changes to extract maximum performance, many find it a "charming boat to sail". Her bulb keel and twin rudders contribute to her precision and control under sail.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its focus on performance, the Pogo 8.50 offers a surprisingly spacious and practical interior for its size, largely due to its wide hull form. The layout typically includes an open-plan forepeak, which can serve as a V-berth, alongside a practical galley and chart table area. A double cabin and a dedicated heads compartment are usually found aft. Reviewers note that the interior provides approximately 6 feet, 1 inch (1.87 meters) of headroom, which is commendable for a boat of this length.

The interior finish tends to be functional, reflecting its performance cruising ethos, often featuring well-integrated fiberglass elements complemented by some wood trim. Storage is generally adequate for coastal cruising and shorter offshore passages. While specific details on ventilation aren't widely documented, the emphasis on practical and livable spaces suggests thoughtful consideration for airflow in a boat designed for active use.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Pogo 8.50 consistently highlight its solid construction and spirited sailing capabilities as key strengths. They often appreciate its ability to perform well in various conditions and its stable behavior due to the wide hull and twin rudders. The Pogo 8.50 is frequently chosen by sailors looking for a boat suitable for shorthanded racing and fast cruising. The robust build, typical of POGO Structures, instills confidence for offshore adventures.

However, some owners note that achieving peak performance requires effort and active sail management, including potentially frequent sail changes due to its large sail plan. While the boat is generally well-regarded for its interior space relative to its length, some minor issues like sound system quality or ease of cleaning in certain areas have been mentioned in rental contexts. Overall, the Pogo 8.50 maintains a strong community of enthusiastic owners who value its unique blend of speed, safety, and cruising practicality.