Pegasus 700 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

At just over seven metres overall, with a beam of nearly two and a half metres, the Pegasus 700 offers cabin volume and usability well beyond what its size might suggest.

Design and Construction

The 700’s fiberglass hull and lightweight construction are central to its character. Period reviews describe it as lightweight and note that this, together with its balanced rig, allows the boat to pick up speed quickly while retaining comfort and control.

Most hulls had twin bilge keels, but deep-fin-keel, shallower-wing-keel, lifting-keel, and centreplate versions were also produced. This range allowed owners to match the boat’s draft to their local waters. The boat’s shallow draft makes it ideal for sheltered inland routes such as the Norfolk Broads, while the complete package is light enough to tow behind a family car.

Early Rydgeway boats and later Oulton Broad builds share the same basic brief: a well-balanced small yacht that combines ease of use with versatile, affordable cruising.

Rig and Handling

The Pegasus 700’s behavior under sail is a large part of its lasting appeal as a beginner-friendly cruiser. It is widely regarded as stable, speedy, and maneuverable. Commentators particularly note its forgiving sailing characteristics and responsive handling: the boat gets into the groove quickly and is amazingly responsive, whether sailing upwind or running.

The masthead version carried a deck-stepped mast positioned well back from the bow, together with a large furling genoa and a high-aspect Bermudan mainsail on a very short boom. A later fractional-rigged version moved the mast forward and lengthened the boom. An optional Gunter-rigged arrangement placed the mast farther forward still.

The mast can be raised with the “A” frame. Many owners sail the boat single-handed, helped by its manageable rig and responsive feel. It performs well upwind and downwind, stays stable in moderate conditions, and is easy to control solo.

Accommodation

For such a small yacht, the interior is one of the 700’s strongest features. Sources describe it as extremely spacious, with six-foot headroom and an amount of interior room that commentators consider remarkable for a boat of this size.

The cabin-mounted mast and efficient layout provide useful cabin space for a family. Although the finishes are basic, the volume and headroom make the Pegasus 700 a genuinely practical pocket cruiser rather than a glorified daysailer. That space, combined with its gentle, stable ride, helps explain why it is so often described as a perfect family cruiser and a reliable family daysailer.

Keel and Engine Variants

Most Pegasus 700s carried twin bilge keels, but the model’s other keel options broadened its range of uses. One owner account mentions a wing-keel hull with an inboard diesel as a variant worth seeking.

Known Issues and Maintenance

Engineers report few problems with the Pegasus 700, and the main caveats are the ordinary ones associated with an older boat. Depending on age and upkeep, a particular example may require upgrades. Its performance is also limited compared with that of modern yachts.

Routine seasonal work includes servicing the sails, spars, standing rigging, and running rigging, as well as cleaning the interior. The hull and antifouling paint also need attention if the boat is sailed in salt water.

The Verdict

The Pegasus 700 is a highly regarded small cruising yacht that has earned a place among the best entry-level cruising yachts available. It combines a roomy, family-friendly cabin with forgiving, responsive handling and a draft suited to both inland and coastal waters—all in a towable, affordable package.

Its finish is basic, and its performance is limited compared with today’s designs. Even so, it remains one of the most reliable and beginner-friendly small cruising yachts afloat.

Pros