And since we were talking about the Hydropter lets also talk about the other boat that has also passed the 100km/h barrier, well it is not really a boat but a sail machine that can only sail on flat water, the Vestas Sailrocket 2. And on this time they were sailing with a journalist, one with big balls
Regarding the reasons that lead the main European boat magazines to choose them among all the nominees :
Performance cruiser - POGO 12.50 :
The light and sparsely appointed Pogo surprisingly won out over more established competitors.
Even though it's not a boat for the masses, she impressed the jury with her concept and fantastic performance potential.
Reaching in a 25-knot breeze under jib and a double reef in the main, the boat surpassed 17 knots of top speed while remaining safely under control at all times.
There's plenty of space below with all the necessities for a family cruise, so she's quite the long-distance flyer.
LOA: 12.50 m; Beam: 4.50 m; Sail Area: 107 sq.m.; , DSPL: 5.5 t; Price: 221.410 euros.
Family cruiser - BENETEAU OCEANIS 45 :
The Oceanis 45 persuaded the jury with her concept and a combination of innovative details such as a well-balanced sail plan, a rig that's stepped farther aft, a Targa bar above the companionway that keeps the clutter out of the cockpit and improves the sheeting angle of the main, wide and gently descending companionway steps, a large and well-organized cockpit, and a stern hatch that doubles as a swim platform when lowered, among others.
LOA: 13.50 m; Beam: 4.49 m, Sail Area: 100 sq.m.; DSPL: 9.6 t; Price: 203.370 euros.
Luxury cruiser - OYSTER 625 :
This 19-meter Oyster 625 , a luxury yacht designed by Rob Humphreys, had to fend off very tough competition in very difficult conditions.
During the test in the North Sea it was howling with 50 knots and more, but it was no problem for the Oyster 625, which stayed comparatively dry and under control.
Bright, posh, and spacious belowdecks, there was no creaking noise to notice, not even in four-meter waves.
It was downright difficult to find flaws. Although the realm of “mega” really starts above 80 feet, the Oyster, in many ways, resembles a super yacht.
LOA: 19.37 m; Beam: 5.44 m; Sail Area: 236 sq.m.; DSPL: 33.5 t; Draft: 2.80 m (alt. 2.15 m); Price: 3,070,200 euros.
Special yachts - Esse 750 :
Small but completely carbon, the Esse 750 has a hull, rig, and bowsprit all made from the magic fiber. The expensive construction material drives up the price of the Esse, but it also makes her light, strong, and fast.
Designed by Umberto Felci, the boat, which is built in Switzerland near Lake Zurich, is a delight to sail: precision and speed.
The 750's helm is perfectly balanced, she can be easily handled by a crew of one or two, and going to weather is a thrill. It's the perfect fit for connoisseurs and experts who are looking for something special.
A one-design for going full tilt.
LOA: 7.50 m; Beam: 2.05 m; Sail Area: 35 sq.m; DSPL: 960 kg; Price: 63,070 euros.
Well, they have not an election for the Naval Architect of the year and it would be very interesting if they have.
This year I would say that the one that would probably win would be Finot/Conq: Two of the 4 winning boats are designed by them (Pogo 12.50 and Oceanis 45).
And those were not the only interesting projects they have done in 2011 and not all big boats but certainly very interesting boats:
I know they are not one NA but a team of two, like in several leading NA cabinets, and they team together for many years, since Finot found a young guy playing with the first canting keel (Conq) and invited him to work with him. Conq was already at the time a young NA and an accomplished racer.
Jean-Marie Finot is not even formally a NA, just an Architect that had find and interest in boats and end up dedicating to them almost all his work, that has been a benchmark in what regards boat design all along the second half of the XX century and in the beginning of this one. I have a big admiration for him and also for Conq that have keep up with its master and fried.
70 year's old Finot is also a sailor and a cruiser and has a wife that likes to cruise and the fact that his cruising boat is a Pogo 10.50 says much about the kind of sailor he is. Well, to say the truth is Pogo is a modified one...to be faster
There are around the world about 30 000 boats made by the designs of Finot/Conq. That's quite a number
Some more interesting information about the election, testing and the boats:
Every year up to 100 new sailing boats emerge on the European market, but only four yards are being honored with the “European yacht of the year” award.
“This year's tests in Ijmuiden/Holland and Barcelona were characterized by a lot of wind. During the boat tests, storms of up to 50 knots hit the North Sea, resulting in waves up to four meters high.
And over the Catalanian coast, winds blew with up to 6 Beaufort, creating a chaotic sea. There had never been such winds at the test dates before, a real endurance test for the boats, that all of them mastered well, some even exceptional.”, says Jochen Rieker, editor-in-chief of YACHT.
“In general, more emphasis was put on sailing performance. Not just the winners but every yacht we tested was fun to sail.
Furthermore, there is a very consequent development in several directions, such as comfort in the category of family-cruisers, or speed and fun in the category of performance-cruisers and special-yachts.
All in all it was a great year”, Rieker resumes.
"European Yacht of the Year“ in the category of Family Cruiser went to: Oceanis 45 (Bénéteau)
Nominees:
Bénéteau Oceanis 45
Dufour 445 Grand’Large
Elan 210
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 379
RM 1060.
"European Yacht of the Year“ in the category of Luxury Cruiser went to:
Oyster 625 (Oyster Marine)
Hei Eric, congratulation Your boat, the Pogo 12.50 was elected European performance sailboat of 2012 First time for a Pogo.
Thanks a lot, Paulo.
It's good to know the Pogo has been appreciated by an international jury. But their judgement only confirms the thorough and accurate analysis that has already been made by all of you on this thread.
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Your boat, the Pogo 12.50 was elected European performance sailboat of 2012
