[Pogo 36]

On 24/09/2020 at 8:02 PM, DrWatson said:

There's actually pretty good stowage. Like with any boat, requirements for stowage vary depending upon how many crew and how long you wish to remain self sufficient and what level of cuisine you expect. What are your plans and expectations for duration? If you expect glamping then you'll be more than satisfied. Extended high lattitudes cruising with 6 crew, then it's likely not your boat. Ocean crossing with 6 adults and two kids? You might want a 12.50. Long distance family cruising with a happy partner? Absolutely the 36 will tick that box.

On Firefly, under the saloon berths is all stowage, and the saloon lockers hold a surprisingly large amount of food. We're still taking bottled water with us as well, primarily because CH doesn't want to trust the tank water yet as we've put so little through it, it's still a bit plastic flavoured, and with the little kids C's not taking any chances - even though it's all food safe plastic etc. So we go away for a week at a time with 4-5 Adults and 2 little kids, with likely enough food for 2-3 weeks and half the under saloon berth stowage is wine, beer and daipers - You victual differently for a week vs 4 weeks...

The wardrobe is easily large enough for all our clothes plus bedding. We've the optional wet locker in the stb cabin instead of the cabinet and seat - stroke of genius, as there's a heater outlet there to dry your stuff...

The lazzarette is pretty huge, and we cram quite a lot in there, including now the beaching legs... spare diesel, 2 anchors and associated ground tackle, + a bunch of other mooring lines and what not that you normally find in a lazzarette (also the Eberspacher diesel heater is mounted there.)

There's a huge sail locker forward, between the forward cabin and the anchor locker (same hatch) - you'll fit a code zero and an A2 in there. And the stays'l lives on deck in a deck bag if it's not on a furler (get the non-furling one - it's a great sail). So when we're cruising, we're not heaving sailing in and out.

There's no stowage under the forward berth, that's where the water tank is, and either side of it is permanent buoyancy foam. Likewise the aft half of the two aft cabins under the berths is foam - this could be easily removed as it's tied in with dynema lacing, but then you'd likely not have a boat that was buoyant when flooded. Under the first half of the berths in the aft cabins is stowage  - we stack bottled water there at the moment but that'll change. 

Also, there are long shelves in each cabin (2 in the forward) that also hold tons of stuff. Stowage will not be a problem for you I expect.

I don't think there's really any detracting factors for cruising. The cabin sole is the hull, so you have to step over the few massive floors that hold the keel assembly etc.,  - she's based on the class 40 style build after all...    . But there's ample headroom (I'm 6'2") and space enough inside because of 4m beam, it's like your normal cruising 40fter. I think you'd struggle if you wanted to have an air conditioner and a washing machine, or other ridiculous add ons though (and no way would Structures fit those for you unless you bought a 50 - they know what works...)

In summary, despite her lineage from racing boats, it's not like cruising in a carbon drum, sleeping on sails and squatting over a bucket while B00B00 hollers for trim over the noise of the stereo . I don't think she gives much if anything away in terms of comfort when compared to a Jenneau or Hanse etc. In terms of finish and comfort, miles ahead of the likes of the sunfast 3600  and the new 3200 - really miles ahead. If you're beating to windward against 25-30 kts for 4 days, likely the heavier boats will give you a slightly less bouncy ride, but once you crack off a bit...there's no comparison. Also, if you're bay hopping, you can sleep in until midday, have an easy brunch, and then still be the first boat in the next bay the next evening...

I have it on good authority that a shiny new 12.50 will be arriving in AKL before the end of the year... Although that boat is bigger than the 36, it would still give you an idea of the general layout etc. PM me for details.

If you are considering it, put the deposit down now to secure a build spot. It's fully refundable if you change your mind. You will liaise and work directly with the factory, to get your boat how you want it - no dealer intermediate.

 

Hey Doc, thanks for the insight and taking the time to put them down. Reassuring to hear stowage is better than it seems at first glance (online), and a 12.50 would make a lot of nice sailing up North. 

 

[Pogo 36]

No doubt COVID has hampered cruising, but wondering how your experience of cruising the Pogo is going? 

As I get near to putting a deposit on a boat (unsailed and unseen) I’m getting nervous about such a leap from convention (Hanse, Jeanneau etc). I have no doubt she sails beatifully, but logistically will it cruise comfortably (I’m expecting glamping) and is there adequate storage etc in such a paired back interior.

Any insights would be much appreciated because clearly I’m not popping over to France to see one before I sign on the line, and nobody has one here in NZ

[Pogo 36]

20 hours ago, DrWatson said:

Yeah the compulsory ladder, while important, does have a tendency to pop open unless it's been packed away perfectly. 

The wooden boarding ladder is something I knocked up in a hurry as a temporary fix until I can make a super light one. We decided on the boat when C was 4 months pregnant. So we got the kids and the boat at the same time, pretty much. a little difficult, but hopefully it will be worth it when we're making family holidays when the kids a little older. But it came at the cost of not buying a house...

If the compulsory ladder is the same as the Dad’s on the Jeaneau, then it is relatively unsupported internally and will fatigue and break of when hit but an slightly lazy ferry from a local cafe

Please post pictures of your light weight solution when you get one made, intrigued to see what you come up with.

The family holidays will be AWESOME! 

[Pogo 36]

On 21/01/2020 at 11:58 AM, DrWatson said:

 

 

Wish I’d got my boat before kids, much harder the other way around. 

I have two comments about this photo...

The compulsory emergency ladder hanging out, same thing happens on my father’s boat all the time. We’ve solved it by removing the ring pull and replacing it with a knot that hangs down and doesn’t snag on the tender.

What is the stern ladder? Looks interesting.