The racing hull that powered Géry Trentesaux's Courrier to one of the standout performances of the 2026 Round Ireland Race is being developed into a new racer-cruiser by French boatbuilder Pogo Structures.
As Afloat reported following June's 704-mile race, Trentesaux's Pogo RC finished runner-up overall after mounting a sustained challenge for the Round Ireland title — despite Trentesaux, Tom Dolan, Antoine Carpentier and Axel Tréhin having just four hours of training aboard the new boat before the start.
Trentesaux subsequently told Afloat that the Pogo RC had "big potential", identifying light winds and very choppy seas off Ireland's north coast — and a final mile that took more than two hours — as the areas where Courrier's challenge ultimately slipped away.
Now that same Bernard Nivelt and Sam Manuard-designed hull forms the basis of the Pogo 33, a 10.26-metre racer-cruiser combining the Pogo RC's performance platform with a completely new deck and cruising accommodation. Currently in development at Pogo Structures' Combrit base, the first Pogo 33 is scheduled for launch in early summer 2027.
Pogo RC Hull Forms the Basis
The new model uses the hull developed for the Pogo RC by naval architects Bernard Nivelt and Sam Manuard. Its modern semi-scow form draws on developments from offshore racing classes including the Mini, Class40 and IMOCA fleets. Pogo says the design is intended to deliver planing performance while retaining the seaworthiness required for cruising.
“With the Pogo 33, we wanted to give sailors the pleasure of a genuinely high-performance boat — one that can hold its own in a race without compromising on comfort or safety,” said Pogo Structures co-director Tanguy Bouroullec.
“It’s the return of a true racer-cruiser.”
IRC Racing and Family Cruising
While the Pogo RC is designed as a pure racer, the Pogo 33 combines competitive performance with a practical cruising interior. Pogo is targeting owners who want one boat for family cruising and IRC racing, ranging from local weekend events to offshore races such as the Fastnet, Transquadra and Transat Cap-Martinique.
The principal change from the Pogo RC is an entirely new deck intended to provide greater internal volume and a more protected cockpit.
Below decks are double cabins forward and aft, additional saloon berths and an enclosed heads. The accommodation also includes a galley with a sink and oven, a chart table, a hanging locker, and additional storage.
“We started from a racing hull to design, around an entirely new deck, a bright and liveable interior,” said co-director Paul Bouroullec. “The goal was to offer real cruising volume, on a genuinely high-performance platform.”
Fixed and Lifting Keel Options
Two versions will be offered, sharing the same hull and accommodation layout.
The fixed-keel Pogo 33 will draw 1.95 metres and is aimed more directly at performance and IRC competition. A lifting-keel alternative will provide access to shallower anchorages and expand the boat's cruising options. An aluminium mast will be standard, with a carbon mast available as an option.
The Pogo 33 remains in the design phase, with Pogo Structures' in-house design team and the Manuard-Nivelt partnership involved. Construction will draw on the French yard's experience in offshore racing and lightweight performance yachts.
The first Pogo 33 is scheduled to launch in early summer 2027.
