Loxo 32, highly-fuel-efficient cruiser by Pogo Structures

Loxo 32, highly fuel-efficient cruiserThe Finistère-based yard Pogo Structures, specialising in lightweight and yet solid offshore Pogo racing yachts, has recently unveiled its latest addition to its fleet, the fuel-efficient motor yacht Loxo 32, at the 2017 edition of Nautic, Salon Nautique International in Paris.

With the Loxo 32, Pogo Structures enters the niche market of highly fuel-efficient cruisers.

“It is about time we at Pogo Structure start exploring new fields outside of mere power and consumtion,” explains Christian Bouroullec, founder of the Structures yard. “We have a good grasp of the manufacture of infused hulls and are skilled at controlling the weight so it seemed coherent for us to put this expertise to good effect in the creation of an extremely fuel-efficient motorised craft.”

The concept which inspired the overall design of the yacht is loxodromy, the practice of sailing obliquely across lines of longitude at a constant angle bearing to them, that is, the trajectory followed by a boat that is on a constant heading.

Loxo 32 was developed in a rational way, resulting in an original, simple and functional yacht. She has a strong identity echoing the signature of the Pogo range. Her discreet aesthetic lines have been dictated by the quest for a low centre of gravity and its guarantee of comfort and safety.

Fuel efficiency was one of the main design goals for the Loxo 32. Relying on top of the range manufacturing technologies and opting for ultra-light displacement after a great deal of Computational Fluid Dynamics research, the teams from the Structures yard have opted for a hybrid hull.

Her refined streamlining below the waterline means that she slips effortlessly into the water and her fine flat aft hull form ensures she quickly gets up on the plane. In fact, this hybrid hull generates virtually no wake, providing minimum drag and enabling extraordinary simplicity.

Construction materials have been chosen and optimised for weight reduction and higher performance. The hull, deck and all structure parts are glass fibre/foam sandwich with polyester or vinyl ester resin, all done by infusion, a vacuum process that allows building high-quality composite parts with great weight optimisation.

The Pogo Structures teams have managed to half the fuel consumption for the Loxo 32 in relation to the most economical motorboats on the market. The latter use 1.0 to 1.2 litres of fuel per nautical mile, often with a cruising speed of around 8 knots. Powered by a 75hp Volvo Penta engine, the Loxo 32 consumes around 0.5 litres to the mile at 12 knots in its single-engine Volvo Penta D2-75 version, though the lightweight design enables a peak speed of 18/19 knots.

Her modern design and bright interior create a comfortable and pleasant layout, suitable for up to eight guests. A fully-equipped saloon, cockpit and coachroof reflect the brand’s philosophy, and the yacht also features all the expected comforts, from a galley with a fridge and hot water to a WC, shower and heating.

The Loxo 32 by Pogo will be also be exhibited at the Boot DĂĽsseldorf in January 2018.