Yachting Art Magazine

Faced with the dominance of charter catamarans in the Polynesian lagoons, some industry professionals are opting for fast, lightweight sailing yachts in order to put sailing back at the heart of the maritime experience. Based in French Polynesia, David Dussau is developing a cruising business centred around high-performance monohulls through La Vie en Bleu Sailing.

In the world of cruising in French Polynesia, catamarans now account for the vast majority of the fleet. Spacious, comfortable at anchor and well-suited to traditional sightseeing itineraries, they make up the bulk of the options available to travellers in the Polynesian archipelagos. However, some sailors prefer a radically different approach, based not on life at anchor but on the sheer pleasure of sailing.

This is the choice made by David Dussau, who has been based in Polynesia for several years, where he currently operates a Pogo 12.50 named Fast Guy. His charter business is based on a simple philosophy: making sailing an essential part of the journey between the islands.

The sailor is already preparing for the arrival of a second yacht, a Pogo 44 currently under construction at Pogo Structures in Combrit, Finistère. This new vessel will arrive in French Polynesia in late 2026 following a delivery sail from Brittany.

The choice of a high-performance monohull is a direct response to the specific nautical conditions of French Polynesia. Whilst images of turquoise lagoons and sheltered anchorages often dominate depictions of the region, the reality of local maritime conditions is far more varied. Long crossings between archipelagos, sometimes tricky access channels, sudden gusts of wind caused by the volcanic terrain, and shallow waters all require versatile boats capable of operating in very different environments.

David Dussau explains that he “was looking for a sailing yacht capable of combining speed, shallow draught and efficiency under sail, both in the lagoons and when sailing offshore between the archipelagos”.

His Pogo 12.50 boasts several technical features suited to this programme. Its lightweight hull, combined with a carbon mast and a large sail area, enables it to make efficient use of the light winds frequently encountered in certain areas of the Society and Tuamotu archipelagos. Where many charter boats regularly rely on their engines, this monohull remains primarily sail-powered.

The shallow draught is also a key advantage in Polynesian lagoons. Thanks to its lifting keel, the Pogo 12.50 can navigate with a draught of just 1.20 metres when the keel is raised. This configuration facilitates access to shallow anchorages that are often inaccessible to larger vessels.

On board, sailing is designed to be a participatory experience. Passengers, whether novices or experienced sailors, can take part in manoeuvres, helm the boat or help trim the sails as they wish. This approach encourages a more active cruising experience, centred on the sensations of sailing and travelling under sail.

The boat’s performance also allows for optimised routes between the islands and shorter crossing times. In archipelagos where distances can be considerable, this capability offers greater flexibility in organising stopovers and anchorage points.

The future Pogo 44 will build on this approach. More spacious and comfortable, it will retain the range’s key features: a high-performance hull, shallow draught and ease of handling. With this new vessel, David Dussau is continuing to develop a unique cruising offering in Polynesia, based on a more sporty and mobile approach to long-distance sailing.