November is turning out to be a big MINI month for Open Sailing:

- We are now counting the days until the first two Pogo 2 are ready to sail. USA 804 (Lee Malm) and USA 806 (Team Open Sailing) are racing to the water! USA 804 is currently a few boat lengths ahead and should be in the water around Thanksgiving break. USA 806 is anticipating more breeze in the next couple of weeks and will also be on the water before the end of November. Both boats will be sailed out of Southern California. We are now organizing TEST SAILS on USA 806. If you are interested in testing the POGO 2, simply EMAIL us. Test Sails aboard USA 806 will start in December. Production slot deposits are also accepted (20% refundable deposit) in order to get your boat ready for the 2011 season! Our goal is to race USA 806 so by testing the boat, you will be able to check out many sails change (cut by UK Sailmakers), a complete NKE Electronic package, full electrical and solar powered equipped. (more…)

Every day takes us one step closer to launching the first Pogo 2s built in the USA. With two boats coming out of the factory in October, this month will be a significant landmark for Open Sailing and the Pogo 2. After 9 months of preparation, sourcing and production it has already been a long journey, but it really is only the beginning. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank these vendors for their commitment, enthusiasm and support towards the Pogo 2 project. (more…)

After a difficult start with a delay due to gale force wind, the Mini racers started early May the first leg of the Mini Pavois. The elements were tough for the racers and the boats: many had to return to port and / or retire with broken mast, rudders or electronics issues. Most of them have still finished the race. In the production class, 13 Pogo 2 finished out of 17 boats in the class.

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It’s been a busy month at Open Sailing with many races and the Oakland boat show. Fortunately, communicating with the French and Pogo Structures doesn’t overlap with our 12 hours working days.  With 9 hours difference, we call the French at 6am our time (it’s only 3pm in France), so plenty of time to talk to everyone there and get things organized.

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Hull #1

This day marked a significant landmark in the history of the Open 5.70 – the launch of the first hull built in the USA. (more…)

Open Sailing, Phileas Boats at the Santa Ana factory

One of the last steps to complete production of the first Open 5.70 in the USA is to get the thumbs up from the French builder Phileas Boats. To approve the process Pascal Dreumont and Eric Moreau from Phileas Boats visited the factory in Santa Ana, CA. (more…)

Production of the Open 5.70 in the US is now in full swing and hull #1 is already completed. With all the boat shows last month there was no time to celebrate, but now it’s party time! Open Sailing will be hosting an event to christen the new boat and celebrate this landmark event in the history of the Open 5.70. There will be a celebratory brunch at the South Coast Corinthian Yacht Club in Marina del Rey on Sunday March 22nd. Festivities will begin around noon. Hull #1 will be on display at the club and then the boat will be launched around 2pm. Hope to see you all there!