As Tested in Yachting World: Pegasus 50
Yachting World's Toby Hodges first took notice of the Pegasus 50 when it came to light in 2020. After waiting several years for the right opportunity, he spent two days and nights sailing hull number six out of Izola, Slovenia, in the Gulf of Trieste. The boat was already well into its working life. His verdict, published in Yachting World, was unambiguous.
On the Concept
Hodges was struck immediately by how deliberately the Pegasus 50 is designed around the people who sail it. He noted that the boat challenges conventional assumptions about layout and priorities, observing that it gives "the bigger proportion of space to the cockpit, saloon and galley," the spaces that matter most on a long passage. He found the overall result compelling enough to draw a direct comparison with the multihulls he increasingly favours: "I increasingly turn a keen eye to multihulls for their social and stowage spaces, yet here we have much of that."
On Sailing Performance
Testing took place in 4 to 14 knots across the calm waters of the Gulf of Trieste. Even in those benign conditions, the Pegasus delivered. Hodges described the experience at the helm as immediately rewarding: "Helming is a pleasure, with only a finger needed on the wheel." The shorthanded credentials were not lost on him either, noting that the owner of hull number three had sailed the boat solo to win the OSTAR before continuing around Africa singlehanded. "The sail plan provides plenty of choice to get the most out of the boat, and to reduce sail most effectively and efficiently. The self-tacking staysail is particularly useful when the wind is up, and can fill the slot between the main and reaching sail. The Pegasus is well set up for short-handing."
On the Cockpit and Exterior
Hodges was excited about the design of the cockpit. He described the connection between the protected cockpit and the interior as "a real trump card of the Pegasus 50", and praised the overall ease of movement around the boat. The technical lockers drew specific attention for their intelligent organisation, and the philosophy behind them resonated with him: easy access, he noted, promotes proper maintenance, while keeping the engine and all noisy items well insulated from the interior.
On the Interior
The saloon settee, which gimbals 10 degrees either way on an electric actuator and weighs just 40 kilograms, made a particular impression. Hodges admitted the concept grew on him: "At the push of a button it cants 10° either way, which could make a difference to those who get seasick or are spending days on one tack." He was equally taken with the pilot station, calling it "a prime protected place to sit a night watch", with views over the foredeck and a 27-inch screen displaying navigation data.
On the Equipment
The standard specification is where the Pegasus 50 makes another statement. Every item on the test boat, including the carbon mast, sails, electric winches, solar panels, watermaker, induction cooking, washing machine, instruments, gimballing settee and electric telescopic table, is included as standard. Hodges was direct: "Rarely have I come across a yacht that offers so much included in the price — around €200,000 of typical options."
The Verdict
Hodges closed his test with praise: "This is one of very few new boats I've stepped aboard that I'd be happy taking off cruising straight away." And in a final reflection that stayed with him well after leaving the dock: "Rarely have I thought about a yacht so much after a test sail."
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