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The Outremer 45 is the 51’s baby sister, a boat made famous by the Internet’s most famous sailing family, Elayna, Riley and Lenny on La Vagabonde. What a marketing deal that turned out to be! This model filled some pretty big shoes left by the previous 45 footer designed by Gérard Danson.
Lovely Lines
The 45 is a great looking boat, well proportioned and designed to deliver the Outremer promise: fast, safe sailing in comfort. For the French yard, comfort is more about the motion of the boat and speed of passage than huge berths in fat hulls. This is an ocean crossing boat like a Looping catamaran: one that gets going quickly in light airs and which is a blast to sail in windier conditions. It’s incredible how catamaran design has evolved in 20 years (read our Prout 45 review for a comparison of a boat from the mid nineties).
pros
The Outremer 45 is a fast, seaworthy yacht designed for crossing oceans. She is probably the market leader in her category.
With centralised weight and those long trampolines, she has a smooth ride in waves.
She’s well built and sturdy, and great to look at.
The Outremer after-sales service has an excellent reputation, especially compared to other French manufacturers which, how should we put this, …. are not so fast once they have sold you the boat. If you have a problem in Tahiti, these guys will do their best to help you out.
Outremer also offer a thorough training program for purchasers of new boats. Their philosophy is one of building up a family of owners: something to be applauded.
Outremers hold their value very well compared to other manufacturers. These boats are in demand.
cons
The compromise is living space compared to other 45 footers. So even though she’s the same length as, for example, a Nautitech 46, she feels like a 40 once you step inside. But you will be leaving the Nautitechs behind on the 45.
With the aft cockpit covered by a long strip rather than a full bimini, you are more exposed on a 45 than other catamrans. You can opt for material or hard “ears” which extends the cover out to full width for some of the bimini length. Some owners opt for a dodger at the helm station as well.
This bucket seats could be a little bigger.
The base price is pretty competitive, but the options can add up.
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