Design & Construction
The Outremer 45 is built around a philosophy of lightweight durability. The hulls and deck are constructed in vinylester with a Divinycell core, while the layup beneath the waterline is solid glass for security in a grounding. In high-load areas, the builder does not hesitate to use extra material, including carbon, to ensure rigidity over time, and the hull-to-deck joint is securely glassed all around rather than simply glued on a flange. The narrow hulls feature a plumb stem and transom to maximize sailing length, and the low-profile cabintrunk is sculpted to reduce windage. Safety details include multiple crash boxes in the bows to prevent water ingress during a collision, and rock-solid daggerboard trunks where the boards themselves are designed to break away first, acting as fuses. The builder claims the intent is to build a boat that will last 50 years, a statement supported by an anecdote of an Outremer 45 that grounded for four days on a reef off Tahiti and sustained little more than scratches below the waterline. A significant structural evolution occurred in 2018, when the boat lost nearly 500 kg and began using the same core materials as its Gunboat cousins, alongside more ergonomic storage.
Rig & Handling
The Outremer 45 is engineered for shorthanded control, and the builder describes it as the most forgiving of catamarans. All maneuvers are accessible from a central helm station, where the engine controls and windlass are within easy reach, and an electric winch is positioned for hoisting the mainsail. The standard configuration features a single helm with a wheel to port, though there is an option for a pair of outboard tillers with composite bucket seats. A test boat carried a carbon Axxon mast and aluminum boom flying a fully-battened square-top main, with a carbon boom available as an option. The very low boom lowers the sail's center of effort, optimizing performance and comfort, while a self-tacking solent simplifies headsail handling and a reaching sail can be flown off a sprit for off-wind work. One tester found the Jefa steering system felt light and wonderfully responsive, and noted that the autopilot had little to do in a moderate seaway, confirming the rig and hulls were in good balance. An owner reported sailing close-hauled at 36 degrees apparent wind angle and making 9.2 knots in 19 knots of wind.
Performance
The Outremer 45's performance draws consistent praise from testers and owners alike. The test sail recorded speeds of 9 to 10 knots on a close reach in around 15 knots of breeze, while broad reaching under an A-sail kept the boat in the 10- to 11-knot range even in light wind. The boat's motion in 4- to 5-foot seas was described by one reviewer as easy and predictable, and it completed tacks successfully in conditions where less nimble cats would have faltered. Under power, twin 30hp Volvo engines pushed the test boat at 3.5 knots at 1,000 rpm and 7.5 knots at 2,700 rpm. The builder claims that the narrow hulls produce far less pitching, which is the true measure of comfort at sea, and that the easily driven hull allows the boat to be reefed beforehand in unstable conditions and still keep moving when shorthanded. An owner of three years confirmed that she continues to be impressed by the boat's performance and that her comfort level increases with every sail. The prototype, launched in 2000, won the English Transat in its category after a merciless Atlantic crossing via the Azores.
Accommodations
Despite its performance focus, the Outremer 45 provides genuinely livable spaces. The saloon and cockpit offer a 360-degree view, and the chart table is comfortable enough that night watches require no trip on deck to scan the horizon. The saloon features an L-shaped galley to starboard with an inboard counter accessible from the cockpit via a large sliding door, while the nav station sits directly forward of the galley, across from a dinette. Two interior layouts are available: a three-cabin version giving the entire starboard hull over to the owner, or a four-cabin layout with an additional cabin in the starboard bow. Wide open sidedecks and easy transitions to and from the cockpit are paired with safety details such as handrails along the cabintrunk, toerails outboard, and an anti-skid step just aft of the headsail track. An owner noted that adjusting to general life aboard has been an absolute dream, with multiple cabins providing personal space for everyone on board.
Known Issues & Ownership Notes
Practical ownership insights have emerged from experienced cruisers. One owner strongly recommends that upon acquisition, a new owner should go through the boat with a fine-tooth comb and tighten all hose clamps, especially those on holding tanks. She also advises carrying extra seals, O-rings, and bearings for components that use them, noting that easy fixes become difficult without the right materials on hand. Her approach to heavy weather is conservative: checking the weather often and reefing early to stay on the safe side. Reflecting on her experience, she would have prioritized attending Outremer Week earlier to converse with other owners and get feedback on potential tweaks to the boat.
Refits & Evolution
The Outremer 45 has benefited from a steady stream of factory improvements throughout its production run. After the extended hulls became standard in 2017, the structure was lightened by nearly 500 kg in 2018 while adopting Gunboat-grade core materials and more ergonomic storage. In 2019, the factory added davits, a bimini, and gennaker fittings to the standard specification. By 2020, control of the electrical systems had progressed with the integration of a CZone multiplexer, bringing a new level of digital monitoring and management to the platform.
The Verdict
The Outremer 45 is a rare breed: a genuine performance cruising catamaran that asks for little crew and gives back exhilarating passage times without sacrificing the practical comforts required for living aboard. Its construction is purposefully robust, its handling is set up for single-handed confidence, and its ongoing evolution over a long production run reflects steady, continuous refinement of an established platform rather than a one-off design. The boat rewards a diligent owner who respects its systems and sails it conservatively, and in return it delivers the ability to cross oceans quickly and safely.
Pros
- Exceptional speed and responsive handling validated by both testers and long-term owners.
- Robust, durability-focused construction with safety features like crash boxes and sacrificial daggerboards.
- Optimized for shorthanded sailing with all controls accessible from a central helm.
- Continuous factory evolution, including significant weight reduction and modernized electrical systems.
- Proven blue water pedigree with many circumnavigations completed.
Cons
- One owner reports the need for immediate, meticulous mechanical checks, particularly on hose clamps, upon acquisition.
- The performance-oriented narrow hulls and low-profile design inherently prioritize sailing efficiency over voluminous interior accommodation.
