Forty examples were built between 2000 and 2014. The model established its racing pedigree early: the prototype, Bagnoles de l'Orne, won its category in the 2000 English Transat, a merciless Atlantic crossing via the Azores and far from the comfort of the trade-wind route. Multihulls World later praised the boat as one of the most prized options for families seeking tropical-lagoon cruising. At the same time, its balance of speed and comfort appealed to long-term voyagers.
Design and Construction
The original Danson-era hulls were narrow and light, giving the sensation of gliding with a tiller in hand. The 2014-generation boat measures 14.54 meters overall, with a beam of 7.15 meters. The builder quotes displacement at 8.8 to 12.0 tonnes.
The 2014 redesign improved the standard of finish compared with the early production years. Extended hulls, optional until 2017, later became standard and increased the stated length to 48 feet.
Another notable structural change arrived in 2018, when the hull shed nearly 500 kg while retaining the same core materials as its Gunboat cousins. At the same time, storage became more ergonomic.
The boat has a design payload target of 2.5 tonnes, which the builder describes as comfortable for a couple setting out on a circumnavigation.
Rig and Handling
Single-handed capability is central to the Outremer philosophy. All maneuvers are accessible from the central helm station, where an ergonomic seat and tiller are grouped with the engine controls. The windlass is also close at hand for seamless docking.
An electric winch forward of the helm handles mainsail hoisting. The very low boom makes the mainsail easier to reach and lowers the sail’s center of effort. The sail plan combines a versatile self-tacking solent with a downwind gennaker for trade-wind efficiency. Upwind sail area totals 110 m², comprising a 69 m² mainsail and a 41 m² self-tacking jib.
Daggerboards provide a draught range of 1.25 to 2.05 meters. The builder rates the 45 as the most forgiving of catamarans—a meaningful claim for a performance-oriented multihull.
Accommodations and Visibility
Visibility shapes the layout. The saloon and cockpit offer a 360° view, while the helm provides clear sightlines to all four corners for confident maneuvering.
A chart table positioned for night watches allows the navigator to scan the horizon without climbing on deck. The coachroof can be reached by a single step near the mast.
CE approval covers 8 to 16 persons. The builder’s description of a comfortable seat wedged in at the helm also reflects the boat’s voyaging focus rather than a charter-style emphasis on lounging space.
Updates, Refits, and Ownership
In 2019, the standard boat gained davits, a bimini, and gennaker fittings. In 2020, the boat gained a CZone multiplexer for electrical-system control.
One documented example, Teoula, logged 40,000 miles before receiving a full service and an antifouling facelift. It appeared almost new when it emerged from the yard.
The Atlantic circuit is reported as the typical owner program for the type. The combination of a central helm and clear visibility has helped keep these boats in demand among serious cruising families.
The Verdict
The Outremer 45 bridges Danson’s original racing-bred catamaran and a more refined modern cruiser without losing the forgiving, light-handed character associated with the marque. It remains a voyager’s tool: narrow, light, and designed around visibility, with a rig engineered for short-handed trade-wind passages.
Pros
- Single-handed maneuvers from a central helm with clear 360° visibility
- Self-tacking solent and low boom simplify sail handling
- The 2018 structure shed nearly 500 kg while retaining the same core materials
- The prototype won its category in the 2000 English Transat
Cons
- Early-production finish fell below the later 2014-generation standard
- Extended hulls became standard only after 2017, complicating length comparisons
