Sailing Performance & Handling
The 45-2 is defined by its daggerboards and its exceptional power-to-weight ratio. While typical cruising catamarans of this length can displace upwards of 12 or 13 tons, the Outremer 45-2 maintains a light-ship displacement of approximately 8.2 tons. This weight savings is achieved through vacuum-infusion construction and the use of carbon fiber reinforcements in high-load areas. On the water, this translates to a boat that "feels" like a monohull in its responsiveness; it tracks well upwind thanks to the deep daggerboards, which can be raised to reduce drag off-the-wind or to allow access to shallow anchorages.
A signature feature of the 45-2 is the dual-steering configuration. The boat is equipped with a standard bulkhead-mounted steering wheel for protection in heavy weather, but it also offers optional carbon fiber tillers with bucket seats on each hull. As noted in editorial testing by Sail Magazine, the tillers provide a direct, tactile connection to the rudders that is nearly unique in the cruising catamaran market, allowing the helmsperson to "feel" the hull’s trim and speed. Under sail, the boat is capable of speeds exceeding 20 knots in the right conditions, though its true strength lies in its ability to maintain a 9–11 knot average across wide wind ranges, effectively shortening passage times and increasing safety by allowing the crew to outrun weather systems.
Interior Comfort & Variations
While the 45-2 is a performance vessel, the interior is designed for long-term habitation. The layout is typically offered in a three-cabin "Owner" version or a four-cabin "Club" version. In the Owner version, the entire port hull is dedicated to a master suite, including a large longitudinal berth, a desk/office area, and a generous head with a separate shower. The starboard hull houses two guest cabins and a shared head. The bridgedeck salon is characterized by 360-degree visibility and a seamless transition to the cockpit, a design element refined from the larger Outremer 5X.
Materials are chosen for weight sensitivity; the cabinetry uses Alpi wood veneers over foam cores rather than solid timber. The "45-2" designation often refers to the mid-production refresh which improved the galley layout and expanded the chart table to better accommodate modern digital navigation suites. Unlike the older Danson models, which felt somewhat cramped in the hulls, the Barreau-Neuman design provides standing headroom throughout and sufficient ventilation for tropical climates. The sibling relationship with the Outremer 51 is evident here, as many of the 51's storage solutions and technical access points were scaled down to fit the 45-2’s footprint.
Popular Mentions & Media
The Outremer 45-2 gained significant international attention through its association with high-profile voyagers. The most notable example is the sailing vessel La Vagabonde, a 45-2 owned by YouTube creators Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu. Their extensive documentation of a transatlantic crossing with Greta Thunberg on this specific model brought the boat's performance and sustainable cruising capabilities (often featuring heavy solar arrays and hydro-generators) to a mainstream global audience.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
The Outremer 45-2 is a high-performance machine that requires more diligent maintenance than a heavier, slower cruiser. Prospective buyers should focus on the following technical areas:
- Daggerboard Trunks: Inspect the trunks for signs of impact damage or wear on the sacrificial "fuzz" or bearing strips. If the boat was grounded with the boards down, structural cracking can occur around the trunk-to-hull joint.
- Weight Management: The boat’s performance is highly sensitive to overloading. Buyers should check the inventory for excessive "cruising gear" (heavy tenders, large washing machines, excessive chain) that may have compromised the bridge-deck clearance.
- Rigging and Chainplates: Because the 45-2 is often sailed aggressively, the standing rigging—frequently high-spec Dyform or even Kevlar/carbon on some performance packages—requires rigorous inspection every 5 years.
- Gelcoat Crazing: Some early hulls reported minor spider-cracking in the gelcoat around the cockpit coamings and the transition points between the deck and the coachroof, usually indicative of the hull flexing under high rig loads.
Community & Resources
The primary hub for technical support is the "Outremer Academy," an official training program and resource center provided by the manufacturer to help owners master the complexities of performance multihull sailing. Additionally, the Outremer Cup is an annual regatta held in La Grande Motte, France, which serves as a technical exchange and community gathering where owners of the 45-2 can share polar data and maintenance tips directly with the shipyard's engineers.
The Verdict
The Outremer 45-2 is an uncompromising choice for the sailor who refuses to sacrifice the joy of helming for the sake of living space. It is a purpose-built tool for ocean crossings.
Pros:
- Exceptional speed and light-air performance for its class.
- The unique "tiller and bucket seat" steering experience.
- High-quality vacuum-infused construction ensures long-term structural integrity.
- Retractable daggerboards allow for superior upwind angles and shallow water access.
Cons:
- Significantly higher purchase price and maintenance cost compared to mass-market catamarans.
- Less interior volume and payload capacity than competitors like Lagoon or Fountaine Pajot.
- Requires a more active sailing style and attention to reefing schedules to ensure safety.
