Design and Construction
The 5X was designed by Van Peteghem Lauriot Prevost, the same office behind the AC45 catamarans, and the hull itself is credited to VPLP as the fastest architects’ office on the water anchor. Outremer builds its catamarans with solid fiberglass below the waterline for impact resistance while using a foam or balsa-cored GRP sandwich above. The 5X is a daggerboard catamaran with spade rudders and a draft that ranges from just under 4 feet with boards up to 8.69 feet deployed, giving her the geometry to point and to skim in shallow anchorages alike. A capsize ratio of 3.67 reflects the moderate, performance-oriented stability profile rather than a heavy-displacement cruiser’s inertia.
Rig and Handling
The fractional sloop carries a mast height of 77.1 feet above the waterline and a generous sail plan that, combined with the 15-ton displacement, yields a power-to-weight balance unusual for a boat of this length. Sail magazine described the 5X as a performance boat aimed at the same niche as Gunboat, and Multihulls World noted that during one of her first outings she was a beautiful object, elegant and fast anchor. The slim, easily driven hulls keep her moving in light air where heavier cruising cats would be motoring.
Accommodations
The interior theme is one of expensive simplicity, with subdued and classy styling executed in lightweight composite furniture finished mainly in white anchor. Buyers are offered a choice of three sleeping configurations, each arranged to make the most of the relatively slim hulls — a deliberate trade of volume for performance. The result is a cabin that reads as considered rather than lavish, prioritizing structure and seakeeping over bulk stowage.
Refits and Ownership
Owners shopping a 5X should expect a boat whose lightweight construction and performance rig demand disciplined tuning. The slim hulls concentrate accommodation efficiently, and the daggerboard arrangement allows shallow draft when raised.
The Verdict
The Outremer 5X is a serious offshore performance catamaran that trades interior volume for speed, structural refinement, and helm feel. She is a boat for sailors who measure a cruise by miles sailed rather than by square feet of salon.
Pros
- Light 15-ton displacement with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively performance
- VPLP-designed high-performance hull with daggerboards
- Subdued, classy lightweight interior with configurable sleeping plans
Cons
- Slim hulls limit cabin storage relative to beamier cruising cats
- Performance focus demands disciplined rig tuning
