Outremer 51 Buyer's Guide
From its debut as an evolution of the award-winning Outremer 49, the 51 has earned a reputation as one of the most capable performance cruising catamarans for ocean-sailing families. The hull extensions, refined styling, and a thoughtful cockpit and interior redesign gave the model a more contemporary feel without sacrificing the lightweight, responsive sailing character that defines the Outremer DNA. For the second-hand buyer, the 51 represents a coveted entry into a circle of fast, go-anywhere multihulls that consistently attract experienced crews stepping up from monohulls and multihull sailors seeking a more spirited passage-maker. Discerning shoppers who take their time in this market are typically rewarded with well-found, long-distance-capable boats.
Layouts on the Used Market
The three-cabin owner configuration is the layout you are most likely to encounter when browsing brokerage listings. In this arrangement, the entire port hull is dedicated to a generous owner's stateroom with a large head and shower, while the starboard hull houses two comfortable guest cabins sharing a separate head and stall shower. This split works beautifully for extended family cruising or hosting occasional crew. The other layout seen with some regularity is the four-cabin charter version, which packs two cabins and a head into each hull for maximum sleeping capacity. Ex-charter examples are common, so it is wise to factor in a more intensive inspection of high-use gear and cosmetics whenever a 51 has spent time in a charter fleet.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The vast majority of Outremer 51s on the brokerage market present as genuine bluewater platforms, not dock queens. Lithium battery banks and electric winches are almost standard fare on these boats, often paired with substantial solar arrays and a watermaker to keep systems independent on passage. Autopilots and davits are essentially universal, and most listings also include a life raft; many boats have already logged a circumnavigation, and a completed transatlantic passage is also fairly common. A self-tacking jib is the typical working headsail, frequently supplemented by a code zero, asymmetric spinnaker, or symmetric spinnaker for lighter air; gennakers show up on a good number of boats as well, if somewhat less often. Owners who venture beyond the tropics often add heating, while air conditioning, a freezer, radar, AIS, an inverter, and a cockpit shower are regularly found. Starlink installations have become a frequent owner upgrade, and a smaller share of boats carry extras such as a washing machine, a hot water system, or a fully short-handed-oriented sail-handling setup. A trampoline replacement is another area where some previous owners have invested.
What to Inspect
A thorough survey of any Outremer 51 should start with its composite construction. The hulls and deck are a PVC foam and E-glass sandwich, with solid laminate used below the waterline and under deck hardware Outremer 51 construction details. Pay close attention to the daggerboard trunks and lifting mechanisms—look for signs of water ingress, corrosion, or gelcoat cracks around the slots. Rudder bearings and the steering system (most boats have a wheel at the cockpit bulkhead plus optional auxiliary tillers at the aft quarters) must be checked for slop and proper alignment dual helm and tiller option. Engines are most commonly a pair of 40hp Volvo saildrives standard engine configuration, though the model has also been built with 2 x 50hp units engine specification; verify service records and sail-drive seal replacements regardless of which engines are fitted. The rig deserves a careful going-over: the stock aluminium spar is robust, but the carbon-fibre rotating wing-mast is a popular option that adds performance yet demands a close inspection of the track and bearing system carbon mast option. Standing rigging, particularly if original, should be assessed for age and fatigue. Upgraded lithium house banks are now the norm on many used boats; have a marine electrician evaluate the battery management system and charging integration. Given the 51's long-distance miles, scrutinize the condition of sails, canvas, and the trampoline. Ex-charter boats warrant an extra-hard look at the interior joinery, upholstery, and engine hours.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Outremer 51s change hands across a truly global spread of sailing hubs. The model is widely available in the Mediterranean (from France and Italy), throughout the United States, and in tropical Pacific destinations such as French Polynesia, as well as in Malaysia and New Zealand. Buyers prepared to purchase in far-flung ports can often find a boat that has just completed a major ocean crossing and is fully kitted out for the next leg. Before making an offer, concentrate on the following essentials:
- Survey the daggerboard trunks and lifting gear for water intrusion or mechanical wear.
- Confirm sail-drive seal replacement dates and overall engine service history.
- Inspect the rig—especially a carbon rotating mast—and ask for a recent rigging report.
- Test all steering stations and autopilot under load.
- Verify the condition and age of standing rigging, sails, and canvas.
- If lithium batteries are fitted, check the BMS and alternator regulation thoroughly.
- For ex-charter boats, scrutinise hours, interior condition, and systems that have seen continuous use.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Outremer 51. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 12 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 1 | $ 1,189,150 | — |
| Aug 25 | 4 | $ 925,000 | -22.2% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $ 925,000 | 0.0% |
| Oct 25 | 4 | $ 1,024,064 | +10.7% |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $ 1,090,000 | +6.4% |
| Jan 26 | 13 | $ 949,000 | -12.9% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $ 925,000 | -2.5% |
| Mar 26 | 7 | $ 1,150,000 | +24.3% |
| Apr 26 | 17 | $ 1,230,353 | +7.0% |
| May 26 | 3 | $ 1,249,000 | +1.5% |
| Jun 26 | 10 | $ 1,089,500 | -12.8% |
| Jul 26 | 3 | $ 1,304,746 | +19.8% |
Where they're listed
Outremer 51 listings appear across 10 countries. United States has the most listings with 27 (45.0%), followed by France and French Polynesia.
Country view
60 listings · 10 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 1,129,000 | 27 | 11 | 45.0% |
| France | $ 1,230,353 | 11 | 3 | 18.3% |
| French Polynesia | $ 1,304,746 | 7 | 4 | 11.7% |
| New Zealand | $ 1,193,177 | 4 | 4 | 6.7% |
| Italy | $ 971,975 | 3 | 3 | 5.0% |
| Malaysia | $ 869,000 | 3 | 0 | 5.0% |
| Thailand | $ 973,703 | 2 | 1 | 3.3% |
| Antigua and Barbuda | $ 1,189,726 | 1 | 0 | 1.7% |
| Fiji | $ 1,058,676 | 1 | 0 | 1.7% |
| Grenada | $ 1,173,127 | 1 | 0 | 1.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
9 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoon 51 | 50.36' | $ 1,312,244 | 77 | 20 |
| Outremer 51You are here | — | $ 1,150,000 | 64 | 29 |
| NEEL 51 | 51.18' | $ 772,273 | 28 | 6 |
| Nautitech 541/542 | 53.48' | $ 859,677 | 28 | 7 |
| Outremer 5 X | 58.99' | $ 1,720,724 | 25 | 4 |
| Catana Catamarans 50 | 49.87' | $ 1,197,012 | 20 | 7 |
| Outremer 50/55 | 55' | $ 349,900 | 16 | 5 |
| Catana 53 | 53.08' | $ 1,779,720 | 13 | 9 |
| Catana 58 | 62.34' | $ 641,880 | 12 | 3 |