Design and Construction
Outremer as a brand focuses on lightweight designs, and the 52 continues that thread while leaning on sister company Gunboat to help lighten the structures and increase stiffness, including the use of carbon bulkheads anchor. The weight saved in structure allowed slightly wider upper parts of the hull than the 51 and increased openings and glass surfaces, with enlarged hull windows for panoramic views. VPLP expects the performance to be similar if not slightly better than the 51, and the boat is slightly heavier than the 51 but carries more sail area. The standard boat has diesel engines, though electric propulsion alternatives are already offered, and the builder claims the yacht's ability to sail well means these will be little used. Outremer is increasingly building with recycled or recyclable materials.
Rig and Handling
The 52 is a fractional-sloop catamaran carrying a 96 m² mainsail and 60 m² genoa, with a 40 m² self-tacking jib and optional 160 m² gennaker or 209 m² spinnaker available. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 29.25 and a hull speed near 9.6 knots, the design is built for pace: Yachting Monthly notes Outremer catamarans are light and fast, aimed at performance cruising with double-figure speeds anchor. The builder is aiming for 10–12 knot average speeds, and Outremer CEO Xavier Desmarest has said 250 miles a day is enough for comfort and performance. Mechanical steering delivers the sporty feel for which the brand is renowned, and buyers may choose wheel or tiller options — uniquely, a choice of both on either side. She holds her averages without demanding constant attention.
Accommodations
From the saloon as much as from the cockpit, the sea is always in sight, and the full-width glazed panel opens completely so cockpit and saloon become one. Forward visibility runs from the saloon and bar area seating, and at night the watch is kept from inside, sheltered, without losing contact with the sea, aided by a proper chart table for watch-keeping below. Four opening ports in the saloon provide ventilation. The layout sees three or four cabins with three different interior moods, and a utility cabin option lets owners specify an office, workroom, laundry, or kids' cabin. The manufacturer's configurable space can be set up as a double cabin, a convertible office with bunk beds, a modular cabin with an office convertible into a workshop and folding bench, a dressing room, or a child's cabin.
Known Issues
The known points a prospective owner should weigh are mostly about build philosophy rather than failure: the light-structure approach means diesel engines are expected to see little use because the boat sails so well, and the builder's claim that engines will be little used is a manufacturer assertion rather than a measured ownership average.
The Verdict
The Outremer 52 is a thoughtfully evolved performance cruiser that borrows the best of the 51's proven hull and the 55's successful styling, then sharpens sightlines, ventilation, and structural efficiency. For a family intending serious offshore mileage at average speeds in the low teens, it is a compelling modern catamaran.
Pros
- Light, stiff structure with carbon bulkheads and Gunboat input on weight reduction
- Strong performance target of 10–12 knots with sail plan to match
- Excellent communication between cockpit and saloon, with sheltered night watch below
- Flexible cabin planning including a utility space configurable five ways
Cons
- Diesel engines expected to be little used is a manufacturer claim, not verified ownership data
