TEST
Ever since we tested the 49 after
the 2009 Cannes Boat Show, we
have been impressed by the
dyna-mic qualities of this first “new
gene-ration” Outremer. The appearance
in the Spring of 2013 of a longer
version bears witness to the
evolu-tion of the yard. It’s not simply a
question of cosmetic restyling, the
technical aspects of this vessel
dedicated to modern cruising have
also progressed.
Text: Philppe Echelle. Photos by the author and Gilles Foucras
AN ACKNOWLEDGED PEDIGREE
W
ith the 40’-43’, GerardDanson’s Outremer yard has given shape to a truly visionary family catamaran. Simple, fun to helm, reliable, accessible and attractive. This true cruiser-racer catamaran has had great commercial success, and is still a star of the second-hand mar-ket today. What would become of an even more sporty version with a rotating mast? No one knows, as the boss wasn’t keen on such high-tech expensive accessories! Those who have dared to try these transformations (such as Yanneraud, a 43’ and Wally Walou, a 45’) have discovered untapped potential in their magic vessels, despite their simplicity and their chronic allergy to being overloaded.
HERITAGE WITH COMMERCIAL FOCUS
The revival of a high performance boat brand, like that of a presti-gious automobile manufacturer, demands tact and vision. A gene-ration of owners were left orpha-ned by the sudden disappearance of the founder in 2005, especially as the architect had not yet fore-seen a follow-up of this creative and industrial adventure. After some uncertainty, Outremer found a new captain in the form of Xavier Desmaret, which meant that all that was missing was a designer! The choice of Christopher Barreau for the 49 and VPLP for the 5X have proved to be well-judged. As has the recruitment of Christophe Comar to the production team. It’s true that there has been a real leap
The pinnacle of fast blue water
cruising catamarans
98
The Outremer 51 is an logical and beautiful evolution of the very successful 49
forward in the range bet-ween these models and the previous generation. The prices have kept pace with the technical and marketing evolutions, but the DNA of the two families is still intact. The taste for making playful multihulls built for long dis-tance cruising, and yet ready to occasionally race round the cans, has remained the same.
THE DESIGNERS OF THE 51: CHRISTOPHE BARREAU AND
FREDERIC NEUMAN
The buyers of blue water cruising catamarans have changed in 25 years. The generation who got carried away by the must-have that was the 55’ Light have got-ten older, and these days no one’s looking for such angular and compartmentalized inter-iors! A few of Outremer’s current customers remem-ber this era, but this isn’t what they have signed up for. They are waiting for their Outremers with civilized sporting qualities, and the capacity to cope with being loaded up for living aboard. Christophe Barreau is a sai-ling naval architect, with the polished profile of a young man which hides a love of off-piste maritime adventure, and a determination to des-ign performance catamarans. Several generations of Catana owe part of their suc-cess to him, and the turbu-lent TS 50-52 propelled him
into the small circle of the world’s fastest cruising multi-hull designers.
THE 51: THE SPIRIT OF THE 49
The completion of a success-ful model passes through several successive stages: like an automobile, the graf-ting of innovative solutions onto proven bases leads pro-gressively to the complete expression of potential. Don't forget the integrated Lancia Delta, Sierra Cos-worth, Subaru wrx, Mitsu-bishi Lancer evolution or Omega Lotus, all classic examples of the efforts of design teams and sport workshops which made it possible for these widely known saloon cars to be-come racing legends. All things being equal, the position of Outremer with the 51 is close to this. The work on the chas-sis has shown the advantage of lengthening the boat and offering more sophisticated structural options. The ap-The lengthening of the sugar scoops, which are open on the inboard side to give easy access on board, and opti-mize the waterline length.proach to the sail plan has opened up the possibility of increased efficiency by popularizing the option of car-bon masts (rotating or fixed) and square-top mainsails. All of this effort is aimed at appealing to lovers of catama-rans. It is a typical 15 meter cruising catamaran, seawor-thy and high performance, able to be crewed by a family.
THE TECHNICAL ADVANCES
The 51, like its predecessor, is constructed out of poly-vinylester infusion, with the bottom of the hulls rightly constructed in one solid piece, so that the boat can take the ground. Thanks to the skegs protecting the sail-drive legs and the rudder blades, the boat can be care-fully beached. The yard can also build a foam/carbon
1/In a confused seaway, the volume of the hulls and the gene-rous
freeboard are a real guarantee of safety.
2/No need any more for a motor to make a wake: an Outremer 51 will do it!
3/A worthy successor to the first generation Outremers, the 51 is a true passage-maker.
4/Like all models of the new generation, the 51 has wheel steering, but also has the option of having tillers.
5/The new forward crossbeam is striking: essential for overall stiffness
TEST
100
sandwich structural bulkheads option, of which the stiffness and reduction in weight enhance the increase in power generated by the carbon mast and square top mainsail.
CRAZY LOUISE: AN UPGRADED 51
Our test boat is a delightful owners’ version and the deck plan and structural options have bene-fitted from the input of Didier Ragot, the crewmember, fine-tuner and fixer for Olivier de Kersauson (French round the world record holder). The beauti-ful Lorima mast (without pre-bend) and the carbon boom make up some of the luxurious equip-ment which significantly improves the aerodynamics, and reduces pitching, with Kevlar being the obvious choice for the rigging. The design of the headsails is taken from longstanding racing world products. The all-or-nothing genoa on an anti-twist braided forestay provides greater reliabi-lity whilst reducing the considera-ble weight and drag of a metal fur-ler. The staysail on its own deta-chable braided stay complements the genoa, and will be used as the sailplan for passage-making in fresher conditions (often with the first reef taken in). For light wind conditions, the maxi-gennaker is the ultimate weapon. But Didier Ragot’s suggestions don’t stop there: the traveler lines are led back to the helm; large Antal rol-lers have been added at the mast for the halyards; and oversize clutches have been installed. The overlapping genoa is preferred to the self-tacking solent jib, due to better performance, and tillers are
obviously mandatory. Didier had wanted one last thing: to do away with the compression frame in favor of a carbon cross included in the forward beam. However, both the yard and the owner had preferred to stop there.
INTERIOR MODELING
Outremer has now found its style of interior design and joinery. Light is everywhere, thanks to two small round opening hatches opposite the two passages down into the hulls. The successful use of the right materials gives a neat and flattering look. The interior finish in light oak with a dark grain complements the dark floors, whose grain can still be seen. Considering the warmth the modern headlining gives, the fit-ting is exemplary. The difficulty of creating a “sport/comfort” brand has been overcome. The engine rooms are clear and straightfor-ward, with good access for servi-cing. Certain ancillaries (filters, casings, etc) are screwed directly into the composite, but I would have preferred to have seen them fixed to glued-on panels. The sys-tem connecting the rudder linkage to the tillers or wheel is remotely operated (via cable with a push-pull handle) and the design of the complex mechanics for this is cunning, and remarkably well wel-ded. This mechanism gives a much better feel and helm res-ponse than a hydraulic system, which this renders obsolete.
SEA TRIAL:
GLIDING ALONG IN COMFORT
When we seatrialed the 49’ we tested the boat in a severe
eas-MY REFLECTIONS ON THE OUTREMER 51
CATAMARAN CRAZY LOUISE BY DIDIER
RAGOT
Having been first mate to Olivier de Kersauson for 30 years, I started a small company as a project manager, and this is what led me to work on the Outremer 51. I was rather hesitant when I arrived at the yard , for people like me often instill fear (incorrectly of course!) Nevertheless I was very quickly seduced by the Outremer 51. I found her lines pleasing, though less so the deck layout, but that could be improved. During the build I found the yard to be staffed by likeable men who were responsible, cou-rageous, ready to listen and very knowledgeable about offshore sailing! We had a few minor diffe-rences, but when the launch day came I was able to see the catamaran from all angles: she was per-fect! I was pleasantly surprised as I’d had a doubt over the weight of the composite longitudinal beam, required for keeping the staysail stay tensio-ned. The final phase was the seatrials. Everything went smoothly with the motors after a little adjust-ment, and we hoisted the sails. In a light wind of 8-10 knots I watched the in-house test skipper at the helm. The pleasure on his face was a good sign, and I already knew that Crazy Louise was going to be fast for a cruising cat.
I took the helm and noted a small bit of play to be corrected, with the rudder blades not being per-fectly aligned, the genoa badly adjusted at the luff, and also we needed to look at the batten tension. With the leeward daggerboard down the boat was not however asking to open up, but I wanted to test it upwind and luffing. Once again I was pleasantly surprised with the result (around 35° off the appa-rent wind pushing it to the limit): that was promising! Next, downwind with the gennaker which I wanted long in the foot and very large. The boat accelera-ted with consistent power. Over the following days, the yard attended to the adjustments and fini-shings, and everything was put right. It’s a beautiful boat for family cruising, easy to single-hand or for a couple, safe and comfortable. During a month of trials with the owners, I sometimes sailed outside the recommendations of the yard, and structurally it held up well in these conditions, (not recommen-ded behaviour of course!)…
Model: FREYDIS 49’ Croiseur CATANA 47’CR DAZCAT 15 NAUTITECH 482 M CAT 52’ TAG 50’ Builder : SOUBISE YACHT CATANA MULTIMARINE NAUTITECH TECHNOLOGIE MARINE TAG YACHTS
Sail area (nearest m²) 128 140 nc 116 123 155
Light displacement 9 t 10,9 t 8,5 t 11,2 t 10,8 t 11 t
Price (ex-tax) in € 460 000 610 000 Sur devis 545 500 950 000 Sur devis
High quality and style of finishings
terly gale between Cannes and Marseille: the behavior of the hulls in this very heavy and confused sea state showed great agility, testament to the large freeboard and bow volumes. On the 51 we found that this increase in height is invaluable when faced with conditions “at the limit”! As soon as you step aboard Crazy Louise, there is a more distinct feeling of ease than on the pre-vious model. The lengthening of the sugar scoops by 60cm increases the dynamic flotation and smoothes out the wake, and the major changes to the rig give more power. Beating to windward under the maxi gen-naker, there is a great feeling of stability. With the daggerboards down the apparent wind
increases to the point that you have to bear away to contend with the increase in acceleration and avoid luffing up the (very) large headsail. The contact bet-ween the frame and the rig is direct and sensitive: the rotating mast adjustment isn’t just there for fun, it’s for efficiency. The increase in airflow brought about by aerodynamic improve-ments is noticeable, benefitted by the profile of the radial hydra-net mainsail. From his seat, the attentive helmsman gets sensi-tive feedback from the tiller, and the surface of the water slips by at a good pace no matter what the wind strength (5 to 12 knots at the time of our two seatrials). Such a responsiveness rein-forces the pleasure of trimming and justifies the traveler being
On the version which we trialed the owners opted for two children’s cabins with desks, one of which is forward, with bunk beds. Other options are of course available.
Functional galley for preparing a nice dinner, with a view of the best anchorages of the voyage
THE OWNER’S VIEW, BY LAURENT JACOLOT
We wanted a reliable boat, ready for a long family trip in variable latitudes, and we chose the Outremer 51 owners’ version. At the start of the planning stage, our first ins-tinct was to look for an aluminum center-boarder. We quickly realized that monohulls available for long distance cruising were far from our idea of the tropical way of life (we have lived in Polynesia for more than 13
years). After much searching, a multihull became the obvious choice due to their comfort and performance. We were looking for a performance production catamaran which we could customize, for safety, comfort and enjoyment. As it was a little difficult for us to oversee the construction of our boat from afar, our neighbor in Moorea (Polynesia), a man well-known in the maxi-multihull world, proposed that we take on his former organi-zer as project manager. Didier Ragot was also able to act as the liaison between us and the yard, bringing a unique complement to the process.
The majority of cruising boats get going when there’s wind: ours fires up and accelerates in the slightest breeze - a real pleasure. We sail regularly between 10 and 14 knots, and higher speeds are not unusual. We saw 17-18 knots in flat water during a strong blow off Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. That said, Crazy Louise is a safe and balanced boat; helming is lovely, it doesn’t get carried away and easily accepts sail reduction for more
peaceful sailing.
Forward-facing chart table for night watches in the warm with a good view over the sea
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Designers: Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman Interior design: Franck Darnet
Builder: Outremer Yachting Length: 15.27 meters Beam: 7.45 meters Draft: 0.95 - 2.35 meters Light displacement: 10 tonnes Maximum displacement: 13.7 tonnes
Sail areas. Mainsail: 85m2-91m2 for the square top version Solent: 40m2
Genoa: 62m2 Gennaker: 110m2
Spinnaker: 160m2 for the tri-radial or 140m2 for the asymmetric Mast height: 21.06 meters
Air draft: 23.08 meters
Motors: 2 x 40hp diesels with saildrive transmissions Fuel capacity: 2 x 170 liters
Water: 2 x 190 liters
Batteries: 4 x 105 Ah service batteries and 2 x 70 Ah starter batteries Basic price: 609,000 Euros ex-tax
Options (ex-tax):
Carbon mast: €68,000 (fixed) or €72,000 (rotating) Kevlar capshrouds: €4,000
Halyards led back to the cockpit: €2,800 Genoa and hardware in place of the solent: €9,000 Gennaker and furling gear: €8,100
Code 0 and hardware: €10,000 Three bladed folding propellers: €3,000 Tillers: €13,200
Hydrocharger: €7,500
60 liters / hour watermaker: €10,240 Wind generator: €4,500
The deck layout has been enhanced by Didier Ragot, organizer for Olivier de Kersauson.
TEST
The owners heads compartment is one of the best in the market sector.The owners heads compartment is one of the best in the market sector.
The engine rooms allow for good clear easy access for maintenance.
102
led back to the cockpit. This sets an ergonomic standard, particu-larly when being used manually. There is a real sense of gliding across the water, and this is a large part of the pleasure felt at the helm of the new 51 (particu-larly one with a good rigging arrangement!) This lively
cata-maran really shows off the multi-function principle much vaunted by the yard. Crews who are wary of overloading can benefit from this dual aspect multihull which is as much at home day-sailing as ocean passagemaking or peaceful family cruising. When night falls, furl the genna-ker or the code 0, engage the wheel and the autopilot, take in a precautionary reef, and there you are aboard a comfortable ocean cruiser. The average day’s runs remain high, as shown by Crazy Louise’s quick 15 day pas-sage from the Canary Islands to the West Indies, sailed by a cou-ple with two children! It was the crew’s first offshore passage with this boat.
CONCLUSION
The Outremer 51 is an undenia-ble success, although for a ver-sion with this specification, the price will be higher. However, the result is plain to see. The balance between speed, comfort and ease of maintenance are the undoubted strong points of this
The cabins are light and airy. Great in the tropics, yet comfortable and cozy in poor weather.
◆Tillers a little too short
◆No provision for Plexiglas rooflights
◆For a finished version the costs can mount up
◆Excellent liveaboard multihull
◆Dynamic qualities
Crazy Louise’s genna-ker is much larger than this one, the choice of a modern furlable asymmetric spinnaker (like a Code D) Is an appropriate alternative.
A carbon mast (rotating or fixed) is THE solution for this high performance catamaran. Our test boat had the optional “chimney” mast without pre-bend. A must have!
High freeboards and generous volumes ensure safety in confused seas, giving the advan-tage for heading off long distance.
The helm seats make for unavoi-dably enjoyable helming.
The lengthening of the sugar scoops, which are open on the inboard side to give easy access on board, and optimize the waterline length. The coachroof
volume strikes a good balance bet-ween internal space, light, external dimensions and cen-tralizing weight. On our test boat,
Crazy Louise, the staysail and genoa were fitted to brai-ded stays, with a roller furler for the all-or-nothing genoa and a loose furler for the flying staysail
The huge forward beam and compression pods are reassuring, as is the mar-tingale stay A-frame. You could go one step further with an all carbon beam
The Outremer 51 is fit-ted with a long mains-heet traveler, which was led back to the cockpit on our test boat. This should become standard. Of course the square-top mainsail is essential too!
