Outremer 48

Outremer 48 Catamaran: A Bold New Chapter in Performance Cruising

The Outremer 48 represents a significant evolution in high-performance cruising catamarans. Marrying cutting‐edge design with proven sailing prowess, this new model is set to raise the bar for bluewater ocean adventurers.

From the Outremer 45 to 48: Building on a Legend

For years, the Outremer 45 has earned its reputation as a nimble, reliable, and spirited performer with over 100 boats on the water. With a legacy of innovation and robust design, the 45 carved out a niche among sailors seeking both speed and comfort. It was helped along the way by the likes of Sailing La Vagabonde, and remains in high demand.

The Outremer 48, its successor, takes all the beloved traits of its predecessor and refines them further—delivering more performance, improved ergonomics, and a modern aesthetic while remaining true to the brand’s commitment to safe adventure. The idea is to deliver performance somewhere between the Outremer 45 and the 4X while delivering more comfort to long-distance cruisers.

Design Philosophy: Collaboration with the Best

The heart of the Outremer 48’s design is its collaboration with renowned names in naval architecture and design. Partnering with VPLP, Patrick Le Quément, and Darnet Design, the Outremer design team approached every detail with a philosophy that blends performance with functionality.

Key principles include:

Streamlined Efficiency: sculpted for optimal hydrodynamics ensuring minimal resistance while maximizing speed and manoeuvrability.
Aesthetics: With clean, modern lines, the design reflects both elegance and purpose, marrying form with function.
User-Centric Innovations: Ergonomics and practicality were high on the design brief, ensuring that controls, winches, and seats are intuitively placed for ease of use during short trips and long voyages.

Features on Deck

The deck of the Outremer 48 is a study in thoughtful design. Here, the emphasis is on creating a space that facilitates easy handling and dynamic sailing performance:

Optimized Cockpit Layout: The wide, open cockpit is designed for efficient operation, offering intuitive access to all sailing controls.
Enhanced Safety and Accessibility: Non-slip surfaces, well-placed handholds, and smartly integrated storage compartments make the deck both secure and user-friendly.
Streamlined Integration: elements, from the mast to the boom, are carefully integrated into the deck’s design, ensuring that the vessel is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functionally superior.

Living spaces

Modular Design Inspired by Proven Models. Flexible spaces help to raise the bar in comfort.
Inside, the Outremer 48 takes inspiration from its larger siblings—the Outremer 55 and 51—but with a refined approach that maximizes space and comfort:

Flexible Interiors: The living spaces are modular, allowing for multiple configurations that cater to a variety of lifestyles—from relaxed cruising to long-term voyaging.
Light-Filled Ambience: Large windows and an open-plan layout ensure that natural light floods the cabins and saloon, creating a warm and inviting environment.
Efficient Use of Space: Every square meter has been thoughtfully planned, with built-in storage solutions and multi-functional areas that emphasize practicality without compromising on comfort.

Sailing

A Dynamic and Responsive Vessel
Under sail, the Outremer 48 is built to perform. Its design is not just about looking good on paper; it translates into tangible performance benefits on the water:

Responsive Handling: The vessel’s hull design and rig configuration provide balance and responsiveness, even in challenging conditions.
Versatility in Various Conditions: Whether cruising in light breezes or pushing through strong winds, the Outremer 48 adapts, ensuring a safe, steady and predictable ride.
Enhanced Stability: The hull design offers stability, giving sailors the confidence to explore a wide range of sea conditions with ease.
Power and Engines: Complementing the Sail Plan with the focus on safety. The idea is to get sailing quickly for an eco-friendly ride while relying on trusty diesels for emergencies or marina work.
While the Outremer 48 is optimized for sailing, its power systems ensure reliability when the wind isn’t cooperating:

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Exceptional Sailing Performance: The design ensures a responsive and balanced ride in a variety of conditions allowing you to escape the weather.

Innovative, Modular Living Spaces: Versatile interiors that adapt to the needs of long-term cruisers.

Robust Construction: Built using advanced materials and construction methods that prioritize strength and lightness. This is a boat built to last.

Exceptional Sailing Performance: The design ensures a responsive and balanced ride in a variety of conditions allowing you to escape the weather.

Well-Designed Deck Layout: Enhanced ergonomics and safety features make for a user-friendly experience on board.

Performance Over Luxury: this is a performance yacht which sacrifices space for performance.

Cost: this is more of a BMW than a Peugeot.

Learning Curve: The more complex systems require more experience or at least a period of adjustment for sailors used to more conventional setups.

Build

The Outremer 48 is a great example of modern boat-building techniques. Crafted with a focus on lightweight durability and precision, the vessel employs:

Advanced Composite Materials: High-performance composites and vacuum-infused construction methods contribute to a structure that is both robust and light.
Outremer use modern composites such as those found in sandwich construction to save weight. But an Outremer always has the lower part of the hull built in a thick monolithic laminate: they are strong boats in the event of collision. The structure is completely laminated in the hull, and not glued on.
Carbon is used to re-inforce high stress areas
Built in dedicated, high-tech facilities in Lorient, also home to ORC Catamaran. Outremer is part of the Grand Large Yachting Group that employ tight quality control at each stage of production.

Outremer Customer Relationships and Support

Beyond the technical specifications, Outremer is famous for its strong customer relationships and comprehensive support network:

Personalized Service: with no dealers, owners benefit from a tailored approach, with expert advice and dedicated support throughout the ownership journey.
Active Community: The vibrant Outremer owner network offers a platform for shared experiences, tips, and camaraderie among fellow owners.
After-Sales: Robust support services ensure that maintenance, repairs, and upgrades are handled efficiently, fostering a lasting relationship between the manufacturer and its customers.
There are seminars and away-days (eg Outremer Week) covering blue-water cruising, training on land and at sea plus advice on charter, refit, a network of approved partners around the world

FAQs

In Summary

The Outremer 48 Catamaran completes the range of boats that includes the 55 and 52—it’s a reimagining of what a performance cruising catamaran can be.

It successfully bridges the gap between exhilarating sailing dynamics and comfortable, adaptable living spaces. With a design rooted in innovation and a construction that leverages the latest in materials and techniques, the Outremer 48 is worthy of the brand and a fine successor to the 45.

Specs