The main objective of the Outremer 49 catamaran is to provide a prime seaworthy performance. To achieve this end, Outremer 49 has sacrificed the space available not only on-deck but also inside the cabin in favor of high speed. With its slender hulls, pulled- back foredeck, and rounded trunk cabin, Outremer 49 offers enhanced performance, faster sailing, and increased structural integrity. 

DESIGN – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

With the 49, Outremer has kept its goal of optimum blue-water cruising clear, but while doing so, it has not compromised on its aesthetic. Architecture by Christophe Barreau and Frederic Neuman, along with interior designing from Franck Darnet, Outremer 49 integrates a sleek look with high-standard functionality.

DECK

Outremer 49 has two carbon-fiber tillers which, tied together with the steering wheel-mounted to starboard of the coachroof, make up the intimate tiller-steering system. As the wheels turn the tillers and the tillers turn the wheels, the system is well-united and free of resistance. This system also offers a true sense of sailing for sailing enthusiasts, as one can intimate sail the catamaran by hand with tillers on a good day and choose to stay comfortably behind the wheel on a bad day. The jib sheet, main halyard, and the rotating masts are controlled from the coachroof, but everything else is controlled from behind the two coachroof stations via two dedicated winch pedestals. All navigation stations provide a complete and clear view of the rig. All the halyard and reefing work can be easily carried out at the base of the mast, owing to the generous space it offers. 

The cockpit, on the same level as the saloon, has an outdoor dining area consisting of a table and a U-shaped lounge. This cockpit area is protected from sea-spray and harsh weather with two canvas wings. The foredeck of the Outremer 49 also offers a large trampoline area while there is no dedicated seating space.

SALOON

The saloon of Outremer 49 offers pretty much the same features as any other Outremer with U-shaped seating for six people wrapped around a foam sandwich table and a galley aft to starboard, accessed by a large sliding glass door. Removable bench seat for additional two people is also available to be placed opposite to the settee, and there are storage lockers underneath the seating.

The galley itself has a stainless steel double sink, 4-burner stove, and an oven fitted with grills along with a fridge and a freezer. The galley is open to the cockpit and also has an opening hatch above the stove for air circulation.

The navigation station in the saloon has a spacious desk for charts and is fully equipped with an electric multifunction control panel and a panel of navigation electronics. The seat at the navigation station is also comfortable, but space in the saloon, again, has been cut back since the mast of the catamaran is located amidships and not forward which reduces the saloon length. There are slightly slanting windows lining the saloon which offer a view of the ocean with two opening hatches up forward allowing for light and ventilation.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The hulls of Outremer 49 are cored with PVC foam above the waterline while below the waterline, they are resin-infused and solid fiberglass laminate. The hulls themselves are high and narrow, offering headspace of up to 2 meters. The unique feature of Outremer 49 is the asymmetric nature of the hulls, which made the boat stand out in the crowd.

With fine maple interior finishing, the aesthetics of the Outremer 49 are light and comforting. As mentioned earlier, because the focus of the catamaran is on performance cruising, the space inside the hulls is slightly cramped when compared to other cats. However, there is still enough space in both the hulls to have large double beds aft while smaller double berths can be easily accommodated in the forward cabins too.

There are different versions of Outremer 49 layouts also offering three separate, individual berths. Layouts can also be customized according to one’s needs. In the owner’s version, there is an aft queen bed in port hull with a forward head and a separate shower while the starboard hull has a queen bed in the aft cabin, double bed in the forward cabin, a head, and a separate shower. There is also a wardrobe or an office in the port hull.

ENGINE

Outremer 49 is powered by two Volvo-Penta D2, four-cylinder diesel sail drive engines of 40 hp each with folding three-blade propellers. The access to these engines, however, is not ideal, and maintenance checks might pose a risk to some.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Outremer 49 has an overall length of 14.98 meters and beam of 7.45 meters. The maximum draft of Outremer 49 is 2.35 meters and the maximum displacement is 12,600 kg. It has a total fuel tank of 340 liters and a freshwater capacity of 380 liters.

PRICE RANGE

The price of the Outremer 49 catamaran varies from $800,000 to $850,000.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the Outremer 49 is built for those seeking an optimum catamaran performance experience. Although later discontinued by Outremer and succeeded by the Outremer 51, the Outremer 49 did win the Sail’s Best Boat Award for 2012. It offers an excellent bluewater cruising experience, while still comfortably inhabited by a family seeking offshore adventures.