Clear and simple
Cruising cats are typically spacious and supremely comfortable but rarely renowned for sailing performance – particularly upwind. The Outremer 49 (LOA 15.27m) is an exception.
the latest version of its Offshore app, now with a fully featured GRIB viewer.
The free app allows seamless downloading of multiple GRIB files for coastal or offshore passages. Download and immediately view GRIB files, weather routes, GMDSS text forecasts and satellite imagery.
Predictwind weather forecast files are highly compressed for downloading across wireless communication devices such as Iridium GO! or on SSB.
The app’s trip planning and forecasting tools include Predictwind’s powerful Weather Routing, Departure Planning, Destination Forecast, GMDSS Text Forecasts and Satellite imagery. Select parameters such as Wind, Rain, Wave, Cloud, Temperature, Sea Surface Temperature and Current.
Simply click and drag your waypoints, download the relevant GRIB files and view the forecast weather automatically displayed in the app. Available for PC and Mac at www.predictwind.com/grib-files/
Outremer has been building sailing multihulls for around 30 years at its yard in Southern France and its vessels are distinctive – sleek, narrow hulls with fine entries and low-profile, streamlined cabin tops. They’re renowned for sharp performance, and though they’re common around the Med they’re virtually unknown here.
That’s about to change following Auckland’s Gulf Group recent acquisition of the agency. By chance an Outremer 49 arrived in the country shortly after the deal was signed, giving us an opportunity to check out the marque. And based on the initial meeting I can tell you it all augurs well.
It’s clear – even at first glance – why these cats are quick and manoeuvrable. Those slender hulls may slightly compromise interior volume but by way of compensation offer a relatively light-weight (10,000kg) vessel. Add in the deep dagger boards, the tall mast and generous sail plan – 86m2 square-topped main, 40m2 self-tacking jib and 110m2 furling gennaker – the 49 is a scratch above the norm.