PERFORMANCE CRUISERS
OUTREMER 51/55
When you think of multihulls designed for bluewater cruising, Outremer will likely be one of the first names that comes to mind. Its heritage lies in building catamarans that can sail fast and are built strong enough to do laps of the globe.
The 51, the current version of which launched three years ago, is an archetypal example of what to look for in terms of blending speed and space. Weighing a light weight 11 tonnes, it’s designed to take another three tonnes of cruising gear. The option to sit out and tiller steer from the bucket seats and enjoy thrilling performance is a prime draw, while it is configured to manage the powerful sailplan short-handed.
But this also has a light, airy and nicely finished interior with forward-facing navstation, albeit more minimalist than the voluminous family cats from production yards. The dream design for a family circumnavigation?
Meanwhile, the French yard’s new 55ft VPLP design may look boldly different from its past models, but the philosophy behind it remains the same. It is designed to match windspeed up to 12 knots and Outremer reasons that its ability to sail in 5 knots of breeze will allow it to sail for 95% of the time on a circumnavigation. Should you get your routing wrong and actually have to sail to windward, the daggerboards provide up to 15° better performance.
A swing helm pedestal allows you to sit up on the side deck in fine weather, or shelter under the bimini when it turns inclement. And ventilation has been well thought out, negating the need for aircon, which means less fuel and weight.
Prices ex VAT: Outremer 51 €830,000; 55 €1,215,000
Windelo is a new south of France yard specialising in innovative catamarans which offer an interesting mix of unusual layouts, sailing performance and green technology. This first 50 is built from a composite sandwich of basalt fibre, a cloth made from volcanic rock, and PET foam from recycled plastic bottles, which helps to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 50% when compared with traditional glassfibre methods.
The Windelo cats have forward cockpits just abaft the mast and internal helm stations with all running rigging to hand. This leaves a large one-level main living area designed to be a modular space, with abundant natural light and ventilation. Three versions are offered including a hybrid electric powered Adventure model.
Price ex VAT: €735,000