Outremer 51 Catamaran Review 2021 | Our Search For The Perfect Catamaran. 

Love it. Love it. Love it

The most sane reviewers (is that even a word ?!?! if not sorry for my english ) on youtube ! Another great video , especialy for someone like me who've been only once on a sailboat , but totaly in love with the sea ! Asking the right questions , and giving simple and straight answers ! Keep up the good job ! Cheers and greetings from Bulgaria !

No comparison between Ruby Rose and those other guys. You each bring something different and I have a tenancy to watch your posts as soon as possible. Keep them coming!

The Outremer is a true blue water sailing cat and to be that, it needs the hull shape and dagger boards. Comparing it to fat cats..... well they are designed for chartering.. When you sail at twenty knots you need to have someone at the helm station ready to ease sheets or take the wheel at any time.. Of course you can reef it down to keep your speed to 10 to 12 knots, then you can sit inside with the autopilot on... The only bad thing in the design is the engine position and access. I would prefer them under the double bunks so they would be accessible in storm conditions. I think you would buy this boat with your head because it is the safest and best designed for blue water cruising, and it can sail to windward at 10 knots. This is important if you get caught on a lee shore. Cheers Rustie. PS If you've ever tried building a cat you'll know that the price is great value for money..

It's obviously an amazing boat, but I can't help but feel it has been outclassed by the Seawind 1600. It just seems like a more thoughtful design throughout...from the interior to the cockpit to the deck to the sugar scoops. And it flies just as fast, with maybe a better bias toward a broad reach which is more relevant to trade wind cruising than the beam reach bias that the outremer has.

Thanks for review. (Biased) future O51 owner here who generally agrees with most of the observations including some of the negatives. A few comments: Performance: most focus seems to be on high end performance but the real value (imo) of an efficient boat is the ability to sail well in light winds and to have the option of sailing conservatively while still moving at respectable speeds in moderate winds. Being able to put in 2 reefs in 15-20 knots and sail at 7-8 knots is fantastic. Cockpit: personally, I prefer the safety of the enclosed cockpit recognizing it's a climb to get to the swim steps. This opinion was reinforced when we were pooped on a 5X in big following seas a couple of years ago (that problem could probably be solved with a washboard). Very small chance of something or someone going overboard unless they're outside the cockpit. Helm: it's possible to add a small dodger to protect the helm seat - some O51 owners have done this - but requires the mainsail be cut a little higher and the boom raised. We've chosen not to (for now) as we spend relatively little time at the helm and feel we'll be able to cope ok in an unusual situation. Agree or not, the Outremer view is that most of what you're concerned about can be resolved with clothing. I used to believe helm protection was essential but it just doesn't bother me in practice as much as I thought it would. Btw, the bucket seats are great places to sit when on watch even when not using the tillers (which aren't used often as far as I can tell). Space: definitely less interior space than on a similar length Leopard/Lagoon etc. so if that's highest priority then choose on that basis. We feel the O51 has more than enough space for our needs and we wouldn't trade away the sailing qualities for more interior volume.

As a world cruiser, helm and engine access issues are a deal breaker, unless you’re planning on mostly coastal cruising. Love that it performs and the finish is beautiful, but safety is much more than just where the life raft is situated, especially on an ocean crossing.

Guys I love your work !! It is so complete from a to z ! Thanks for putting all this info together !!!

Wonderful review. Love the conversational format and the interaction of the two of you. Anxiously waiting for a review of the Discovery Cat.

Great review as always love your comparisons on the detail keep up the great work I’m truly enjoying them

You are arguably the best looking couple on youtube talking about sailboats. Thank you!

Such great reviews thank you. I'm sure that all this is helping you to examine boats objectively. Wishing you safe sailing

Another excellent review. Thank you. It seems that it's down to the Seawind 1600 and the Outremer 51. The former has some advantages, the latter is better looking inside and out. The helm position is a problem that can be resolved relatively easily with a dodger. With regard to the space versus performance debate, a boat that makes fast passages is safer, the crew arrives fresher and will be less intimidated about doing it all over again. Thus, what it may lack in volume as a cruising boat it makes up for in easier quicker passages. L.Francis Herreshoff was not wrong when he said that the pleasure of sailing is directly proportional to the speed at which it is done. There are other aspects than speed but for most sailors, a boat that will sail well is a joy.

Another awesome review you guys! Gotta love that speed potential :-)

I absolutely love this series it reviews. Well done!!!

I am SO enjoying this shopping experience with you guys!

My cruising experience on Cats, when the weather is crap / and often when it's not, the auto-pilot is driving the boat - You hand steer "rarely" on passage. I hand steer much more than most as I like to sail and the Outremer tiller is awesome! Outremer is a high-quality boat, ask an owner and you will find the support is equally as good. Don't apologize about your bias - You two know boats AND sailing, your bias is from the boat being superior in many ways to competitors.

Probably the best review I've seen. So different from the "reviews" that are really marketing presentations. It was refreshing that you talked about the performance/luxury/price trichotomy. If you want speed and space, then a Gunboat might fit the bill at around $5 to $6 million second hand. I beg to differ about catamarans sailing by the numbers because they don't heel, etc. It depends on the style of catamaran and the sailor. If you're sailing a responsive catamaran, e.g. like using the tiller on an Outremer, you should be able to feel the slightest wind change by the tickle on the back of your ears and the ruffle in the hairs on the back of your neck.

Nice - looking forward to that Seawind 1260 review!

The engine compartment location in rough seas looks very scary as well as the helm seat without any support or covering. Also I agree about the stove location and many of the points are very much in agreement of what you said and all should be reconsidered from Outremer ! They need to use the 55 flexible helm control on future models.

Outremer 51 and Seawind 1600. I've been on Seawind 1600 at Miami 2020 Boat show. I think there is no comparison really. Worked on Cat's in AUS in late '90's. And yes things have changed. But I assure YOU during & after major storm I DO NOT WANT TO GET WET WHILE AT THE HELM STATION. It rained y'day at the boat show . So we got to see first hand how you are protected on Seawind 1600. We loved it ! Seawind 1600 is designed by Reichel Pugh and built by Seawind catamarans and as well by their current owners. Seawind even had enough balls to put that in their new brochure. "Our owners are our harshest critics". Outremer 51 should be charged with offense of just 'pretending' to be in the same category. Not a prayer Outremer 51...you wish that you are Seawind 1600. Speaking to Seawind Owners and their sales team...There are 23 yes 23 orders for Seawind 1600 right now. Contracts signed and waiting...Did I forget to mention that if you order Seawind now that it will not be ready until 2023..that's not misprint . Nick I like you and Terysa and your content. However even my wife who was next to me and she had smile on her face (rare occurrence when talking about boats and $) when she was aboard Seawind 1600. Sorry Nick, but she did laugh at you that you liked this "Pretender" Vs Seawind 1600. AUS Co design wins by common sense. The other boat we fell in love also was Balance 526. WOW. We spent an hour + with Edwin, owner of the boat. Thank you Edwin. He said he is hull #7 and being Engineer he incorporated few changes that he said that all new boat owners after him on Balance 526 are requesting and getting it. And yes it costs more ($1.74m) and it is amazing cat. And of course my wife loved it. After we stepped on different Lagoon's and Fountain Pajot and as we were waiting to 'begin ' to move about the cabin...the boat boards under our feet were cricking...we looked at it each other and started laughing. We left shortly after knowing what our boat is going to be...Seawind 1600 or Balance 526! Great job Nick and Terysa on providing us with amazing content and real life feelings and thoughts. Thank you.

Fantastic review. Nick had me laughing with selling a kidney. Narrow hulls equals performance but as I would prefer to live aboard, I prefer space as well as creature comforts. Build quality and fit and finish are amazing. Ryan er Riley (lol) and Alayna could really use the extra space now. They should be upgrading to this larger model. Nick, just come up with something to replace the dangerous mercury fillings that they still use today with something that is safe and you could just write a check for this million dollar masterpiece. Hoping I can make it to Annapolis Boat Show to say hello. Keep up the great work!

Great watching your reviews . And how you go back and forth to each other thoughts . Thanks for all the work you put in to your shows .from Steve stott in sutherlin Oregon u.s.a.

Tony & Susan here, I believe from this review Outremer has best in class build quality. The exterior helm can be outfitted for a bit more protection from the elements . Good Job on the review. Heading to Annapolis

Looking forward to your videos next spring from aboard your new Seawind 1260 :)

You should check but if I remember correctly, you can also access the engine from inside through a hatch under the bed from back cabin. Also, 10,9 t. for a 51 is quite lightweight which is synonymous additional security for a catamaran. Distribution of weights and masses is particularly well studied on this ship. Lagoon or Leopard 50 are 20 tons ships.

she looks very nice!!! your presentation was spotless .........love it!

Best discussion of the pros and cons of the Outremer cockpit. I came away appreciating the setup a bit more actually, while being initially much more critical.

What a great review I really like that boat. Wish you were also reviewing, comparing and contrasting to similar priced mono hulls.

beautifully made. i think this is one of those boats that "just depends" do you want a 2 seat sports car or full size comfort. my attitude is im going to spend a lot more time sitting somewhere than getting there, so giving up a few knots doesn't much bother me. im not a big person but when we toured an outremer i could hardly turn around in the hulls and forget trying to get past someone

Regarding the incident in Australia, I read somewhere that the accident was a result of their being hit from the aft by a floating shipping container in very cold and challenging sea conditions. Since so many people who will be seeing this have no experience with catamarans I think it's worth restating just how unusual that sort of occurrence is, and just how many things have to go wrong all at once in order to overturn a modern cruising catamaran. As always, awesome review.

love your reviews, its refreshing that you say it how it is in your opinion, whether we the viewer choose to agree or disagree, you at least get people thinking about what's important or not, well done ....Danny Australia

Great review. I agree with all the good and the bad. For me personally, the helm would be a deal breaker. Shade for me is a must and I would want a hard top and ability for a full enclosure. The bench seat would need to be upgraded per you remarks as well. The engine access was also terrible. I think you guys were kind to them on these two points because the rest of the boat appears outstanding. Thanks for these great reviews.

Extremely helpful video for us newbies!

"You buy a boat with your heart" agree.....a BIG heart 😊

This boat has amazing technical specs, it can only be a super fast rocket, go for it!

Impressive sailing polar diagram. There is a lot about the boat that is beautiful. The helm station, engine room access and possibly the price are barriers for me..

ive learned so much,thank you

Great information, beautifully presented, well done!

Great review, as a mono hull cruiser we enjoy seeing how the other half live.

As always great review! Looking forward to the Balance and maybe the Dufour 48?

For me personally two ‘Show Stoppers’ - 1) Helm Position (can you imagine even 48 hours of hand steering in cold/wet weather with just two people on board) & 2) Engine Access (when you really needed to in a crappy sea as you would need a Granny Bar!)

Another great review of a very nice catamaran. Thank you for sharing the specs and capabilities of that Outremer 51 and for the detailed review of the boat overall. I watched another review of that boat model (BOAT TOUR: The Sailing Family's OUTREMER 51 Blue Water Catamaran - RU-vid) and the owners had completely enclosed the back helm with an upper Bimini and a removable flexible enclosure. That configuration would satisfy the exposure issues you mentioned on this boat. You both do such a great job explaining the details of your review and it really helps novice's, like me, understand what the terms and characteristics mean.

I'll be happy when you guys decide!!

Outremer announces it's newest salesman of the Year, NICK just kidding obviously he really likes these woods

Super series on the cats, Ruby Rose crew. Very, very, very, very good job. As they might say somewhere in the UK, with a throaty royal accent, "Bloody well done, chaps!" (read...Chap and Chapette.)

Helm and engine access- Deal Breaker

love the channel and you guys. 2 points for Nick. 1. your "cautious" approach to sailing doesn't really lend itself to a performance boat does it? How comfortable would u be at 20 knots? but as u said u buy with your heart (just food for thought) 2. your life raft thoughts are bang on. If u have a dinghy at the rear having a life raft at the forward make sense of dividing your options in event u need them. just another reason supporting your idea. keep up the awesome content :)

Love these vlogs you guys are doing well. Clear and concise opinions and reasoning behind you views. I'd hate to have you as a motivated salesman.... Very convincing. As a side note you already have the supermodel onboard, so all you need is the fat cigar. Peace and fair winds.

Love your channel and well done. You might look at a Royal Cape Majestic 530 when you get to Annapolis. Hope to run into you there.

Another great review, as usual you get sidestepped but all good info. Tell us about all those factors that create hull slapping, Maybe a good subje t for a separate vid. Keep up the great vids!

Let’s face it Riley And Elayna put Outremer on the map and quite literally made it a household name. Outremer makes a great boat. Personally I like the older models particularly the 53/55 light.

We have a FP Orana and the cooktop is right next to the staircase. It makes me nervous every time I think about it but we've never had trouble with someone accidentally stepping off the steps, and we've lived on it for more than a year and had a variety of guests on board.

I have enjoyed your Channel and have subscribed . I have lived on Kauai, HI. For past 18 years. Sometimes I have thoughts of buying boat and sailing to South Pacific. The only impediment is my severe seasickness , no mechanical skills and a total lack of seamanship.😂 To compensate I watch your videos. I love the boats but stayed for your great showmanship. Both of you have a great repose.👍😀😷❤️🌴

Would love to see the Bluewater 50 by Discovery. Great reviews. Very well thought out. Love it!

In your review of the Seawind 1600 you mentioned having saildrives as a negative, but apparently ignored this aspect with the Outremer 51.Also, I understand the Outremer's salon windows are plexiglass as opposed to the Seawind's glass. However, that said still love your fantastic reviews, just can't wait for more.

I see you read my overly long email to you about cats and liferaft placement on a catamaran. Keep up the nice work! :)

Edit: Great video guys. I really am not a big fan of the open cockpit though. Another thing that bothered me was all of these new cats that are giving up U shaped galleys!! I don't understand...unless using them as floating apartments U shaped, or at least having an island behind you to brace on in high seas is so important! .... Read in another comment you guys will check out the Balance 526 this year in Annapolis. Hope to see you there! My final list of cats to decide between have come down to the Seawind 1600, the Balance 526, and the Xquiste x5. Two performance and 1 luxury cat....now to see which one the wife likes!

Totally agree with your comment re the position of hob relative to the stairs.

Now I know how to pronounce 'Outremer'! Thanks Nick!

I prefer the speed offered by the Outremer. Personally, I don't feel performance is weighted enough when making a purchase.

Really enjoying this series. When are you going to buy a cat? Can’t wait to watch your transition

Great review! FYI: Opaque = no light passes through Translucent = light only passes through Transparent = light and images pass through

thanks for your insights :)

Another great review , just a few simple things for liveaboard , put doors on the shelves on the main cabin near the bed to increase storage . Black mullions look great inside and the cockpit cannot he walked into from the shore like most cats you have to walk over the combing so essentially the cockpit is like a centre cockpit on a monohull giving you more protection . One note,what is the drainage like just Incase you get a big wave in there. ! Take care Darrell

Okay, here's my take. As I've told you multiple times, I'm not a sailor, I've never owned a sailboat, never sailed, and I don't have the experience, so my comments MUST be biased around my LACK of knowledge. I still, and will probably forever, be in love with the newer Privilege boats, from 2006 or so on, and particularly the Serie 5, 615, Serie 6, and even a couple of the 40-something footers. That Center Master Suite is just killer, even though, as Nick demonstrated, the headroom in the 510 isn't that great. I can deal with that over the bed, I sleep there, not navigate from there. Having said that, speed is always nice, luxury is always nice, but as Outremer clearly demonstrates, it's not really possible to have both. No walk around berths, a galley that isn't as big, or as safety-minded as I might like (look at the Seawind with the galley down, I'd like that in a higher sea state). I also want to be able to walk around and feel comfortable. Back to the Serie 5/510, you have room on those boats for four staterooms, and they are big and comfortable. Plus, if you wanted to, you can get a full-beam master for a three-cabin setup. Can't beat that. That's MY bias. I do agree that Outremer seems to be a quality built cat, the joinery, woodwork and the small touch of engraving in the Corian is nice. If I'm going to be paying that kind of money for a boat, I expect Rolls Royce, Bentley, Gulfstream (jet airplane) and custom Boeing interiors. From what I've seen from your video, Outremer delivers. It's not a 'production' boat. Far better than Neel, but we won't go into that. Performance. I don't know how I feel about that. I'm single, no significant other, and my sailing companions would probably be feline, and maybe a couple of paid crew (IF I was in the position to do this, I'm not). Maybe get lucky and find a lovely young lady like Terysa, but odds are stacked against me. :) :p So, do I need to get there, wherever there is, quickly and a bit cramped, or a little more slowly and in a lot more comfort? I agree that a daggerboard equipped sailboat is probably a bit more stable, significantly faster, but is also more work to get the results you want. Who wants to trim the daggerboards in 25 knots of shifting wind at 3 a.m. in the morning? Layout. So many cruising cats have the master hull and then the guest hull, and I guess that isn't bad, especially if you have air conditioning and can zone it to certain spaces. But, it does limit you in number of guests or extra crew you might carry. If you were doing long passage, i.e., Panama to Tahiti, France to Florida or the Bahamas, having more than just two onboard would be helpful. Four or five might be a better number, especially if you don't have to pay for them! Yeah, food and stuff, but you know, non-paid crew who is looking for bluewater cruising hours or experience. But, that's just me, the more the merrier? The Helm Station on the 51, to me, is a disaster. I would need to have an enclosure built around it. Either that, or a compete redesign of the hardtop to have an enclosed area extending out past the helm station that can be completely enclosed and heated, if necessary. You've stated on various occasions that a forward-looking interior Nav Station is almost a requirement, but I have to wonder why. Do you really want to do your watch standing inside, with limited visual cues and limited sightlines? Sure, some cats have interior controls for the helm, and that's not bad, but reefing a line, or changing the take up on a sheet can't be done from inside. BUT, you need to have an enclosure outside for it to be best. Interior Nav stations, In my humbled non-experience opinion, are great for planning out the trip, monitoring weather, and looking at making long-distance decisions for the trip, even for as little as 30 minutes out, depending on the requirement. Autopilot is good for that, as is radar and Predict Winds, etc., and probably IS better done inside, but at least a hand AT the wheel, if not on it, makes me feel more comfortable. But, that's just me. I trust the autopilots in the airplanes I used to fly, I most certainly trust the navigation systems in General Aviation aircraft today, but I'm not going to lean the seat back and take a nap. That's kind of how I feel about watch standing. As seen by the recent Sail GP, and America's Cup racing, foiling catamarans are the thing. I'm wondering when we're going to see foiling cats as cruising cats? One main foil on either side amidships, and two smaller ones bow and stern, or one smaller on the bow, and the rudders fitted with small foils. Could you imagine 30 knots or so downwind with a 50' cat using a Parasailor? In a LUXURY cat? Not a LuxoPerf cat, but a true luxury one. Forty knots in something like an Outremer or a Catana? LOL I need to contact Marc Lombard! LOL As to the lifeboat issue, I agree that is shouldn't be stowed somewhere that you have to open a locker to get to it. Also, considering your comments on the cat that capsized down in Aussieland, I will have to go find the video, but I've seen storage on the coachroof, next to the dingy, and some other 'less desirable' places. I DO like the Outremer solution, accessible from either side of the hull, and for a cruising couple, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't mind it intruding on the trampoline if it is easily deployed to save their lives. Anyway, good review. I'm not as biased as you are, I'm not sure I would give it the high score you did, but it wouldn't be too far off of your mark, either.

I do like the Outremers, but while, as you stated, you will be sailing her with a smile, I think the non-sailing time will be less satisfying, due to the small size. For a 51' cat, I don't think it has adequate space. I would personally prefer the space and sacrifice the speed.

I like your boat review series. you do a good job with this format. maybe you can do a mono hull review series?

Great reviews - I wonder about the differences in the ride between the performance hull catamaran and production boats passing through surface wave?

top three sailing channel on youtube!.....trust me, I've seen them all ;)

Great review. Loving this series of reviews. Have you guys looked at any of the electric boats? I know they are becoming more reliable.

Just watched a review of the Antares 44 and it looks spankingly good. Any plans for you guys to do a review on it ?

😂😂 I really enjoyed this review. Particularly Nick's attempt to overcome the "negative" Helm position. Outremer have definitely stepped up their craftsmanship in the interior, which now is equal to that used in the 5X, ie; flush cabinet doors. I believe that it's already been mentioned in a comment below, the helm position. There are possibilities to enclose that outdoor position and as for the helm seat, being a separate unit as opposed to a moulded seat, modifications should be easy. At the moment there is a family sailing the world with an Outremer 51 "Archer" which has an enclosed helm dodger. As for the engine bay access, I agree that it's not ideal. I wonder, if they were to rotate the hatch opening so that it opens aft instead of to the side, it would give a greater sense of security? Food for thought. Anyway, Terysa, as for the neck "pop" try siting on the other side next time🤣. Great job, as always good fun to watch. Cheers

I love your reviews

With that kind of money, I'm sure the yard can provide a simple dodger. The engine access problem is worse. Great review!

We agree, helm enclosure is needed!

I would like to see you add interior height in your reviews. My husband and I are both tall and love watching your reviews.

excelente trabajo,,maravilloso

Your point when you were at the Helm inside that you could not see the top of the Mast is very Valid why not ask why they never put a View Point above the steering wheel Uv PROTECTED so no hot sun on you in there.????????? . Great Vlog Guys and having short Arms and Long Pockets never gets what you Won't lol :)

Very honest review. Are you in Cannes next month?

Glad to hear you'll be reviewing the O45 which is 48' now. With solar and big alternators, not sure a separate generator is necessary these days. Washing machines aren't that heavy. Seems more bang for the buck than the O51.

I'm very interested to see where you end up in your budget that seems more realistic for the well off but not luckily rich. Likely the value is on the 2nd hand market.

great review! thank you. Would like to see your number 10 please

My takeaway is that you two would prefer an Amel 55. Or two of them strapped together. 😉 But I will agree that that is a gorgeous catamaran. My biggest question for Outremere is can you get different engines? We’ve watched Riley replace at least three engine control units.

A few points I have noticed through this series of reviews which by the way are totally outstanding.#1being none of these expensive vessels are fly by wire meaning I’ve been expecting a joystick control on all of these vessels connected to the navigation station of which you can utilise the boats electronics a lot more easily.#2 why after all these years of yacht and vessel construction design,the manufacturers have never integrated a self inflating bladder design similar to the life vest that would make the vessels unsinkable in any condition,boats shouldn’t sink anymore in this day and age of technology,the human safety factor has to be reviewed in the design and construction phase,after all they want to charge a million dollars for a boat then they need to provide a million dollar guarantee you will survive a mishap.This is not the eighteen hundreds anymore but vessels are still designed on this principle.cheers safe sailing.

I like the format. (grab a camera that can do 120 fps for those slowmos!)

Outremer is very nice, but Seawind 1600 seems the better option for a performance live-aboard. If there is a Nautitech 541 at Annapolis, I'd love to see you guys review that.

I like the way you swop between each other's views on the boat. I thought you were a teensy bit mean with your VFM score of only 5. But this was an excellent review of a superb boat. Loved it

Love your reviews... could you make one of the Outremer 5x or 55? Either of those sre what I would get if I had the money!

I'm really looking forward to the Antares review. It's specifically made for live-aboard blue water cruising and supposedly can handle higher latitude sailing better than the other cats.

Having just watched your review of the Seawind 1600, the Outremer 51 falls short. The helming position is really rather poor and I am surprised that Outremer have not put more thought into that crucial point for any one looking for an ocean crossing vessel. Also I couldn't help notice the position of the throttle controls which are really not great. Last but not least: Engine access! If you are simply coastal cruising this might be ok but again for anyone considering long distance that access is simply dangerous When you see all the rest of the boat there is clearly a lot of attention to detail but these three points are disappointing and Outremer should address them.

Love this one, but, not to change the subject, but each time I see Terysa with that fuzzy microphone I keep thinking, "when did they get a cat"...??? lolol Cheers! Ken 🤣👍🍻😎

The boat is nice, but the compromise of the exposed helm & lack of visibility of the main from the inside position turns me off completely. Thanks for drawing attention to the life raft positioning, had not considered this. Seawind wins 😊. Keep up the great work guys, you’re helping us with our choice tremendously.

Beautiful!

Great review.

Okay, so that was SOoooo not fair! Of course I wanna c the 60'! Come on! Peacocks!

Thanks, thanks, thanks 🙏

One point worth considering in the value for money category is resale and how well they hold their value. Looking at Yachtworld over the years it appears that well kept Outremers hold their value and sell quickly.

I commend Outremer for the full sized mattresses I hate those trimmed in other boats, but for me Leopard 50 still #1 on the list.

Yeah, I also want it.