First Outremer 45 launched, the featherweight of catamarans

The announcement is one of importance, confirming the significant growth in the catamaran sector, particularly for Outremer, which is distinguished for completely reinventing the standards of this type of vessel. The first Outremer 45 was launched in recent days, marking a new milestone for the Grand Large Yachting group and the Outremer shipyard. Christened “Zoulpi,” the new Outremer 45 was built in Lorient and is a smaller model compared to the Outremer 55, which we didn’t hesitate to define as “the perfect catamaran,” yet no less captivating and high-performing.

Outremer is a French shipyard that has been building sailboats for forty years, designed for both summer cruises and circumnavigating the globe. These boats are capable of high speeds, offering great comfort, and tacking the wind like a monohull, all while ensuring an extremely high level of safety. Consequently, they have been experiencing significant market success in recent years.

The Outremer 45 in detail

The Outremer 45 is a 48-foot catamaran that requires no prior sailing experience. This is its main strength: aboard this extraordinary catamaran, everything is within reach, and the view is unobstructed from all four ends of the boat, facilitating maneuvers even with just one hand.

Thanks to its narrow hulls and lightweight construction, sailing the Outremer 45 is exhilarating. The 360-degree view from the saloon and cockpit provides exceptional visibility of the water and surrounding environment, significantly enhancing onboard comfort. The very low boom allows easy access to the mainsail, lowering the sail’s center and optimizing performance and comfort at sea. Access to the coachroof is straightforward, with just one step near the mast, and extremely safe even during the most demanding maneuvers.

A strategic choice

The launch of the new Outremer 45 marks the beginning of what promises to be a long production run, especially since it took place at the new production site in Lorient, which will not only handle the 45 but also the new 4X model. This expansion of production capacity signifies the shipyard’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for catamarans, in a strategic location that will enable Outremer to reduce waiting times for all its customers.

The move to Lorient follows the successful acquisition of the Ocean Rider Catamaran (ORC) brand last September. This strategic integration will allow Grand Large Yachting to strengthen its position as a leader in the offshore cruising market by producing high-performance catamarans and benefiting from the infrastructure and expertise of one of the region’s most renowned shipyards. Furthermore, this will extend the Group’s mission to a larger number of future boat owners, enabling everyone, whether experienced sailors or not, to fulfill their dream of a short or long sailing journey while respecting the oceans, providing safety, peace of mind, and assistance at every stage of the project.

“The collaboration between the La Grande-Motte and Lorient teams has been crucial in ensuring a smooth and efficient transition within production – emphasizes a statement from Outremer – The process involved not only the transfer of knowledge and expertise but also the harmonization of production practices to ensure the high standards of quality and performance for which Outremer is renowned worldwide. Outremer is the benchmark for offshore catamarans, building seaworthy and high-performance vessels, comfortable enough to sail around the Equator.”

The official launch of the Outremer 45 “Zoulpi” was celebrated with enthusiasm, attended by Xavier Desmarest, CEO and co-founder of the Grand Large Yachting group, partners, and the teams from Lorient, accompanied by a convivial breakfast on Quai Papin.

For more technical information on the Outremer 45, visit the shipyard’s website.