TOBY HODGES
Where: Gulf of Lion, Med border of France and Spain
Wind: From 3-24 knots, but mostly 15-20 knots
Model tested: Hull#1, with high spec including furling gennaker, genoa and staysail, carbon bowsprit, DFi sails, extra solar and lithium battery capacity
They seem preternatural, our navlight giving the dolphins an oily reflection as they launch like dark green torpedoes in unison with our surfs. The fizzing noise when they clear the water helps communicate their effortless speed, while the boat hums as it accelerates into the mid teens. Subconsciously I count the surfs, 6, 7, 8… seconds; psychologically I’m wired, absolutely buzzing. But physically I notice I’m shivering, with numb fingers from being on the helm so long, not willing to relinquish the wheel for a single minute even to don extra layers.
It’s exhilarating. Two days and nights aboard the Outremer 52 in March made for some of the most enjoyable sailing I’ve done in 20 years of testing yachts. That’s not to say this new model is faultless or that it’ll suit everyone – there are of course compromises that come with this performance. Then consider spending a seven figure sum yet still having to wait four years for one.
But there are very few production yachts I can think of that offer this amount of cruising space and comfort coupled with such engaging performance, and arguably no yards that are as successful in doing it as Outremer. Which makes me wonder, could this be my ultimate world tourer?
IN FORM
With its four decades of fast bluewater experience, Outremer (‘overseas’ in French), has been able to tap into the recent maelstrom of multihull demand perhaps better than any yard.
Together with design partners VPLP, Patrick Le Quément and Franck Darnet, Outremer proved with the 55 two years ago that it could produce a modern, fast catamaran with real wow factor and a particularly bright, open plan main deck layout.
The 52 is very much in that guise, yet carries the heavy task
