Exclusive first (fast) sail! 200 miles on the new Outremer 52 - the ultimate bluewater cat?

With some exhilarating sailing over two days and nights, Toby Hodges asks if this Outremer 52 sets a new benchmark for fast, comfortable ocean cruising. The full report is in Yachting World June 23 issue
00:00 Intro
00:52 Outward leg gennaker sailing
05:14 Asymmetric sailing
09:30 Anchoring & cockpit
13:24 Interior main deck
18:30 Accommodation walk through
28:02 Systems access
32:42 Details on deck
44:51 Return leg sailing, helming sensation
49:30 Wheel and winch setup
53:55 Final thoughts & specs
► Become a FREE SUBSCRIBER to Yachting World's KZbin page now - kzbin.info...
► For the latest reviews, new gear launches and tour news, visit our website: www.yachtingworld.com
► Like us on Facebook here - / yachtingworldmagazine
► Follow us on Twitter at: / yachtingworld
► Feel free to comment below!
► Remember to hit that LIKE button if you enjoyed it :)

[@eusouojotabr]

What an amazing video! I made the first comment to praise the sailboat, but while I finished watching the video I had to leave another comment, this time to congratulate the beautiful work that this channel does, showing all the details and information about the boat.

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you that is much appreciated!

[@LouisVillemaire]

This guy know how to present a boat on a nice video! ;)

[@Themanoutdoors]

A really like that on the interior tour you where honest about material quality and execution quality, and not just saying it’s brilliant because your a guest.

[@PJCelis]

I love what's happening right now in the performance catamaran world: Outremer with their new line (55 & 52) of more modern integrated saloon / cockpit concept, Balance innovating with the flexihelm and the Integrel alternators, HH driving catamarans towards hybrid electric and MASSIVE solar panels integrated in the coach roof, Dazcat Ocean Cruiser 55 with spreaderless mast, wing sails, and all the latest tech. Can't wait to see what next few years will bring!

[@yachtingworld]

Absolutely agree with you @PJCelis !

[@Stalefish6]

There is is one guy on social media who never ever have to fear bad comments! Toby H.!! Thanks a lot! Again and again and again… Having fun on a 10 foot boat and on a 120+ boat too…. Massiv respect for your work and passion for the industry 🙏🌏⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️✌️💯💯🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇩🇪

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you @Tingletangljan - that's really made my day! I really appreciate your support and kind words. Toby

[@donday2326]

Toby and YachtingWorld continue to be the gold standard and reference of boat reviews - realistic, detailed, comprehensive.

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you!

[@seppok5433]

This is one of the best boat reviews I have seen. Well done Toby & YW! It was especially nice to see that pure joy of surfing down those waves!😊

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you. I know it's a long one, but sometimes best to try and show it all!

[@Geoffrosamond]

Well done Toby! Nice commentary on a beautiful and cleverly thought out production catamaran. Kudos to Outremer and VPLP for creating a dream cruising cat 🎉

[@SailingAWEN]

Toby, definitely your best boat review ever!!! 👍Loved that long format video with extended sailing and amazing sceneries, combined with your unique commentary style! As a future O52 owner (hull #4) it was really nice to get your first impression while we wait for our delivery early August. We'll probably watch your video a few more times until we get to La Grande Motte for Outremer Cup in May. Nothing like close racing around buoys to get a good feel for the boat, at least until we cross the Atlantic this winter 😉

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you @SailingAWEN ! We did wonder how long too long might be, but with the equivalent space of a 65-70ft monohull and plenty of time on board and sailing in good breeze, there was a lot to show. Glad it helped you even though you've already made your decision. We're jealous! Hope you enjoy the Cup and the cruising when you get your boat. T

[@carlosvallejo4926]

can't wait for sailing AWEN . Any new podcast soon? Cheers from Canary Islands

[@SailingAWEN]

@@carlosvallejo4926 hi Carlos, we’re about to restart as we get ready to leave soon for 🇫🇷 . Stay tune!

[@emericgchepy9441]

Best boat review I’ve ever seen. Certainly thanks to a Great team and a great boat !

[@yachtingworld]

Wow, thank you very much!

[@robinchristol6319]

was good fun filming this !

[@yachtingworld]

Awesome drone skills thank you @robinchristol6319 !🎥

[@bertmacdonald337]

I agree with Mathieu , this is going to sell like hot cakes! They`ve smashed it out of the park with this one Toby! Very entertaining video again mate, thank you so much !

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you!

[@Seagole]

A 4 year waiting list, Geez I'll b 70 by the time one of those are ready for us. Shux eh!!! I liked n shared this video. A 7 figure price tag, Whoosh over my head. I was gonna say I'm sold but we'll probably have to scrap boat plans at this point, unless we can win Lotto? Thanks for the awesome Boat Tour none the less :)

[@angela1984a]

There seems to be some decent older performance cats on the used market available now for around the 500K mark. Don't know how much a refit of one of those would be though... Maybe that could be an alternative... Or perhaps ask Marsaudon Composites if they have one of their 50-footers available within a year or so. One of those would be less than this Outremer 52. YOLO... ;-)

[@kremcap]

What a fantastic sailboat! Thanks for showing what's possible and making me dream a little bit...

[@animapulcra9205]

That was a seriously honest review. You show the strengths and the weaknesses. Thank you Toby.

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you!

[@bernardlanguillier7970]

Well... having watched the whole thing I didn't hear about weaknesses besides the price and unavailability until 2027 due to high orders...

[@victorvandyke9898]

I like the fact that you could be cruising at 12-16 knots and stand upright instead of sideways like with a monohull, even if there's one that can reach these speeds.

[@DaisyDaisyFilms]

Great review, outstanding information going into all the aspects of the boat, looking forward to more like this

[@brettroman3218]

Thoroughly enjoyed.Excellent review Toby.

[@yachtingworld]

Glad to hear it thank you

[@MrBluebeard3]

Great in depth review, Toby. Lucky bugger!!

[@Ian-gf8id]

This is an outstanding boat - the attention to practical design an detailing is superb, and the performance speaks for itself. Your video really brought the boat to life, in a very no nonsense way - I loved watching every minute of it.

[@rtbinc2273]

Great work Toby. I would point out this is why I watch channels where they review older boats. You can't get an new one of these for 4 years. But you can get a 4 year old one now. If you watch some of the other channels they order and put a deposit on something like this then buy and flip older boats hoping to pay off a chunk of the new one when it is done.

[@stefanmarraccini8646]

Another awesome vid from you folks. Especially the drone work and Toby. Toby is the man. Seriously, I enjoy pretty much all the content from the sailing community on YT, but Toby's knowledge and communication skills, especially for a tech and go fast geek, simply shine. I was just saying to myself that I need to remember to use "what a cracking day to go sailing!" in the future. Thanks again!

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you @stefanmarraccini8646 ! That's really kind and good to hear. When we get the time, weather and opportunity like this, it can be a rewarding project

[@avefreetimehaver5154]

Damn. 52 looking amazing!

[@SuperPecker1]

Fantastic review Toby, thank you Outremer for taking us for a spin and congratulations on the forward orders! Can't wait to see if they can shrink it to a 44 😉

[@angela1984a]

There is a 45 in the range.

[@adolfhitler337]

@@angela1984a The Outremer 45 is a 48 ft catamaran.

[@angela1984a]

@@adolfhitler337 I'm curious. Why did you pick the name "adolfhitler337"?

[@adolfhitler337]

@@angela1984a that sounds cool 🤣

[@christopherboulet9807]

As always, excellent video. Thanks Toby

[@biblicaltheologyexegesisan9024]

Thanks Toby for the grand tour

[@torbendjerf]

Great job on this one Toby is still very detailed and very informative..T

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you!

[@traitorhatergetarope3163]

Smart layout, seemed like a soild, rigid boat. Love the shape.. great video.. 🤙

[@janwantstosail]

Are we all so nuts, wasting our time to watch Toby on this toy for one hour and enjoying every minute of it? Hmm, I an afraid so . Beautiful yacht, great review,.. donations welcome,..😊

[@yachtingworld]

😄

[@chrisdias73]

Excellent review, Toby, always enjoy them! This boat IS awesome. Also love the extended length of the sail. Would have liked to see this in heavy weather conditions,! Thank you very much. Great review.

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you @chrisdias7584 - we got a good stint onboard but couldn't plan the weather. At least we had some good winds. I'll try and get heavy weather too next time!

[@mustafaoshaughnessy3198]

Thanks for the video Toby & YW!

[@marktahu2932]

Well done Toby - your coverage definitely benefits from a longer screen time - it allows us to see the depth of the boats strengths and abilities. Thank you. It's interesting that the 52 seems to be the sweet-spot for off shore cruisers, HH have a similar offering as do many others.

[@yachtingworld]

Thanks Mark - and yes, agreed on the sweet spot at this price/size range

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Thanks much Toby. Very well done tour and review presented in context of actually sailing and living on her. The boat seems to sail smartly, and the interior is practical, tidy and reasonably attractive. Seems like a solid and reasonably tasteful and comfortable design. Really like how well thought out the line handling is. Lots of well thought out details in general.

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words and feedback!

[@rocknsail]

Beautiful boat. Nothing to say about those people.... They are everywhere, also in my country Greece you will find many similar "professionals". I think this life suits you. With a smaller 12-13 meter sailing yatch you can be your own captain and have on-board only the people you love. I have an almost 70 year old Serbian friend who did exactly this and every year he has great time on his boat here in Greece. Fair winds

[@Muratshayev]

Good boat. Despite the fact that some decisions are controversial. Thanks for the detailed review and experience.

[@mrtbgz]

This was the best boat review I ve ever seen on KZbin..

[@groovydoo]

I WISH ALL SAILING VIDEOS WERE LIKE THIS ONE! • Educational, exciting, calming, slice of life! WELL DONE SIR!

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you, thank you @groovydoo !👍

[@hempandseaweed]

Great Video! Thank you for sharing. Loving the 52.

[@urosnovakovic4649]

This long form reviews are amazing ❤

[@yachtingworld]

Good to hear thank you!

[@katamaranscom]

Great tour! Such a detailed review, there is a ton of work that has gone into the filming and editing of this 👏

[@yachtingworld]

Yes it was a big one to put together, so glad you like it thank you!

[@vorda400]

Amazing boat It was a bit strange for me with that open cockpit, but when I saw how the helm wheel can be folded if necessary, it's a totally crazy thing it looks very good quality, there are no squeaks while sailing, at least they were not heard on the video But that it is incredible that the future owner is waiting 4 years for the boat, it is only proof that potential buyers have recognized what it is. I like this kind of longer reviews, they show a lot more in different conditions That sunrise at the beginning was beautiful

[@alancooke1131]

That helm station is a game changer

[@FighterFred]

Wow, what a vessel. Good review!

[@DNN88]

Dreamboat! What a beast!

[@ianscott3180]

If only I could afford one! I could happily spend a couple of years exploring on one of these. Oh well, back to the old Contessa, 6 knots will never seem fast again😀. Great video, it is good to dream.

[@eusouojotabr]

Outremer is known for building blue water sailboats capable of crossing oceans with speed and safety. But this Model 52 has something else, it is aesthetically pleasing and has features spread throughout the boat! It's an almost perfect sailboat!

[@BigRedNZ1]

Gorgeous boat... you poor devil, having to enjoy that and give it back

[@bencampbell2407]

Great review thanx, and yes I will dream of having 1😂

[@suzannebohbot530]

A very good video. Thanks

[@ChlorophilG]

Love the longer format for these type of videos.

[@eugenedreyer4805]

what a beauty

[@mstp69ify]

Toby, I am not jealous of your job, not at all😂😂😂

[@yachtingworld]

Twas a good couple of days!

[@dc1544]

Very nice fast boat

[@gregsutton2400]

This was a very very well done review of a boat. Congrats and thanks.

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you kindly! Really glad you enjoyed it Greg

[@timrees786]

Awesome video as always. Toby always has a great time on these things, but this seemed to be another level. I'd be so torn between this and the HH44/52. Outremer has the pedigree and the amazing customer service, but I find these new HH boats to be more ambitious and forward leaning with their Hybrid engines and huge solar banks. One day Toby will get to review one of them and I'll watch with keen interest!

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you and yes, I'm hoping to sail one soon too Tim!

[@angela1984a]

I'm guessing Outremer would put the same or a very similar hybrid system on one of their boats if you pay them. And I'm pretty sure you can cover the roof on the Outremer 52 with solar as well...

[@JazzJaguar]

Wonderful video and an amazing boat!

[@_PatSails]

Toby, you're a brilliant reviewer, I watch everything you present in detail! I'd love to see you do a head to head with off shore cats! There seem to be quite a line up available now of amazing options ......or maybe theure all awesome for slightly different reasons?

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you @PatSails that's really nice to hear. And yes wouldn't that be nice. Maybe we can convince them to do a group test. But yes they do tend to be horses for courses a little a this price range especially. It comes down to where your cursor lies in that triangle of sailing ability, accommodation space and price...! T

[@TerryHaisten-mx1xi]

You are the man!

[@webtrasher]

Outstanding thanks a lot for the review

[@yachtingworld]

Glad you liked it, thanks

[@christopheripad477]

Why don’t other manufacturers do that version of the helm? How versatile is that, it’s brilliant.

[@kirkb3473]

They do and have for years, Outremer is just catching up. Alibi had this set up a decade ago and all Balance boats have this set up, HH has a pivoting helm version now too. I'm sure there are others, it is a very nice set up on all these boats!

[@AORD72]

Amazing boat.

[@rainmaker3700]

Fabulous!

[@jimheaven]

Absolutely fantastic review. Got a wonderful feel for the boat. It looks perfect. The galley/kitchen area on the 55 does seem a bit special in comparison with the 52 though. I did wonder if the single wheel helm of the 52 compared with the double on the 55 would make a difference but it seems more versatile having just one wheel and a filler on the other side. Those hull bench seats have my name all over them! I would have liked to have seen how the back seating area works, compared with the 55 that has that has a very clever arrangement. I’m so pleased it’s probably your ultimate cruising boat, I had the same feeling! As did many others it seems with an extraordinary order book! Why why why is no one in the UK making a package like this?

[@yachtingworld]

Thanks @jimheaven! Yes the island galley unit on the 55 is a big difference - so it's all about how social you plan on being... Dazcat in Cornwall have a pretty cool looking new 55 designed - you can do a VR tour of it - so you could look at that if you want a UK fast cat.

[@jimheaven]

@@yachtingworld yes. Huge potential at DazCat. I wish they would do the three position helm. Perfect!

[@lifesailinc.7886]

Superb

[@icemanUH]

A boat review with sails up - nice! Not that boat show filming all the time

[@z_actual]

I get the flat polycarbonate screens, but surely that material will scratch up like crazy in just a few short years?+ great job Toby

[@JudgeDredd_]

Great video

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you

[@andymagrini]

Gr8 video.

[@TM-tw1py]

Clearly accommodations are far less than most cats in order to gain the performance Outremer's are known for.

[@zytounysardo6421]

excellent.

[@AutoHeroAustralia]

What a boat.

[@GuyCruls]

Fantastic, long-form format, TH! and well done the Outremer crew for staying out of TH's hair. it would be off-the-scales amazing to have you do the same job for La Vagabonde's upcoming Rapido 60 trimaran as well... one more thing: you shot the wrap in bad lighting and a poor angle, making you look like an old geezer - you may be ripe but you're certainly no wreck, so keep the selfie shooting flattering man!

[@yachtingworld]

Ha! Thanks @GuyCruls - it was about 1am on passage after a long day's sailing when I shot the wrap so was just being real not flattering! And yes, I'm certainly interested in doing a good trial on the Rapido. Cheers Toby

[@BohemianBeatster]

Groovy ship

[@jonahbk]

Great video Toby. What an incredible yacht. My dream yacht for sure. If anyone has a couple millions euros they want to donate to a nice boy who wants an Outremer let me know. Or buy it yourself and I'll come be your crew!

[@yachtingworld]

Thank you - and my sentiments too!

[@bernardlanguillier7970]

The group Grand Large brands all have super tempting boats (RM1380, Garcia Exploration 52,...) but this one may be the most tempting of all... I wonder if they do bulk discount? :-)

[@seppok5433]

Wow! ❤

[@TheSailingFamily]

All in the Outremer 52 is ~$1.55m USD. That's the same price as a HH52 and a Balance 482. Toby, of those three which would you choose?!?! :) Great review as always! Keep it up!!!

[@yachtingworld]

Actually I think the HH would be a fair bit more, but is a full carbon boat @TheSailingFamily. Base price for the 52-OC is currently $1.5m and the SC starts at $1.9m. The Balance would be closer but the 526 is a more comparable size. I'd need to sail them both - preferably in similar conditions to this - to make that call please!

[@angela1984a]

Which one is the least amount of weight? Which one can be optioned with the most amount of non-shaded solar? Which one is least sensitive to being over-loaded weight wise? Which one has the best main sheet system? Can you option some other main sheet system if you so prefer? Then go for test sails on all of them perhaps...

[@GuyCruls]

hopefully better access to systems on the 52 will be implemented on the 55 as well...

[@RichieKeane]

Well Jeal Toby, one for the day after the lottery comes in… still prefer the Nautitech helm set up but the tiller must be sporty…

[@rumbepack]

Never seen this guy so happy outside of a gunboat.

[@Papaondas]

time to go down to south africa and test Balance and Kinetic cats, thanks for the video

[@yachtingworld]

Indeed!

[@user-ve9bk4dj3n]

отличная лодка!!👍

[@GuyCruls]

combined with the motoring, the 2kW solar array should be plenty enough to be able to use induction cooking all the time...

[@ultratraileric]

Great review. Did I miss where the inverter is located?

[@robertdowdall1068]

Thanhs Toby

[@gianmarcofasce54]

You look like Robert De Niro man!!

[@yachtingworld]

I'll take that, thanks!

[@markcampbell7577]

Imagine well support of the bow in terms of displacement under and around the bow. The headsails deeply keeled more than the mast blades by 3or4 times. Then wider than tall by two. 80 ft wide forty ft mast 70 to 80 ft long well keeled academic keeling design stem to stern. Stem deep remember??

[@GuyCruls]

I think it's the 55 that has the galley island? more functionality and more space. better. TH points out that finish of cupboards in the owner's hull is production-line grade and done reasonably well...clearly, Balance Catamarans are far more solid in that department.

[@dannyjanolo4601]

❤❤❤

[@Mars21681]

appreciate the ending T, keeping it real.

[@yachtingworld]

👍

[@davidkennedy7549]

Sorry I got totally fixated on the home made French chocolate cake! The boats nice, will it sail up wind? Je ne sais pas.

[@inneshutton3716]

Lovely boat would be great to have one, just a pity I've not got the 1.2 million pounds to buy one .

[@yachtingworld]

I know the feeling..!

[@pioneer_1148]

It looks like a great cat but considering it's gained over 1.2 tonnes over the 51 I'd be slightly concerned about the performance. Though to be fair it is still a full tonne lighter than the sea wind 1600.

[@markcampbell7577]

Fine in need of refinement. You might have discovered that the boat has a pitch pole hazard. You need to keep the bow up out of the water and blade keeling of the headsails to keep the speed you think you are getting from a narrow pontoon. The boat on the surface and blades keeling the mast and headsails is a faster solution. Wider would improve the speed but with narrow pontoons you have more serious pitch Pole accident..

[@terrygalvin9653]

Any concerns about all those vertical windows at the front of the bridge deck space? Just seems vulnerable when heading into big seas. Wave-piercing bows mean more waves higher on the boat sometimes, yes?

[@angela1984a]

I'm guessing that has been tested thoroughly... Outremer is a big manufacturer... And also: This is a fast sailing boat. It can also probably do some ~10 knots with just the two diesel engines. And weather forecasting these days seem to be pretty good. If you can afford this boat then you can also probably afford to stay a couple more days at some kind of slip to avoid the worst storms out there...

[@demian7567]

surprising that the front of the cockpit is has such brick-like aerodynamics

[@jaimeruiz20]

🤩⛵️💨

[@fougerousejj]

Dommage qu'il n'y ait pas de sous-titres en français

[@AnthonyAlger4700]

That boat or the H.R. 69?... So far, I think the H.R.69 is the best boat Ive seen..

[@yachtingworld]

Horses for courses!

[@iqueque]

Obviously stowage is important in Toby’s life

[@michaelmcgillsnowmx]

Did anyone catch why the dagger boards were not (fully) deployed while sailing? Any thoughts?

[@markthomasson5077]

Downwind

[@1corinthians15.1-4kjv]

I don't get it at all. Outremer do have improved the design hugely with 55 and now 52, but that does not say much, in my book. The old Outremer were all about performance and offered very little in design and comfort, to be true. Still, people comes hard against for instance Neel 43 for the small galley, and that is a couples trimaran at a base price at 450k Euro! This Outremer 52 is a three or four cabin family or charter machine, at a base price of 1,2 million Euro, and it got the same size galley, but that is somehow okay! Absolutely the smallest galley and living space in the 50 foot class of catamarans and the accommodation below is also still compromised. FP 51 got full walk around island berths and copious space in five cabins and do in fact not sail that much worse at all. FP 50 Saba, which it replaced, often crossed the Atlantic in 200 miles days in average, which is all, that you can hope for in this Outremer too. It is even worse than that: The old Seawind 1160 and now the new 1170 got DOUBLE the galley space of this Outremer 52, and that is a 38 foot catamaran! Is performance really that important? Especially considering, that most live onboard sailors is at anchor or dock 90% of the time. So, 90% of the time comfort and space is compromised in this much more expensive Outremer, just to gain actually a very small performance advantage in reality 10% of the time. On top, when people then load these boats, as they do, with all of their provisioning, toys, gear and so on, then that advantage in performance has gone out the window. But, all to their own: If I got the money, I would definitely either put my money in a Windelo 50, save almost half a million, by the way, and get about the same performance, but less compromise in comfort and space or the new Neel 52, which has almost the same performance figures, but immensely more comfort and space, and still is cheaper. By the way, Windelo has finally cracked it, with those forward cockpit helm positions, which can be double enclosed, both to the bow and to the indoor accommodation to the aft. In my book, it is the only helm position on a catamaran, which does not have clear disadvantages, as well as advantages. The disadvantages on this Outremer is of course, that it does not have the double helm position, as former models got, still you are either fully in the weather and exposed or you have to helm in the aft cockpit and look through the living accommodation. At night time the latter means, that all light have to be off in the living accommodation and galley too. To be fair, the helm position in for instance Leopard, Neel and FP catamarans, that raised helm position, also got some clear disadvantages, apart from the advantages, that mostly being, that you got to climb stairs to get to the helm, also in bad seascape, where for instance HH and Windelo has managed to have living accommodation and helm position in all one level. Still, thanks for a nice review and for showing us all the details of this boat. God Bless!