1984–2005 · designed by Gérard Danson · built by Outremer Yachting
Performance-oriented offshore cruising catamaran. Lighter and narrower than charter-fleet cats of the same LOA (Lagoon, Leopard, Fountaine- Pajot) — Outremer's design philosophy prioritises sailing performance and offshore credibility over interior volume. Targeted at experienced shorthanded offshore cruisers rather than the charter market.
This is a general read on the Outremer 38 class — informed
background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history,
and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class
reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific
listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.
Performance-oriented design philosophy — sails materially better than charter-fleet cats of the same LOA. Genuine offshore-cruiser class, not a charter-spec platform.
Manufacturer still in business (modern Outremer 45 / 4X / 51 line) — heritage parts and design support still available.
Twin everything = 2× service cost. Maintenance budget for a cat is materially higher than a monohull of similar LOA — buyers underbid this regularly.
Hull-to-bridgedeck joint is the class-defining structural concern and requires a cat-specialist surveyor. A monohull-only surveyor is not adequate for purchase inspection.
Bridgedeck slamming clearance is generation-dependent — earlier Outremer 38s may have less clearance than current Outremer designs. Confirm clearance spec for the specific generation.
Marina berthing costs are typically 1.5-2× a monohull of the same LOA — wide beam pushes the boat into the next berth category.
Age-related quirks to expect
Bridgedeck slamming clearance — Outremer's bridgedeck clearance is generation-dependent; earlier hulls may have less clearance than later ones, affecting offshore comfort in head seasMediumall (generation-dependent)
Twin engines or twin saildrives — service cost is ~2× a monohull equivalent; saildrive seal replacement cycle (every 7 years) is criticalMediumall
Original sails + running rigging on a performance cat are working harder than equivalents on a heavy cruising cat — earlier replacement cyclesLowall
Hull-to-bridgedeck joint — the structural weak point on any catamaran; check for stress cracks or delamination at the joint, especially on older hullsHighall (age-driven)
The class-defining structural inspection for any catamaran. Repeated flexing between the two hulls + bridgedeck loads the joint; over decades, stress cracks or delamination can develop at the joint laminate. Mandatory survey item. A cat-specialist surveyor is essential — a monohull surveyor may miss this entirely.
Twin Volvo or Yanmar saildrives are typical. Saildrive seal cycle (~7 years) is non-negotiable — failed seals admit seawater into the hull. Twin engines mean 2× service intervals, 2× parts cost, 2× fuel filter cycles. Confirm both engines are in matched service condition; a mismatched pair drives up cost-to-equalise.
Tall performance rig on a relatively light platform — rig loads are high. Original wire typically due at 20-25 years on a performance cat (shorter cycle than cruising-monohull equivalents). Deck-stepped mast — compression load transferred through the bridgedeck structure, so the mast-step area itself needs inspection.
Ground tackle setup on wide platformpriority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard
Ground tackle on a catamaran lives on a wide bow platform between the hulls. Bridle setup is more involved than a monohull's. Anchor windlass mounting and chain-locker drainage on the bow beam should be inspected for fatigue / corrosion. Snubber + bridle gear needs to be sized for catamaran load distribution.
How it fits your plans
Offshore
Designed for it within the performance-cat framing. Outremer's offshore credibility is genuine — multiple ARC / transatlantic / Pacific crossings in class. Lighter and faster than charter cats; more demanding to sail well.
Coastal
Excellent for coastal cruising. Twin-hull stability + shoal draft + high speed make it very capable in mixed conditions.
Liveaboard
Workable but tighter than equivalent LOA charter cats. Outremer performance-cat philosophy means narrower hulls and less interior volume than Lagoon / Leopard contemporaries.
Weekending
Overspecced — the performance-cat platform doesn't reward weekend-only use economically.
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