45ft sailing yacht

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Whatever angle you take, the Oceanis 45 is a balanced sailing yacht. A very well-proportioned cruiser, she leaves in her wake some very fine performances.

Naval designer :  Finot - Conq et associés

Interior designer :  Nauta Design

Exterior design

On a very stable seaworthy hull, the Oceanis 45’s deck plan clears space and simplifies manoeuvring. She has made very good progress in her ability to combine sailing speed and the pleasure of living on board. Long cruises are now much safer.

Interior design

Ranging from two to four cabins, the Oceanis 45 offers several layout versions, clearly differentiating it in its category. The three cabin and three bathroom layout is a perfect example. The interior ambiance has great scope for personalization in the choice of contemporary light oak or a more traditional Mahogany.

Confidently answering the call of the ocean

The Oceanis 45’s many innovations simplify life on board as much as they do sailing. The ocean beckons.

Safe and very convivial, the enormous cockpit is equipped with a table that can contain a refrigerated icebox. It also features a tactile multi-function screen and outdoor lighting.

45° companionway

The mainsail arch, characteristic of all the large Oceanis yachts is an important innovation that has led to many architectural developments, among which is a very gently sloping 45° companionway. 

Pack Performance

The performance of the Oceanis 45 is greatly boosted by the Performance Pack option. This includes a set of Elvström ‘carbon’ sails combined with the German System, used to trim all the sails from the helm station. 

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Characteristics.

Length Overall

Beam overall

Lightship Displacement

Air Draught Max

Draught Min

Fuel Capacity

Water Capacity

Max. engine power

CE Certification

A10/B11/C12

• CE certification A10/B11/C12.
• B&G Electronics Pack.
• Twin steering station.
• Sail drive engine compatible with Dock&Go technology.
• Large amount of glazing: 9 flush deck hatches, 2 long plexiglass on roof and 2 companionway plexiglass (more light and less heat), 6 hull very large portholes (sea view), door and companionway hatch glazed.
• Drop-down transom, opening completely, converting into a swim platform (2,85 m x 0,77 m / 9'4" x 2'6"). Electrically-controlled opening. Natural solid wood decking on swim platform. A stainless steel swim ladder doubling up as an entry ladder - solid wood steps - removable.

• Spacious master cabin with ensuite bathroom, separate shower. Aft cabin with double bed (2.05 m 0 1.5 m x 1.15 m / 6'9" x 4'11" x 3'9") and storage on either side of the bed.
• L-shaped galley: compact laminated worktop, double stainless steel sink, dish washer on option.
• Two bathrooms with toilet and separate shower.
• Comfortable gently sloping 45° companionway.
• Sliding chart table (against forward bulkhead or between the 2 seats or against galley) and mobile seats (on one side or on either side of the chart table).

• Spacious master cabin with ensuite bathroom, separate shower. Aft cabins with double beds (2.05 m 0 1.5 m x 1.15 m / 6'9" x 4'11" x 3'9") and storage on either side of the bed.
• Large lengthwise fitted galley: compact laminated worktop, double stainless steel sink.

• Spacious master cabin with ensuite bathroom, with separate shower. Aft cabins with double beds (2.05 m 0 1.5 m x 1.15 m / 6'9" x 4'11" x 3'9") and storage on either side of the bed.
• L-shaped galley: compact laminated worktop, double stainless steel sink.
• Three bathrooms with toilet, one with separate shower (master cabin ensuite bathroom).

BENETEAU Yachts Rendez-vous 2019 – Sets Sail to Malta

Three Oceanis sailing yachts at the start of the Rallye des Iles du Soleil!

The 3rd rally of its kind started on Sunday 3 November

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With teams for sea trials, financing, customization, events, an after-sales service, and a network of dealers worldwide, BENETEAU delivers the help and expertise every boat owner needs throughout his boating life maintaining an enduring customer relationship.

Other boats from the range

9.66 m / 31’8’’

3.39 m / 11’1’’

10.34 m / 33’11’’

3.65 m / 12’

Oceanis 38.1

11.8 m / 38’9’’

3.99 m / 13’1’’

12.43 m / 40’9’’

4.2 m / 13’9’’

Oceanis 35.1

11.48 m / 37’8’’

3.92 m / 12’10’’

13.1 m / 42’12’’

4.12 m / 13’6’’

14.4 m / 47’3’’

4.25 m / 13’11’’

11.15 m / 36’7’’

14.6 m / 47’11’’

4.74 m / 15’7’’

16.78 m / 55’1’’

4.96 m / 16’3’’

OCEANIS 50 NEW

16.7 m / 54’9"

4.9 m / 16’1’’

18.24 m / 62’3’’

4.99 m / 16’4’’

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• Cruising Yachts 40' to 45'

Popular Cruising Yachts 40 to 45 feet Long Overall Their Physical Properties & Key Performance Indicators

Welcome to this ever-growing gallery of some of the most popular cruising yachts between 40 and 45 feet (12.2m to 13.7m) long overall. But it's more than just a gallery - every image is a link to a page setting out the boat's physical properties, key performance indicators and other data.

Cruising Yachts featured on this page...

With plenty of room for a cruising couple to live aboard comfortably, production cruising boats within this size range are understandably very popular with long distance sailors.

However, marina charges worldwide seem to take a bit of a hike at 12m, so be warned...

If you'd like to submit a suitable image of a cruising yacht (yours perhaps?), please click here to send your pic. It doesn't have to be within this boat length category; if it isn't we'll move it to the appropriate one.

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 409

Moody 41 Classic

Dehler 43 CWS

Hunter Passage 42

Beneteau First 435

Hallberg-Rassy 41

Sweden Yachts 42

Seastream 43

Morgan 41 Out Island Classic

Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 (also known as the Sun Odyssey 44)

Formosa 42 (also known as the Slocum 43)

Feeling 446

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i

Hallberg-Rassy 43

Freedom 44 (Cat Ketch)

Catalina Morgan 440

Catalina 445

Catalina 42 MkII

Beneteau 411

Bavaria Match 42

Island Packet 40

Roomy, comfortable and robust, the long-keeled Island Packet 40 could be many sailors ideal cruising yacht. 139 of them were built between 1994 and 2000.

'Zephyr' , an Ovni 395 dried out on a Cornish beach. Many thanks to Colin & Rebecca Campbell for this pic of their versatile cruising yacht.

Pearson 424

The Peason 424 cruising yacht is available as a ketch as the version shown below, or as a cutter. There's no denying that the Pearson 424 is an attractive cruising yacht.

The J/40 is a highly regarded performance cruising yacht. Designed and built to really sail well, passage times will be impressive.

Derived from C&C's Redline 41, the Newport 41 had a long and successful production run. It might lack some of the amenities of 'full-volume' modern cruising yachts below decks, but is a tough, fast and seakindly boat offshore.

Sirius 40 DS

The Sirius 40 DS motorsailer can be built with a number of keel options:  A deep fin keel of 7'6", 6'6" or 5'9"; a swing keel that draws 8'0" and 3'2" up; or twin keels that allow the boat to dry out upright. 

Columbia 43 MkIII

The gentle sheer and flush deck of this Columbia 43 MkIII aft-cockpit cruising yacht make for a very attractive sailboat.

Pacific Seacraft 40

Many thanks to Mike Price for this fine pic of his Contest 44 'Tumbledown Wind' as she crosses the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) finishing line.

Mason 43 Cruising Yachts

Many thanks to Sally & Al Pribyl for this pic of their Mason 43 staysail ketch 'Artemis' , at anchor in Prickly Bay, Grenada.

Many thanks to Richard Clement and family for this fine pic of their Moody 425 cruising yacht 'Vega' .

Norseman 447

Many thanks for this pic to Dartanyon Race, co-Captain of this Norseman 447 cruising yacht 'Lutris' .

Hunter 40.5

Caliber 40 LRC

Swan 43 (S & S)

C&C Landfall 42

RH 43 (Also known as the CT 43)

Jeanneau Sun Legende 41

Hinckley Sou'wester 42 MkII

Ovni AluBat 43

Hallberg Rassy 42 (Frers)

She looks like a cutter in this pic, but the inline stays converging at the masthead shows that the Hallberg-Rassy 42 cruising yacht  'Cavatina' is a  solent rigged  sloop.

Beneteau 423

Beneteau Oceanis 42CC

Moody Eclipse 43

Trintella 44

Catalina 400 Mk2

Islander 44

Grand Soleil 39

Westerly Oceanlord 41

CSY 44 (Walk-Through)

Many thanks to Jeff and Carolee, for this pic of their CSY 44 Walk-Thru' staysail ketch  'Contessa' .

CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit)

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 40.3

Outbound 44

Island Packet 445

Many thanks to Jim Shanahan for this great pic of his Island Packet cruising yacht 445 'Watermark III'.

Passport 40

More Cruising Yachts Pics Please...

Hallberg-rassy 42 (enderlein), recent articles.

Hallberg Rassy 42e for Sale

May 23, 24 03:01 AM

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May 20, 24 03:34 AM

Westerly Oceanranger 38 for sale

May 19, 24 04:09 AM

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Best Cruiser, 40 to 49 feet: Dufour 45e

• By Bill Springer
• Updated: December 9, 2010

Dufour 45e BOTY winner

When it came time to pick a winner in the 40-footer category, the BOTY judges had to decide between three relatively similar performance-oriented boats; two were actually built by the same company.

But when they got down to the nitty-gritty of deck layouts, accommodations space, and, in particular, sailing performance, the Dufour 45e rose to the top with ease. Unlike some boats that really made an impression on the judges at the dock, the 45e caught their attention out on the water as soon as they started taking turns at the helm. During deliberations, they all agreed that it was one of the best sailing boats they evaluated during their four days of sea trials. One judge described the helm as feeling “dreamy,” and they all appreciated the easily driven hull’s clean wake and a sail plan that’s both powerful and easy to control. The test sail illustrates this point beautifully: The judges recorded 7.5 knots of boat speed while sailing in a mere 10 knots of breeze. Judge Tim Murphy found he had no trouble trimming both the main and the jib while steering, and tacking the boat singlehanded was straightforward, thanks to the double-ended mainsheet led back to winches at the wheels. The judges noted that the jib telltales were also clearly visible to the helmsman. The wide cockpit has good backrests and brace points so the crew remains secure in a seaway. And there’s plenty of room to lounge when not working. When it’s down, the drop-down swim platform provides a wide space from which to board the boat from the water; when it’s up, it provides a secure feeling in the cockpit.

In addition to the boat’s superior sailing performance, the judges felt its stylish and functional accommodations plan could work well for a family. The saloon settees are spacious, comfortable, and also provide two long sea berths. There’s also copious stowage space in cabinets along the hull in the saloon and under all the seat cushions. The owner’s cabin forward has a good-size double bunk, an en suite head, and plenty of stowage, and the C-shaped galley has the gimbaled stove and the counter and storage space you’ll need to comfortably prepare meals during voyages of a week or longer.

**Winning Details **

• The boat’s overall sailing performance is outstanding.
• It’s easy to sail singlehanded since both the double-ended mainsheet and jib sheets lead to winches near the wheels.
• The accommodations plan is spacious and comfortable.
• More: Boat of the Year , coastal , dufour yachts , keelboat , monohull , sailboat , Sailboats
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Competitive Cruising: It’s a Rally, Not a Race

The Data Difference: Advances in Marine Weather Forecasting

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TGYG LIFESTYLE BLOG

45 foot yacht guide: finding the best yacht for you and your family.

• December 12, 2019

A 45 foot yacht is a common size vessel for boaters looking to do a bit more than simple day boating or for individuals looking to downsize from a larger yacht. A 45 foot yacht is considered by many boaters to be a great “sweet spot” of providing multiple living spaces and plenty of amenities while still being a very manageable boat. The affordability compared to larger yachts make this size range attractive as well.

While identifying the right size vessel for you is key, you’ll want to consider a number of additional questions about your intended boating activities to help narrow down your buying options. What is your perfect day on the water? Will you be doing a lot of day boating, or mostly long-range cruising? Will you be fishing on the water? How much time do you plan to spend on the yacht (for example, a day, weekends or longer)? Will you be sleeping overnight on the yacht? What is your prior boating experience? How important is speed?

The answers to these questions will be useful in narrowing down the options for consideration. Another major consideration when purchasing a yacht is whether you will opt for a new vessel or go the route of a pre-owned yacht. 

If your yachting experience is limited, going with a new 45 foot yacht can be an attractive option. Buying a new yacht gives boaters an increased sense of security as it limits the unknowns that might come with a pre-owned vessel. You’ll know all the components are working as designed and the yacht will come with a warranty. 

If you have years of experience on the water and are comfortable in and around boats, hitting the pre-owned market might be simple and easy for you. Experienced boaters are less intimidated by potential maintenance and repairs that come with older vessels. While used boats cost less on the front end, buyers will want to consider the full cost of ownership which takes into account maintenance, insurance, and more. Also, buyers seeking options on the pre-owned market will want to only go back so many years. While large vessels get increasingly inexpensive the more years you go back, boats with a significant number of years on them can be misleading with respect to value. As a boat ages a number of years, the number of issues that arise that an owner must deal with increase dramatically. We typically suggest sticking with newer boats even if that means a slightly smaller vessel.

Of course, if you’re using a yacht broker, this process is simplified and you can leverage the broker’s knowledge to seek out the best options from both new yachts and the pre-owned market.

Having the right yacht broker can make or break the yacht purchase process. Tom George Yacht Group brokers first seek to understand the buyer’s long-term goals with the vessel and present purchase options for consideration that will maximize the potential for long-term enjoyment and successful ownership.

What about yacht type? Cruisers tend to go by a number of different terms such as express cruiser or sports cruiser. Either way, they describe a yacht with a single deck above the hull and living quarters down below. These yachts tend to be more sleek and sporty.

Flybridge or sedan bridge yachts are essentially express yachts with another level on top of the main deck that is large enough for a control station and some seating. The flybridge gives the owner a way to navigate the vessel from a higher vantage point, get a more open air feel while navigating or simply provide a way to get away from the other guests down below. 

Another category that can occasionally overlap with the others is the motor yacht or power cruiser category. These boats tend to have very nice accommodations for owners and guests while providing ample power to get where they want to get. 

A sportfish is a general term used to describe yachts that are geared towards fishing which is common in this size range. These yachts will have a spacious cockpit from which to fish and have features and storage aimed at storing and handling rods, bait, tackle and other gear you might have to pursue your trophy catch.

Unsure of the best yacht type or if a 45 foot yacht is the right size range for you? Talk to your yacht broker about how you plan to use the boat and he or she will be able to provide you with some excellent options to consider.

45 Foot Yacht Options

Marquis 42 express.

The new Marquis 42 Express features a large bathing platform aft with abundant, luxurious seating and lounge space outdoors. The air-conditioned cabin will feature a full head, galley and dinette that converts into a berth for overnight stays. It will come standard with most features but the owner can select either a hardtop or bimini top as well as customize the color scheme of the hull and soft goods to taste. 

Carver C43 Coupe

The Carver C43 Coupe has a two stateroom, two head layout. The cutting edge styling and performance data of the C43 continue to impress boaters everywhere. Like all Carver Yachts, the C43 is built tough with “infusion technology.” The result is less weight, more strength and better performance. 

Everglades 435 CC

The flagship model from Everglades the 435CC is one of the most sought after 40+ center consoles on the market. The layout is functional and luxurious at the same time, something that a lot of large center consoles have a tough time achieving. There is no need to sacrifice comfort on this center console and with the ability to add quad 425 HP Yamahas on the back you will not only be the most comfortable but one of the fastest. Learn more about the Everglades 435 CC.

Finding the right 45 foot yacht can be a challenging process depending on your boating experience. Partnering with a Tom George Yacht Group yacht broker can help ensure a smooth process and an end result that leads to years of satisified boating. Please let us know how we can help you in your yacht buying process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of yacht should i get.

The type of yacht you purchase will be largely dictated by how you plan to use the yacht. If you plan to use the yacht mostly for fishing, a sportfish or large center console boat can be a great fit. If doing weekends away or overnighting with guests is a priority, a motor yacht or cruiser could be a great option. Talk to our yacht broker professionals to get further guidance on the best fit based on your planned usage.

Should I consider a pre-owned yacht?

Value can be had on the pre-owned yacht market if you have the experience to know what to look for and what to avoid. Furthermore, partnering with the right yacht broker can be crucial especially when considering pre-owned yachts. While the upfront cost for a pre-owned vessel can be less than purchasing new, it’s important to think through all costs associated with ownership including maintenance, insurance and more.

What’s a great starting point for a yacht search?

Contacting a yacht broker can jumpstart your search process as your broker can provide a list of options well suited to your needs. Furthermore, a large boat show can be a great way to gain exposure to a myriad of boat and yacht options on the market today.

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Used Yachts For Sale From 41 To 50 Feet

Listed below are used yachts for sale worldwide from 41 to 50 feet. Use the search tools to narrow your exploration. SYS Yacht Sales offers a wide range of used yachts for sale, including motor yachts, trawlers, express cruisers, sportfish yachts, flybridge yachts, center consoles, sailboats and everything in between. Search top brands like Sea Ray, Ocean, Tiara, Grand Banks, Riviera and much more. Need assistance? Contact our experienced yacht brokers. We look forward to helping you find the yacht that's right for you.

Maritimo A50 Aegean Enclosed

Willard MK 4 UTILITY

Galeon 50 Fly

Cruisers Yachts 50 Cantius

Blu wave (name reserved).

Azimut 50 Flybridge

Azimut Atlantis 50

Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht

Azimut Magellano 50

Post 50 Flybridge

Catamaran Day Charter 50

Lil' Darlin

Sea Ray 500 Sundancer

Pershing 50

Viking 50 Express

Prestige 500

Marquis 500 Sport Coupe

Knysna 500SE

Cruisers Yachts Cantius

Galeon 500 Fly

PRIVATE ISLAND

Prestige 500S

Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS

Sunseeker Manhattan 50

Absolute 50 Fly

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BREAKING DOWN VISUAL BARRIERS

The unusual size of the single-piece curved windscreen improves visibility, interior perception of space and exterior aesthetics. The side window pillars are minimized to extend the effect.

A SOFT SPOT FOR THE JOY OF NAVIGATION

A chaise lounge flanks the helm station, keeping the pilot’s company and sharing the windscreened navigation theater.

SIMPLE SENSORY SYNERGY

The interior design project researched a synergistic selection of materials, ranging from matte gray oak to the glossy lacquered panelling. The architecture sets the stage for a lively gathering of covivial furniture.

THE ART OF HOSPITALITY

A generous beam accomodates the versatile second cabin. The large full-height side cabinet at the entrance can also be configured as a third bed, and the two twin beds can slide together to form a queen-sized bed.

ATLANTIS 45 AT A GLANCE

• Length overall (incl. pulpit) 14,60 m (47' 11'')
• Beam max 4,20 m (13’ 9’’)
• Draft (incl. props at full load) 1,10 m (3' 7'')
• Displacement (at full load) 16,6 t (36596 lb)
• Building material GRP
• Exterior designer Neo Design
• Interior designer Azimut Yachts
• Hull designer Azimut-Benetti R&D Department
• Builder Azimut Yachts
• Keel Planing, deadrise 15° aft
• Certifications CE B; NMMA
• Head compartments 2
• Engines 2 X VOLVO PENTA IPS 650 (480 hp)
• Maximum speed (test load) up to 35 kn
• Cruising speed (performance test mass) 30 kn
• Fuel capacity 1000 l (264 US Gls)
• Water capacity 350 l (93 US Gls)

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43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time

• January 5, 2022

How do you choose the right yacht for you? We highlight the very best bluewater sailboat designs for every type of cruising

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s the coolest yacht , or the best for racing. Whereas racing designs are measured against each other, cruising sailors get very limited opportunities to experience different yachts in real oceangoing conditions, so what is the best bluewater sailboat?

Here, we bring you our top choices from decades of designs and launches. Over the years, the Yachting World team has sailed these boats, tested them or judged them for European Yacht of the Year awards, and we have sifted through the many to curate a selection that we believe should be on your wishlist.

Making the right choice may come down to how you foresee your yacht being used after it has crossed an ocean or completed a passage: will you be living at anchor or cruising along the coast? If so, your guiding requirements will be space, cabin size, ease of launching a tender and anchoring closer to shore, and whether it can comfortably accommodate non-expert-sailor guests.

Article continues below…

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Before the sea trials began, I would have put money on a Hallberg-Rassy or the Wauquiez winning an award. The…

All of these considerations have generated the inexorable rise of the bluewater catamaran – monohulls can’t easily compete on these points. We have a full separate feature on the best bluewater multihulls of all time and here we mostly focus on monohulls. The only exceptions to that rule are two multihulls which made it into our best bluewater sailboats of 2022 list.

As so much of making the right choice is selecting the right boat for the venture in mind, we have separated out our edit into categories: best for comfort; for families; for performance; and for expedition or high latitudes sailing .

Best bluewater sailboats of 2022

The new flagship Allures 51.9, for example, is a no-nonsense adventure cruising design built and finished to a high standard. It retains Allures’ niche of using aluminium hulls with glassfibre decks and superstructures, which, the yard maintains, gives the optimum combination of least maintenance and less weight higher up. Priorities for this design were a full beam aft cabin and a spacious, long cockpit. Both are excellent, with the latter, at 6m long, offering formidable social, sailing and aft deck zones.

It likes some breeze to come to life on the wheel, but I appreciate that it’s designed to take up to five tonnes payload. And I like the ease with which you can change gears using the furling headsails and the positioning of the powerful Andersen winches inboard. The arch is standard and comes with a textile sprayhood or hard bimini.

Below decks you’ll find abundant headroom and natural light, a deep U-shape galley and cavernous stowage. For those who like the layout of the Amel 50 but would prefer aluminium or shoal draught, look no further.

Allures 51.9 price: €766,000

The Ovni 370 is another cunning new aluminum centreboard offering, a true deck saloon cruiser for two. The designers say the biggest challenge was to create a Category A ocean going yacht at this size with a lifting keel, hence the hull had to be very stable.

Enjoyable to helm, it has a practical, deep cockpit behind a large sprayhood, which can link to the bimini on the arch. Many of its most appealing features lie in the bright, light, contemporary, clever, voluminous interior, which has good stowage and tankage allocation. There’s also a practical navstation, a large workroom and a vast separate shower. I particularly like the convertible saloom, which can double as a large secure daybed or pilot berth.

Potentially the least expensive Category A lift keel boat available, the Ovni will get you dreaming of remote places again.

Ovni 370 price: €282,080

There’s no shortage of spirit in the Windelo 50. We gave this a sustainability award after it’s founders spent two years researching environmentally-friendly composite materials, developing an eco-composite of basalt fibre and recycled PET foam so it could build boats that halve the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts.

The Windelo 50 is an intriguing package – from the styling, modular interior and novel layout to the solar field on the roof and the standard electric propulsion, it is completely fresh.

Windelo 50 price: €795,000

Best bluewater sailboat of 2022 – Outremer 55

I would argue that this is the most successful new production yacht on the market. Well over 50 have already sold (an equipped model typically costs €1.6m) – and I can understand why. After all, were money no object, I had this design earmarked as the new yacht I would most likely choose for a world trip.

Indeed 55 number one Sanya, was fully equipped for a family’s world cruise, and left during our stay for the Grand Large Odyssey tour. Whereas we sailed Magic Kili, which was tricked up with performance options, including foam-cored deckheads and supports, carbon crossbeam and bulkheads, and synthetic rigging.

At rest, these are enticing space ships. Taking one out to sea is another matter though. These are speed machines with the size, scale and loads to be rightly weary of. Last month Nikki Henderson wrote a feature for us about how to manage a new breed of performance cruising cats just like this and how she coaches new owners. I could not think of wiser money spent for those who do not have ample multihull sailing experience.

Under sail, the most fun was obviously reserved for the reaching leg under asymmetric, where we clocked between 11-16 knots in 15-16 knots wind. But it was the stability and of those sustained low teen speeds which really hit home  – passagemaking where you really cover miles.

Key features include the swing helms, which give you views from outboard, over the coachroof or from a protected position in the cockpit through the coachroof windows, and the vast island in the galley, which is key to an open plan main living area. It helps provide cavernous stowage and acts as the heart of the entertaining space as it would in a modern home. As Danish judge Morten Brandt-Rasmussen comments: “Apart from being the TGV of ocean passages the boat offers the most spacious, open and best integration of the cockpit and salon areas in the market.”

Outremer has done a top job in packing in the creature comforts, stowage space and payload capacity, while keeping it light enough to eat miles. Although a lot to absorb and handle, the 55 offers a formidable blend of speed and luxury cruising.

Outremer 55 price: €1.35m

Best bluewater sailboats for comfort

This is the successor to the legendary Super Maramu, a ketch design that for several decades defined easy downwind handling and fostered a cult following for the French yard. Nearly a decade old, the Amel 55 is the bridge between those world-girdling stalwarts and Amel’s more recent and totally re-imagined sloop designs, the Amel 50 and 60.

The 55 boasts all the serious features Amel aficionados loved and valued: a skeg-hung rudder, solidly built hull, watertight bulkheads, solid guardrails and rampart bulwarks. And, most noticeable, the solid doghouse in which the helmsman sits in perfect shelter at the wheel.

This is a design to live on comfortably for long periods and the list of standard features just goes on and on: passarelle; proper sea berths with lee cloths; electric furling main and genoa; and a multitude of practical items that go right down to a dishwasher and crockery.

There’s no getting around the fact these designs do look rather dated now, and through the development of easier sail handling systems the ketch rig has fallen out of fashion, but the Amel is nothing short of a phenomenon, and if you’ve never even peeked on board one, you really have missed a treat.

Photo: Sander van der Borch

Contest 50CS

A centre cockpit cruiser with true longevity, the Contest 50CS was launched by Conyplex back in 2003 and is still being built by the family-owned Dutch company, now in updated and restyled form.

With a fully balanced rudder, large wheel and modern underwater sections, the Contest 50CS is a surprisingly good performer for a boat that has a dry weight of 17.5 tonnes. Many were fitted with in-mast furling, which clearly curtails that performance, but even without, this boat is set up for a small crew.

Electric winches and mainsheet traveller are all easy to reach from the helm. On our test of the Contest 50CS, we saw for ourselves how two people can gybe downwind under spinnaker without undue drama. Upwind, a 105% genoa is so easy to tack it flatters even the weediest crewmember.

Down below, the finish level of the joinery work is up there among the best and the interior is full of clever touches, again updated and modernised since the early models. Never the cheapest bluewater sailing yacht around, the Contest 50CS has remained in demand as a brokerage buy. She is a reassuringly sure-footed, easily handled, very well built yacht that for all those reasons has stood the test of time.

This is a yacht that would be well capable of helping you extend your cruising grounds, almost without realising it.

Read more about the Contest 50CS and the new Contest 49CS

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Hallberg-Rassy 48 Mk II

For many, the Swedish Hallberg-Rassy yard makes the quintessential bluewater cruiser for couples. With their distinctive blue cove line, these designs are famous for their seakindly behaviour, solid-as-a-rock build and beautifully finished, traditional interiors.

To some eyes, Hallberg-Rassys aren’t quite cool enough, but it’s been company owner Magnus Rassy’s confidence in the formula and belief in incremental ‘step-by-step’ evolution that has been such an exceptional guarantor of reliable quality, reputation and resale value.

The centre cockpit Hallberg-Rassy 48 epitomises the concept of comfort at sea and, like all the Frers-designed Hallberg-Rassys since the 1990s, is surprisingly fleet upwind as well as steady downwind. The 48 is perfectly able to be handled by a couple (as we found a few years back in the Pacific), and could with no great effort crack out 200-mile days.

The Hallberg-Rassy 48 was launched nearly a decade ago, but the Mk II from 2014 is our pick, updated with a more modern profile, larger windows and hull portlights that flood the saloon and aft cabin with light. With a large chart table, secure linear galley, heaps of stowage and space for bluewater extras such as machinery and gear, this yacht pretty much ticks all the boxes.

Discovery 55

First launched in 2000, the Discovery 55 has stood the test of time. Designed by Ron Holland, it hit a sweet spot in size that appealed to couples and families with world girdling plans.

Elegantly styled and well balanced, the 55 is also a practical design, with a deep and secure cockpit, comfortable seating, a self-tacking jib, dedicated stowage for the liferaft , a decent sugar scoop transom that’s useful for swimming or dinghy access, and very comfortable accommodation below. In short, it is a design that has been well thought out by those who’ve been there, got the bruises, stubbed their toes and vowed to change things in the future if they ever got the chance.

Throughout the accommodation there are plenty of examples of good detailing, from the proliferation of handholds and grabrails, to deep sinks in the galley offering immediate stowage when under way and the stand up/sit down showers. Stowage is good, too, with plenty of sensibly sized lockers in easily accessible positions.

The Discovery 55 has practical ideas and nifty details aplenty. She’s not, and never was, a breakthrough in modern luxury cruising but she is pretty, comfortable to sail and live on, and well mannered.

Photo: Latitudes Picture Library

You can’t get much more Cornish than a Rustler. The hulls of this Stephen Jones design are hand-moulded and fitted out in Falmouth – and few are more ruggedly built than this traditional, up-for-anything offshore cruiser.

She boasts an encapsulated lead keel, eliminating keel bolts and creating a sump for generous fuel and water tankage, while a chunky skeg protects the rudder. She is designed for good directional stability and load carrying ability. These are all features that lend this yacht confidence as it shoulders aside the rough stuff.

Most of those built have had a cutter rig, a flexible arrangement that makes sense for long passages in all sea and weather conditions. Down below, the galley and saloon berths are comfortable and sensible for living in port and at sea, with joinery that Rustler’s builders are rightly proud of.

As modern yachts have got wider, higher and fatter, the Rustler 42 is an exception. This is an exceptionally well-mannered seagoing yacht in the traditional vein, with elegant lines and pleasing overhangs, yet also surprisingly powerful. And although now over 20 years old, timeless looks and qualities mean this design makes her look ever more like a perennial, a modern classic.

The definitive crossover size, the point at which a yacht can be handled by a couple but is just large enough to have a professional skipper and be chartered, sits at around the 60ft mark. At 58ft 8in, the Oyster 575 fitted perfectly into this growing market when launched in 2010. It went on to be one of the most popular models from the yard, and is only now being superseded by the newer Rob Humphreys-designed Oyster 565 (just launched this spring).

Built in various configurations with either a deep keel, shoal draught keel or centreboard with twin rudders, owners could trade off better performance against easy access to shallower coves and anchorages. The deep-bodied hull, also by Rob Humphreys, is known for its easy motion at sea.

Some of the Oyster 575’s best features include its hallmark coachroof windows style and centre cockpit – almost everyone will know at first glance this is an Oyster – and superb interior finish. If she has a flaw, it is arguably the high cockpit, but the flip side is the galley headroom and passageway berth to the large aft stateroom.

This design also has a host of practical features for long-distance cruising, such as high guardrails, dedicated liferaft stowage, a vast lazarette for swallowing sails, tender, fenders etc, and a penthouse engine room.

Privilege Serie 5

A true luxury catamaran which, fully fitted out, will top €1m, this deserves to be seen alongside the likes of the Oyster 575, Gunfleet 58 and Hallberg-Rassy 55. It boasts a large cockpit and living area, and a light and spacious saloon with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, masses of refrigeration and a big galley.

Standout features are finish quality and solid build in a yacht designed to take a high payload, a secure walkaround deck and all-round views from the helm station. The new Privilege 510 that will replace this launches in February 2020.

Gunfleet 43

It was with this Tony Castro design that Richard Matthews, founder of Oyster Yachts, launched a brand new rival brand in 2012, the smallest of a range stretching to the flagship Gunfleet 74. The combination of short overhangs and centre cockpit at this size do make the Gunfleet 43 look modern if a little boxy, but time and subsequent design trends have been kind to her lines, and the build quality is excellent. The saloon, galley and aft cabin space is exceptional on a yacht of this size.

Photo: David Harding

Conceived as a belt-and-braces cruiser, the Kraken 50 launched last year. Its unique points lie underwater in the guise of a full skeg-hung rudder and so-called ‘Zero Keel’, an encapsulated long keel with lead ballast.

Kraken Yachts is the brainchild of British businessman and highly experienced cruiser Dick Beaumont, who is adamant that safety should be foremost in cruising yacht design and build. “There is no such thing as ‘one yacht for all purposes’… You cannot have the best of all worlds, whatever the salesman tells you,” he says.

Read our full review of the Kraken 50 .

Wauquiez Centurion 57

Few yachts can claim to be both an exciting Med-style design and a serious and practical northern European offshore cruiser, but the Wauquiez Centurion 57 tries to blend both. She slightly misses if you judge solely by either criterion, but is pretty and practical enough to suit her purpose.

A very pleasant, well-considered yacht, she is impressively built and finished with a warm and comfortable interior. More versatile than radical, she could be used for sailing across the Atlantic in comfort and raced with equal enjoyment at Antigua Sailing Week .

A modern classic if ever there was one. A medium to heavy displacement yacht, stiff and easily capable of standing up to her canvas. Pretty, traditional lines and layout below.

Photo: Voyage of Swell

Well-proven US legacy design dating back to the mid-1960s that once conquered the Transpac Race . Still admired as pretty, with slight spoon bow and overhanging transom.

Capable medium displacement cruiser, ideal size and good accommodation for couples or family cruising, and much less costly than similar luxury brands.

Photo: Peter Szamer

Swedish-built aft cockpit cruiser, smaller than many here, but a well-built and finished, super-durable pocket ocean cruiser.

Tartan 3700

Designed as a performance cruiser there are nimbler alternatives now, but this is still an extremely pretty yacht.

Broker ’ s choice

Discovery 55 Brizo

This yacht has already circumnavigated the globe and is ‘prepared for her next adventure,’ says broker Berthon. Price: £535,000 + VAT

Oyster 575 Ayesha

‘Stunning, and perfectly equipped for bluewater cruising,’ says broker Ancasta International. Price: £845,000 (tax not paid)

Oyster 575 Pearls of Nautilus

Nearly new and with a high spec, this Oyster Brokerage yacht features American white oak joinery and white leather upholstery and has a shoal draught keel. Price: $1.49m

Best bluewater yachts for performance

The Frers-designed Swan 54 may not be the newest hull shape but heralded Swan’s latest generation of displacement bluewater cruisers when launched four years ago. With raked stem, deep V hull form, lower freeboard and slight curve to the topsides she has a more timeless aesthetic than many modern slab-sided high volume yachts, and with that a seakindly motion in waves. If you plan to cover many miles to weather, this is probably the yacht you want to be on.

Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Besides Swan’s superlative build quality, the 54 brings many true bluewater features, including a dedicated sail locker. There’s also a cockpit locker that functions as a utility cabin, with potential to hold your generator and washing machine, or be a workshop space.

The sloping transom opens out to reveal a 2.5m bathing platform, and although the cabins are not huge there is copious stowage space. Down below the top-notch oak joinery is well thought through with deep fiddles, and there is a substantial nav station. But the Swan 54 wins for handling above all, with well laid-out sail controls that can be easily managed between a couple, while offering real sailing enjoyment to the helmsman.

Photo: Graham Snook

The Performance Cruiser winner at the 2019 European Yacht of the Year awards, the Arcona 435 is all about the sailing experience. She has genuine potential as a cruiser-racer, but her strengths are as an enjoyable cruiser rather than a full-blown liveaboard bluewater boat.

Build quality is excellent, there is the option of a carbon hull and deck, and elegant lines and a plumb bow give the Arcona 435 good looks as well as excellent performance in light airs. Besides slick sail handling systems, there are well thought-out features for cruising, such as ample built-in rope bins and an optional semi-closed stern with stowage and swim platform.

Outremer 51

If you want the space and stability of a cat but still prioritise sailing performance, Outremer has built a reputation on building catamarans with true bluewater characteristics that have cruised the planet for the past 30 years.

Lighter and slimmer-hulled than most cruising cats, the Outremer 51 is all about sailing at faster speeds, more easily. The lower volume hulls and higher bridgedeck make for a better motion in waves, while owners report that being able to maintain a decent pace even under reduced canvas makes for stress-free passages. Deep daggerboards also give good upwind performance.

With bucket seats and tiller steering options, the Outremer 51 rewards sailors who want to spend time steering, while they’re famously well set up for handling with one person on deck. The compromise comes with the interior space – even with a relatively minimalist style, there is less cabin space and stowage volume than on the bulkier cats, but the Outremer 51 still packs in plenty of practical features.

The Xc45 was the first cruising yacht X-Yachts ever built, and designed to give the same X-Yachts sailing experience for sailors who’d spent years racing 30/40-footer X- and IMX designs, but in a cruising package.

Launched over 10 years ago, the Xc45 has been revisited a few times to increase the stowage and modernise some of the styling, but the key features remain the same, including substantial tanks set low for a low centre of gravity, and X-Yachts’ trademark steel keel grid structure. She has fairly traditional styling and layout, matched with solid build quality.

A soft bilge and V-shaped hull gives a kindly motion in waves, and the cockpit is secure, if narrow by modern standards.

A three or four cabin catamaran that’s fleet of foot with high bridgedeck clearance for comfortable motion at sea. With tall daggerboards and carbon construction in some high load areas, Catana cats are light and quick to accelerate.

Sweden Yachts 45

An established bluewater design that also features in plenty of offshore races. Some examples are specced with carbon rig and retractable bowsprits. All have a self-tacking jib for ease. Expect sweeping areas of teak above decks and a traditionally wooded interior with hanging wet locker.

A vintage performer, first launched in 1981, the 51 was the first Frers-designed Swan and marked a new era of iconic cruiser-racers. Some 36 of the Swan 51 were built, many still actively racing and cruising nearly 40 years on. Classic lines and a split cockpit make this a boat for helming, not sunbathing.

Photo: Julien Girardot / EYOTY

The JPK 45 comes from a French racing stable, combining race-winning design heritage with cruising amenities. What you see is what you get – there are no superfluous headliners or floorboards, but there are plenty of ocean sailing details, like inboard winches for safe trimming. The JPK 45 also has a brilliantly designed cockpit with an optional doghouse creating all-weather shelter, twin wheels and superb clutch and rope bin arrangement.

Photo: Andreas Lindlahr

For sailors who don’t mind exchanging a few creature comforts for downwind planing performance, the Pogo 50 offers double-digit surfing speeds for exhilarating tradewind sailing. There’s an open transom, tiller steering and no backstay or runners. The Pogo 50 also has a swing keel, to nose into shallow anchorages.

Seawind 1600

Seawinds are relatively unknown in Europe, but these bluewater cats are very popular in Australia. As would be expected from a Reichel-Pugh design, this 52-footer combines striking good looks and high performance, with fine entry bows and comparatively low freeboard. Rudders are foam cored lifting designs in cassettes, which offer straightforward access in case of repairs, while daggerboards are housed under the deck.

Best bluewater sailboats for families

It’s unsurprising that, for many families, it’s a catamaran that meets their requirements best of increased space – both living space and separate cabins for privacy-seeking teenagers, additional crew or visiting family – as well as stable and predictable handling.

Photo: Nicholas Claris

Undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories has been the Lagoon 450, which, together with boats like the Fountaine Pajot 44, helped drive up the popularity of catamaran cruising by making it affordable and accessible. They have sold in huge numbers – over 1,000 Lagoon 450s have been built since its launch in 2010.

The VPLP-designed 450 was originally launched with a flybridge with a near central helming position and upper level lounging areas (450F). The later ‘sport top’ option (450S) offered a starboard helm station and lower boom (and hence lower centre of gravity for reduced pitching). The 450S also gained a hull chine to create additional volume above the waterline. The Lagoon features forward lounging and aft cockpit areas for additional outdoor living space.

Besides being a big hit among charter operators, Lagoons have proven themselves over thousands of bluewater miles – there were seven Lagoon 450s in last year’s ARC alone. In what remains a competitive sector of the market, Lagoon has recently launched a new 46, with a larger self-tacking jib and mast moved aft, and more lounging areas.

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Fountaine Pajot Helia 44

The FP Helia 44 is lighter, lower volume, and has a lower freeboard than the Lagoon, weighing in at 10.8 tonnes unloaded (compared to 15 for the 450). The helm station is on a mezzanine level two steps up from the bridgedeck, with a bench seat behind. A later ‘Evolution’ version was designed for liveaboard cruisers, featuring beefed up dinghy davits and an improved saloon space.

Available in three or four cabin layouts, the Helia 44 was also popular with charter owners as well as families. The new 45 promises additional volume, and an optional hydraulically lowered ‘beach club’ swim platform.

Photo: Arnaud De Buyzer / graphikup.com

The French RM 1370 might be less well known than the big brand names, but offers something a little bit different for anyone who wants a relatively voluminous cruising yacht. Designed by Marc Lombard, and beautifully built from plywood/epoxy, the RM is stiff and responsive, and sails superbly.

The RM yachts have a more individual look – in part down to the painted finish, which encourages many owners to personalise their yachts, but also thanks to their distinctive lines with reverse sheer and dreadnought bow. The cockpit is well laid out with the primary winches inboard for a secure trimming position. The interior is light, airy and modern, although the open transom won’t appeal to everyone.

For those wanting a monohull, the Hanse 575 hits a similar sweet spot to the popular multis, maximising accommodation for a realistic price, yet with responsive performance.

The Hanse offers a vast amount of living space thanks to the ‘loft design’ concept of having all the living areas on a single level, which gives a real feeling of spaciousness with no raised saloon or steps to accommodation. The trade-off for such lofty head height is a substantial freeboard – it towers above the pontoon, while, below, a stepladder is provided to reach some hatches.

Galley options include drawer fridge-freezers, microwave and coffee machine, and the full size nav station can double up as an office or study space.

But while the Hanse 575 is a seriously large boat, its popularity is also down to the fact that it is genuinely able to be handled by a couple. It was innovative in its deck layout: with a self-tacking jib and mainsheet winches immediately to hand next to the helm, one person could both steer and trim.

Direct steering gives a feeling of control and some tangible sailing fun, while the waterline length makes for rapid passage times. In 2016 the German yard launched the newer Hanse 588 model, having already sold 175 of the 575s in just four years.

Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Jeanneau 54

Jeanneau leads the way among production builders for versatile all-rounder yachts that balance sail performance and handling, ergonomics, liveaboard functionality and good looks. The Jeanneau 54 , part of the range designed by Philippe Briand with interior by Andrew Winch, melds the best of the larger and smaller models and is available in a vast array of layout options from two cabins/two heads right up to five cabins and three heads.

We’ve tested the Jeanneau 54 in a gale and very light winds, and it acquitted itself handsomely in both extremes. The primary and mainsheet winches are to hand next to the wheel, and the cockpit is spacious, protected and child-friendly. An electric folding swim and sun deck makes for quick fun in the water.

Nautitech Open 46

This was the first Nautitech catamaran to be built under the ownership of Bavaria, designed with an open-plan bridgedeck and cockpit for free-flowing living space. But with good pace for eating up bluewater miles, and aft twin helms rather than a flybridge, the Nautitech Open 46 also appeals to monohull sailors who prefer a more direct sailing experience.

Made by Robertson and Caine, who produce catamarans under a dual identity as both Leopard and the Sunsail/Moorings charter cats, the Leopard 45 is set to be another big seller. Reflecting its charter DNA, the Leopard 45 is voluminous, with stepped hulls for reduced waterline, and a separate forward cockpit.

Built in South Africa, they are robustly tested off the Cape and constructed ruggedly enough to handle heavy weather sailing as well as the demands of chartering.

Photo: Olivier Blanchet

If space is king then three hulls might be even better than two. The Neel 51 is rare as a cruising trimaran with enough space for proper liveaboard sailing. The galley and saloon are in the large central hull, together with an owner’s cabin on one level for a unique sensation of living above the water. Guest or family cabins lie in the outer hulls for privacy and there is a cavernous full height engine room under the cabin sole.

Performance is notably higher than an equivalent cruising cat, particularly in light winds, with a single rudder giving a truly direct feel in the helm, although manoeuvring a 50ft trimaran may daunt many sailors.

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

A brilliant new model from Beneteau, this Finot Conq design has a modern stepped hull, which offers exhilarating and confidence-inspiring handling in big breezes, and slippery performance in lighter winds.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was the standout performer at this year’s European Yacht of the Year awards, and, in replacing the popular Oceanis 45, looks set to be another bestseller. Interior space is well used with a double island berth in the forepeak. An additional inboard unit creates a secure galley area, but tank capacity is moderate for long periods aboard.

Beneteau Oceanis 473

A popular model that offers beam and height in a functional layout, although, as with many boats of this age (she was launched in 2002), the mainsheet is not within reach of the helmsman.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

The Philippe Briand-designed Sun Odyssey range has a solid reputation as family production cruisers. Like the 473, the Sun Odyssey 49 was popular for charter so there are plenty of four-cabin models on the market.

Nautitech 441

The hull design dates back to 1995, but was relaunched in 2012. Though the saloon interior has dated, the 441 has solid practical features, such as a rainwater run-off collection gutter around the coachroof.

Atlantic 42

Chris White-designed cats feature a pilothouse and forward waist-high working cockpit with helm position, as well as an inside wheel at the nav station. The Atlantic 42 offers limited accommodation by modern cat standards but a very different sailing experience.

Best bluewater sailing yachts for expeditions

Bestevaer 56.

All of the yachts in our ‘expedition’ category are aluminium-hulled designs suitable for high latitude sailing, and all are exceptional yachts. But the Bestevaer 56 is a spectacular amount of boat to take on a true adventure. Each Bestevaer is a near-custom build with plenty of bespoke options for owners to customise the layout and where they fall on the scale of rugged off-grid adventurer to 4×4-style luxury fit out.

The Bestevaer range began when renowned naval architect Gerard Dijkstra chose to design his own personal yacht for liveaboard adventure cruising, a 53-footer. The concept drew plenty of interest from bluewater sailors wanting to make longer expeditions and Bestevaers are now available in a range of sizes, with the 56-footer proving a popular mid-range length.

The well-known Bestevaer 56 Tranquilo  (pictured above) has a deep, secure cockpit, voluminous tanks (700lt water and over 1,100lt fuel) and a lifting keel plus water ballast, with classically styled teak clad decks and pilot house. Other owners have opted for functional bare aluminium hull and deck, some choose a doghouse and others a pilothouse.

Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

The Boreal 52 also offers Land Rover-esque practicality, with utilitarian bare aluminium hulls and a distinctive double-level doghouse/coachroof arrangement for added protection in all weathers. The cockpit is clean and uncluttered, thanks to the mainsheet position on top of the doghouse, although for visibility in close manoeuvring the helmsman will want to step up onto the aft deck.

Twin daggerboards, a lifting centreboard and long skeg on which she can settle make this a true go-anywhere expedition yacht. The metres of chain required for adventurous anchoring is stowed in a special locker by the mast to keep the weight central. Down below has been thought through with equally practical touches, including plenty of bracing points and lighting that switches on to red light first to protect your night vision.

Photo: Morris Adant / Garcia Yachts

Garcia Exploration 45

The Garcia Exploration 45 comes with real experience behind her – she was created in association with Jimmy Cornell, based on his many hundreds of thousands of miles of bluewater cruising, to go anywhere from high latitudes to the tropics.

Arguably less of a looker than the Bestevaer, the Garcia Exploration 45 features a rounded aluminium hull, centreboard with deep skeg and twin daggerboards. The considerable anchor chain weight has again been brought aft, this time via a special conduit to a watertight locker in front of the centreboard.

This is a yacht designed to be lived on for extended periods with ample storage, and panoramic portlights to give a near 360° view of whichever extraordinary landscape you are exploring. Safety features include a watertight companionway door to keep extreme weather out and through-hull fittings placed above the waterline. When former Vendée Globe skipper Pete Goss went cruising , this was the boat he chose to do it in.

Photo: svnaima.com

A truly well-proven expedition design, some 1,500 Ovnis have been built and many sailed to some of the most far-flung corners of the world. (Jimmy Cornell sailed his Aventura some 30,000 miles, including two Drake Passage crossings, one in 50 knots of wind).

Futuna Exploration 54

Another aluminium design with a swinging centreboard and a solid enclosed pilothouse with protected cockpit area. There’s a chunky bowsprit and substantial transom arch to house all manner of electronics and power generation.

Previous boats have been spec’d for North West Passage crossings with additional heating and engine power, although there’s a carbon rig option for those that want a touch of the black stuff. The tanks are capacious, with 1,000lt capability for both fresh water and fuel.

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Characteristics, technical specifications.

The ideal single-handed catamaran

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A legendary model

Easy to handle whether a beginner or expert

The Outremer 45 is a 48 ft catamaran. Easy to control from the helm station, everything is within reach and the clear view over the four corners of the boat guarantees perfect maneuvers, even single-handed.

With its narrow hulls and light weight, the feeling of gliding, well wedged in a comfortable seat with tiller in hand, is exhilarating.

But don’t worry if you leave the helm to the autopilot or if the wind gets stronger: the Outremer 45 is the most forgiving of catamarans. Peace of mind while cruising is non-negotiable on an Outremer, including on this single-handed catamaran.

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Ideal sailing ergonomics

All maneuvers are accessible from the helm station, located at the center of the boat. With a perfect view of the four corners of the catamaran and the sails, single-handed maneuvering is child’s play! After hoisting the mainsail on your own, using the electric winch in front of you, trimming and fine-tuning your sails with the mainsail and solent sheets, take the tiller, comfortably installed in the ergonomic seat, to enjoy unique steering pleasure. Returning to port, the engine controls and windlass are also within easy reach, guaranteeing seemless maneuvering.

Unmatched view of the horizon

The 360° view from the saloon and cockpit of this blue water catamaran provides exceptional visibility of the water and the surrounding environment, contributing greatly to onboard comfort. Aboard the Outremer 45, whether sitting or standing, inside or outside, the vision is perfect. A crucial factor for serene cruising! No need to climb on deck to scan the horizon, night watches will never have seemed as comfortable as at the chart table!

Easy access

The very low boom allows easy access to the mainsail, lowers the sail’s center of effort and optimizes performance and comfort at sea. Access to the coachroof is made simple with just one step near the mast, and even the youngest can take part in maneuvers under the watchful eye of the skipper. When it’s time to reef or stow the sail, no acrobatics are required, and you stay safe. All these well-thought elements make the Outremer 45 the ideal catamaran for either beginners or a single-person crew.

Testimonials

« Sailing La Vagabonde » Elayna, Riley and Lenny

This Australian couple, initially with little sailing experience, have been documenting their journey around the world under sail since 2014. If you don’t already know them, it’s time to discover these celebrities that we love to follow…

Do you have any questions?

What is the difference between the outremer 45 and the 4x, what are the latest innovations on the outremer 45, what is the payload of the 45', can you sail around the world in complete safety on a 45'.

Beyond building your boat, Outremer brings your dreams to life by being by your side at every stage of your project. To always better support you, we have created Outremer Services. This structure, integrated within Grand Large Services is able to meet all your needs, from the start of your project to the resale of your catamaran.

Seminars on the theme of blue-water cruising, training on land and at sea, charter, concierge services, refit, a network of approved partners around the world, OCM ™ e-maintenance and lastly brokerage. We offer complete and personalized support according to best fit your needs.

Impatient, not sure you can invest in a new catamaran or simply curious? See our latest second-hand boats on offer. Please note that the demand is high, don’t wait to contact us.

Charter an Outremer

SHORT TERM CHARTER WITH SKIPPER

From the legendary Outremer 45 to the acclaimed Outremer 55, not to forget the 51 and the 4X, you will find a wide range of Outremer catamarans to charter, depending on your model of interest.

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• Fortnite guides

When does Fortnite downtime end and Chapter 5 Season 3 release?

Get Wrecked from the fallout

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Chapter 5 Season 3 of Fortnite , formally called Wrecked , appears to be focused on using huge vehicles to get around a desert wasteland.

Hot on the w-heels of a Greek methology-themed season , Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 will also feature a Fallout crossover .

We’ll break down the expected release times for Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 (based on your time zone) and explain when Fortnite downtime is supposed to end . You’ll also get a summary of what to expect from the new Fortnite season.

What time does Fortnite downtime end and Chapter 5 Season 3 release in your time zone?

Update (May 24): Following some down time, we’re live! If you’re just diving in, here’s the list of Chapter 5 Season 3 battle pass skins , a rundown of map and weapon pool loot changes , details about the Magneto skin release date , and an explainer on how to mod vehicles .

Original story follows...

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 is set to launch on Friday, May 24 , at the same time around the world. Based on the launch times of previous seasons, we can make a strong educated guess for when Fortnite will go down and come back up again.

Server downtime typically starts around 2 or 3 a.m. EDT and typically last about four hours, give or take. That means we can reasonably expect Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 to go live at the following times depending on your time zone:

• 1 a.m. - 4 a.m. PDT for the west coast of North America
• 4 a.m. - 7 a.m. EDT for the east coast of North America
• 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. BST for the U.K.
• 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. CEST for western Europe/Paris
• 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. JST on Japan/Tokyo

What to expect in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3

So far, the known quantities for Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 are the name (“Wrecked”) and the much-ballyhooed Fallout collaboration, which will see you get your hands on some Power Armor. Whether this is an item or a skin is yet to be confirmed, but you can briefly see it in action in the following embedded post on X:

Courtesy of the Brotherhood of Steel. pic.twitter.com/x3IEwZOxtU — Fortnite (@FortniteGame) May 21, 2024

Elsewhere, an official teaser trailer suggests a sandstorm will bring about an apocalyptic desert theme:

Meanwhile, the Fortnite X account teased the possibility of a new bus, replete with video footage of a (real) monster truck jumping over a (real?) bus. This dovetails with what longtime Fortnite leaker ShiinaBR (who has a sturdy track record for this sort of thing) said on X : that monster trucks are coming to Fortnite as of Chapter 5 Season 3.

might be a new bus in town pic.twitter.com/Y0nmyxJVs5 — Fortnite (@FortniteGame) May 20, 2024

Tying into all of the above, datamines from the HYPEX account on X suggest “sand landmarks” or a dedicated desert biome, as well as a steam train makeover for the map’s snaking locomotive.

There’s also the suggestion of collaborations with Metallica, Fall Guys, and Pirates of the Caribbean. That said, based on the game’s track record, take these tie-ins with a pinch of salt — and if they do appear, could be in non-battle royale modes, and / or will appear later in the season.

SEASON 3 INFO & LEAKS SO FAR • THEME & DATE: Post-Apocalyptic / May 24th • COLLABS: Metallica, Fall Guys, Pirates of the Caribbean & More.. • UI UPDATES: Each item in the shop will have its own timer • Lead-up Mini Event with a huge sandstorm & lightning • Sand Landmarks… pic.twitter.com/r40pYAPMnV — HYPEX (@HYPEX) May 13, 2024

There’s plenty to look forward to then. The other thing of note — and this is pure speculation on our part — is the season launches day-in-date with Furiosa , making it primed for a possible Mad Max crossover. There has been no indication of that so far (from developer Epic Games or otherwise) but we’d be surprised if that doesn’t appear at some point.

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Indian River County may limit mooring to 45 days to address problem of abandoned boats

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Just off Veterans Memorial Island, disrupting the view from the sanctuary, lies the rotting remains of a sailboat. Its sails have disintegrated and barnacles have colonized, the result of four years decaying in the sun.

The County Commission wants to eliminate scenes like this up and down county waters, and may create anchoring limitation areas to protect the lagoon from effects associated with long-term abandonment of boats.

Regulations would allow the county to remove vessels left moored for more than 45 consecutive days within designated areas in a six-month window.

"We can now enter the removal process quicker," said Clean Water Coalition Vice President Keith Drewett. "With the anchoring limitation areas) we can intervene sooner, and prevent them from sinking and harming the environment."

OK to drop anchor, but don't stay long

If the anchoring areas come to fruition, they would encompass about 684 acres: 291 acres in Sebastian, 210 in Indian River Shores and 183 in Vero Beach.

Installation of signs, pilings and buoys to notify boaters of the anchoring areas and new regulations could cost as much as $296,500, split among the three communities.

"This would make the county the torchbearer when it comes to removing boats," said County Commissioner Deryl Loar. "This is another way to help clean up the lagoon.

"This is a project that has worked up and down the coast and makes everything easier," he said. "We would be a one-stop shop."

The sailboat off Veterans Memorial Island is far from an isolated example. It's one of at least sunken or abandoned craft within the county. When a boat is abandoned, it deteriorates quicker and becomes an expensive problem for the county.

It costs an $400-$800 per foot to remove a derelict vessel from the water, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The county paid Outlaw Maritime $31,295 in September to remove three boats from the lagoon. New countywide rules would reduce much of that cost.

"Hopefully after this we won't have float anymore sunken vessels," said Loar.

More: Ghosts of the lagoon: Skeletal remains of boats haunt waterways from Vero to Sebastian

More: Why you pay to remove derelict boats and why it takes so long

More: Stop Gilligan's Island nonsense: Speed up abandoned boat removal in Indian River Lagoon

A more efficient, and cost-effective, system

The current removal process begins with an investigation of a targeted vessel. FWC putting a hold on the boat, halting any action against it. FWC tries to notify the owner during the 21-day hold, and a notice of derelict status is issued if no owner responds. The county then is free to hire a contractor to remove the boat, and then seek reimbursement from the state for removal and disposal of the vessel.

With new mooring rules in place, the county could simply remove vessels after they'd anchored for 45 consecutive days, before they sunk and before they leach chemicals — including diesel oil and gasoline — and human waste into the lagoon. If that runoff enters the ecosystem, it's harmful to seagrass, fish and water quality, officials stressed.

"It is easier to remove a floating boat, than float a sunken boat, then tow it," said Drewett. "This hastens the process and preempt the boats sinking."

Nick Slater  is TCPalm’s Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at  [email protected]  and 224-830-2875.