The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 vs Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 measures 59,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 at 51,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 tips the scales at 44 092 lbs — 13 889 lbs less than the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 at 30 203 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 has a 35-hp advantage over the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 displaces 44 092 lbs — a 13 889-lb difference over the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 at 30 203 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 draws 8,8 ft, compared to 7,8 ft for the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013. That 1,0-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 uses a 2 tillers versus a 2 wheels on the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 carries a 75-hp engine against 40 hp on the Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Bottom line: The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 5X 2011 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 44 092 lbs displacement and 59 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Outremer Catamarans Outremer 51 2013 at 30 203 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.