Author's Note:
As a yacht enthusiast who enjoys cruising in Europe, I have had the opportunity over the past five years to experience catamarans from various brands, such as Lagoon, Bali, and Leopard, and have chartered different models for extended periods in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.This article is based on my firsthand interactions with numerous boat owners, shipyard sales representatives, and brokers involved in past transactions, as well as price information I gathered on-site at European boat shows and marinas. It has not received any sponsorship from any brand; all data and opinions have been compiled independently.
I. Don’t Get Too Excited Before You Board—What Exactly Is La Vagabonde?
If you’ve ever searched for “catamaran life at sea” on YouTube, you’ve likely come across the Australian couple who sing “Sailing La Vagabonde.”Riley and Elayna’s boat was an Outremer 45, which they later traded in for a larger Outremer 55—but that’s not what we’re here to discuss today.
Not everyone buys an Outremer.
The name “La Vagabonde”—which many people search for as if it were a model name—actually refers mainly to these types of boats on the used market:
A few boats specifically named “La Vagabonde” were custom-built by certain shipyards; for example, some monohull sailboats from Bénéteau or Jeanneau have also been given this name.
More people are looking for catamarans similar to the one used by that couple—that is, the Outremer series.
Furthermore, there are those who are simply drawn in by the keyword “price” and want to find out exactly how much it would cost to own such a boat.
So don’t let the name confuse you. All the prices I’ll mention next apply specifically to the Outremer 45 and Outremer 55, as these are the models the vast majority of people are actually interested in.
II. New Prices: Not Something the Average Person Can Afford on a Whim
Starting Price for a New Outremer 45
In 2024, I spoke with a sales representative from Outremer at the La Grande Motte Boat Show in France. He clearly stated that the base model of the Outremer 45 (without any optional extras) has a factory price in Europe of approximately €540,000.
Don’t rush to convert that to dollars just yet.
The phrase “base model” is the catch. “Base model” means:
No generator
No air conditioning
No water treatment system
No solar panels
The sails are made of standard Dacron material, not the lighter, more durable laminate sails.
The interior is basic plywood with no high-end wood trim
What you get is essentially an empty hull that floats on water.
I have a friend who lives in Greece. In 2023, he ordered an Outremer 45 and opted for numerous features essential for long-range cruising, including dual generators, a full Victron electrical system, 700W of solar panels, a watermaker,radar, an upgraded autopilot, and a 3-cabin luxury interior. The final price came to €790,000.
Yes, you read that right. After adding the options, the price jumped by nearly 250,000 euros.
Outremer 55 Base Price
This is the one that Riley and Elayna later switched to. It’s a size larger than the one mentioned earlier, has a slightly deeper draft, and its cruising capabilities are even more impressive.
Starting price for a new boat: €890,000.
After all the options were selected, the spec sheet I obtained from the shipyard showed that the actual prices paid by many owners ultimately fell within the range of €1,200,000 to €1,350,000.
What’s the difference?
The 55 is more expensive than the 45 primarily due to:
Higher material costs due to the larger hull dimensions
Larger sail area and mast height
Larger interior space, requiring higher-capacity air conditioning and water systems
Many buyers opt for carbon-fiber masts, which alone can add over 100,000 euros
III. The used market is where the real battle takes place for most people
To be honest: the secondhand market for Outremer yachts is extremely opaque.
Back in 2023, I spent a full seven months searching for a used Outremer 45 in the Caribbean on behalf of a friend. The reason wasn’t a scarcity of boats, but rather extremely volatile price fluctuations.
As shown below, these are the actual 2024 listing prices—in euros—that I compiled from inventory data on Boat24, YachtWorld, and several European brokers:
| Boat Model | Age of Boat | Cruising Use | Listing Price (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outremer 45 | 2018 | One Atlantic crossing, Caribbean cruise | 480,000 | No generator; outdated air conditioning |
| Outremer 45 | 2020 | Short Mediterranean cruises, <50 days of use per year | 595,000 | Fully equipped, almost brand-new |
| Outremer 55 | 2017 | One round-the-world voyage; minor hull damage | 720,000 | Engine has over 4,000 hours of use |
| Outremer 55 | 2021 | Caribbean charter boat, heavily used | 990,000 | Significant interior wear, but in good mechanical condition |
| Outremer 55 | 2022 | Private use, rarely taken out to sea | 1,150,000 | Stock configuration, no modifications |
I specifically compared the 2017 55 with the 2021 model. Many people assume that older boats are cheaper, but this 2017 55 already has over 4,000 engine hours, Based on the overhaul interval for the Volvo D2-50 engine (5,000–6,000 hours), the buyer will likely have to pay €15,000–€20,000 for an engine overhaul within one to two years of purchase.
The 2021 chartered boat may seem expensive at first glance, but its engine has only 1,800 hours on it, and charter companies typically perform a full maintenance service every 300 hours. So, when you do the math, the 2021 boat might actually have lower ownership costs.
IV. List of Hidden Costs: Pitfalls Beginners Most Often Overlook
Mooring Fees
You can’t stay at anchor for free forever.
Southern France: Weekly docking fees during peak season range from €400 to €800 (depending on boat length)
St. Lucia, Caribbean: Monthly rent is approximately $600–$1,200
Florida, USA: Monthly fees range from $800 to $2,000
The Outremer 55 has a draft of 1.5 meters, which isn’t particularly deep; however, its beam exceeds 8 meters, making it impossible to fit into many small berths at older marinas.
Insurance
This is really expensive. Here are some quotes I’ve heard:
A brand-new Outremer 45: The first-year premium is roughly between €8,000 and €12,000.
Used boats: Depending on the boat’s age and cruising area, €4,000–€8,000
If you plan to sail in the Pacific or Indian Oceans, insurance companies will charge an additional premium.
One real-life example I’m aware of is a German boat owner who, in 2023, sailed his Outremer 55 from the Mediterranean to Thailand. On his insurance policy, the “piracy risk rider” alone cost an additional €3,500.
Routine Maintenance
Many people assume that the maintenance costs for a catamaran are 1.5 times those of a monohull.
That’s not true.
It’s actually 2 to 2.5 times as much. Here’s why:
Two engines, two fuel filters, two oil filters, and two propellers
Two rudder systems
The combined area of antifouling paint on the two hulls is 40% greater than that of a monohull of the same length
The salon area is larger, and the replacement costs for curtains, cushions, and deck mats are higher
I know a technician who works on boat repairs in Spain; he said that if you were to perform annual maintenance on an Outremer 55, the labor costs alone would start at at least €3,000—and that doesn’t even include parts.
V. My Personal Assessment: Is It Worth It?
To cut to the chase, the conclusion is this: for a specific group of people, it’s extremely valuable; however, for most ordinary people, it’s not worth it at all.
For whom it’s worth it:
You plan to live at sea long-term (3 years or more)
You’re willing to spend time maintaining and repairing the boat yourself
You have a budget that covers not only the purchase price of the boat but also annual operating costs of at least €15,000 to €25,000.
You don’t need to dock frequently and are willing to spend most of your time at anchor
Not suitable for:
You only want to use the boat for one or two weeks a year
You plan to recoup your investment through chartering (the return on charter for this boat is fairly average)
You lack hands-on mechanical or electrical skills
For non-overseas regions, the hull design is indeed quite good. Its bridge deck is quite high, making it less likely to strike the bottom when navigating through rough weather.Its sail area is slightly larger than that of similarly sized atoll boats, allowing it to make good headway even in light winds. But all of this hinges on one thing—you’re willing to invest money, time, and effort into it.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I saw online that a used Outremer 45 can be had for as little as 300,000 euros. Is that true?
Such boats are often older models from the early 2000s or have significant structural issues.I have indeed seen a 2005 Outremer 45 listed in France for €290,000, but upon closer inspection, the hull showed signs of delamination; the cost of repairs after purchase might well exceed the boat’s price.Buy it for 300,000, spend 400,000 to fix it up—do you think that’s a good deal?
Q: Why not buy a Lagoon 46, which is much cheaper?
The starting price for a new Lagoon 46 is, to be precise, about 100,000 euros cheaper than the Outremer 45. However, the design philosophies behind these two boats are completely different. The Lagoon emphasizes comfort in a leisurely, vacation-like setting, while the Outremer focuses on performance during long-distance ocean voyages. If you’ll mainly be making short hops between islands in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, then the Lagoon would be a better fit. If you plan to make transoceanic crossings, the Outremer will give you greater peace of mind.
Q: How much do mooring fees and maintenance cost combined each year?
I mentioned this earlier, but here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Half a year at a marina (in an affordable area): approximately €3,000
Anchorage for half a year: €0
Insurance: €6,000
Annual maintenance + antifouling paint + minor repairs: €5,000–€8,000
Operating costs for the engine and generator—including fuel and filters—range from €2,000 to €3,000.
In total, even under the most economical conditions, annual costs will still amount to around €16,000. If you have the shipyard handle all maintenance, the total will easily exceed €25,000.
Q: Is it feasible to buy this yacht for charter operations?
While it is feasible, the calculations must be clear and accurate. Weekly charter rates for the Outremer 55 in the Caribbean generally range from €12,000 to €18,000.However, when factoring in vacancy rates and deducting maintenance and management fees, the actual annual return is likely to be only 4% to 5%.Furthermore, given that chartered yachts depreciate rapidly, potential buyers will inevitably use this as leverage to drive down the price when you resell the vessel after three years. The primary purpose should be personal enjoyment; chartering should only serve as a supplementary income source. Do not expect to rely on it as a primary source of profit.
Q: What potential issues should I watch out for when buying a used Outremer?
First, check for cracks at the bridge-deck junction. Second, verify whether the engine hour reading has been tampered with (many owners roll back the odometer), and determine if this has actually occurred. Third, inspect the mast base for signs of corrosion—specifically, whether this issue is present.Third, are all marine electronic devices in proper working order (spare parts for older Raymarine equipment are often difficult to find)? In other words, is this actually the case? Fourth, is there any osmosis (bubbling caused by moisture penetration) on the hull? In other words, does the hull actually exhibit this condition?I strongly recommend that you hire an independent surveyor to conduct a full survey of the vessel before purchasing it. Do not skimp on the €2,000–€3,000 survey fee—under no circumstances should you cut corners on this expense.