Setting Sail with Outremer: The Handover Process
Few moments are as thrilling and unforgettable as receiving the keys to a brand new Outremer 52 performance catamaran. The anticipation of this day coming is not easy to describe at all. In this blog, I will take you on a journey through the experience of receiving our Outremer 52 – a moment that marks the end of the beginning for us as we finally get underway on our circumnavigation.
1. Initial Handover
The day we arrived at the Outremer ship yard to receive our sailboat was a dream come true. Here's a glimpse into that unforgettable day:
- Welcome: The team at Outremer were putting the finishing touches on cleaning up the boat when we arrived and they welcomed us with enthusiasm. It was clear that their dedication to making this moment special ran deep. Walking across the yard and seeing our boat glistening in the sunlight was a moment of pure joy. We were ready to get started with the shakedown and ready to leave La Grande-Motte.
- Walkthrough: Our project manager, Eloi, guided us through a comprehensive walkthrough of the sailboat. The goal was to take a full inventory of everything and make sure every option was accounted for
- Inspection: We went through a first level inspection with the goal to find any major defects or problems out of the gate. Part of the experience in buying an Outremer is they have you come back after shakedown to fix any problems or items that aren’t right, after you have had time on the boat to find them and break things.
Then the boat was officially ours!
2. Indoctrination - I don’t know another way to put it.
The handover process at Outremer is a thorough and essential part of receiving a boat. We spent 5 working days with various experts who came on board to teach us all the systems and how everything worked. It was EPIC and a little overwhelming, but having this kind of time with experts is incredible.
- Hands-On Learning: I had the opportunity to understand and operate the various systems, from navigation tools to safety equipment. The team was patient with all of our questions and clarifications. Here were all the topics covered:
Plumbing
Electronics
Electrical
Sails/Rigging
Power
Smart Boat/Sailsense
- Performance Testing: We took our boat out for a couple days with a skipper so we could practice all the sail changes and maneuvers on our own boat. Prior to that, we had taken classes on various Outremers, but it was great to understand the nuances of our own boat. We were also able to get a feel for its handling, responsiveness, and capabilities before we were on our own.
4. Final Steps
- Last Minute Fixes: Our goal was to get out of the marina, but there were a few things we noticed not quite working right, like the fridge and the watermaker. We didn’t want to leave without the watermaker working right so there was time spent on that.
- Addressing Questions: We had additional time to ask more questions that week while technicians and experts were on the boat.
- Ticketing System: The Outremer team walked us through how to use their after-sales service ticketing system so we could log our questions and problems as we saw them on our shakedown. This keeps all the shakedown items organized and is clear because we can take photos and log everything in one place.
With the formalities completed, it was finally time to leave. We hoisted the sails, waved goodbye to the team at Outremer, and began our shakedown. We returned six weeks later to complete the after-sales work, but the initial handover could not have gone smoother. This was an incredible moment for us, filled with anticipation, excitement, and the promise of what was to come.
