Excess 12 Catamaran

The Australian debut of the Excess range with the arrival of the 12 is a smart addition to the burgeoning cruising catamaran market.

Market differentiators in the burgeoning cruising catamaran market can be difficult to find, yet this is what market leader Beneteau-Lagoon has achieved with the Excess range. The 2019 debut of Beneteau’s new catamaran brand Excess in France caused quite a stir among us marine journalists and, of course, other builders. Given the vast research and development of Beneteau, which owns builder CNB that was launching Excess, there were great expectations. Yet this was tempered with modesty from company executives, such as Commercial Director Thomas Gailly who I met in Cannes to discuss the first models — the 12 and 15, that debuted there in 2019. These used the same nacelles as Lagoons and were described as slightly livelier versions of the company’s long-standing brand. The current Excess range comprises models from 37–50 foot (model numbers 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15) in a roll-out that only the vast sheds of CNB’s Bordeaux yard and nearby sister yards could possibly deliver.

SANCTUARY COVE

The Excess range represents the brains of CNB’s 35 years of catamaran expertise combined with the credentials of leading design house VPLP and interior Italian experts Nauta Design, with added flair from Patrick le Quément. At its launch in France, it was interesting to meet with the prolific VPLP duo (Vincent Lauriot Prevost and Marc Van Peteghem) to discuss the multihull scene, and specifically, their Excess design. “Most catamarans are centred around being comfortable while there are also extreme performance versions, so we conceived Excess as being in the middle-ground between them,” Marc Van Peteghem told me over a coffee. 

ALFRESCO CONCEPT

The concept of creating an open-air and lively catamaran without the fear of having an overpowered monster on your hands is laudable. Given that cruising catamarans are built more for comfort than speed, a modest evolution of the proven Lagoon brand clearly makes sense to the company and probably some of its many buyers. Built in the same basic construction as Lagoon to minimise costs, yet with a more open deck layout, the appeal is clear. Competitors such as Nautitech have been doing this style of boat for some time in lighter hulls, while speedsters such as Outremer have perfected performance versions of this concept. What’s different with Excess is the tweaking of Lagoon's old philosophy of “building from the inside out” into a more rounded concept.

The arrival of hull number 17 in Australia, the grey painted Excess 12, clearly showed this departure thanks to shapely hulls and the al fresco deck layout. However, the same blunt cabin top like its sister brand clearly demarcates it as a Lagoon cousin and gives all the usable interior space to the saloon. Despite being one of the smallest mass-production cats on the market, it still can have up to four cabins, or a three-cabin owner version, while an optional sporty sailplan can add to the thrill, or more importantly, get the hefty hulls moving in lighter airs. In Miami last year I spent time with product manager Thibaut de Montavalon, an experienced Lagoon 380 sailor: “What I really like about the Excess concept is the sensation you get from the helm which is outboard, and of course the movable bimini so you can see the sails as you steer,” he told me.

Our review boat came with a solid GRP bimini, but a folding soft-top one is available to completely open up the aft deck, via a hand crank. The downside with the soft top is a lack of solid walking space to the boom end. 

DECK

Enlivening the sailing experience of a cruising catamaran is among the primary design features of the Excess range because of the outboard helms and more open deck concept. The twin helms give clear views forward along the flat decks and untinted windows allow vision across the boat as well. Night vision is also helped by these clear windows. Helm seating is a pair of rather flimsy-backed twin canvas chairs, which flip up, and there’s a bimini option for each helm. Helm response from the two spade rudders felt good when I turned the Carbonautica composite wheel, as the proximity to the rudders requires only short linkages. Raymarine instrumentation is nicely angled for the steerer and Yanmar engine controls just below are also easily read without stooping. Handily, there’s an option for a second set at the port helm. 

Like its sister ship Lagoon, the Excess 12 is a functional boat. By that, I mean that most gear is well-placed throughout the hull. For example, the running rigging all comes back to the helms and a bank of jammers with a Harken winch on each side. So, short-handed sailing can be done and mainsheet control is good via a simple twin-block arrangement on the transom. Beyond is a pair of sturdy davits to hoist the dinghy well clear of the sea. Moulded steps on each hull give good water access for swimming and using the rubber ducky. Inside the cockpit is plenty of open space for shoreside entertainment and a corner dinette table — removable for party time — with surrounding benches and storage. Underfoot is more locker space and a liferaft slot is on the outside transom.

Walking forward is unimpeded, thanks to the single outboard shroud and low profile deck hatches with a handrail on each side of the saloon. At the bow, the anchor is on the crossbeam, making it more accessible than the convention of having it in a hull indention. The Excess 12 layout keeps it clear of the hull when the boat swings; the downside is weight higher up. The vertical windlass and chain sit exposed on the longitudinal centre beam, so guests should watch their toes on deployment. A rather flimsy second roller was also fitted on the review boat. Beside the bow lockers is a retractable step up to the blunt coachroof for sail handling. Our review boat had the optional bowsprit fitted for a Code 0, a wise choice for those preferring the sound of rushing waves to the chug of diesels in low-wind scenarios. 

SIMPLE SAIL PLAN

Our review boat came with the upgraded sail plan, the Pulse Line performance package, which has a metre-taller mast and accompanying sail area with grey tri-radial laminate Incidence sails, including a square-topped mainsail. Lazy jacks allow easy sail handling. As standard, the basic sail plan is ideal for catamaran newbies, so the self-tacking jib, in a large fore triangle, is nicely balanced with the slab-reefed mainsail. Its boom is fairly near the coach roof, so gives a low centre of effort and is easily man-handled. The two-spreader alloy mast is further aft than earlier Lagoons so offers a more balanced sailplan, and gives plenty space to deploy the Code 0 for off-the-wind runs. All the reefing lines run aft, albeit in a slightly convoluted way, so control from the helms is easy when short-handed.

SPACIOUS SALOON

Compared with one of my favourite Lagoons, the 380, the Excess 12 really has great space in the saloon, even with the large galley included on the port side. A deep sink, three burner hob/oven and sizeable fridge plus oodles of cabinet space make the Excess 12 more than a mere weekender. Those vertical external bulkheads are where the volume comes from of course, so you may dodge around with windage at anchor but inside is an airy atmosphere no matter the weather, especially when the two large front windows are opened. There's even a corner navigation station adjoining the main couch that surrounds the dinette table. The upgraded finish on the review boat included white lacquered timber, leather trimmings, upgraded upholstery, increased storage, deluxe cushions and Corian bathroom surfaces. 

OWNER'S VERSION

The three-cabin owner’s version that arrived in Australia uses the entire port hull, with two doubles starboard. The four-cabin version can have up to two bathrooms in each hull, or two located between the cabins. Stepping down into the hulls is an airy and light-filled experience, thanks to plenty of opening skylights and those elongated portlights. Looking at the owner’s cabin, it showed a spacious layout with a thwartships bed filling the stern hull, a vanity desk nearby, and a spacious bathroom in the bow. The upgraded interior on the review boat reduces the acres of glaring white gelcoat found in the standard bathroom and is easily wiped down. Overall, the owner’s space is impressive for a 39ft boat, so is a major feature for potential buyers, especially those choosing the liveaboard life. Over in the port hull, the two double cabins enjoy similar volume, including useful wardrobe space, and a large bathroom between ensures privacy.

HULL AND SYSTEMS

Hull design is similar to that of Lagoon, with twin mini keels, rudders behind saildrives, and flared topsides to maximise volume in living spaces above the waterline. Also similar to the sister brand is the use of balsa coring in the GRP hull above the waterline. Construction is via vacuum infusion for the hull and deck, with injection moulding used on the roof to minimise weight. The design minimises the structure forward, so fairly large trampolines are used. Below, the nacelle is shaped to deflect waves, which is good given the modest looking bridgedeck clearance, especially at the aft section. Safety is also good, with glass escape hatches in each hull. Rudder shafts near the wheels on the Excess, connected via Dyneema line, is a simple solution that offers more feel and less complication. Blunt bows maximise the waterline and the tall hulls give the inside volume. Volume is also evident when I peer into one of the two engine compartments at one of the two upgraded 45HP Yanmar sail drive engines. Its battery is sensibly elevated, but the open-grain plywood ends will soak up any water incursion. Wisely, our review boat came with Flexofold propellers to maximise sailing performance.

GOLD COAST SAIL

The shallow waters of the Gold Coast Seaway form an ideal catamaran habitat. As the mini keels of the Excess 12 skimmed over the sandbars, company representative Micah and I hoisted the performance mainsail as I pointed the hulls into a strong southerly wind. Easily done, as I simply pressed the button on the electric winch and the lazy jacks guided the tri-radial sail up the tall mast. Prior to that, I had motored along reaching 8.2 knots with the upgraded 45HP engines, so there is generous power when required.

Under sail and with propellers folded, the Excess 12 came into its element, surging ahead in the 15-knot wind as I steered us through the Seaway and into the six-foot swells. Once clear of the entrance, I bent down near the helm to release the jib furler line and a short pull of the leeward sheet simply deployed the self-tacking jib. By this time the wind had cranked up to 18 knots, causing the Excess to jump around a bit, so I was glad of the deck-level helm position. From here, views were clear forward and to the sails. So, just like on a monohull, I watched the jib tell-tale tapes and those on the mainsail as well, while getting lots of feedback from the helms. At one stage, the helm became heavy, so I eased the mainsail to easily balance the sail plan. The Raymarine showed a nippy 7.5 knots as we surged upwind at about 50 degrees. Tacking at first, I did slowly, yet without any worry of stalling, as the hulls spun round easily while I walked unimpeded to the new windward helm across the clear deck. Easily done. Alongside us was another larger cruising catamaran, which we overhauled as the wind grew to 22 knots, showing our speed to be 8.5 knots. Ideally, the first of the two reefs would be put in just before this stage. But we were about to turn for home, which was a good reason to try a gybe. The self-tacking jib meant only the mainsail was our concern, so it was winched in via the twin sheets before I turned our transom through the wind and on course for the sheltered Broadwater. I'd have preferred to simply ease sheets and run north to the tropical isles where the Excess 12 is ideally built for. Overall, the Excess 12 is a capable coastal cruiser from a company with a proven pedigree and is at reasonable price point for buyers wishing to enjoy the thrill of their first multihull. 

FAST FACTS

PRICE

$848,000 (sail away with upgraded rig)

GENERAL

LOA: 11.73m  (38ft 5in)

Beam: 11.46m (37ft 7in)

Draft: 1.35m (4ft 5in)

Displacement: 10,300kg

Engine: 29HP Yanmar saildrive

Mainsail square top: 50m² 

(Pulse upgrade 55m²)

Self-tacking jib: 32m²

Code 0: 67m²

DESIGN 

VPLP, Patrick le Quément

W flagstaffmarine.com.au

MORE INFO 

W excess-catamarans.com