Review: Excess 11 - Cruising Catamaran With Comfort And Space

The arrival in Australia of the one of the smallest production cruising catamarans is an ideal way into this exhilarating form of boating.

The Excess 11 launched in January 2020 as part of a range that now has models from 37 to 50 foot (model numbers 11, 12, 14 and 15) in a roll-out that only the vast sheds of the Beneteau Group's Bordeaux yard (Construction Navale Bordeaux) and the Les Sables d’Olonnes shipyards could possibly deliver, using its skilled workforce in high-volume catamaran manufacturing. Unlike the earlier models that borrowed hull parts from its sister range of Lagoon, the Excess 11 uses original tooling and is a more weight-conscious range, while benefiting from Lagoon's 35+ years of catamaran expertise. Combined with the credentials of leading design house VPLP and interior experts Nauta Design, the model shows added flair from car design guru Patrick le Quément. 

Local Sydney dealer Flagstaff received the Excess 12 last year but is particularly excited about the arrival of the baby of the range that debuted at the 2022 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, said boss Graham Raspass: “The Excess 11 has been a huge success for Excess, with over 80 sold since its launch just two years ago”. Flagstaff has secured two production slots for 2023 – one in June 2023 ex-factory and the other December 2023. Ex-factory can mean a fantastic season in the Mediterranean before either a container ship ride home or join the ARC rally and make your own way. Having been really impressed by the Excess 12

Cool Concept

The concept of creating a more open and lively feeling 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 potential 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, and in lighter hulls, while speedsters such as Outremer have perfected performance versions. What’s different with Excess is the tweaking of Lagoon’s old philosophy of “building from the inside out” into a more rounded concept.

Berthed at Sanctuary Cove, the grey-painted Excess 11 clearly showed this departure, thanks to shapely hulls and the alfresco deck layout. However, the same blunt cabin top as its sister brand clearly demarcates it as a Lagoon cousin, and of course, gives all the lovely interior space to the saloon. This 37-footer is the smallest mass-production cat on the market, so an ideal entry-level boat at an affordable price. Yet, it still can have four cabins, or a three-cabin owner version, while an optional sporty sailplan adds to the thrill, or more importantly, gets the hefty hulls moving in lighter airs. Excess Director Thibaut de Montavalon, an experienced Lagoon 380 sailor, summed it up well when we talked about the marque: “What I really like about the Excess concept is the sensation you get from the helm which is outboard, and of course the optional movable bimini so you can see the sails as you steer”. 

Deck

Maximising topside space is the primary design feature of the entire Excess range because of the outboard helms and flat decks. The twin helms give clear views forward and untinted windows allow vision across the boat as well. Night vision is also helped by these untinted windows. Helm seating is a pair of rather basic canvas chairs, which flip, and there's a bimini option for each helm. Response from the two space rudders felt good when I turned the Carbonautica composite wheel, as the proximity to the rudders requires only short Dyneema linkages. Raymarine instrumentation is nicely angled for the steerer and Yanmar engine controls just below are also easily read without stooping on the starboard helm. Handily, there’s an option for a second set at the port helm. There’s an optional sunroof that concertinas closed via a hand-crank but our Australian review boat had the standard fibreglass top, which is fine by me, as the downside with the soft top is a lack of solid walking space to the boom end. 

Like all Lagoons, the Excess 11 is a functional boat. By that I mean 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 easily done, and mainsheet control is good via a simple twin block setup on the transom. Beyond is a pair of sturdy davits to hoist the dinghy well clear of the briny. Moulded steps on each hull give good water access for swimming and entering the rubber ducky. Inside the cockpit is ample open space for entertainment and there’s a corner dinette table (removable for party time) with surrounding benches and transom bench/storage. Underfoot is more locker space and the liferaft is slung at the outside of the 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 11 layout keeps it clear of the hull when the boat swings; the downside is weight higher up. The vertical windlass and chain sit 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 for access 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

A simple sail plan is ideal for catamaran newbies, so the standard rig is a self-tacking jib, in a large fore triangle which is balanced with the slab-reefed mainsail. Its boom is near the coach roof because of the deck-stepped mast (rather than on the cabin), so gives a low centre of effort and is easily handled. The alloy mast is also further aft than earlier Lagoons, so offers a more balanced sailplan, and gives plenty space to deploy the Code 0 for running. Our Australian review boat came with the upgraded rig, which is ideal for tropical Australia but of course is a wee bit powerful for newbie cat sailors. This upgrade — the Pulse Line performance package — has a one-metre taller mast and accompanying sail area with grey tri-radial laminate Incidence sails, including a square topped mainsail. All the reefing lines run aft, allowing furling from the helm.

Spacious Saloon

Compared with one of the similar-sized and older Lagoons, the 380, the Excess 11 really has vast space in the saloon, even with the large galley included on the starboard side. “Actually, parts of the 11 has more space than on the Excess 12,” said my host for the day, Micah Lane. The well-equipped galley has twin sinks, a two-burner hob/oven and sizeable fridge, plus oodles of cabinet space that all make the Excess 11 much more than a mere weekender. Those vertical 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. 

Three Or Four Cabins

Our Australian review boat came with the three-cabin owner’s layout, which uses the entire port hull, with two doubles starboard. The four-cabin version has a bathroom in each hull, located between the cabins. Stepping down into the hulls is an airy and light-filled experience, thanks to opening skylights and those large elongated portlights. This owner’s version had a spacious layout with athwartships bed filling the stern hull, vanity desk nearby, and a really large bathroom in the bow. Acres of white gelcoat in the bathroom may be glaring, but easily wiped down. Overall, the owner’s space is incredible for a 37-foot boat, so a major feature for potential buyers, especially those choosing the liveaboard life. Over in the port hull, the two double cabins have similar volume, including useful wardrobe space, and a large bathroom between aids privacy.

Voluminous Hull 

Hull design is similar to Lagoon but this is the first of the Excess brand to be separately made. Key features are the twin mini keels, rudders behind saildrives, and flaired hulls 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 large trampolines are used. Below, the nacelle is shaped to deflect waves, which is good given the modest bridgedeck clearance, especially at the aft section. Rudder shafts are close to the wheels — connected with Dyneema line — a simple solution that offers more feel and less complication. Blunt bows maximise the waterline and the tall hulls give generous inside volume with a glass escape hatch in each. Volume is also evident when I peer into one of the two engine compartments at the 29HP Yanmar sail drive. A generator is not offered but could be fitted here. The starter battery is sensibly elevated. AGM house batteries are under the owner’s bed (but the optimal place is in the nacelle), and lithium versions are available.

Cruising The Gold Coast

Catamarans are prolific around the Gold Coast for some very good reasons — shallow waters and sheltered sailing, which suit them. So, it’s an ideal place to take the Excess 11 for a spin, even when a gale is blowing. But first I had to steer along the winding Coomera River after Micah and I cast-off from the boat show along with a dozen other show escapees. Under power, the Excess 11 effortlessly sped along at six knots, propelled by its folding propellers and 29HP Yanmar saildrives. Those outboard helms meant I could easily watch out for all the river traffic. Approaching the river mouth, strong southerly gusts bent the river gumtrees, so we agreed to leave the performance mainsail double reefed before we hoisted. Using the manual winch beside the starboard helm hoisted the big-headed mainsail without dramas, guided by the lazy jacks. Spinning the lightweight composite steering wheel, I then released the furling line, and the self-tacking headsail rolled out quickly after I gave its sheet a tug. We sped off in the 20-knot southerly. 

I chose to put the Excess 11 through its toughest test right away — tacking down a narrow channel against chop. Usually for a mini-keeled, heavy cruising catamarans, this is asking too much. But not the nimble Excess 11, which even with two reefs in the mainsail made headway as I tacked several times. Each tack involved simply turning the wheel so that the bows spun about 100 degrees, while I sedately walked to the windward side, the self-tacking headsail zipping across, followed by the mainsail flipping around automatically. Hard upwind, the Raymarine showed 6.5 knots at 50 degrees true wind, which corresponded with the polar chart. The Pulse package gives roughly 10% more sail area and about 10% gain in speed, which also aids light-air performance. The lively feel of the boat and responsive helm is exactly what this new brand is all about, something that may well persuade monohull sailors to defect. Downwind, we had to contend with the basic sailplan as it was too windy to hoist a spinnaker, but the ride was smooth and fast (9 knots), yet without dramas. Overall, the Excess 11 is a capable coastal cruiser from a company with a proven pedigree and at a tantalising price point for buyers wishing to enjoy the thrill of their first multihull.

Excess 11 Specifications

Excess 11 price: $730,000 (base boat)

THE NEXT STEP

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