A NEW LIFE OF EXCESS

A BOLD DECISION TO USE DIFFERENT DESIGNERS HELPS GIVE THE EXCESS 13 IDENTITY AND MAKES A TELLING DIFFERENCE UNDER SAIL. HAS THIS LIVELY, MODERN BRAND FINALLY COME OF AGE?

- TOBY HODGES

We may think we want that performance multihull, a 50ft+ daggerboard catamaran with the legs to average double figures and outrun weather systems. But for cruising and family sailing do we really need all that space, complexity and exorbitant cost that comes with it?

In reality, more multihull cruisers who enjoy fast sailing and active helming will settle for a compromise between the pace and price of an Outremer or Balance-type daggerboard cat, with the all-out volume offered in a shorter length package by major production yards such as Lagoon, Leopard and Fountaine-Pajot.

Positioned in the area between these two ends of the scale, therefore, are a few increasingly popular brands offering fast family cruisers such as Nautitech and Seawind (see page 68). And, having experienced one of the most memorable sails of the season on this Excess 13 – during an autumn when I tested over 20 new production yachts - I'd argue that Excess can now confidently occupy this best-of-both-worlds area too.

EXCESS EVOLUTION

I have liked what Excess set out to do from the outset. Indeed, when it was first heralded as this cool new startup to appeal to a funky new foiling generation of water lovers, it held real appeal. However, I admit to being a little underwhelmed by their first generation products, launched in 2019.