This morning, Excess Catamarans unveiled the very first images of the Excess 14, a brand new model that completes a range of three other models, namely the Excess 11, Excess 12 and Excess 15. Capitalizing on the developments of the very successful Excess 11, the Excess 14 goes even further, notably with asymmetrical hulls that are unique on the mass production catamaran market...

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At its launch in September 2019, at the Cannes Yachting Festival, Excess, Groupe Bénéteau's brand new catamaran brand, caused a sensation by unveiling its future range in advance, which would eventually include five models, with the Excess 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Since then, the product plan has unfolded, with the successive launches of the Excess 12 and Excess 15 (Cannes 2019) and Excess 11, with the shipyard keeping the suspense alive these last few months on its new 2022 model, by naming it Excess.... 13.5 !! 

This new model is finally the Excess 14, a unit with a hull length of 13.4m and an overall length varying from 14 to 16m (depending on the type of bowsprit chosen by the client), a model still signed by the naval architecture firm VPLP, which will be presented at the 2022 Yachting Festival, and whose production will start in 2023, for the first deliveries that same year.

In terms of design, Excess has capitalized on the very successful design of the Excess 11, with an Excess 14 that immediately stands out with its powerful nose, its inverted bows, its raised bows, its lowered roof, but above all, its mast positioned in front of the saloon!

As far as rigging is concerned, Excess has chosen an overlapping genoa and a very low boom to maximize the sail area, knowing that two types of rigging are proposed, classic (overlapping genoa), or Pulse Line (with a longer mast).

Although the Excess 14 is not a high-performance catamaran, it is nevertheless positioned in a very specific segment, that of family catamarans offering real sensations at the helm and a good level of performance, with a light weight of 11.7 tons and its two steering wheels positioned at the rear of the hulls. A fun boat, targeting millenials, and positioned between a Nautitech and an Outremer, its sail area/displacement ratio is the best on the market for mass-produced catamarans of this size, whether equipped with a classic or Pulse Line mast.

The Excess 14's innovation: asymmetrical hulls, i.e. with the low point moved to the outside, to minimize the impact of waves under the nacelle, and therefore the loss of performance, a unique choice on the mass-produced catamaran market.

In order not to lose in habitability, the Excess 14 sees its platform moved back to the maximum, but also raised in relation to the water level, for better marine qualities (70cms above the water).

The Excess 14 offers 2 types of layouts, 3 cabins, 3 bathrooms, or 4 cabins, 4 bathrooms. We appreciate the first type of layout, which retains the modern and simple design of the Excess 11, but seems to have more storage space. 

Good point: the 2 guest cabins of the 3-cabin version, or the 4 cabins of the version more dedicated to chartering the Excess 14, all have bathrooms with separate showers and toilets. This is a very strong demand from customers, tired of having to share a shower on units of equivalent size.

Another good point, an owner's suite with a very large dressing room, positioned in the front peak, which can be replaced by two single beds. 

Let's note in passing that the two points of hulls can accommodate a skipper cabin....

Summary - With nearly 200 units sold since its launch, Excess Catamarans has succeeded in creating a new market segment, which emphasizes the pleasure of sailing and the sensation at the helm. After a very successful Excess 11, the Excess 14 goes even further, with new innovations and a more accomplished layout. Success should be all the more likely, as the brand's traditional owner customers should be joined by rental companies, which are increasingly keen to broaden their product offering to include more original models, like the car rental company Sixt...