Last fall at the Cannes boat show, the Beneteau Groupe, which is the world’s largest builder of recreational vessels, introduced their all new Excess line of cruising catamarans. The Excess 12 and 15 are the first two designs in the line and at 38 and 47 feet offer cats in the two sweetest spots in the cruising cat market.
The two designs are similar and both have a somewhat radical new look when compared to the boats being built by their sister company Lagoon or their main rivals at Fountaine Pajot and Leopard. The boats are conceived to be “athletic” which translates into having better than average sailing qualities, aft steering stations and large and powerful rigs. Judging from the promotional materials and the brand’s website, Excess is seeking a younger audience – younger families in particular – who will cruise actively and use their cats as a platform for diving, kite surfing, fishing and exploration. Read More
