I am just back from the huge multihull show in the south of France, where I had a chance to catch up on all that is new and all that is happening in the European world of multihulls. There was a lot going on and not the least was the continued launch of the new concept cats, the Excess 12 and 15, by none other than Groupe Beneteau. \u00a0Beneteau, as you know, is the world largest builder of sailing monohulls and also the parent company to Lagoon Catamarans. So, what\u2019s going on? Well, the new Excess cats are designed to be modern sailing platforms that offer great performance and access to the whole range of on-the-water experiences enjoyed by so many sailors and cruisers from SCUBA diving, to kite-boarding, to windsurfing and more.<\/p>\n
While the boats are imaginative and fun, the promotion campaign Beneteau created to launch the new brand is outrageous. They are giving away a brand new Excess cat worth almost $400,000. All you have to do is enter the Excess Challenge, which is a virtual sailing event, to qualify for a drawing later this year. Here\u2019s how Beneteau pitches it: \u201cThe EXCESS Challenge virtual race offers you the chance to win a REAL EXCESS catamaran by drawing lots.\u00a0If you are a seasoned sailor, a virtual sailing enthusiast, naturally curious about the nautical world or an aquatic summer idealist, register\u00a0& tackle the virtual record of\u00a0EXCESS\u00a0Challenge! Be among the fastest to increase the odds of winning!\u201d<\/p>\n