44 feet. Great sailing sensations. Generous living volume. A price that surprises. The Excess 14 has established itself as one of the best offerings on the cruising catamaran market. Here's why.
85% of Excess 14 buyers are sailors coming from monohulls. That's a figure that says it all. It doesn't just appeal to boaters looking for a catamaran — it wins over those who were still hesitating.
Sailing performance by VPLP
A naval architecture designed for sailing
The Excess 14 was born from a simple conviction: a cruising catamaran can be lightweight, offer great sailing sensations, and remain accessible. To achieve this, Excess entrusted the naval architecture to VPLP design, a world-renowned firm in offshore racing hull design.
The result is tangible: the Excess 14's light displacement is 12,800 kg, which is 1 to 2 tonnes less than the competition at equivalent size. This weight saving doesn't just appear on the spec sheet — it can be felt under sail.
Speed figures that speak for themselves
The asymmetric hulls, fuller on the outside and flatter on the inside, combined with deep keels, optimize hydrodynamics and reduce leeway upwind. In real sailing conditions:
• In 12 to 14 knots of wind, speed ranges between 7.4 and 8 knots upwind
• In very light winds of 5 knots, the boat already records 4.1 knots upwind
Precise helm, a boat that responds to trim: the Excess 14 sails like a performance catamaran, not a floating house.
A sail plan designed for offshore cruising
In standard trim, the gaff mainsail develops 83 m² and the overlapping genoa 40 m². The Pulse Line version goes up to 90 m² of mainsail for even more power. A Code 0 option (72 m² standard, 86 m² Pulse Line) completes the sail wardrobe for downwind points of sail.
A living volume that changes everything
A cockpit made for living outdoors
On board, the first impression is one of space. The exterior cockpit comfortably accommodates ten people, in accordance with the CE Category A certification of the Excess 14. The two helm stations positioned at the stern offer total visibility over the sails and a genuine sailing sensation.
A saloon bathed in light
Below, the galley and saloon benefit from exceptional natural light thanks to the large panoramic bay windows. The saloon table is adjustable: in the low position, it converts into an extra berth. A tall galley unit with sliding drawer (optional) completes a living space designed for extended passages.
A generous owner's cabin
The Excess 14's owner's cabin is particularly generous: a large bed, separate bathroom, real storage, and enough space to fit out as an office or dressing room. The 3 or 4-cabin configurations allow the boat to be adapted to each use: family, couple, offshore cruising or coastal sailing.
CE Category A certification: what it means
The Excess 14 is CE Category A certified, the highest European classification for cruising sailboats. In practical terms: the boat is approved to sail in force 9 sustained wind (47 knots) and waves up to 10 metres.
Several crews have already taken it on long-distance ocean passages. This is not a bay catamaran — it's a boat built for the Atlantic.
What makes the difference
The Excess 14 is a catamaran offering great sailing sensations. It also offers beautiful interior volumes. Few boats combine at this level performance, habitable volume, build reliability, polyester resin infusion on balsa core for the hulls, polyester resin on PET foam core for the deck, and accessibility. SAIL magazine even ranked it among its Top 10 Best.
For sailors still wondering about making the switch to a catamaran, the Excess 14 is often the boat that tips the decision.
FAQ — Your questions about the Excess 14
Is the Excess 14 suitable for offshore sailing?
Yes. The Excess 14 is CE Category A certified, which authorises it to sail in wind conditions up to force 9 sustained and waves up to 10 metres. Several crews have already used it for long-distance ocean passages.
What is the Excess 14's speed?
In 12 to 14 knots of wind, the Excess 14 reaches between 7.4 and 8 knots upwind. In very light winds of 5 knots, the boat already records 4.1 knots. Its asymmetric hulls and deep keels, designed by VPLP, optimise performance on all points of sail.
How many cabins does the Excess 14 offer?
The Excess 14 is available in 3 or 4-cabin versions, with a separate bathroom for the owner's cabin. This modularity makes it possible to adapt the boat for use as a couple, a family, or on offshore passages with crew.
Is the Excess 14 suitable for sailors coming from monohulls?
Absolutely, and the figures confirm it: 85% of Excess 14 buyers are former monohull sailors. The precise helm, the boat's lightness and its responsiveness to trim offer a sailing experience close to what they know, with the added stability and space.