The Excess 13 was displayed at Singapore Yachting Festival 2026

The Excess line of cruising catamarans has only been in existence since 2019, but with the Excess 13, its third from-scratch design, the French builder seems to have found its stride. Joining her smaller and bigger siblings, the Excess 11 (2020) and 14 (2022), the new 43-footer lives up to expectations.

We had so much fun on a cold and windy day that it’s only fair to jump right in with how the Excess 13 sails. In winds of 16-18 knots true, we made a good 10-11 knots at 70 degrees apparent wind angle (AWA). Catamarans aren’t known for their pointing ability, but our test boat surprised us by nosing up to 40 degrees AWA and holding onto 8.5 knots of boat speed.

The numbers were good, but the simplicity of the setup was even better. High-performance cats will reel off higher speeds, but they often have complex and touchy systems that can be unforgiving of cruisers’ mistakes.

Like the Excess 11 and 14, the Excess 13 has two steering stations

By comparison, the Excess 13 is straightforward. Lines are led to arrays of clutches and Harken winches at the primary helm on starboard, and it helps if both are electric for easy sail handling. Another winch on the transom bulkhead manages the traveller and the davit lines. Speed doesn’t have to be synonymous with complexity, and we found the intuitive nature of this boat to be mighty appealing.

Because the helms use direct rather than hydraulic steering, the wheels answer immediately and precisely, and you can feel exactly what the boat is doing.

We sailed the Pulse Line edition that adds 3ft to the mast and 100sqft of upwind canvas. Our test boat had a square-top mainsail and an overlapping genoa with a 3D ring system that helps dial in optimal sail shape without the need for jib tracks or cars.

The Pulse Line pack includes a performance bowsprit and larger rig

The blustery day didn’t slow down our team from Excess that included Brand Director Thibaut de Montvalon, who doesn’t shy away from boisterous conditions. We put up the 818sqft Code 0 that attaches at the composite bowsprit, and it gave us a thrilling ride. (I nearly forgot I had other boats to test that day.)

ON DECK

For the Excess 13, the brand worked for the first time with Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group as naval architects, having collaborated with VPLP on previous models. Inverted bows with a free forefoot give the model an aggressive stance while the asymmetrical hulls are rounder outboard than inboard. This does two things: it shifts the centre of buoyancy outward for increased stability and reduces drag between the straighter inner hulls.

The mast sits out on the foredeck and is surrounded by well-integrated steps up to the coachroof. The boom is low, creating space for a larger mainsail and enabling crew to manage the sail from the coachroof without much trouble.

The helm seat is lifted and sugarscoop lowered to provide water access

Black anodised stanchions add a bit of flair and fold-up transoms enhance practicality and safety, especially for anyone cruising with kids or pets. If you drop your sunglasses at the helm while underway, they’re much less likely to bounce down the steps and overboard. Better yet, fold-up sugarscoops translate to a shorter length to pay for in the marina.

At its aft end, the coachhouse includes incorporated wings or wind scoops that pop open to sweep in the breeze moving down the side decks. Cork has replaced teak and fake teak on the decks. It looks good and feels grippy underfoot, even when it’s wet.

The cockpit’s aft end includes helm bench seats each side of an 8ft-plus central sofa

The entire Excess line was created around the concept of twin helms positioned aft on the hulls to give sailors a sportier feel close to the water.

Compact individual biminis provide sun and rain cover. On the Excess 13, small sunshields were added over the multi-function displays to make them readable in bright sun and less hot to touch. The double helm seats are now deeper and more comfortable, and they can be lifted outward and out of the way for easier access to the transoms and the water when at the dock or anchor.

Forward is a dinette to port and double sofa to starboard

The cockpit features bountiful seating including a dinette to port, a double sofa to starboard, and a wide transom sofa with storage underneath.

A feature I’m not sure what to do with is a lateral strip of open space between the cockpit dinette and the aft galley window. Excess claims it’s a bonus space for anyone keeping the cook company. I think it’ll be used more for tossing cockpit detritus like shoes and swim fins. It may be a good place for a cooler that could complement the meagre fridge inside.

Opening the sliding door and window connects the cockpit with the interior, where the L-shaped galley includes a sink and prep area aft

Unlike giant glass openings between the inside and the outside on competitor models, Excess has opted for a single, wide sliding door and window. It’s not as inviting but it seems more practical, especially for passage making.

EASY LIVING

On the main deck, the saloon includes a well-proportioned navigation station in the port forward corner.

The saloon includes a navigation station and L-shaped dinette forward, plus refrigeration and cabin access to starboard

I’m a huge fan of space dedicated to ship’s business, although it may have come at the expense of adequate refrigeration. The model currently only offers a half-height front-loading fridge, with no upgrade available. That’s not enough for cruising or chartering. Galley storage is light and I’d like to have seen twin sinks.

For accommodation, the model is available with two cabins per hull or with a plush master suite occupying the starboard side. Excess has opted for open storage with many shelves but few actual lockers. It looks good and reduces weight, but for distance cruising, it’s not very practical.

The master suite option on starboard includes an aft bed, desk and shelves (above), walk-in dressing room (below) and forward bathroom

An odd choice is the sink in the master bathroom that has one drain but two faucets with a dividing top to make it appear as though there are two sinks. When asked about this, the Excess representative said customers demand the look of a double vanity, so this is a simplified solution.

There’s a practical head arrangement on the port side, where two bathrooms share a central shower stall, which is a cleaner approach than stuffing in two smaller showers.

WINNING OPTIONS

I believe a few upgrades are a must. Choose the Pulse Line for optimal performance and add the Code 0 for fast sailing off the wind.

Port aft view of the saloon and galley, plus stairs to the guest cabins

Spec the starboard primary winches as electric and choose the larger 40hp diesel engines that provide a comfortable cruising speed of 7-7.5 knots at 2,400 rpm. They’ll push through head seas or get you out of the way of a storm if needed. Comfort items include the genset, air-conditioning and davits to carry the tender.

Overall, the low profile and angled coachroof give the Excess 13 the look of a performance cat more than a production cruiser, but her easy handling makes her approachable for cruisers, many of whom are new to multihulls.

It’s unlikely the builder will be able to introduce a model smaller than the 11 (37ft), but it could potentially shoot higher and introduce a longer flagship in the future, to effectively replace the former Excess 15. In that case, this reviewer will be first in line to test one and if the last three designs are any indication, the next one should be worth the wait.
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