Excess 14 for Sale
Sailing CatamaranThe Excess 14 is a 44-foot performance catamaran from Groupe Beneteau, the larger sibling of the Excess 12 and positioned as a sportier alternative to the Lagoon 43 within the same parent company. Lighter, sportier, and designed for sailors who want an engaged sailing experience over maximum living space. Shares some supply chain and dealer network with Lagoon.
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The Excess 14: A Complete Guide
The Excess 14 is the flagship of the Excess range — a performance cruising catamaran that occupies a unique position in the 40–50 ft multihull market. Where most production catamarans in this size range prioritise volume, comfort, and ease of handling above all else, the Excess 14 was designed with a different set of priorities: sailing performance first, then liveability. The result is a 46-foot catamaran that genuinely sails — one that rewards an engaged helmsman, carries a meaningful sail plan, and delivers the kind of passage-making speed that most cruising cats can only approximate under power.
Excess was launched as a brand by Groupe Beneteau in 2018, positioned as a younger, sportier alternative to its established sister brand Lagoon. The brand’s stated mission was to bring the thrill of sailing back to catamarans — a market segment that had increasingly moved towards what critics called “floating apartments.” The naming convention is simple: the number represents the hull length in metres. The Excess 14, at 14.28 m LOA, is the largest model in the range, sitting above the Excess 11 and Excess 12. Naval architecture is by VPLP Design — the same office responsible for Lagoon’s hulls, but here given a markedly different brief emphasising reduced wetted surface area, sharper bows, and higher bridgedeck clearance.
Production of the Excess 14 began in 2021 at Les Sables-d’Olonne on France’s Atlantic coast — a deliberate separation from Lagoon’s Belleville-sur-Vie factory that underscores Groupe Beneteau’s intent to keep Excess as a distinct brand rather than a rebadged Lagoon. The build process uses resin-infused GRP with PVC foam sandwich core, delivering a lighter, stiffer structure than the hand-laid GRP construction found on many competitors. CE Category A certification confirms the boat is rated for ocean passages in winds up to Beaufort 9 and seas to 10 metres.
The Excess 14 occupies a market niche that barely existed a decade ago: the performance cruising catamaran for experienced sailors who want a multihull but refuse to give up sailing engagement. Its closest philosophical predecessors are the Marsaudon TS 42 and the Catana 47, but both of those sit at significantly higher price points. The Excess 14 attempts to bring performance multihull sailing into the mainstream production boat market — and for many buyers, it represents the only realistic alternative to a comfort-first cruiser from Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, or Bali.
Hulls.io currently tracks 0 active listings for the Excess 14. As the fleet matures and more boats enter the brokerage market, our market intelligence database will build a comprehensive picture of value retention, pricing trends, and demand patterns for this model.
Excess 14 Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| LOA | 14.28 m (46 ft 10 in) |
| Hull length | 13.44 m (44 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in) |
| Draft | 1.45 m (4 ft 9 in) |
| Light displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Mast clearance | 22.85 m (75 ft 0 in) |
| Mainsail area (square-top) | 74 m² (797 sq ft) |
| Self-tacking jib | 33 m² (355 sq ft) |
| Total upwind sail area | 107 m² (1,152 sq ft) |
| Gennaker (optional) | 130 m² (1,399 sq ft) |
| Standard engines | 2× Yanmar 4JH57, 57 HP |
| Optional engines | 2× Yanmar 4JH80, 80 HP |
| Fuel capacity | 2× 300 litres (600 L / 159 US gal) |
| Water capacity | 2× 200 litres (400 L / 106 US gal) |
| Cabin layouts | 3-cabin owner / 4-cabin |
| Heads | 2 (owner) / 4 |
| Naval architecture | VPLP Design |
| Builder | Excess (Groupe Beneteau) |
| Build location | Les Sables-d’Olonne, France |
| Construction | GRP infusion, PVC foam sandwich core |
| CE category | A (Ocean) |
| Production start | 2021 |
The specification sheet reveals the Excess 14’s performance intent. At 14,500 kg light displacement, it is heavier than the sportiest cats in this range but carries a substantially larger sail plan to compensate — 107 m² upwind, with the option of a 130 m² gennaker for off-wind work. The 22.85 m mast clearance is tall for a 46-footer and reflects the priority given to sail area over ease of passage through bridges and marinas. The 1.45 m draft is deeper than most cruising catamarans in this class (the Lagoon 43 draws just 1.31 m), which improves pointing ability but limits access to some anchorages.
Tank capacities are modest by cruising catamaran standards: 600 litres of fuel and 400 litres of water. This is a boat designed to sail rather than motor — the tankage is sufficient for coastal cruising and island-hopping, but bluewater passages will benefit from careful fuel management and a watermaker. The twin Yanmar 57 HP engines are standard, with an 80 HP option available for buyers who want more power for maneuvering in tight marinas or punching into headwinds.
How Does the Excess 14 Sail?
This is the section that matters most for the Excess 14, because sailing performance is the boat’s reason for existence. The Excess range was created specifically to challenge the assumption that production catamarans cannot be rewarding to sail. By every account from sea trials and owner reports, the Excess 14 delivers on this promise — with some caveats that prospective buyers should understand.
Upwind: The Excess 14 points higher and sails faster upwind than any other production cruising catamaran in its class. In 15–18 knots of true wind, expect 7.5–8.5 knots of boat speed at apparent wind angles of 45–50 degrees. The deeper draft (1.45 m), sharper hull entries, and larger rig work together to deliver upwind performance that is genuinely competitive with monohulls of similar length. The self-tacking jib simplifies tacking in confined waters, though some owners fit a furling genoa on the optional bowsprit for additional power in lighter conditions.
Reaching: This is where the Excess 14 truly excels. On a beam reach in 15–20 knots TWS, speeds of 9–12 knots are readily achievable. With the 130 m² gennaker flying in 12–18 knots at 90–130 degrees true wind angle, sustained speeds above 10 knots are common. Several owners have reported touching 15–16 knots in strong reaching conditions — performance that would be extraordinary on a comfort-focused cruising cat. The hull shape, with its fine entries and flatter run aft, is optimised for exactly these conditions.
Light air: In winds below 8–10 knots, the 14,500 kg displacement makes itself felt. The boat needs at least 8 knots of true wind to sail meaningfully, and in sub-6-knot drifting conditions, the engines will be needed. The gennaker is a near-essential option for light-air cruising grounds such as the Mediterranean in summer. This is not a criticism unique to the Excess 14 — virtually no production catamaran of this weight sails well in very light air — but buyers coming from lighter, sportier boats should set expectations accordingly.
Under power: The twin 57 HP Yanmars provide comfortable cruising at 7–8 knots at moderate RPM. Maximum speed under power is approximately 9 knots. The optional 80 HP engines add confidence in strong headwinds and close-quarters maneuvering but do not dramatically increase top speed due to hull resistance limits. Handling under power is predictable, with good differential thrust response for tight turns and marina work.
The helm feel: This is what truly separates the Excess 14 from its comfort-focused competitors. The helm is connected, responsive, and communicative. The twin wheels — positioned outboard on the aft cockpit — provide excellent visibility of both sails and the water ahead. There is genuine feedback through the rudders, and the boat responds to subtle trim changes in a way that most production catamarans simply do not. For sailors who have spent time on performance monohulls, the Excess 14’s helm will feel familiar and rewarding. For those coming from a typical cruising cat, it may feel surprisingly engaging.
Bridgedeck clearance: One of VPLP’s key design decisions was to increase bridgedeck clearance compared to comfort-focused catamarans. The result is noticeably less bridgedeck slap in a chop — a common complaint with flatter-bottomed cruising cats. This makes for a quieter, more comfortable ride at speed and a drier cockpit in rough conditions. It is a subtle engineering choice that has a significant impact on the quality of the sailing experience.
Interior Layout & Living Aboard
The Excess 14’s interior reflects the same philosophy as its hull design: performance-oriented, purposeful, and lighter than the competition. The fit-out is clean and modern, with a strong nautical aesthetic that deliberately avoids the hotel-suite approach of brands like Lagoon and Bali. Materials emphasise weight saving without sacrificing durability — lighter core materials, less ornamental woodwork, and a focus on functional surfaces that can handle the demands of active sailing.
Layout options: The Excess 14 is available in a 3-cabin owner’s version and a 4-cabin version. The 3-cabin owner’s layout places a full-beam master suite in the port hull with a separate shower compartment and dedicated head, plus two guest cabins and a shared head in the starboard hull. The 4-cabin version provides four double cabins, each with its own head — a configuration better suited to charter use or couples cruising with friends. In both layouts, berths are island-style doubles with good mattress access from both sides.
Saloon and galley: The saloon is arranged with the galley forward to port and a navigation station to starboard, with an L-shaped settee and dining table occupying the central space. Headroom is approximately 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) throughout the main living area. The galley is functional rather than expansive — adequate for extended cruising but notably smaller than the galleys found on volume-focused competitors like the Lagoon 43 or Bali 4.6. This is a deliberate trade-off: less galley volume means less weight and a lower centre of gravity.
Cockpit and outdoor living: The aft cockpit is the social heart of the boat. It is generous by any standard — a U-shaped seating area with a large dining table that comfortably seats six to eight. The twin helm stations are positioned outboard at the aft corners, providing the helmsman with clear sightlines forward and to both hulls. This outboard helm position is central to the Excess sailing experience: the skipper is part of the cockpit conversation rather than isolated on a flybridge above. A fixed bimini provides shade without the weight and windage penalty of a hard top.
Foredeck: The forward area features a trampoline net between the hulls — a traditional catamaran feature that Excess has retained where some competitors (notably Bali) have replaced it with a solid foredeck. The trampoline offers better drainage, less weight, and the visceral experience of watching the water rush beneath you under sail. An optional forward cockpit with seating can be fitted, providing a quiet retreat away from the main cockpit.
Honest assessment of the interior: The Excess 14’s interior will feel smaller and less luxurious than that of a similarly-sized Lagoon or Fountaine Pajot. This is by design, not by oversight. Every kilogram saved in cabinetry and fixtures translates to better sailing performance. Buyers who prioritise interior volume and hotel-like amenities should look elsewhere. Those who view the interior as a comfortable base between sailing sessions — functional, attractive, and properly finished, but not the primary reason for owning the boat — will find the Excess 14’s accommodation perfectly adequate for extended cruising.
Excess 14 Ownership: What to Expect
Owning an Excess 14 involves costs and considerations that are broadly similar to other production catamarans in the 45–50 ft range, with a few notable differences driven by the boat’s performance orientation and its position within the Groupe Beneteau family.
Purchase price: New Excess 14s list from approximately €550,000–620,000 excluding VAT, depending on configuration and market. A fully specified boat with electronics, gennaker, watermaker, air conditioning, solar panels, and lithium batteries will typically reach €700,000–800,000. Used examples from early production (2021–2023 model years) have appeared on the brokerage market from €550,000–700,000, depending on specification and condition.
Annual running costs for a privately owned Excess 14 in the Mediterranean typically include:
- Marina berthing: €15,000–30,000 per year depending on location. Catamaran berths command a significant premium over monohull berths due to the 7.80 m beam.
- Insurance: €5,000–10,000 per year for comprehensive cruising coverage, dependent on cruising area and owner experience.
- Maintenance and servicing: €8,000–15,000 per year covering antifoul, engine servicing (twin Yanmars), sail inspection, rigging checks, and general upkeep. The twin-engine configuration doubles some servicing costs compared to a monohull.
- Sail replacement: Budget €15,000–25,000 for a full set of cruising sails every 7–10 years, depending on usage and UV exposure. The gennaker will need more frequent replacement if used regularly.
- Haul-out and bottom paint: €3,000–6,000 annually. Catamaran haul-outs require wider travel lifts, which limits boatyard options and increases cost.
- Electronics and safety gear: Budget €2,000–4,000 per year for instrument updates, safety equipment certification, and replacement of expired items.
Groupe Beneteau support: One of the Excess 14’s underappreciated advantages is access to Groupe Beneteau’s global dealer and service network. Unlike boutique performance catamaran builders, Excess benefits from the same parts supply chain, warranty infrastructure, and dealer coverage as Lagoon and Beneteau. This translates to faster spare parts delivery, wider availability of qualified service technicians, and better residual value support than niche builders can typically offer.
Charter potential: The Excess 14 works in charter, though it is not a natural charter boat. Charter guests generally prefer maximum comfort and ease of handling — qualities where comfort-focused catamarans excel. However, some charter companies offer the Excess 14 as a “performance sailing” option for experienced charterers, and the 4-cabin layout makes it commercially viable. Owners considering charter management should expect a slightly smaller booking pool than a Lagoon or Fountaine Pajot of similar size.
Value retention: The Excess brand is still young, and the long-term depreciation curve is not yet fully established. Early indications suggest that well-maintained Excess 14s hold their value comparably to other premium production catamarans. The boat’s niche positioning — fewer units produced than mainstream models — may support values by limiting supply on the used market. However, the flip side of lower production numbers is a thinner pool of potential buyers, which can extend selling times.
How to Buy an Excess 14: What to Look For
Whether buying new or on the used market, the Excess 14 rewards careful evaluation. The boat’s performance orientation means that certain components experience higher loads than on a comparable comfort-focused catamaran, and the rig and foils deserve particular attention during any pre-purchase survey.
Rig and standing rigging: The Excess 14 carries a tall rig relative to its displacement, which generates higher loads on the standing rigging and mast step. Check all chainplates, swage terminals, and the mast base for any signs of cracking, corrosion, or movement. On boats that have been sailed hard (as many Excess 14s are), rigging wear may advance faster than on a more gently used cruising cat. Budget for rigging replacement at 10–12 years or sooner if the boat has been used intensively.
Rudders and daggerboard trunks: The deeper-draft configuration means the rudders are more exposed to grounding damage. Inspect both rudder blades for chips, delamination, or repair patches. Check the rudder bearings for play — the higher sailing loads on the Excess 14 can accelerate bearing wear compared to a slower catamaran. Any rudder vibration at speed should be investigated before purchase.
Bridgedeck and structural joints: The hull-to-bridgedeck joint is one of the most critical structural areas on any catamaran. On the Excess 14, the resin-infused construction provides a strong bond, but inspect for any signs of stress cracking along the joint line, particularly near the mast step area where compression loads are highest. This is standard practice for any catamaran survey, but the higher sailing loads on the Excess 14 make it especially important.
Sails and running rigging: Check the condition of all sails, paying particular attention to the mainsail’s square-top battens and the gennaker if fitted. Performance-oriented owners tend to use their sails harder, and UV degradation on the mainsail’s leech is common in Mediterranean boats. Running rigging — sheets, halyards, and furling lines — should be inspected for chafe, particularly where lines pass through turning blocks and clutches.
Engine hours and maintenance history: As with any twin-engine catamaran, review the engine hour logs carefully. On an Excess 14, unusually low engine hours can actually be a positive sign — it suggests the boat has been sailed rather than motored, which aligns with the intended use case. Verify that both engines have been serviced at the manufacturer-recommended intervals regardless of hours, as infrequent use can cause its own set of problems (fuel contamination, impeller deterioration, corrosion).
Specification checklist: Key options that significantly affect both usability and resale value include: the gennaker and bowsprit, watermaker, solar panels, lithium batteries, air conditioning, and upgraded 80 HP engines. A well-specified Excess 14 will command a meaningful premium on the used market over a base-specification boat. Check whether the electrical system has been upgraded or modified — performance-oriented owners sometimes add substantial aftermarket electrical capacity for navigation electronics, autopilot, and powered winches.
Excess 14 vs Competitors
The Excess 14 competes in an unusual space: it is a production catamaran priced like a comfort cruiser but designed like a performance boat. Its true competitors are a mix of mainstream cruising catamarans (which offer more comfort for similar money) and niche performance multihulls (which offer more speed at a higher price). Understanding where the Excess 14 sits relative to each helps clarify who the boat is for.
Excess 14 vs Lagoon 43
This is the comparison most buyers will make, and it is the most revealing. Both boats are built by Groupe Beneteau, both use VPLP naval architecture, and both sit in the same size range. But the priorities are fundamentally different. The Lagoon 43 is designed for maximum comfort, volume, and ease of handling — it features a semi-flybridge, a forward cockpit, aft hull entries, and an interior focused on spacious living. The Excess 14 is designed to sail — it is lighter per metre, carries more sail area relative to displacement, draws deeper, and places the helm stations where the skipper can feel the boat. The Lagoon 43 will appeal to crews who want a floating home that can sail when conditions permit. The Excess 14 will appeal to sailors who want a capable cruiser that genuinely rewards time at the helm. They are siblings, not competitors, in many ways.
Excess 14 vs Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
The Elba 45 represents Fountaine Pajot’s entry in the 45-foot segment — a well-built, well-finished catamaran with a strong reputation for quality and a loyal following. The Elba 45 offers a more spacious interior, a larger galley, and a more traditional cruising catamaran layout. Sailing performance is competent but not the primary focus. For buyers who want the highest build quality in a comfort-oriented package, the Elba 45 is a strong choice. For those who prioritise sailing engagement, the Excess 14 delivers a fundamentally different on-the-water experience.
Excess 14 vs Leopard 45
The Leopard 45, built by Robertson & Caine in South Africa, is one of the most popular cruising catamarans on the global market. It offers excellent build quality, a well-proven design, and strong charter performance. Sailing-wise, the Leopard 45 is a capable cruiser but does not pretend to be a performance boat. The value proposition is different: the Leopard offers a lower purchase price, a larger fleet for parts availability, and a proven track record of reliable long-distance cruising. Buyers choosing between the two are likely deciding between sailing pleasure (Excess) and proven reliability at a lower cost (Leopard).
Excess 14 vs Bali 4.6
The Bali 4.6 represents the opposite end of the catamaran design spectrum from the Excess 14. With its solid foredeck, open-plan saloon, forward-facing cockpit, and emphasis on maximising usable living space, the Bali is fundamentally a floating living platform. It sails adequately but without distinction. The Excess 14 sails brilliantly but offers less living space. These boats attract fundamentally different buyers. If you view a catamaran primarily as a sailing vessel, choose the Excess. If you view it primarily as a floating home with the ability to move under sail, the Bali is the more logical choice.
Excess 14 vs Niche Performance Catamarans
Buyers who want even more performance than the Excess 14 delivers will look at models from builders like Outremer, HH Catamarans, and Catana. The Outremer 45, for example, offers carbon construction options, lower displacement, and measurably faster passage times. However, these boats command substantially higher prices — often €1 million or more — and are produced in far smaller numbers, with longer delivery times and thinner service networks. The Excess 14’s achievement is bringing 80–90% of that performance level into the mainstream production market at a price that is broadly competitive with comfort-focused alternatives.
For value retention and pricing comparisons across all of these models, visit the Hulls.io Market Intelligence tool.