Design Brief & Intent
Jan Becker’s mandate for the Excel 319 was to deliver a responsive, seaworthy coastal cruiser that could comfortably house a family of four while asserting itself on the racecourse under local handicapping rules. At the time of its debut, it competed directly with established Scandinavian models like the Arcona, Mamba, and Albin, as well as the initial wave of production performance-cruisers from larger French yards. It distinguishes itself through its classic proportions: a moderately low coachroof profile that avoids the top-heavy look of modern pocket cruisers, coupled with a highly insulated fiberglass sandwich hull construction. This double-hull sandwich design was chosen not only for structural strength but specifically to combat condensation and preserve a warm, dry interior climate in chilly Nordic waters.
Stepping below, the interior layout embraces traditional Scandinavian design, finished in rich, water-repellent mahogany joinery. The space is configured with two private sleeping cabins: a traditional V-berth in the forepeak and an enclosed double cabin tucked under the cockpit sole. Uniquely for a boat of this footprint, Becker integrated a forward-facing galley layout and positioned the head immediately to port of the companionway ladder. One critical caveat for modern buyers is the boat’s marketing history: while many were factory-finished to exacting professional standards, a significant number of Excel 319 hulls were sold as owner-completed kits. Consequently, the quality of the internal joinery, electrical runs, and system installations can vary considerably from one hull to another, making a thorough interior inspection essential.
Variations & Configurations
While the physical hull mold remained consistent throughout the Excel 319's production, minor factory iterations and owner preferences created distinct configurations. The rig is a tall, fractional 7/8 aluminum setup, with swept-back spreaders, supplied primarily by the Swedish mast-maker Benns. In its standard cruising setup, the boat came equipped with a self-tacking jib track, a major selling point for couples and shorthanded sailors who appreciate effortless tacking. Downwind, the boat relies on a spinnaker or a gennaker flown from a bowsprit to maintain momentum.
Under the waterline, the boat features a high-aspect fin keel terminating in a bulb, cast entirely from lead. Compared to the cheaper cast-iron keels used by many of its contemporary rivals, the lead construction concentrates the weight at the absolute bottom of the foil, draft is kept to a moderate level, and righting moment is maximized. Steering configurations also present a choice on the secondhand market: some owners chose the absolute mechanical feedback of a tiller, while others opted for the comfort of a pedestal-mounted wheel. In the early 2000s, after marketing shifted to Excel Yachts of Sweden, the factory updated the specifications package to officially support a larger mainsail profile, offering a bit more power to performance-minded buyers.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The Excel 319 is a remarkably lively and responsive vessel under sail. Analyzing its technical ratios explains why the boat behaves so dynamically on the water. With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 19.02, it carries a powerful, easily driven sail plan that allows it to ghost along in light air, where heavier cruising designs quickly stall.
This performance is balanced by a massive ballast-to-displacement ratio of 45.84 percent, indicating that nearly half of the boat’s overall weight is concentrated in its lead bulb. In practice, this creates a fascinating handling profile. At an initial heel, the boat can feel somewhat tender—a characteristic reflected in its relatively high capsize screening ratio of 2.19, as the modern, wide-beamed hull form responds quickly to the wind's initial pressure. However, as the heel increases, the massive righting moment of the lead bulb takes over. The boat locks in on its shoulder and stiffens up dramatically, allowing it to carry full sail far longer than contemporary designs.
At the helm, the boat offers sports-sedan responsiveness. Its displacement-to-length ratio of 195.89 puts it squarely in the light-to-moderate category, meaning it rides over the crest of waves rather than slamming or plowing through them. While its comfort ratio of 18.16 indicates a ride that is lively and active in a seaway, it remains highly rewarding for experienced helmsmen. One handling quirk noted by veteran owners is that if the large mainsail is not reefed early in rising winds, the boat can become heavy on the helm.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because fewer than one hundred Excel 319s were ever launched, they remain relatively scarce and are highly sought after in Baltic and Scandinavian markets. They rarely make their way to North America, but in European waters, they command a steady premium over mass-production French or German cruisers of the same vintage due to their build pedigree and classic styling.
When evaluating the economics of an Excel 319, prospective buyers must weigh the premium of a factory-completed vessel against the potential discount—and subsequent refit costs—of a home-completed kit. A home-completed hull will require a close look at the electrical panels and plumbing lines, as amateur builders of the era often used residential-grade wiring or non-tinned copper. Furthermore, many of these boats are still powered by their original raw-water or freshwater-cooled Volvo Penta diesel engines. While the standard horsepower rating of up to 29 horsepower provides more than enough thrust to reach hull speed in adverse conditions, an aging engine nearing the end of its service life represents the largest potential financial hurdle for a modern buyer.
Known Issues & Triage
For those inspecting an Excel 319, there are several model-specific areas that require careful surveying:
First, like many Swedish-built hulls of the early 1990s, the deck utilizes a GRP sandwich construction, typically cored with balsa or foam. Over three decades of use, the bedding compound around high-load areas—such as the stanchion bases, jib tracks, and chainplates—can degrade. Any water ingress into the core will lead to localized rot or delamination. Sounding the deck with a phenolic hammer and utilizing a high-quality moisture meter around all penetrations is a mandatory step in any pre-purchase survey.
Second, the spade rudder and steering linkage are subject to high loads when the boat is pressed hard under full sail. Over time, the original Delrin or composite rudder bushings are prone to swelling and wearing down, which manifests as noticeable vibration at the helm or a stiff, binding sensation. This issue is well-documented in owner circles, and the accepted fix is to drop the rudder and replace the worn components.
Third, because the drivetrain relies on a Volvo Penta saildrive, the structural rubber hull-diaphragm seal must be scrutinized. Volvo Penta recommends replacing this rubber boot every seven years. If the previous owner cannot provide written proof of a recent replacement, this must be prioritized during the initial haul-out, as a compromised diaphragm represents a catastrophic sinking risk.
Finally, while the high ballast ratio is a major sailing asset, the leverage of the heavy lead bulb places immense stress on the keel-to-hull joint. A history of hard groundings can crack the internal fiberglass floors and transverse grid frames near the trailing edge of the keel stub. The bilge area around the keel bolts must be thoroughly inspected for stress fractures or signs of movement.
Modernization & Upgrades
Many current owners of the Excel 319 are actively retrofitting these vessels to serve as efficient, low-impact coastal cruisers. Given the boat's easily driven hull and the self-tacking jib configuration, it is an ideal candidate for shorthand optimization.
A common and highly recommended modernization is replacing the worn rudder bushings with modern spherical roller bearings, which virtually eliminates helm play and restores the silky, responsive feel of Jan Becker’s original design. In the engine compartment, owners facing a tired original Volvo Penta diesel are increasingly choosing to repower with modern, lightweight common-rail diesels or, in some cases, converting to electric propulsion. Because the boat sails so well in light airs, electric drives with a modest lithium-iron-phosphate battery bank are highly viable for day-sailing and weekend coastal hops, provided the owner does not intend to motor for long distances against heavy head currents.
On deck, owners frequently upgrade the original running rigging to high-tech Dyneema lines to minimize stretch under the high loads of the fractional rig. Installing a modern, under-deck autopilot and retrofitting marine-grade solar panels on the coachroof or on a custom stern gantry are also highly popular upgrades that support long-term off-grid cruising.
The Verdict
The Excel 319 is a masterfully balanced performance cruiser that caters to the sailing purist. It successfully side-steps the compromises of modern high-volume cruising designs, offering instead a stiff, weatherly hull, an engaging helm, and a level of Scandinavian joinery that is increasingly hard to find in this size class. While buyers must be wary of the variations in finish on home-completed kits and be prepared to address typical age-related maintenance, a well-found Excel 319 remains a versatile and rewarding investment.
Pros
- Exceptional sailing performance with a powerful fractional rig and excellent light-air capability.
- Stiff and seaworthy handling under heel thanks to a very high ballast ratio and deep lead bulb.
- High-quality insulated sandwich hull construction that prevents cabin condensation.
- Self-tacking jib configuration makes shorthanded or singlehanded sailing incredibly easy.
- Beautiful, traditional mahogany interior joinery on factory-finished models.
Cons
- Motion in a seaway can be lively and active due to a lower comfort ratio.
- Initially tender under sail, requiring early reefing of the large mainsail to prevent a heavy helm.
- Build quality and system installations vary significantly on home-completed hulls.
- Limited interior cabin volume compared to modern, wide-stern 32-foot cruising designs.
- Scarce on the brokerage market, with most models restricted to Scandinavian waters.
