The Excess 11, introduced as a ground-up design by VPLP, quickly became the darling of the lineup. Unlike the brand's larger models, which initially shared underbody molds with existing Lagoons, the Excess 11 was designed from the keel up to optimize the brand's performance-oriented, lightweight ethos.
The introduction of the Excess 11 Hybrid marked a major evolution for production multihulls. Developed through the manufacturer's collaborative research group, this model integrates a sophisticated, factory-installed diesel-electric drivetrain. It serves as a proof of concept that eco-conscious, silent propulsion can be successfully married to a high-volume, highly capable pocket cruiser under 40 feet without the astronomical price premium of bespoke custom builds.
Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the Excess 11 Hybrid is to offer a direct, communicative sailing experience while providing a path toward energy independence and silent operation. VPLP and exterior designer Patrick le Quément deliberately discarded the high, isolated flybridges and bulkhead steering stations common in this size class. Instead, they placed twin steering stations aft on the stern quarters. This brings the helmsman closer to the water and the sails, establishing a highly tactile feedback loop.
Internally, Nauta Design focused on maximizing light, open spaces, and modern, weight-conscious joinery. The interior finish is clean and minimalist, utilizing lighter marine plywoods and composite structures to keep the boat's overall displacement in check. This aesthetic speaks directly to owner-operators who want a functional, airy home on the water rather than a dark, traditional wood cabin.
By targeting the under-40-foot market, Excess delivers a catamaran that is easily managed short-handed, highly maneuverable in tight marinas, and capable of blue-water passages. It occupies a rare space between bare-bones performance catamarans and ultra-heavy coastal cruisers.
Variations & Configurations
The Excess 11 Hybrid is built on a highly versatile platform, offering distinct layouts and rig packages to suit different cruising profiles. The interior is available in two primary configurations:
- The Owner's Version (3-Cabin, 2-Head): This layout dedicates the entire port hull to a private master suite. It features a large, athwartships double berth aft, a dedicated study/storage desk amidships, and a spacious head compartment with a separate stall shower forward. The starboard hull houses two guest cabins sharing a central head.
- The Charter Version (4-Cabin, 2-Head): Highly popular for charter fleets and larger families, this layout mirrors guest cabins and heads symmetrically across both hulls.
Cruisers must also choose between two distinct sail plans:
- The Standard Rig: A balanced setup featuring a square-top mainsail and an overlapping genoa, delivering highly reliable, low-stress handling.
- The Pulse Line Rig: A performance-oriented package that steps a taller mast, increasing the upwind sail area. This configuration includes signature grey hull graphics and high-tech running rigging, making it the preferred option for light-wind regions.
The hybrid propulsion system itself is a factory-engineered masterpiece. Replacing the standard twin 29-horsepower Yanmar diesel sail-drives are twin 10 kW Fischer Panda electric pod drives mounted directly under the hulls. These low-drag pods are powered by a centralized 48V low-voltage lithium-ion battery bank with a total capacity of 44 kWh.
To eliminate range anxiety, the system integrates a 22 kVA variable-speed Fischer Panda diesel generator. The hybrid model carries a modest weight penalty, tipping the scales at approximately 20,950 pounds—just 1,100 pounds heavier than the conventional internal combustion version.
Sailing Performance & Handling
Under sail, the Excess 11 Hybrid punches well above its weight class. VPLP's hull design features high bridge deck clearance to minimize slamming in choppy head seas, while the hulls carry subtle chines that help track efficiently when sailing on a reach. The direct Dyneema cable steering system connects the twin aft helms to the rudders with zero play, providing a lively, responsive steering feel that is incredibly rare in cruising catamarans.
The yacht performs exceptionally well when paired with the Pulse Line rig. The taller stick keeps the boat moving in light air, where traditional cats of this size typically resort to motoring. Under sail, the direct-drive electric pods can be left in a freewheeling state to regenerate electricity, converting the boat’s kinetic energy back into the lithium battery bank.
Under power, the transition to electric is nothing short of revolutionary. Docking and tight-quarters maneuvering are greatly enhanced by the instant, linear torque of the electric pods. Because there is no mechanical transmission or long shaft run, the typical vibrations and low-frequency rumbling of diesel engines are replaced by a soft hum.
In flat water, the boat can reach a top speed of 7.2 to 7.5 knots. Cruising at a modest 5 knots draws roughly 5 kW of power, allowing for 3 to 5 hours of silent, battery-only range. When the battery state-of-charge drops, the 22 kVA generator automatically fires up to charge the bank at a rapid rate, fully replenishing the batteries in less than two hours while simultaneously supplying power to the propulsion pods.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because the Excess 11 Hybrid represents a relatively new segment for Groupe Beneteau, these vessels are highly sought after on the brokerage market. They command a significant premium over their diesel-only siblings. However, the real-world economics of this hybrid system are surprisingly practical.
At launch, the full hybrid package represented an €84,000 upcharge over the base diesel boat. But when analyzing the economics of a standard blue-water refit—where owners routinely spend €30,000 to €40,000 to retrofit high-capacity lithium banks, massive inverter/charger systems, and secondary generators—the net premium for the factory-engineered, warrantied hybrid system is closer to €50,000.
The vessel's status as the only large-scale, under-40-foot production hybrid catamaran ensures high residual values and low depreciation, as buyers actively seek out turnkey, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional drivetrains.
Technical Integration & Triage
The engineering of the hybrid system was highly calculated to prevent the maintenance headaches common in early electric retrofits. By utilizing a 48V low-voltage architecture rather than a high-voltage system (such as 300V+), the boat does not require specialized, high-voltage certified technicians to perform basic service. Any competent marine electrician can work on the Victron and Fischer Panda components worldwide.
The underwater pods are seawater-cooled by direct submersion, completely eliminating the need for complex, raw-water cooling loops, impellers, and heat exchangers for the main propulsion motors. This drastically reduces annual drivetrain maintenance.
However, the integration of a hybrid system does introduce specific maintenance routines:
- Generator Preventative Maintenance: The 22 kVA generator is the heart of the long-range backup system. It requires strict adherence to oil change intervals, fuel filter monitoring, and raw-water impeller inspections. Neglecting the generator directly impacts the boat's long-range cruising capability.
- Sunroof and Line Management: The optional sliding canvas sunroof (or "Target Top") is a popular feature for ventilation and viewing the mainsail trim. However, because the canvas cannot support human weight, owners find that standing on the cabin top to flake the mainsail or pack the stack pack is more difficult compared to a solid coachroof.
- System Calibration: The Victron-based energy management software requires careful initial calibration to ensure the automatic generator starting triggers are aligned with real-world battery discharge curves, preventing unnecessary short-cycling of the generator.
Modernization & Upgrades
While the Excess 11 Hybrid comes well-equipped from the factory, veteran cruising owners routinely perform specific upgrades to optimize the platform for long-term off-grid living:
- Solar Arrays: The coachroof is an ideal canvas for solar power. Owners frequently install custom stainless steel arches or high-efficiency, walk-on marine solar panels on the cabin top, often totaling 1,000 to 1,200 watts. This passive solar charging frequently allows the boat to sit at anchor indefinitely with the generator off, running refrigeration, watermakers, and electronics solely on sun power.
- High-Efficiency Watermakers: Installing a energy-efficient, low-draw watermaker (such as a 12V or 24V energy recovery system) is a standard upgrade. Operating off the massive 48V house capacity, these units can produce fresh water during peak solar hours without necessitating generator runtime.
- Folding Propellers: Upgrading to low-drag folding propellers (such as Flexofold models) is highly recommended. They minimize drag when sailing, which maximizes boat speed and enhances the hydro-generation efficiency of the electric pods when the props are allowed to spin back under sail.
The Verdict
The Excess 11 Hybrid is a highly successful adaptation of a proven, modern cruising catamaran. By choosing a robust, low-voltage 48V architecture and a sensible diesel-generator backup, Groupe Beneteau has bypassed the range anxiety and serviceability issues that historically plagued electric multihulls. It is an agile, fun-to-sail "pocket rocket" that delivers the dream of silent, clean cruising at an attainable price point.
Pros
- Whisper-quiet, emission-free motoring for marina maneuvers and short-distance cruising.
- Communicative and responsive helm feel with direct Dyneema cable steering.
- Centralized 48V low-voltage architecture is safe and easily serviced by standard marine electricians.
- Generous interior volume and a spacious master suite that rivals much larger catamarans.
- Minimal drag under sail due to direct-drive underwater pod configuration.
Cons
- Slightly increased displacement over the standard diesel version, impacting light-wind performance if not paired with the Pulse Line rig.
- The optional sliding canvas sunroof prevents standing on the coachroof, making mainsail packing more challenging.
- Cruising range under pure electric power is limited to short hops without running the diesel generator.
- Fischer Panda generator requires meticulous maintenance to ensure system reliability.
