Excess 13 Sailboats for Sale

The Excess 13 represents a genuine step forward for the brand. Unlike earlier Excess models that leaned heavily on Lagoon architecture, the 13 was developed by the Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, the same studio behind the well-regarded Nautitech range. The result is a catamaran with fine waterline entries, sculpted hard chines, and a notably lower displacement than equivalent-length competitors — all of which translates to a livelier, more responsive sailing experience. The Lombard team drew asymmetric hulls that slice rather than push, and Excess paired that with a strict weight programme across every system, from the PET foam sandwich ring frames in the aft cabins to the dual-purpose interior doors. First-time catamaran buyers should understand that this is not a slow, comfortable barge; it rewards attentive helming and repays that engagement with genuinely exciting passages.

Layouts on the Used Market

The Excess 13 is offered in three- and four-cabin configurations. Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common arrangement encountered on the used market, reflecting the preferences of early buyers who prioritised a dedicated, full-width owners' suite. In that configuration, the starboard hull is given over entirely to the owners' cabin, complete with a walk-in closet, forward-facing desk, twin sinks, and a separate shower — a suite that competes comfortably with larger boats. The port hull provides two guest cabins sharing a central shower compartment, with the option to convert the forward heads into a laundry area. Four-cabin examples, which subdivide the owners' hull for an additional guest or crew berth, do appear on the used market as well. Buyers with regular guests or charter ambitions will want to prioritise those listings, though they trade some of the owners' privacy and storage for the extra berth.

The deck and cockpit layout is fixed across the range: twin aft helms, a long traveller on the aft beam, all running rigging led to a clutch bank and two primary winches at the starboard station. The coachroof varies depending on specification — some boats carry integrated solar panels across the roof, others have the optional skylounge seating module, and others a convertible fabric bimini section in the forward area. The forepeak sail lockers are generous and are finished with gel coat only on boats specced with a crew cabin forward.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Early buyers of the Excess 13 tended to arrive already converted to the performance catamaran philosophy, and used examples generally reflect that. A code zero or furling Code sail is often found aboard — this is practically the key to unlocking the boat's downwind potential, and sailing the 13 without one leaves real performance on the table. Electric winches are frequently fitted, consistent with Excess's emphasis on short-handed sailing; the single starboard helm station is designed so one person can manage all primary controls, and powered winches make that genuinely practical offshore. Autopilot and chartplotter installations are standard across virtually all used examples, as is AIS — buyers in today's busy coastal and offshore traffic environment should expect these as a baseline. Freezer capacity is a common addition to the standard refrigeration, reflecting the liveaboard and extended-passage use these boats are built for. Dinghy davits are often fitted aft, tucking a rigid inflatable under the stern arch without compromising helm access or swim platform function. The folding transom platforms — a defining feature of the design — should be present on every example; they double as a security measure for children or pets at the stern and are integral to the boarding experience from a dock or dinghy. A bimini over the cockpit, while listed as an option, is sometimes an owner addition rather than factory-fitted; boats sold into warm-climate markets commonly carry one as an afterthought upgrade if not included in the original build specification.

What to Inspect

Because the Excess 13 entered production recently and the used fleet is consequently young, major structural fatigue is not the primary inspection concern. Instead, focus on build quality, commissioning details, and the condition of high-load components that see early stress.

The hull-to-deck joint and the central bridgedeck deserve close attention. Excess made significant investments in the infujection deck process to keep weight low, which means the deck sandwich is not built to traditional cruising-cat tolerances — it is a calculated structural decision, not a shortcut, but it warrants careful inspection for any delamination or stress cracking, particularly around chainplate and mast step fittings. The mast is stepped well forward with a pronounced rake, and the rig load paths are unconventional; check the compression post and the mast base carefully for any early signs of movement.

The traveller on the aft beam carries the mainsheet load directly and is central to sail trim on this boat; inspect the track, cars, and attachment points for any signs of wear or stress that might indicate the traveller has been operated aggressively. The running rigging, routed around the squared coachroof to reach the clutch bank, involves some friction turns — check sheaves and leads for chafe.

The twin Yanmar 40hp saildrive engines are shared with several other production catamarans and have a well-established service network. On a young boat the primary concern is correct commissioning and impeller servicing; verify that both engines have fresh anodes, that the saildrives show no weeping around the bellows, and that the underwater gear is clean. The folding transom platforms involve a hinge mechanism; check that both sides operate freely and that the latches are secure. Hull asymmetry below the waterline — fine at the entry, broad above the chine — is by design, so apparent difference between the topsides profile and the waterline is not a defect.

Inside, the lightweight furniture and fiddle-less tables are deliberate weight savings, not corners cut; minor scuffs or wear on these surfaces are cosmetic rather than structural. The ring-frame bulkhead sections in the aft cabins should be inspected for any flexing or fastener movement, as they do double duty as both cabin dividers and structural frames. Check all opening portlights in the coachroof for seal integrity — these are a key ventilation feature and any weeping will be evident as staining around the frames.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

Used examples circulate primarily across France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, reflecting the buyer profile of an enthusiastic, internationally mobile ownership base. French brokerage listings often represent boats that spent their early seasons in Mediterranean waters; North American listings tend to cluster along the US East Coast and in the Pacific. Given the boat's youth, inventory turns over slowly and listings do not always remain on the market long — buyers prepared to move quickly when a well-specced example appears will have an advantage.

The Excess 13 is a strong choice for a couple or small family that values active sailing over passive passage-making. It is not the largest catamaran in its length class, but it is one of the most capable under sail, and the owners' suite punches well above its size category. The focus on weight management means buyers should not expect the heavy joinery and robust fittings of older cruising catamarans; the tradeoff is genuine performance that makes the difference on long passages.

Before committing, verify the following:

• Rig inspection including mast base, compression post, and shroud attachment points for any early movement
• Traveller track, car, and attachment hardware condition and signs of stress at the aft beam
• Saildrive bellows integrity and condition of anodes on both engines
• Folding transom platform hinges and latches operational on both sides
• Deck sandwich around chainplates and mast step for delamination or stress cracking
• Opening coachroof portlights sealed and free of staining
• Code zero or Code sail present and in serviceable condition — budget for one if absent
• Confirm electric winch installation is factory or professionally integrated, not aftermarket improvisation
• Check ring-frame bulkhead sections in aft cabins for fastener movement or flex