The larger of two sportier derivatives of existing Lagoon hulls, the Excess 15 shares its bridge deck and underwater inner hulls with the Lagoon 50 but has entirely different outer hull halves.
Design and Construction
The Excess 15 is built in three sections, combining the Lagoon 50’s bridge deck and inner hulls below the waterline with new outer hull shells. The entire Excess line uses vacuum infusion, with balsa coring in the deck and hulls above the waterline.
VPLP Design cut roughly a ton from the Lagoon baseline by lightening the interior fixtures and removing the flybridge. The builder committed to keeping flybridges off every Excess model, putting the emphasis on more athletic sailing.
The Excess 15 weighs 42,018 pounds light ship, with a 26-foot-4-inch beam and a 4-foot-7-inch draft. Its displacement-to-length ratio is 182, and its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 22. Those figures place it firmly at the lively end of the cruising-cat spectrum rather than in the heavy charter mold.
Rig, Helms, and Sailing Performance
The standard rig combines a square-top mainsail with a self-tending jib. The optional PulseLine configuration adds a bowsprit for a Code 0 and about 120 square feet of upwind sail area between the square-top main and self-tacking jib. A Pulse package described elsewhere raises the mast three feet and sets the Code 0 on a continuous-line furler.
Twin wheels sit aft and outboard on the transoms. The starboard pod carries a Raymarine display and the engine controls, while the port helm has wind instruments and a tablet mount. The builder claimed that the vertical saloon windows ahead improve forward visibility from these aft helms.
A test boat sailed in solent-rig form and tacked with no more than a turn of the wheel and a touch on the Harken electric traveler. Testers found the boat easy to handle and fun to sail. It made around 8 knots under jib and main within 60 degrees of true wind and touched 10.5 knots with the Code 0 on a broad reach.
Deck and Cockpit
Each aft helm has a double seat. The boat also carries a soft-top accordion sunroof and a genuine forward cockpit lounge. Elongated handrails run nearly the full length of the coachroof for secure movement forward.
In the aft cockpit, an L-shaped settee wraps around an inviting dining table to port. A large lounge sits opposite, and a transom bench spans the space between the folding helm seats. The center of the Bimini slides open, admitting sunlight and keeping the mainsail in view. On the test boat, the cockpit also had a sink, fridge, and ice maker for outdoor gatherings.
Interior and Accommodations
Buyers can choose four cabins with four heads or a three-cabin owner’s version. In the latter, the entire starboard hull becomes a master suite, with a head in the bow featuring his-and-hers sinks, plus a desk and outboard sofa. A six-cabin, six-head charter arrangement with forepeak crew berths is also available.
The saloon feels lighter and more contemporary than the Lagoon 50’s. An L-shaped settee, raised slightly above the main deck, faces a bench aft of the compression post. Forward, a second table has another L-shaped settee. Glass windows surround the space, and a large sliding door opens aft.
The galley occupies the aft port corner. Its L-shaped work area includes the sink, stove, oven, and microwave. Opposite are a drawer-style fridge and freezer, along with additional counter space.
Propulsion and Performance Under Power
Standard propulsion comes from twin 57-horsepower Yanmar diesels; the test boat had the optional 80-horsepower units. With folding propellers, it reached 7.5 knots at wide-open throttle and cruised at about 6.5 knots.
The folding props reduce drag, while the moderate 4-foot-7-inch draft helps make dock-to-anchor motoring relaxed without stressing the standard engine package.
Verdict
The Excess 15 succeeds as a cruising cat that doesn’t apologize for its helm feel. By reworking the Lagoon 50’s shell, cutting a ton of interior weight, and doing without a flybridge, VPLP and Excess produced a 48-footer that sails into double digits under reaching spinnaker yet still accommodates a proper owner’s suite and a sociable aft cockpit.
It suits sailors who want multihull space without leaving performance at the dock.
Pros
- Shares the Lagoon 50’s proven bridge deck and inner hulls, but has lighter, distinct outer hulls and no flybridge
- PulseLine rig adds 120 square feet of upwind sail area and a bowsprit for a Code 0
- Twin aft helms have modern instrument pods and good forward visibility through the saloon windows
- Owner’s version devotes the full starboard hull to a master suite with a desk and sofa
- Easy handling: the test boat tacked with a single turn of the wheel and help from the electric traveler
Cons
- Standard 57-horsepower diesels are modest; sustained planing or heavy auxiliary use may call for the 80-horsepower upgrade
- The claim of good forward visibility from the aft helms comes from the builder rather than a measured test
