Excess 15 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Two cabin arrangements appear consistently across used Excess 15 listings. The three-cabin owner's version gives up the entire starboard hull to a master suite — private head forward with double sinks, a desk, and an outboard sofa — while the port hull carries two en suite guest cabins. This layout is favored by private buyers who want to live aboard or cruise with a small circle. The four-cabin charter configuration splits both hulls into equal guest quarters and is arguably more common on the resale market, since a meaningful share of used examples come from managed charter fleets operating in the Mediterranean. A six-cabin variant optimized for commercial charter exists but is less frequently seen in private-sale channels. The saloon is identical across configurations: an elevated L-shaped settee, a second table forward, and an aft galley tucked into the port corner. The soft-top accordion sunroof above the cockpit and the forward lounge on the coachroof are standard features that carry through regardless of cabin count. Buyers willing to take on a former charter boat often find the hull and rig in decent condition but should expect cabin interiors and upholstery to show heavier wear.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The Excess 15 tends to arrive on the used market fairly well equipped. Chartplotters, AIS, radar, and autopilot are essentially universal on examples that have done any real cruising or seen charter service. Electric winches are commonly fitted — the Harken electric traveler in particular becomes important when short-handing the boat — and a bimini with the characteristic sliding center panel is a near-universal feature. Freezer capacity is almost always present, often augmented by a second unit in the port hull on charter boats. Dinghy davits are the norm for a boat this size. Teak cockpit and deck surfaces appear on a strong share of examples, though buyers should evaluate their condition carefully given the maintenance commitment involved.

Air conditioning, a watermaker, solar panels, and an inverter are commonly fitted on examples that have spent time in warm-weather cruising grounds, and cockpit showers come standard or are fitted early. The Pulse package — a taller mast, bowsprit, and code zero on a continuous-line furler — is frequently seen and represents the sailplan configuration most used buyers should seek out; the standard setup is capable but the Pulse version transforms the boat's performance on a reach. Life rafts are commonly found aboard.

A bow thruster turns up as an owner or charter-management upgrade on a number of examples and is worth prioritizing given the beam of the boat. Starlink antenna installations have become a growing sight on recent listings as owners refit for bluewater connectivity. Heating, a washing machine, a furling main, a gennaker or asymmetric spinnaker, and hot water upgrades are sometimes seen and represent the kinds of additions private owners make when taking over from a charter manager.

What to Inspect

The Excess 15 is a young design and has not accumulated the decades of owner feedback that identify chronic structural failure modes, but several areas deserve careful attention.

The vacuum-infused hull with balsa coring in the deck and topsides is a significant structural asset, but balsa cores are vulnerable to moisture intrusion wherever fittings, hardware, or deck hardware penetrate the laminate. A thorough moisture survey of all cored sections, paying particular attention to hardware penetrations and any areas where the deck finish has been disturbed, is non-negotiable. Former charter boats may have had additional hardware installed and removed over time, multiplying the number of potential intrusion points.

The hulls below the waterline share their geometry with the Lagoon 50, which means the underwater sections have a long track record; it is the outer hull halves and deck sections that are specific to the Excess. Verify that any gelcoat repairs or osmotic blistering on the outer hull halves has been properly remediated rather than merely cosmetically addressed.

The twin 57-horsepower Yanmar diesels are a standard fitment and are generally well regarded, but service history documentation is important — confirm oil change intervals, impeller replacements, and raw-water circuit maintenance have been kept up, since dockside charter use tends to accumulate engine hours faster than offshore passages. Folding propellers are standard; inspect blades for damage and confirm the folding mechanism operates freely.

The twin helm stations sit aft on each transom and are somewhat exposed. Inspect the steering cable runs, helm seat folding hardware, and the mini bimini overhead structures on each side for corrosion or UV degradation. The forward cockpit lounge area and the nonskid surface on the coachroof — noted at introduction as not extending fully to the edge — should be inspected for surface wear and assessed as a safety consideration. Overhead hatch count in the accommodations is limited by design; verify that existing hatches seal properly, as the main source of cabin ventilation when at anchor depends on them functioning correctly.

The rig on Pulse-equipped boats carries significantly more sail area upwind than the standard version; inspect the mast step, chainplates, and any reinforcement around the sprit attachment for stress or moisture. Code zeros on continuous-line furlers accumulate UV exposure; inspect the sail and furler bearings carefully.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Excess 15 is most widely available in the Mediterranean — Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, and Portugal are the primary markets, reflecting the design's popularity with charter operators in those waters. A meaningful supply also circulates in the United States, particularly on the East Coast and in Florida where the boat was formally introduced. The youth of the model and the active charter trade mean supply is reasonably consistent for a boat in this class, though the population is still small compared with legacy Lagoon or Leopard models.

The Excess 15 represents a genuine alternative to the traditional charter-pedigree cruising cat: a Groupe Beneteau hull with real sailing credibility, a thoughtful interior, and a layout that works equally well for two people living aboard or a group of eight exploring the islands. Buyers who prioritize sailing performance over accommodation count and are willing to do the charter-wear diligence will find it one of the more rewarding large cats available on the brokerage market.

Pre-purchase checklist:

• Commission a professional moisture survey of all balsa-cored deck and hull sections above the waterline
• Obtain complete engine service records for both Yanmars; confirm hours, impeller history, and raw-water maintenance
• Verify the Pulse rig if present: mast, chainplates, sprit attachment, furler bearings, and code zero condition
• Inspect all hardware penetrations in the deck for signs of water intrusion, particularly on former charter boats
• Confirm overhead hatches seal correctly and cabin ventilation is adequate
• Test electric winches, autopilot, and electric traveler under load
• Evaluate teak deck condition and factor remediation costs into the offer
• Assess bow thruster presence and function; budget for installation if absent
• Check folding propeller blades and folding mechanism on both hulls
• Review charter management history and inspect cabin interiors for wear consistent with commercial use