I'm planning to upgrade from my current Jeanneau SO 410 to an Excess 13.

Hi Pedro - We are new to sailing but not to the sea, and we chose the standard mast and bowsprit. We have not been at all disappointed with the sailing performance of our Excess 13 with this configuration.
The advantages we perceived were - less stress on the rig (important as we plan to sail home to New Zealand), marginally less oscillation from the shorter mast, and the money saved we could invest in other areas of the yacht.
We were also initially concerned about manoeuvring in marinas with the longer bowsprit but the Cat is very easy to control and if there is always two of you on board the SENA headsets make all the difference in making this seamless.

Hope this helps.

Roy & Vicki @Macavity_TheSailingCat

Hello Pedro. The long bowsprit looks great and offers a bit more performance but the difference is very small. The size of the downwind sails is a bit bigger but more importantly the angle of the luff is more horizontal which helps lift the bows and this helps a lot when you are surfing down the swell. You can choose to take the small bowsprit and get a downwind sail custom made for you as the sailmaking company has all the dimensions. For some of our clients we have ordered bigger code zero than the standard Excess one for example. That helps with performance in light air but it makes it both important to furl earlier and a bit harder to furl. So there are not just 2 variables in this equation : it s not just performance versus costs but you also need to think about your and your crew sailing experience and the kind of cruising you will do. Your Excess dealer can help you by giving you all the infos so you can make the right decision for you. Feel free to contact me at Sailtahiti as we have a lot of experience sailing accross oceans on the Excess catamarans but more importantly advising clients who have done it.

Hello Pedro,

Thank you for raising this interesting topic.

Both bowsprit configurations available on the Excess 13 offer clear advantages, and the choice ultimately depends on the owner's sailing style, priorities, and cruising plans.

The long bowsprit (1560mm) is undoubtedly an attractive option. Besides its sporty appearance, it allows the use of larger downwind sails such as Code 0s and asymmetric spinnakers, improving light-wind performance and enhancing the sailing experience for owners looking for maximum performance.

On the other hand, the shorter bowsprit (560mm) offers practical advantages that many owners appreciate. The shorter overall length makes marina manoeuvring more comfortable, reduces the risk of accidental contact with docks or neighbouring boats, and can be beneficial in marinas where berthing fees are calculated based on the vessel's overall length.

One of the strengths of the Excess range is precisely the ability for owners to configure their boat according to their own needs and sailing philosophy. Some owners prioritise performance and sail area, while others prefer simplicity, ease of handling and reduced operating costs. Excess provides solutions for both approaches, allowing each catamaran to be tailored to its owner's expectations.

Regarding sail options, there is currently no Code Zero specifically adapted to the Pulse Line mast and the short bowsprit offered by Excess, However, we can submit a customization request to the Excess Design Office, or alternatively you could look into local solutions directly.

Kind regards,
Hugo