European Yacht Of The Year 2026: The Excess 13 is the Family Cruiser of the Year 2026
Jochen Rieker
· 18.01.2026
Until now, anyone who ordered a cruising catamaran from the large series had to put up with sluggish, at best mediocre sailing characteristics and reduced fun underway. That's over now! With the Excess 13, the Beneteau Group proves that there is life in the voluminous twin-hulls. Product manager Hervé Piveteau not only changed the architects for the development, but also broke new ground in production. Developed by the engineers of the Marc Lombard Design Studio and designed by Jean-Marc Piaton, the boat brings freshness and temperament to a segment that was previously defined more by square metres of living space than sail area.
The Excess 13 weighs a good 20 per cent less than comparable boats, with a good 15 per cent more upwind sail area. Because its structure is also considerably stronger, resulting in less twisting in rough seas, it conveys much more agility and precision. Deeper and shorter keel stubs also improve the cruising characteristics. Even rough two-metre waves and 5 to 6 Beaufort do not put the cat from France under pressure. On the contrary: they show what it is capable of. On a monohull yacht, this would require serious work and involve a lot of effort; here it is unadulterated sailing fun. So: the first victory of a catamaran against cruising monos.
What the jury says
"In a market dominated by floating flats, the Excess 13 puts sailing back centre stage," says Morten Brandt-Rasmussen from the Danish Bådmagasinet. Toby Hodges from Yachting World summarises his impressions in a single word: "Chapeau!"
Strengths
Very lively sailing characteristics
High hull strength
Good overview from the helm stations
Fine rudder balance
Spacious cabin layout
Weaknesses
Hardly any holding options inside
Technical data of the Excess 13
- Hull length: 12.38 m
- Width: 7.25 m
- Draught: 1.48 m
- Weight: 10.6 tonnes
- Sail area: 113 m²
- Sail carrying capacity: 4.8
- Base price ex shipyard: € 553,350
Status 2025, how the prices shown are defined, read here!
Also nominated in the "Family Cruiser" category
Dufour 48
Cruiser with polarising styling, but undeniable plus points: great variability, improved quality appearance, appealing performance. The successor to the 470 has not only increased significantly in length, but also in usable width. This gives it a unique position among the large series-production yards, where 46 feet above deck is the norm. With up to five double berths and a choice of four bathrooms, the Dufour 48 becomes a charter boat, while the three-cabin version is a very spacious owner's version. Good sailing characteristics are already guaranteed as standard. Length 14.32 m; width 4.85 m; draught 2.35 m; weight 13 t; sail area 106 m²; price 464,100 euros.
Fountaine Pajot 41
The cruising catamaran from La Rochelle is the new entry-level model from Fountaine Pajot. It replaces the Astrea 42 and the Isla 40, the most successful models in the wide-ranging programme, which extends up to 80 feet. Its strengths include a good layout for six to eight guests, who can also be accommodated in the cockpit. In addition, the FP 41 can be equipped with hybrid propulsion on request; the batteries are then charged by recuperation, solar cells or a diesel generator. Until now, the brand's strength lay in its sailing characteristics. Now, expansion and volume have gained ground - unfortunately at the expense of performance. Length 11.93 m; width 6.92 m; draught 1.35 m; weight 12.7 tonnes; sail area 100 m²; price 481,240 euros.
Lagoon 38
The world market leader in multihulls surprises twice: with a compact and affordable entry-level model. Both fulfil a growing demand, after the size and prices of cruising cats have recently been trending in the opposite direction. The Lagoon 38 offers a number of optional innovations that the 42 debuted with last year - including the saloon seating group that can be seamlessly extended into the cockpit. Immensely large double berths in the foredeck. Inexpensive basic version, but many extras, some of which are expensive. Length 11.38 m; width 6.65 m; draught 1.26 m; weight 10.2 t; sail area 72.2 m²; price 406,980 euros.
Leopard 46
One of the best cruising catamarans on the market in its class and size. Very solidly built, with three cockpits: aft, forward and on the flybridge. In addition, the interior and exterior can be connected seamlessly thanks to the wide sliding door. The workmanship looks experienced and solid. Length 13.90 m; width 7.35 m; draught 1.65 m; weight 17.2 t; sail area 144.4 m²; price 831,810 euros.
Oceanis 52
After world market leader Beneteau pressed the pause button on model development in 2024, things are now moving full steam ahead. In addition to the 47, which was further developed from the Oceanis 46.1, the 52 designed by Roberto Biscontini represents a completely new development in the cruising segment. Visually, it essentially retains the familiar, very successful lines of the previous generation, but is designed to offer more volume, quality and temperament. Equipped with performance options, the 15-metre cruiser even achieves sporty potential. Visually, haptically and qualitatively significantly upgraded, and also quite spirited. Length 15.31 m; width 4.84 m; draught 2.36 m; weight 14.5 tonnes; sail area 94.0 m²; price 458,150 euros.
Sun Odyssey 415
Jeanneau is launching the latest generation of its cruising yacht programme. The hull is based on that of the Sun Odyssey 410 and has been redesigned aft in particular. Below deck and in the many practical detail solutions, the 415 has a completely new look. This also includes a higher standard of fittings and a more pleasing interior design. It collected a lot of points, but came a close second. A very competent boat full of clever detail solutions that also sails very well. Length 11.99 m; width 3.99 m; draught 2.25 m; weight 7.7 tonnes; sail area 80.4 m²; 260,610 euros.
