Excess 16: A First Look at the New Flagship

Excess is preparing to unveil a new flagship. The Bordeaux shipyard is developing the Excess 16, a larger catamaran for owners who want to sail further and spend longer aboard. It was announced at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2026, and it will sit at the top of the Excess range, above the Excess 11, Excess 13 and Excess 14.

A catamaran built around long-range cruising

Details remain limited, but the direction is clear. Excess is focusing the Excess 16 on greater onboard comfort and stronger long-distance cruising capability, while keeping the sailing experience central to the range. Expect the twin helms and responsive handling Excess owners know well.

This isn't simply a stretched version of an existing model. The yard has reportedly reorganised part of its Bordeaux factory to build it.

Early design details

Early indications include:

• Reverse bows, carrying forward the distinctive Excess look
• A planned watch seat, pointing to a boat designed for life at sea as well as time at anchor

The yard is positioning the Excess 16 for owners with ambitious cruising plans, the kind of boat you'd consider for a season in the Pacific rather than a weekend away.

What the Excess 16 could mean for New Zealand sailors

For Kiwi sailors, it's a development worth watching. That goes for anyone weighing up extended coastal cruising from the Hauraki Gulf to the Bay of Islands, or planning a future passage to Fiji or Tahiti. A catamaran set up for comfortable long passages fits naturally with the way many New Zealand owners use their boats.

What we're still waiting to learn

Dimensions, displacement, sail area, propulsion and cabin configurations remain under wraps. There's plenty still to learn before we can properly assess how the Excess 16 will suit New Zealand buyers.

Stay up to date on the Excess 16

As the New Zealand dealer for Excess Catamarans, 36° Brokers will share specifications, plans and pricing as soon as they're released. If the Excess 16 is on your radar, get in touch with our team to register your interest. You can also explore the current Excess range in the meantime.

 

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