14 feet catamaran

8 Blamey Place O'Connor WA 6163 Australia Phone: 08 9314 1317 Fax: 08 9331 3255

Windrush 14

Posted in Sailing Boats

The Windrush 14 Catamaran (ex. Surfcat)

The Windrush is a very competitive boat in the company of other 14ft catamarans. It is easy to rig and sail and is forgiving if you happen to bury the leeward hull under water. It can be sailed single handed, or with a lightweight doubles combination of 100 - 120 kg.

Windrush Specifications

Windrush History

The Windrush Online

Clubs Sailing the Windrush

Adelaide Sailing Club Geographe Bay Yacht Club Kurnell Catamaran Club Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club Nedlands Yacht Club Port Albert Yacht Club Portarlington Sailing Club Shelley Sailing Club YMCA Sailing Club of Canberra Warwick Sailing Club

" onclick="window.open(this.href,'win2','status=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=yes,titlebar=no,menubar=no,resizable=yes,width=640,height=480,directories=no,location=no'); return false;" rel="nofollow"> Print

Hobie Cat 14 Classic

Sailboat specifications.

• Last update: 20th March 2020

Hobie Cat 14's main features

Hobie cat 14's main dimensions, hobie cat 14's rig and sails, hobie cat 14's performances, hobie cat 14's auxiliary engine, hobie cat 14's accommodations and layout.

Similar sailboats that may interest you:

Sign Up for a Topper Clubcard for 10% off everything in our Parts Shop.

Sign up for a topper clubcard..

A New Kind Of Sailing Experience.

The Topaz 14 is an accessible but high performance cat designed for two medium to light crew. There is room on the trampoline for three for cruising. 

The Topaz 14 delivers tremendous performance and is light, responsive, nimble and beautifully behaved. The Topaz Catamarans have been designed by International multihull racing legends Yves Loday and Robert White. With such sailing experience and pedigree, not to mention their proven design track records, it comes as little surprise that the Loday/White team have produced such a stunning range of cats.

Topaz 14 Features

• High foredeck with lots of volume in the bow area is great for stability, handling and taut feedback for the helm
• The built-in skeg design hulls (so no need for Daggerboards) make for simple user friendly sailing, especially on the beach
• No boom makes life easy OnBoard when teaching novice sailors
• Lock-in beams provide a rigid sailing platform and firm hull performance
• Fully adjustable simple Rudder System allows you to adjust the rake of the blade usually found on expensive Racing Catamarans
• Fully battened mainsail provides exciting performance
• Durable and manageable Dacron radial-cut mainsail and furling jib as standard
• Reefing mainsail as standard
• Single-line ‘Race’ Gennaker System is easy and effortless to use
• Twin trapeze as standard
• Hard wearing injection moulded polyethylene rudder blade
• Incredible high quality fittings including ball bearing blocks and race specification cleats as standard
• Auto-ratchet Gennaker block as standard
• Foam filled sealed mast for extra safety
• Step hinged mast makes rigging quick and easy (even for one young person)
• High quality foot straps for trapezing
• Unique non-slip pattern is user friendly and provides extra grip when trapezing
• Total rigged weight of just 110kg
• TRILAM technology unique to Topper gives unrivalled strength to weight ratio and great uniformity, buoyancy, stiffness, dynamism, lightweight and durability

A great first racing catamaran

A wonderful 14 foot catamaran that is fast, fun and forgiving and is ideally suited to lighter weight crews.  The Topaz 14 has a twin trapeze and a powerful 9.98m2 sail area courtesy of a large Dacron main and jib.

Tremendous stability & speed.

The 14 X option generates even higher performance with an added 10.00m2 gennaker to provide a more powered up downwind ride – while still retaining the excellent stability. The result; far more control and fewer spills than you’d expect from a cat with this much power.

Image Gallery

Topaz 14 prices start at £8,495.00 (inc VAT.)

If you would like a more detailed quote to discuss you requirements, please contact one of our sales team for more information.

Our dedicated Sales Managers, Russ & Jon are always on-hand for any questions, or help you require.

With an on-the-road parts and repairs shop, Russ attends various events across the country to fix or replace equipment. He is also a font of knowledge offering general advice and after-care for all our customers.

Below you will find all the support documents available for the Topaz 14 and 14 X. If you have any further questions or can’t find what you are looking for please let us know! 

Instructions

UK Certificate

CE Certificate

Owners Manual

Topaz Range

How Do You Sail a 14 Foot Catamaran?

Sailing a 14-foot catamaran can be an exhilarating experience, allowing you to harness the power of the wind and glide across the water with ease. Whether you are a seasoned sailor or a beginner, understanding the basics of sailing a catamaran is essential. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of sailing a 14-foot catamaran and provide tips to enhance your sailing skills.

Preparing for Sailing

Before setting sail on your 14-foot catamaran, it is important to make sure you have all the necessary equipment and conduct a thorough pre-sail check. This includes:

• Life Jackets: Ensure that each crew member has a properly fitted life jacket.
• Rigging Check: Inspect the rigging, including the mast, boom, and standing rigging, for any signs of damage or wear.
• Sails: Check that your sails are in good condition and properly rigged.
• Rudders and Centerboards: Make sure these are securely attached and functioning properly.
• Weather Check: Always check the weather forecast before heading out on the water to ensure safe sailing conditions.

Launching Your Catamaran

To launch your catamaran, follow these steps:

• Select a Suitable Launching Spot: Look for an area with enough space to launch your catamaran safely. Avoid shallow areas or spots with strong currents.
• Raise Your Daggerboards and Rudders: Raise both daggerboards and rudders before launching to prevent damage.
• Attach and Hoist the Sails: Attach the mainsail and jib to their respective halyards and hoist them up the mast. Securely fasten the sails to the boom and forestay.
• Push Your Catamaran into the Water: With the help of a crew member or by yourself, gently push your catamaran into the water, making sure it floats freely.

Sailing Techniques

Once you are on the water, it’s time to learn some basic sailing techniques for your 14-foot catamaran:

Tacking and Jibing

Tacking and jibing are two essential maneuvers in sailing that allow you to change direction:

• Tacking: To perform a tack, turn your bow through the wind so that your sails change from one side to the other. This maneuver helps you sail against the wind.
• Jibing: Jibing refers to turning your stern through the wind, causing your sails to switch sides. This maneuver is used when sailing with the wind behind you.

Balancing Your Catamaran

To maintain stability and control while sailing, it is crucial to keep your catamaran balanced. Here are some tips:

• Moving Crew Weight: Shift crew weight from side to side as needed to counterbalance wind forces and keep the boat level.
• Tighten or Loosen Sails: Adjust sail trim by tightening or loosening sheets (lines) connected to your sails. Proper sail trim helps maintain balance and maximizes speed.

Understanding Points of Sail

The points of sail refer to the different angles at which you can sail relative to the wind direction. These include:

• No Sail Zone: This is the area directly into the wind where your sails will luff (flap) and provide no power.
• Close Hauled: Sailing as close to the wind as possible, typically at a 45-degree angle. This is the most efficient point of sail for upwind sailing.
• Beam Reach: Sailing perpendicular to the wind, with the wind coming from either side of your catamaran.
• Broad Reach: Sailing with the wind coming from behind your catamaran.

Returning to Shore

When it’s time to head back to shore, follow these steps:

• Plan Your Approach: Assess wind and current conditions and plan your return path accordingly.
• Luff Up into the Wind: Point your bow directly into the wind (head upwind) by easing out your sails and turning the tiller towards you.
• Ease Sails and Feather: Gradually ease out your sails while keeping them filled with just enough wind to maintain control. Feathering helps reduce speed and allows for a controlled landing.
• Carefully Tack or Jibe if Needed: If necessary, perform a tack or jibe to change direction towards your desired landing spot.
• Gently Beach or Dock: Approach your landing spot slowly, giving yourself plenty of time to adjust your speed and angle. Use caution to avoid colliding with other boats or obstacles.

By following these steps and practicing regularly, you will become more confident in sailing your 14-foot catamaran. Remember, safety should always be a priority, so never hesitate to ask for guidance from experienced sailors or take sailing lessons to enhance your skills.

4 Related Question Answers Found

How do you sail a small catamaran, how do you sail a simple catamaran, how do you sail a hobie wave catamaran, can i learn to sail on a catamaran.

Emma Gibson

• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Newsletters
• Sailboat Reviews
• Boating Safety
• Sails and Rigging
• Maintenance
• Sailing Totem
• Sailor & Galley
• Living Aboard
• Destinations
• Gear & Electronics
• Charter Resources
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Sailboat Review: Light and Lively Excess 14

• By Mark Pillsbury
• November 7, 2023

When Groupe Beneteau’s Excess Catamarans introduced its first model in 2019 , a test sail in winds approaching 40 knots made it abundantly clear that the 38-foot-7-inch Excess 12 wasn’t just another pretty new face in the ever-growing cat crowd. That boat could sail.

A recent light-air outing aboard the company’s newest model, the Excess 14, was perhaps equally revealing. With a hull length right around 44 feet and a beam of 25 feet, 9 inches, this is a big, roomy and comfortable cruising cat. But in just 5 knots of breeze, sailing with the main and working jib set, the chart plotter’s speed over ground read 4.1 knots heading upwind with the sails sheeted hard. A little later, with the jib rolled up and the code zero unfurled and set on a sprit that brings the boat’s LOA to 52 feet, 5 inches, our boatspeed was 5.7 knots on a reach in wind gusting to maybe 6. 

Those were conditions that would have left a lot of similar-size multihulls parked, but the Excess 14 felt relatively lively underway and “tacked quickly,” I wrote in my notes. I also noted that line handling was easy, thanks to sheet winches within reach of the helms and an electric Harken FlatWinder winch that handles a traveler mounted outboard of a comfortable bench seat that spans most of the transom.

For the record, I’m a fan of the Excess brand DNA that calls for outdoor helm stations located far aft on either stern. Sitting at them underway, you can see and hear the water rush by and feel the breeze in your face. You know, like when you’re sailing. You can converse with people seated in the cockpit, and you have easy access to the salon should you care to set the autopilot and keep watch out of the elements, through windows that provide nearly 360 degrees of visibility.

Open to fresh ideas, the team at Excess started with a blank slate when they conceived the 14, and they gave naval architects at VPLP Design some liberty in terms of hull design in their quest for better performance. VPLP, drawing from their experience with a long line of racing machines, then tested and ultimately opted for asymmetrical hulls—think of a monohull sliced lengthwise down the middle and then separated—that tend to reduce the size of the waves produced between the hulls, thereby reducing drag that slows down the boat.

The design team also toyed with replacing the stub keels affixed to most cruising cats, including earlier Excess models, with the sort of lifting daggerboards found on high-performance cats. They dropped that idea, however, because daggerboards add complexity when sailing and take away from living space below. Instead, the 14 has more-efficient, deeper and thinner fixed foils that increase draft to 4 feet, 10 inches—a few inches deeper than what you would expect to find on cats of a similar size.

There are also interesting ­innovations found in the 14’s interior, where saving weight has a direct relationship to livelier sailing. Relatively lighter carbon-fiber cloth is employed in some structural areas for strength, and some bulkheads are infused using foam coring. And there’s less wood used in furniture, drawers and stowage areas. Overhead, the cabin top is injected-molded, eliminating the need for a liner. And in hulls with two staterooms and two head compartments located amidships, the toilets share a single holding tank to reduce plumbing, while the staterooms share one larger Webasto air-conditioning unit, saving the weight and wiring required for two. 

Excess is also involved with Groupe Beneteau’s overall efforts to adopt more-sustainable building practices. Laminates used for the performance mainsail and genoa are recycled material, and hemp fibers are used in place of fiberglass and injected with partly bio-sourced resin in some nonstructural parts such as locker lids. Even furniture knobs have been replaced by neat little loops of rope.

Buyers have a few decisions to make when ordering an Excess 14. There is a four-­stateroom version that would be well-suited for charter, and there are a couple of three-stateroom options. In one, the owner gets a large fore-and-aft bunk aft, a sitting area with a desk at the foot of the companionway, a head and shower forward, and a walk-in closet in place of a V-berth. A second plan, called the Transformer Version, has bunks far forward that can be folded down for sleeping or up for stowage. (One company photo shows a paddleboard stashed away there.) That’s the layout we saw in Miami and the one I’d choose if it were my boat. In all the layouts, the salon gets lots of sunlight and has a pleasant, airy feeling with the sliding door and window open aft. There’s an abundance of fridge and freezer space adjacent to the galley to port. Dining tables are indoors, at the front of the salon, and in the cockpit. 

The Miami boat included a pair of optional 57 hp Yanmar diesels with saildrives (45 hp engines come standard) that pushed us along at 7.8 knots in cruising speed and 8.4 knots in get-home-quick mode. Gear included an electric winch at the starboard helm to make raising the main easier, as well as engine controls at either wheel to make docking simpler. Davits are available, as are canvas Biminis over the wheels for shade.

The boat also had an optional seating area on the flybridge. It reminded me a bit of a stretch version of the footwell that you’d find on a Sunfish. I’m not sure if it’s an option I’d choose, and with the boom set relatively low on the mast, it wouldn’t be a place to lounge underway. Some might like to sit up there while at anchor to enjoy the view though.

The sail-away price for the boat we visited is right around $980,000, but that’s loaded with gear, including an Onan generator and a Pulse rig and sail package that includes a 70-foot-8-inch mast instead of the standard 64-foot-11-inch spar. The upwind Pulse rig sail area of 1,453 square feet will be appreciated by those who sail in variable conditions and like to go fast; in the trades, the standard 1,323 square feet might suffice, and the shorter rig would let you just squeeze under most Intracoastal Waterway bridges.

Me? I was happy to have the added horsepower provided by the bigger square-top main. Sailing a big cat in 5 knots of breeze isn’t always fun, but aboard the Excess 14, we had a jolly old time.

Excess 14 Specifications

• More: catamaran , Excess Catamarans , Print December 2023 , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
• More Sailboats

New on the Docks: Leopard 46

Sailboat Review: Dufour 41

Pre-Owned: 1988 Hylas 47

Catalina Introduces the 6 Series

Surviving the Storm: A Sailor’s Tale of Hurricane Lee

Storm-Tossed, Lobster-Blessed: A Culinary Cruising Tale

Minimalist Cruising: Georgian Bay by Dinghy

Best Practices for Boat-Show Shopping

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

topper model

Brief specification

Lenhth: 4.25 m

Beam: 2.05 m

1 – 3

Lifting rudder

Safe and simple system

Furling jib

Sealed mast

Trilam construction

“on the water it feels stiffer, lighter and more dynamic than any rotomoulded cat produced by dart or hobie, with taut feedback that qualifies as ‘true performance’ sailing”, yachts & yachting, available in 2 exiting versions, superb 14 foot racing catamaran.

Great racing catamaran for lighter weight crews:

• True performance catamaran sailing
• Precise, well mannered handling
• Very robust, ultra-tough, maintenance free TRILAM construction
• WORLD SAILING (ISAF) Learn To Sail Class
• As used by Sunsail, Mark Warner, Neilson, RYA OnBoard
• Internationally Award Winning Design
• Sailing World Best Catamaran Winner

Voiles & Voiliers Coup de Coeur Best Catamaran Winner

The Topaz Catamarans have been designed by International multihull racing legends Yves Loday and Robert White. With such sailing experience and pedigree, not to mention their proven design track records, it comes as little surprise that the Loday/White team have produced such a stunning range of cats.

The Topaz 14 is an accessible but high performance cat designed for two medium to light crew. There is room on the trampoline for three for cruising. The Topaz 14T has a twin trapeze and a powerful 9.98m2 sail area courtesy of a large Dacron main and jib. The 14XT has a decent 10.00m2 gennaker to provide a more powered up downwind ride.

The TOPAZ 14 XTREME is a souped up singlehanded variation. The XTREME version has a superb fathead Mylar mainsail coupled with a 9.90m2 asymmetric gennaker plus a trapeze to take full advantage of the staggering amounts of available power. The 14 XTREME is a sublime creation suited to a wide range of crew weights.

The Topaz cats are all roto-moulded in tri-laminated Metalicene™polyethylene producing the stiffest, lightest and most dynamic hulls available. The hulls are also extremely robust and low maintenance making them ideal for even the toughest sailing school environments.

“VERY QUICK BUT EASY TO SAIL. IT’S A BEAUTIFULLY BEHAVED BOAT THAT WOULD MAKE A GREAT RACING CLASS FOR LIGHTER WEIGHT SAILORS. IT’S ALSO A GREAT PRICE”

The 14 is a wonderful 14 foot catamaran that is fast, fun and forgiving and is ideally suited to lighter weight crews:

• High foredeck with lots of volume in the bow area is great for stability, handling and taut feedback
• The built-in skeg design hulls (so no need for daggerboards) make for user friendly sailing
• No boom makes for one less thing to worry about
• Lock-in beams combined with stiff hull construction provide a stiff, rigid and dynamic sailing platform
• Adjustable, safe and simple ‘Race’ Rudder System allows you to adjust the rake of blade dependent on conditions
• Fully battened mainsail provides exciting performance
• Durable and manageable Dacron radial-cut mainsail and furling jib as standard
• Reefing mainsail as standard
• Single-line ‘Race’ Gennaker System is easy and effortless
• Snuffer tube and gennaker sock
• Twin trapeze as standard
• High quality foot straps for trapezing
• Unique non-slip pattern is user friendly and provides extra grip when trapezing
• Foam filled sealed mast for extra safety
• Step hinged mast makes rigging quick and easy (even for one young person)
• Incredibly high quality hardware including ball bearing blocks and race specification cleats
• Auto-ratchet gennaker block
• Hard wearing injection moulded polyethylene rudder blade
• Total rigged weight of just 110kg
• TRILAM technology unique to Topper gives unrivalled strength to weight ratio and great uniformity, buoyancy, stiffness, dynamism, lightweight and durability
• Three year hull warranty
• 14 Xtreme singlehanded rig option

“THE TOPAZ 14 IS A BIT SPECIAL. WHEN YOU JUMP ON YOU IMMEDIATELY KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD SAIL. IT FEELS LIKE A LIGHT FAST DINGHY”

Choose your topaz 14 now, model variation names as depicted on photographs may differ from the current names of available models for the european market., sign-up to hear more from topper.

• TERMS & CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY POLICY
• +31 6 30 92 72 22
• [email protected]

Copyright 2024 © All rights Reserved Topper Europe

$ 13,990.00

Out of stock

This was the first sports catamaran that was ever invented and Hobie have resurrected it. With origins dating back to 1968, the Hobie 14 was a revolution in water sports and now it’s back!

The Hobie 14 catamaran is a recognized ISAF International Class, and has European and World Championships organized regularly. Current Hobie 14 Catamarans come “Euro Rigged”. The boat is complete and ready to sail.  It comes with a pair of trapeze wires and the forward main beam reinforced with a Dolphin Striker

Specifications:

• Length: 14’ / 4.27 m
• Beam: 7′ 8″ / 2.34 m
• Capacity: 353 lbs / 160 kg
• Weight: 240.3 lbs / 109 kg
• Mast Length: 22′ 3″ / 6.78 m
• Mainsail Area: 112.59 ft² / 10.46 m²
• Jib Sail Area: 34.44 ft² (option) / 3.20 m²
• Hull Construction: Fiberglass/Foam Sandwich

Contact us for more information

Related Products

Hobie Getaway

Hobie Cat T1

Hobie Dragoon

Contact       Services       Info       Returns      Cart

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Excess 14 review: competitively priced performance catamaran

• Rupert Holmes
• February 21, 2023

Can spacious performance cruising multihulls be built in large volumes at competitive prices? Excess thinks so and demonstrates just that with the Excess 14

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

We’re sailing the Excess 14 upwind in 12-14 knots of true wind, with boat speed hovering between 7.4 and 8.0 knots. The helm feels positive and responsive, the boat tacks easily and responds readily to accurate sail trim.

Aside from the lack of heel, it’s the type of experience and real-world cruising speeds you might expect of a 50-something-foot monohull performance cruiser. Yet, this is an enormously spacious 26ft wide platform from the world’s largest boatbuilder, not a niche builder of expensive high performance designs.

Until now, anyone looking for a catamaran sailing experience that’s fun and rewarding to sail had a limited choice. Granted, yards such as Outremer and Marsaudon Composites produce fantastic boats, but they can be complex, while high tech construction and low build volumes inevitably mean hefty prices.

Groupe Beneteau identified a gap in the market into which it launched the Excess brand four years ago. How did the yard achieve good sailing qualities and performance in a high volume production boat with a commensurate price tag?

A policy to chase weight savings in every area, without creating an expensive high-tech boat, started with a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the entire structure by VPLP’s Vannes office, which normally deals with race boats.

Asymmetric hull shape with more curvature outboard reduces drag and slamming. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Carbon reinforcement was added to highly stressed areas, such as the fully infused PET foam sandwich bulkheads, while weight was dropped from lightly stressed zones including hull skins, through using a lower density end grain balsa core. This is divided into small squares, separated by resin, so localised damage won’t allow water ingress to spread. Layup is monolithic in way of the engines and keels, while the deck is PET foam sandwich.

The weight of furniture also came under scrutiny – the galley, for instance, is 25% lighter without resorting to expensive foam cores. Light displacement is 12.8 tonnes, compared to 14-15 tonnes for other cruising catamarans this size, and is one of several factors that make a significant improvement to the way the boat sails.

Feedback loop

VPLP also optimised keel hydrodynamics. Renowned naval architect Vincent Lauriot Prévost was convinced these could be more efficient than cruising multihulls’ typical fat, low aspect keels – and his initial modelling showed a modest 10cm increase in draught would give 15% better efficiency.

At the same time, discussions on the Excess Lab, an online forum engaging directly with sailors, showed the market will accept a catamaran with deeper draught than the industry-standard 1.2m (4ft) chosen to allow access to shallow Bahamian anchorages. So draught was increased to 1.48m, allowing chord length to be reduced by half, meaning thinner keels, even less drag and further improvements in steering response. The rudders are also 20cm deeper, so their shape is less compromised than most cruising catamarans.

Helm positions put you in contact with anyone in the cockpit, but the coachroof restricts visibility. Photo: Julien Gazeau

Other innovations include asymmetric hulls with more curvature and volume on the outside and less on the inside, reducing drag from the interaction of the wakes between the two hulls and slamming.

Our test boat had the optional 1.76m (5ft 9in) taller Pulse Line mast and longer bowsprit, which increases upwind sail area by 12m2 and adds 14m2 to the Code 0. The boat performed well on my first sail in 8-12 knots of breeze, reaching at speeds of up to 7.3 knots under Code 0, and maintaining six knots with a true wind angle of 58°.

However, it falls off quickly if you try to point too high in appreciably less than 10 knots true wind. Turning downwind and setting an asymmetric spinnaker we maintained 7-7.5 knots at a true wind angle of 145°, increasing to 8.5 knots after heading up 30°.

Light airs performance

My second sail gave an interesting chance to try the boat in light airs. Compared to a new 47ft monohull performance cruiser, sailing gently upwind in only 6-7 knots of true breeze, we were around 5° lower, but almost matched speed. Even in such gentle conditions the helm has good feel and the boat is responsive to sail trim.

The bridgedeck accommodation is bright, with a wonderful almost all-round view. Photo: Julien Gazeau

The twin aft helm stations offer numerous advantages, including a direct connection from the wheels to the rudders using Dyneema cables. There’s an excellent view of the headsail luff, but there’s a large sector where you have to peer through the saloon windows. Nevertheless, for monohull sailors this feels like a natural place from which to steer and has the additional benefit of keeping the driver in contact with others in the cockpit.

The arrangement also makes short-handed berthing easier than cats with a central helm or a flybridge. As standard, mechanical cable engine controls are fitted at the starboard helm only, but our test boat had an electronic option with controls both sides.

Standard specification includes a square top mainsail and powerful overlapping genoa. Both are ideal for cruising cats, as the centre of effort is lowered and there’s no backstay to get in the way of the head of the mainsail.

Most sail controls are led to a bank of clutches and a pair of winches at the starboard helm station. Headsail sheets are colour coded, so tacking is an easy one-person operation. Our test boat had an electric winch upgrade, including a Harken Flatwinder powered mainsheet traveller.

Helm seats hinge upwards to give access to the transoms. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

My final day on board was in breezier conditions touching 17-18 knots, with a steep onshore chop that led to some wave tops gently slapping underneath the bridgedeck. This short, steep sea meant speed was quickly lost if you pointed too high when sailing close hauled. However, bearing off to a true wind angle just over 50° (around 33-34° apparent) saw brisk acceleration to speeds occasionally topping 8.5 knots.

Bearing away and deploying the Code 0 saw boat speed climb up to a maximum 10.3 knots. The delivery crew taking the boat from the Atlantic coast of France to the Cannes Yachting Festival report a top speed of 16.5 knots. However, this is not intended as a high performance vessel capable of sustained speeds in the upper teens, which makes it a less intimidating, easier boat to sail.

The central section of the aft cockpit is clear of sail handling action, with the exception of the traveller on the beam aft of the long bench seat across the back of the cockpit. An extending table to port allows easy circulation of people, yet can accommodate plenty for dining. There’s also an outdoor fridge and small bench seat on the starboard side of the cockpit. Access to the water or tender is from the aft platforms of each hull.

Wide side decks make going forward easy. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Side decks are wide, with good handrails, but weight saving means there’s no well for a forward cockpit. Instead sunbeds and cushions at the front of the bridgedeck create an area for relaxing and socialising, while beanbags can be used on the big trampoline.

There’s also an option of a ‘sky lounge’ on one side of the hardtop for use when not under way. This is reached via a couple of steps each side of the mast. The boom sweeps low across the top of the coachroof and hardtop, making it easy to pack the mainsail away and close the lazy bag after sailing.

Stowage on deck is under the cockpit seating, plus large lockers at the front of the bridgedeck, one of which also houses the optional generator. This area has space for the windlass and chain locker, while there are big sail lockers forward in both hulls, with enough space for optional skipper’s cabins.

Excellent owner’s suite includes a big dressing table/desk for those who work on board. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Under sail the boat has a sufficiently comfortable, relaxed and solid feel to make leaving the helm to wander into the saloon or galley a viable proposition, especially if an apparent wind speed alarm is set. There are no full height cabinets, so only the mullions obstruct vision, while the blind spot from the helm stations created by coachroof, genoa and Code sails are no longer a problem.

The saloon is large, with ample room for circulation, plus a navstation and big table with space to comfortably seat eight people for dining. There’s good natural ventilation, including two big hatches in the front windows, plus one outboard of the cooker, as well as wide doors aft. The lack of full-height lockers means acres of galley worktop space. There’s also generous refrigeration and easily accessed stowage, plus considerable additional volume below the floor.

Chines above the waterline boost accommodation volume in the hulls, giving more space than high octane performance cruising designs. The charter version has a full four cabin, four head, four shower layout with good space, privacy and stowage.

Mmulti-function stowage space at the front of the owner’s hull can convert to an occasional twin berth cabin. Photo: Julien Gazeau

Owners’ versions offer an unusual, but effective, take on how to use the space at the front of the starboard hull. There’s a flexible forepeak, instead of the standard 4m-long bathroom, with excellent stowage, including space for a walk-in dressing room (or even workshop). Yet this area can be converted to two single berths when necessary, perhaps with grandchildren on board. Aft of this is a midships washroom with twin sinks alongside enclosed toilet and shower compartments.

Between this area and the large peninsula berth aft is a generous dressing table/desk area, with ample space for those who work from home. There’s substantial further stowage in multiple hanging lockers, shelves and drawers.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

It’s often said the benefits of owning a multihull come at the cost of compromising factors that bring joy to boat ownership. Excess has done a good job with this design which is a step forward compared to its first two models, the 12 and 15, which were hampered by being based on Lagoon hulls. Of course, there are more spacious and better finished boats of this size, as well as some with considerably better performance. Closest rivals are perhaps the Nautitech 44 Open and Neel 47 trimaran. Both are two tonnes lighter, faster and arguably nicer to sail, but they have appreciably less accommodation and the former is more expensive. The Excess Lab is also an example of the brand’s determination to try different things and pursue a different line, including how key interactions with the boating public are handled. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next.

RS CAT14 – EXCITEMENT AND HANDLING REACH A NEW LEVEL

This boat takes the enjoyment and handling associated with beach cats to a new level. Stiffness and balance defy the cost-effective durability of the RS CAT14’s construction – making the boat perfect, not only for training and recreational sailing, but also as a true performance pathway class. We’re excited – and we think you will be too! The design protected system for joining the beams to RS CAT hulls gives increased stiffness compared to other rotomoulded catamarans, with the added bonus of allowing the boat to be disassembled quickly for storage or transport. Durability : Convenience : Excitement – the hallmarks of the RS CATs.

No. of Crew

Hull construction, no. of trapezes, sail area (m²), find out more, ready to buy, find similar models, what the sailors are saying….

Unbelievably stiff platform, proven fittings and systems from the CAT16, a fair amount of buoyancy in the hulls, can carry weight easily on top of being a junior boat. RS has got a winner here!

RS Sailing France

Why change a winning formula? The RS CAT14 picks most of the characteristics of her big sister the RS CAT16 launched in 2014. The RS CAT14 is adapted to a wider range of use to allow youth and adult sailors have a lot of fun, with a minimum of constraints linked with set-up or care. It’s robust, ergonomic, well-built and easy to handle – the second Cat made by RS is clearly a success. To handle without care!

(Journaliste/rédacteur)

To me the RS CAT14 is much more than the little sister of  the CAT16. The 14 is small enough to go singlehanded – even with jib and gennaker. And its big enough for a full family cruise with two adults and a child. The 14 feels stiff like a GRP-cat and tacks lively like a dinghy – totally different to these low volume ‘long-keel’ beach cats of the 1970s.

RS Sailing Germany

Stiffness and manoeuvrability – sparkling performance & easy handling

• Novice to expert capabilities for young and youthful sailors
• Crisp, easy handling from the stiff platform leads to exciting performance
• Practical features to make sailing convenient and fun
• High buoyancy hulls give reserve stability and forgiving handling
• Concave deck creates secure sitting area
• Lift & lock – simple & secure rudder system
• Designed by innovative multihull expert Jo Richards and the RS development team

Singlehanded or with crew

• Exciting single-handed – great for two youngsters or a small groups
• Blast across the bay – performance pathway
• One, two or three sails to suit experience and performance level aims
• Efficient gennaker chute system for simple hoists & drops

Storage and transport convenience

• Fast assembly & separation allows storage in restricted space
• Quick to rig – simple and robust
• Practical moulded-in handholds make moving the boat easy on shore

Greatest durability – lowest maintenance

• NEW – Hull & beam securing system without holes through the skin of the boat – no sealant required
• Beam and shroud bolts secure into stainless-steel bars in channels on either side of the hulls
• Exceptionally strong, simple and fast assembly – just 15 minutes using only one spanner
• RS Comptec PE3 construction– state of the art three layer rotomoulding system
• Toughest outer skin – middle foam layer for stiffness – strong inner skin
• RS process leads the way & enables additional thickness in high load areas
• Reduced overall weight for better sailing – every RS offers the best performance and most rewarding handling
• Built in buoyancy from thick foam layer
• Strongest fittings attachment – through-bolted rudder systems
• Super-strong RS transom & rudder fitting structure
• Virtually maintenance free

Safety features

• Toe straps above and below tramps to assist capsize righting
• Capsize righting line in under-tramp stowage bag
• Knife stowage under tramp
• Recesses in aft decks reduce volume and make it easier to “sink” a stern and right the boat from inversion
• Mast head float standard on all models

RS CAT14 Club

• Mainsail only – simple set-up
• Single trapeze

RS CAT14 XL

• Single Trapeze

RS CAT14 Accessories

• Launching wheels
• Road trailer
• Carbon fibre tiller extension
• Wind indicator
• Gennaker pack

SPECIFICATION

Pin It on Pinterest

Browser unsupported by this website.

Your Internet browser is not supported by this website. For a fully successful visit of our website, we recommend you install a compatible browser from the following list:

• Mozilla Firefox: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
• Google Chrome: https://www.google.fr/intl/en/chrome/
• Apple Safari: https://safari.en.softonic.com/

We look forward to seeing you on excess-catamarans.com

• Our catamarans

EXCESS 14 A FUN AND PLAYFUL CRUISING SAILBOAT WITH SLEEK LINES

The Excess 14 is the pure incarnation of the Excess DNA. It is the result of a dedicated design work and an industrial execution, unique to the brand. It is a cruising yacht that is both fun and playful, with sleek lines.

Excess 14 WELCOME ON BOARD!

This catamaran is the outcome of innovative architecture, of unbiased research work seeking 'out of the box' solutions. The Excess 14 is designed around a layout never seen before on the market, both in the owner's version and in the charter version. More sensations yet everything you'd expect from a cruising boat: this is the challenge taken up by the Excess 14! Our Excess catamarans are equipped with SEANAPPS technology : the solution for keeping your boat safe and seaworthy at any moment.Thanks to a device installed on board and a mobile application, you can access all your boat's information directly from your smartphone.

In order to view this video, first you have to authorize the use of web statistics cookies.

THE EMBODIMENT OF EXCESS DNA

Take a low boom, reduced windage thanks to lower freeboard, taut lines and redesigned hull windows, and you get a catamaran with a distinctive look!

INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURE

Thanks to our collaboration with VPLP design, the lines of the Excess 14 have benefited from an understanding of ocean racing.

MORE SENSATIONS AND EVERYTHING YOU'D EXPECT OF A CRUISING BOAT

The Excess 14 is a cruising catamaran that also offers comfort and modularity of its living spaces.

A LAYOUT UNSEEN ON THE MARKET

Designed around a layout unseen on the market, both in the owner's version and in the charter version.

• Navigation in Florida
• Navigation in the Vendée

WELCOME ABOARD THE EXCESS 14 IN 360° MODE

THE ESSENTIALS IN FIGURES

Discover the specifications of the Excess 14 catamaran

Square top mainsail

83 m² | 893 sq ft

Overlapping genoa

40 m² | 430 sq ft

Code 0 (option)

72 m² | 775 sq ft

Upwind sail area

123 m² | 1323 sq ft

135 m² | 1453 sq ft

Code 0 [option]

86 m² | 926 sq ft

Length overall (depending on options)

13.97 to 15.99 m | 45’9’’ to 52’5’’

Hull length

13.34 m | 43’9’’

Light displacement [EC]

12,8 T | 28219 lbs

7.87 m | 25’9’’

Mast clearance (std/pulse)

19.78 m | 64’11’’ / 21.54 m | 70’8’’

1.48 m | 4’10’’

Displacement

12.8 T | 28,219 lbs

CE certification

A : 10 - B : 12 - C : 16 - D : 20

Fuel capacity

2 x 53 US gal

2 x 57 HP (option)

Fresh water capacity

300 L (standard) + 300 L (option)

79 + 79 US gal (option)

Holding tank capacity

2 x 21 US gal

Salon and cockpits

3 cabin version, 3 cabin transformer version, 4 cabin version.

Request more information

Did you fall in love with this catamaran?

Need any help to make your dream of adventure come true ?

LEARNING TO CRUISE: Multihull builders get involved!

«  Not so long ago, buying an ocean-going yacht and casting...  »

Excess 14 sea trial: how it goes, pros and cons

«  Light and efficient hulls that will appeal to owners...  »

34 catamarans for hire from Athens!

The excess 14, light and lively, the sail top 10 best boats of 2024.

«  Excess 14  »

THE EXCESS LINE COMES INTO ITS OWN WITH A NEWLY REFINED MODEL FOCUSED ON SPORTY SAILING

«  But two years later, Beneteau revamped the brand’s...  »

Excess 14, its aim is to combine the pleasure of sailing with great comfort

Excess 14 for the pleasure of sailing, excess 14, a new sensation.

«  Excess catamarans continues in its quest to blend...  »

Excess 14, priority given to the pleasure of helming

Excess 14 a new sailplan, excess 14, first off pleasure at the helm.

TESTIMONIES OF PASSIONATE OWNERS Join the Excess tribe !

"I love the way the boat look, it's confortable and all of that but it also sails just amazingly well. "

Jill and Michael H.

"It's a great atmosphere right from the start, with everyone mixing together. We're all one big family!"

Béatrice and Jean-Pierre D. - Excess Campus

"You learn lots of things. And then meeting and sharing with the other owners... So far, it's been great!"

Cathy and John B - Excess Campus

“When the Excess 14 first came out, it seemed almost perfect. The main advantages of this catamaran are its perfect size for two people, and its ease of sailing. With the boom being low, it’s easy to handle.”

Tony & Heather

“We loved the family atmosphere. Excess is like one great big family to us, and we're really glad to be part of it! They're always there to listen to us and advise us.”

Jeniffer and Cédric

“Yes, we were very impressed with the Excess 14. Each year, we teach hundreds of students how to sail on all the latest catamarans in production, from Fountaine Pajot, to Bali, Nautitech, etc..."

Did you meet our other catamarans yet?

[{{{type}}}] {{{reason}}}

{{texts.summary}} {{#options.result.rssIcon}} RSS {{/options.result.rssIcon}}

{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}

{{{_source.displayUrl}}}

{{{_source.displayDate}}}

{{{_source.description}}}

{{#_source.additionalFields}} {{#title}} {{{label}}}: {{{title}}} {{/title}} {{/_source.additionalFields}}

American 14.6

The American 14.6 Daysailer is definitely one of the best small sailboats you can find.  She is designed for the beginning sailor or those who are seeking a large, stable sloop that offers hassle-free sailing. This sturdy, deep-cockpit daysailer features a 6-foot 2-inch beam, fiberglass kick-up rudder, weighted fiberglass centerboard, and a large built-in storage compartment under the deck.  The large cockpit offers room for four adults with generous freeboard, comfortable seats and backrest, and includes locations for drink coolers or a battery box at the end of the seats.  The American 14.6 is also equipped with an advanced rudder system that can be raised or lowered from the cockpit and is designed to kick-up and spring down as necessary. The main and jib contain 112 square feet of Dacron sail which - combined with the wide beam, hard chine, and flat bottom hull - performs well in light breezes or a stiff wind.  The wide flat bottom hull shape also allows for minimal draft with the board up, approx 4-6".

Other standard features include color-coded main and jib lines, simple up and down colored lines for centerboard control, and a tabernacle mast allowing for quick stepping and easy retrieval at the end of the day.  Also included are motor mount bracket, hatch door for forward storage complartment, and a topping lift system.

This boat is constructed of hand-laid fiberglass with closed cell floatation and non-skid flooring in the cockpit. Anodized spars and Harken blocks among other quality parts assure years of maintenance free use for the new owner. The 700 lb. rated galvanized trailer, which includes a mast stanchion and winch, can easily be pulled behind today's smaller cars. Price package includes boat, sails, and galvanized trailer ready for a day on the water.

The American 14.6 is recognized as an extremely stable, roomy, dry, daysailer providing fun for all ages and we know you and your family will enjoy sailing this fantastic daysailer.

 Contact for current pricing and special offers.

American 14.6 Parts

Mast Raising Slide Show

Click on images to enlarge.

• Row boat plans
• Sailboat plans
• Power boat plans

Pixie by Woods Designs

14ft fun beach catamaran.

URL: http://www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs/1-beach-cats-and-dinghies-/5-pixie-14

Description:

The PIXIE is an entry level car toppable beach cat that has proved extremely popular, with hundreds now sold worldwide. It has often been built by Scout groups or as school projects. The American magazine "Wooden Boat" market this design alongside its bigger and more racy sister the Quattro 16 . The PIXIE hulls are assembled using slot together beams. No spanners, bolts or keys are required.

Complete assembly including rigging takes about 15 minutes. Each hull weighs about 20Kgs so is easy to cartop single handed. The rounded V hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, making it easy to build and to sail off the beach. PIXIE is ideal for those new to boatbuilding and catamarans. It is also ideal for those who want a fun beach boat that sails well but who are not that interested in racing.

Photo gallery

Video gallery

Catamarans about same size as Pixie

Questions? Suggestions? Contact us at: [email protected]

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Sailing Blogs
• List Your Catamaran For Charter
• List Your Catamaran For Sale

Excess Catamarans have been busy since they first launched their first model in 2019. First they splashed the 12 and the 15 which used modified Lagoon moulds for the hulls. They followed that up with the Excess 11 which was designed from the keels up.

The second “pure” design is the Excess 14, which continues to develop the sporty DNA of this brand while offering plenty of comfort onboard. The 14 comes with twin aft helms (read our Vaan R5 review for another option with this setup), a low boom, asymmetric hulls to reduce leeway, and deeper rudders along with other enhancements. There are plenty of “power up” options if you choose the Pulse Line.

The Excess “look” continues to develop with reduced windage thanks to a lower freeboard, sporty lines, an aft-set coachroof, a forward stepped mast, a composite bowsprit and inverted bows.

This model has once again been designed with VPLP. Unlike her sisters, she has an overlapping genoa as standard for more power up front and a square top mainsail giving you a very decent SA/D. They’ve optimised the construction too (foam sandwich with carbon reinforcements, etc.)

• The Low Boom, Overlapping Genoa and Main give you very decent SA/D ratios, especially on the Pulse Line
• She’s extremely comfortable with some modular options to make the best use of the space.
• All the lines come back to the helms.
• There is an option for a Sky Lounge, like a Fountaine Pajot, but with no compromise on boom height.
• Foam sandwich with carbon reinforced construction
• Twin aft helms maximise sailing feel and living space
• Longer rudder blades help you pinch upwind
• Textile steering lines for maximum sailing feel
• One piece longeron/bowsprit option
• Not everyone likes aft helms. There is an option for biminis, but the visibility to the forward port bow is through the windows
• Those helm seats look a long way from the wheels. Let’s see on the test sail
• If you go for the full bowsprit option, your marina fees might be heading up into the bigger bracket.

Charter an Excess 14 Catamaran

Are you looking for an Excess 14 to charter? Browse our selection of high quality yachts for rent below ⇓

Rent a Excess 14

Find Excess Catamarans for charter. All | Excess |

This is a very comfortable boat that sits somewhere between a Fountaine Pajot and a Nautitech. In the hulls are wide, comfortable beds, and bathrooms with a separate head. There is loads of storage. There is also an option to convert the forepeaks into skipper cabins. If you compare the space down here to something like the HH44 , you will start to get an idea of where they have set the dial on this boat: she’s good value for money.

There are several options on the layout, and they are cleverly targeting couples working from their boats- the “digital nomads” – with a large office area with desk and a flexible space upfront which you can use as a dressing area, workshop or cabin with extra berths.

3 Cabin Version

• A central bathroom amidships
• A big private dressing area
• An option for extra bunks

4-cabin version

• 4 cabins, 4 heads & 4 separate showers
• An optional skipper cabin in the forepeaks
• The skylounge option: lounging space on the coachroof at anchor with no compromise on the boom height.
• A walk-in dressing room

We are looking forward to getting out on a test sail on the Excess 14. The standard set up is powered with 118 m² of upwind sail area that gives you an SA/D (Sail Area to Displacement) of 23.3. That puts you in Nautitech territory. If you go for the Pulse Line, you will be letting fly with 134 m² of upwind sail area with a bigger square top mainsail and overlapping genoa that boosts your SA/D to 26.5. Now we’re talking Outremer territory.

Now chances are that you’ll have more gear on this boat than you would do on an Outremer, and there are no boards. Even so, with deeper rudders and those asymmetric hulls, the Excess 14 will be no slouch upwind and we haven’t even discussed the Code 0 yet.

She comes with textile steering lines to maximise responsiveness and sensitivity

I love the direction that this brand is heading with the Excess 14. I thought the Excess 11 was a clever design and it was great to see more options at that catamaran length. This new boat ticks many boxes if you are after a sportier cat that is still very comfortable. I can’t wait to get out on a test sail.

Technical Specification

Contact Katamarans

Share your details with us and we’ll be in touch to discuss further.

" * " indicates required fields

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

More information about our Cookie Policy

Livingston 14 Foot

Specs, features & options.