At the La Grande Motte boat show, Excess introduced the Riders’ Edition, a special adventure-focused version of the Excess 11 and Excess 14. The concept is simple but strong: the boat is no longer only a place to cruise. It becomes a basecamp for fishing, surfing, wingfoiling, diving, hiking and exploring remote anchorages.
For Sail Tahiti clients, that idea feels very natural. French Polynesia rewards boats that are easy to sail, comfortable at anchor and ready for real adventure. That is why the Riders’ Edition deserves attention from anyone comparing a new Excess catamaran, a Tahiti yacht charter, or a longer French Polynesia sailing charter before choosing the right boat.
After reviewing the new edition, the first impression is positive. The package is not only cosmetic. It brings together a fresher visual identity, more technical sails, practical fishing details, better outdoor living solutions and onboard technology that makes sense for sailors.
What Makes The Excess 11 Riders’ Edition Different?
The official Excess 11 Riders’ Edition positioning describes the catamaran as a base camp to ride, explore, escape and return. That is exactly the spirit of this version: a cruising catamaran with a stronger adventure identity, aimed at owners who want to do more than simply move between anchorages.
A More Surf-Inspired Visual Identity
The most visible change is the exterior graphic. The previous black Excess logo graphic by Isabelle Keller has been replaced by a wave illustration designed by Peio, a Basque surfer and artist known for decorating boards for professional riders. The result is softer, more ocean-focused and slightly less aggressive than the original Excess signature.
This does not make the older design feel outdated. It simply gives the Riders’ Edition a clearer surf and expedition personality, which fits well with owners planning routes toward the Society Islands, the Tuamotus archipelago or more remote Pacific anchorages.
Interior Details That Feel Cleaner And More Premium
Inside, the change is more convincing. Black carbon steering wheels, dark grey upholstery and cushions from 727 Sailbags create a calmer, more premium atmosphere. 727 Sailbags produces cushions and accessories from recycled sailcloth, which also gives the interior a nautical texture without making it feel busy.
The effect is refined rather than flashy. For buyers browsing Tahiti boats or comparing a performance catamaran with a more classic cruising model, this interior makes the Excess 11 feel modern while keeping the simple, practical spirit of a sailor’s boat.
The Technical Upgrade That Matters Most: Anthracite DCX Sails
The strongest technical change is the move to anthracite grey DCX sails. DCX is a polyester laminate sailcloth. It is not as technical as filament laminates, but it offers a useful balance for cruising: better shape stability than Dacron, lower weight, good UV resistance and lower sensitivity to creasing.
Why The Sail Upgrade Makes Sense
For an ocean catamaran such as the Excess 11, sail shape matters. Less stretch means better performance, especially in lighter wind. Lower weight also helps the boat feel more responsive, which is one of the main reasons sailors choose Excess over heavier cruising catamarans.
This upgrade also strengthens the adventure promise. A boat prepared for remote lagoons, fishing passages and watersports needs sails that keep good shape without demanding a pure racing program.
What Owners Should Monitor In The Tropics
There is one important point: laminate sails need care in tropical environments. During long periods of inactivity, they should be stored dry and monitored carefully to reduce delamination risk. This is exactly the type of detail that matters once a boat reaches Polynesia.
Owners who leave their catamaran locally between cruises can benefit from professional support. Sail Tahiti’s local team can help monitor sails, systems and onboard equipment so the boat remains ready for the next passage.
Adventure Details That Solve Real Cruising Problems
The Riders’ Edition works because several small additions solve problems that real cruisers understand immediately. These are not decoration-only upgrades; they improve life on board.
Fishing Rod Holders For Offshore Passages
The integrated rod-holder inserts are a smart addition. Fishing is one of the great pleasures of long-distance cruising, but rod placement aboard a sailboat is often difficult. Offshore trolling requires strong rods, large reels and plenty of line, so the equipment must stay clear of maneuvers while remaining immediately accessible.
Excess has positioned the inserts well for two rods suited to larger pelagic fish. For sailors planning a Tuamotu Tahiti passage or time around the Tuamotus Islands, this is more than a small convenience. It is a practical cruising feature. Sail Tahiti’s guide to fishing and spearfishing in French Polynesia is a natural next read for this section.
A Removable Barbecue That Finally Makes Sense
One criticism of the Excess range was the textile lifelines. They are light, durable and good-looking, but they do not make barbecue installation easy. For a world-cruising program, that matters.
The Riders’ Edition solves the issue with an insert in the aft platform that accepts a removable pedestal-mounted barbecue. It is easy to install, easy to store and positioned so smoke stays out of the cockpit. It is a simple idea, but it clearly comes from understanding life at anchor.
Water Purification For Everyday Confidence
The galley water purification system is another valuable addition. It allows owners and guests to drink from the freshwater tanks more confidently, reducing dependence on bottled water and improving comfort during longer stays away from marinas.
Garmin Quatix 8: More Than A Lifestyle Accessory
Each Riders’ Edition also includes a Garmin Quatix 8 smartwatch. Garmin describes the Quatix 8 as a marine smartwatch with boat data streaming and a bright display, while Garmin’s own guidance explains how it can integrate with compatible marine systems.
For sailors, the real benefit is simple: key data can be checked from the wrist. Boat speed, wind speed, wind angle and connected system information become easier to monitor when moving around the deck or cockpit. Autopilot control from the watch requires care and practice, but the ability to read essential sailing data from almost anywhere on board is genuinely useful.
- Longer battery life than previous models
- Larger display for faster reading on deck
- Speaker and microphone features for calls when connected
Does The Riders’ Edition Fit French Polynesia?
Yes, especially for sailors who want the boat to be part of the adventure rather than just transport. French Polynesia is not a standard marina-hopping destination. Anchorages can be remote, weather windows matter, and the best moments often happen after the boat is properly equipped: fishing at dawn, exploring reef passes, carrying boards, managing solar power, checking gear and preparing the next crossing.
The official Tahiti Tourisme site describes the Tuamotu Islands as a vast chain of atolls spread over more than 1.2 million square miles. That scale explains why practical details matter so much. A catamaran prepared for this environment needs autonomy, storage, easy sailing behavior and reliable technical support.
For visitors still deciding between a French Polynesia yacht charter, a Yacht charter Tahiti experience or ownership, the Riders’ Edition is a useful reference point. It shows what a modern adventure catamaran should include before heading beyond the easy anchorages.
Who Should Consider The Excess 11 Riders’ Edition?
This edition will not be the right answer for everyone. It is best suited to sailors who want a catamaran that feels active, flexible and ready for outdoor life.
- Families or couples preparing a sabbatical cruise across Polynesia
- Owners who want fishing, surfing, diving or wingfoiling to be part of the program
- Charter guests who want to understand what a sporty adventure catamaran feels like before buying
- Buyers comparing a Tahiti boat for local cruising with a long-distance catamaran for Pacific passages
It is not the same brief as a Beneteau Swift Trawler or a pure motor-cruising platform. The Riders’ Edition is for people who still want sailing sensations, helm response and the feeling that the boat is part of the adventure.
Planning An Adventure Sailing Project In Tahiti?
Whether you want to order an Excess, compare charter options, or prepare an owner catamaran for the Pacific, Sail Tahiti can help with boat selection, equipment, refit, navigation advice and local support.
Final Thoughts
The Excess 11 Riders’ Edition succeeds because it understands how many modern sailors use their boats. Cruising is no longer only about cabins, engines and saloon volume. For many owners, the boat is also a sports platform, a fishing station, a diving base and a route into remote places.
The new design language gives the boat a fresher identity, while the DCX sails, rod holders, barbecue solution, water purification system and Garmin Quatix 8 add real practical value. For Polynesia, where adventure is never far from the anchorage, this edition feels coherent, useful and very much in line with Sail Tahiti’s DNA.
