Another reason is that most popular and/or remote cruising areas tend to be in shallow water. There are hundreds of great places to visit, and to tuck up close to shore in quiet waters is always a treat even if one doesn’t need to take the dog ashore. Not surprising, it is the rare boater who has not run aground on the Chesapeake’s muddy bottom. Hardly a cause of concern, it is just part of the boating fun of this area.
In addition to reduced draft, catamarans are exceptionally roomy and comfortable at anchor, providing a large, stable platform for everyone onboard to enjoy their piece of the world. Large cockpits make great social centers, with large tables and long settees for everyone to relax and enjoy while the cook is creating the evening dinner in the galley and grill.
Catamarans offer a fabulous home afloat for family and friends who want to enjoy all the comforts of home without living heeled over or inside a cramped dark interior. The visual and physical spaces aboard the modern catamaran are outstanding.
Unfortunately, many catamarans are less than exciting to sail. The captain is often relegated to sitting behind a steering wheel mounted on a bulkhead, unable to see or feel the wind or water, sheltered under a protective overhead, some distance from the water.
But there is one catamaran brand that stands out as the perfect sailboat choice for Chesapeake Bay…for all the right reasons.
The Excess line of catamarans from Groupe Beneteau. A perfect match to enjoy all that Chesapeake Bay has to offer.
When the engineers and designers of the renowned French builder took a hard look at the current catamaran segment, they decided to come up with something different, something unique for those who love to sail. They know monohull sailors prefer to sit close to the water’s edge, wind in the face, focused on harnessing the sails, wind, and waves to get the most out of the boat. Making subtle steering and sail trim changes as the boat glides along at speed, it is the thrill of the sport.
What if they built a moderate performance catamaran line that also offered much of this same sailing experience? Wouldn’t most sailors enjoy the thrill of a monohull along with the tremendous living space, comfort, and reduced draft of a modern catamaran? Nowhere would this be more appreciated than on Chesapeake Bay.
What is most obvious on Excess catamarans is the placement of twin aft helm stations, outboard of the traditional cockpits of most catamarans. Seasoned performance sailors notice these aft helm locations retain the wind-in-your-face sailing experience, close to the water, with a full view of the sails, boat, and surroundings. All lines and winches are within reach of the helms, and sight lines remain good through clever cabin design to ensure vision remains unobstructed. They offer an outstanding sailing experience.
Current Excess catamarans include the 37-foot Excess 11 and the higher performance Excess 14. Legacy models include the Excess 12 and 48-foot Excess 15. These boats have all the advantages of modern catamarans, but they are also fun to sail. Wide open cockpit layouts, coupled with bright, open salon interiors, offer refined living aboard without the narrow limitations of a monohull. Comfortable, easy, with all the comforts of home. Perfect for adventure with today’s lifestyle.
Crusader Yachts is the top dealer of new and brokerage sailboats in the MidAtlantic region. The knowledgeable brokers and support staff know the sailing market, the industry, and what it takes to create a boat that is perfect for Chesapeake Bay and beyond. Crusader is the dealer for Excess catamarans.
Crusader brokers regularly assist people with putting together a new boat by helping determine how the owners plan to use it, now and in the future. Some of today’s buyers are new to sailing, so it helps to have experienced support to understand owners’ needs now and as they evolve, which may include coastal and island cruising, even distant shores.
An experienced broker is a tremendous help in these important discussions. Is the goal to reach the highest level of performance sailing, or will the owners want to maintain the mast clearance necessary to fit bridge restrictions along the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida? Understanding how the boat will be used is critical to future proof the significant investment of a quality yacht.
With a minimum CE certification rating of A8 for the smaller model, the Excess line is fully capable of extended offshore travel. Several have completed transatlantic crossings. Excess catamarans can easily cruise the magical islands of the Bahamas, Florida Keys, and the Caribbean.
We invite you to discuss your ideas with a Crusader Yachts broker. They will assist you in choosing the options and parameters for an Excess catamaran that best fits your needs. High-tech sailing packages, the right gear one needs to go cruising, even the optional davit system and dinghy options, Crusader Yachts is there every step of the way. The company does all its own commissioning in-house, so you can be assured your new boat is set up just for you and your family.
There is no better time to consider a new sailing yacht, so why not check out the exciting Excess Catamarans from Crusader Yachts. They know the boats, the destinations, and the lifestyle.
All that’s missing is you.
