EXCESS OWNER’S STORIES - AYMERIC H.

Aymeric H., a sailing enthusiast and lover of large-scale projects, recently acquired an Excess 14 catamaran. This choice is part of a long-term project, combining passion, comfort, and personal goals.

We had the opportunity to discuss with him his experience, the logistical challenges related to the purchase and delivery, as well as his future plans at sea.

The purchase and delivery of the Excess 14 catamaran

Aymeric discovered the Excess range by surprise at the 2024 La Grande Motte Boat Show:

"It was a bit by chance. I already knew other models, but not Excess. In the end, the Excess 14 met what I was looking for: good sailing ability, good design, and an attractive price."

With prior experience in monohulls, Aymeric was looking for a catamaran that combined performance and comfort without sacrificing aesthetics. It was during the Factory Tour in 2024, after purchasing his boat, that he had the chance to test the model for the first time. This first sailing fully confirmed his expectations.

The reception of the catamaran in Les Sables d'Olonne in November marked a key milestone in his project:

"I wasn't familiar with the world of dealers, so I was a bit lost at first. Fortunately, the dealer David Allouch helped me a lot. He connected me with Excess to choose the right options."

The support from the Excess team and his dealer was essential in realizing his project.

To tailor his catamaran to his specific needs, Aymeric chose several options to maximize its autonomy for his upcoming trips. Among the selected equipment are solar panels mounted on davits, an independent tender engine, a freshwater production system, batteries and an inverter, as well as a Code 0 for light winds.

His Future Plans

Initially, Aymeric plans to rent the boat starting in September 2025, while continuing to enjoy regular family vacations each year. In the medium term, his goal is to live permanently on board with his wife; a good way to combine profitability and pleasure.

Currently, a couple of skippers delivering the boat to Polynesia have given him very positive feedback:

"They have traveled a lot aboard various catamarans, and they found the Excess 14 to be a really beautiful boat."

For his charter project, Aymeric has carefully developed a solid business plan and budget forecasts necessary to convince banks. However, he admits that establishing a charter structure has presented some challenges, particularly due to the lack of clear connections between banks, the costs of the boat, and its operation.

For those considering purchasing a catamaran for a similar project, he strongly recommends surrounding themselves with professionals:

"It is essential to be well-supported, to seek help from people whose reputation is already well established."

One must take the time to thoroughly prepare the project, especially by creating a solid business plan and researching all aspects of purchasing and operating a catamaran.