Excess introduces at the Cannes Yachting Festival the first hybrid Excess 15 equipped with Torqeedo’s flagship Deep Blue Hybrid system. With such an innovative project managed through the “Excess Lab”, Excess is taking a distinctive first step within the catamaran market towards more sustainability.
A peaceful experience
Aboard the Excess 15 with Deep Blue Hybrid, owners will enjoy all onboard luxuries without the noise and fumes of a running generator in good sailing weather. The bluewater sailing configuration consists of twin Deep Blue 50 kW electric saildrives in cooperation with ZF, two Deep Blue high-capacity lithiumion BMW i3 batteries, and a full energy management system for harvesting green energy and charging the boat’s batteries while underway.
On the yacht’s first long test sail, the hydrogeneration system easily provided enough electricity to power one hundred per cent of the onboard hotel loads at a cruising speed of seven to eight knots. Adding solar photovoltaics, planned for phase two of the Excess 15 with Deep Blue Hybrid project, will extend the system’s range and provide even more hybrid power and comfort on board.
Hervé Piveteau, Excess Product Manager, was one of the first to take the Excess 15 with Deep Blue Hybrid out for a sail.
“The first thing you notice is the reduction in noise and the improved maneuverability from the electric drives. Torqeedo makes it simple to maneuver the yacht even in tight quarters.”
“The second is the abundance of power available with the large lithium-ion battery banks. The energy management system keeps the owner constantly informed of how much power is being consumed and generated. Without even noticing it – without feeling as though you’re making any sacrifices, just seeing the energy flow of the yacht changes the way you behave and positively impacts your consumption.”
“The third interesting aspect of an electrically propelled catamaran is what we call ‘hybrid sailing’, which combines the use of wind and electric drives. The precision with which you can control the drives is incredible. Running at a very low rpm is ultra-efficient and lets you carry the sails longer, essentially creating wind, with no compromise on sailing sensations nor the pleasure of silent navigation,” says Hervé Piveteau.
A strong subject and a true commitment
“Onboard energy management and questions about alternative propulsion are some of our most popular topics on the Excess Lab,” says Hervé Piveteau. The Excess Lab is an online forum that connects Excess experts directly to their owners and potential owners. This open forum for questions, direct exchange and collaboration is helping Excess bring progress into sailing. “The Excess Lab community is interested in onboard systems and technology, in what’s ahead. We knew hybrid propulsion was the right move and we were eager to take it on,” confirms Hervé Piveteau.
This project is part of a global Groupe Beneteau strategy, currently undertaking hybrid engine projects across a wide variety of brands and boats in efforts to further reduce the brand’s carbon footprint.
“When Groupe Beneteau started discussing our cooperation with Torqeedo, I advocated for Excess to be first in line,” remembers Thibaut de Montvalon, Excess Brand Director. “Sailing is all about efficiency; about being lean and in touch with nature. Ninety per cent of today’s catamarans have focused on luxury and lost touch with the sensations – with the emotions – of sailing. At Excess, we build catamarans for sailors: catamarans that connect the skipper to the wind and waves, but still offer enough amenities for friends and family to join the adventure with pleasure.”
“The Excess 15 is the natural first step into the world of hybrid-electric drives for oceangoing catamarans. Building a yacht that’s easy to own, fun to sail, and in tune with nature is in the DNA of our brand,” says Thibaut de Montvalon.
“Electric projects like the one we’re currently undertaking with Groupe Beneteau are defining the future of the marine industry,” says Phillip Goethe, Torqeedo’s Director of Project Sales. “Creating partnerships to build a better, cleaner, and more enjoyable boating experience is what we do at Torqeedo. The Excess 15 shows us what’s possible.”
