The Excess 11 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 36.0′, the Excess 11 tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.0′ LWL = 8.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
20.2
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Displacement / Length
190
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
14.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.19
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
14.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
3.19
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.2 |
6.5 |
7.3 |
7.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.3 |
| Run150–180° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.0 kts),
SA/D (20.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Excess 11 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Excess 11.
|
Excess 11 |
Fountaine Pajot Venezia 42 |
Lagoon 380 |
Lagoon 40 |
Seawind 1370 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.5 |
42.3 |
37.9 |
38.5 |
45.0 |
| LWL |
36.0 |
41.0 |
— |
— |
— |
| Beam |
21.6 |
22.8 |
21.4 |
22.2 |
24.9 |
| Displacement |
19 |
18 |
15,980 |
22,046 |
27 |
| Sail Area |
925 |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
20.2 |
24.9 |
— |
— |
22.1 |
| Comfort |
14.0 |
10.6 |
— |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
3.19 |
3.45 |
3.40 |
3.16 |
3.32 |
| Hull Speed |
8.0 |
8.6 |
— |
— |
— |