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Light Wind Performance

Ghosting Along in the Light Airs

The wind has been disappointingly light today, but it has given us a fantastic opportunity to test the light-air performance of the Excess 14.

logo of the excess 14 catamaran with the yachts deck visible

This is often the true test of a modern catamaran’s design, and she passed with flying colors. With the full main and headsail up, we were able to create enough apparent wind to keep the boat moving beautifully and, most importantly, keep the engines off.

Even in these easy conditions, good seamanship calls for routine checks. Every few hours, we do a walk around the deck, checking for any chafe on the lines, ensuring the sails are trimmed perfectly, and having a good look over the rig. With the boat sailing so smoothly and sitting so flat, it was a good chance to use the well-laid-out galley to cook up a proper meal. A simple pasta dish for dinner felt like a feast. The only other excitement was the temperature – a classic chilly winter morning offshore. I'm pretty sure I just saw an iceberg drift past... or maybe it's time for another coffee!

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Location: Gold Coast QLD, Australia

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