Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Excess 11 vs Leopard 45

Two near-neighbours in the 37–45 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Excess

Excess 11

The Excess 11 is a 37-foot 3-cabin catamaran launched in 2022. Best for performance, modern lovers, couples. A performance-leaning hull form for sailors who care how it feels on the helm.

Leopard

Leopard 45

The Leopard 45 is a 45-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2017. Best for performance, couples, small groups. A performance-leaning hull form for sailors who care how it feels on the helm.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Excess 11	Leopard 45
Length overall	37 ft (11.3 m)	45 ft (13.72 m)
Beam	6.59 m	7.35 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	3 + 1	4 + 2
Max guests	6	8
Year introduced	2022	2017
Best for	performance, modern lovers, couples	performance, couples, small groups
Standout amenity	AC, watermaker	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean	Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, Mexico & Central America, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East, US East Coast & Florida
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$7,000	$13,500
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$57,500	$34,500
View full detail	View →	View →

Pricing data drawn from current-season bookings across BVI and Mediterranean bases. Updated quarterly.

Design & Comfort Differences

The two boats feel meaningfully different on board, even within the same nominal size class. Three specific differences worth knowing:

Saloon and deck space. The Excess 11 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Leopard 45 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 3 (Excess 11) vs 4 (Leopard 45) guest cabins. If you need 4 equal cabins for a multi-couple charter, the Leopard 45 is the better fit. Otherwise they're both fine for a single-family layout.
Amenities & kit. Excess 11 comes with AC, watermaker, solar, dinghy. Leopard 45 adds generator.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Excess 11.

In light air (under 10 knots true wind), the heavier-displacement boat will feel slightly sluggish; in 15–20 knots trade-wind conditions both perform similarly. In big Med Meltemi/Mistral conditions (25+ knots) the Leopard 45's wider 7.35 m beam will initially feel more stable but pushes more water resistance.

For bareboat charters both behave predictably under sail and under power. We rarely see either one out-sail the other in normal charter conditions.

Price & Value

In current-season data, the Excess 11 starts at $7,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Leopard 45 starts at $13,500/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Excess 11 reach $57,500/week and the Leopard 45 reach $34,500/week.

For most charterers the price difference is small (~$500–$1,500/week) compared to the total trip cost — meaning amenities, layout and your destination matter more than sticker price when choosing between two boats this similar.

Which Should You Choose?

If you're a family with kids

Both boats work for families — compare cabin configs in our detail pages and we'll help you pick the better-fitting layout.

If you want performance / a sailing-feel boat

Choose the Excess 11. It was designed with sailing performance in mind — the helm feels more responsive and you'll enjoy being on the wind.

If you want luxury / open-space

Both are mainstream cruising layouts. For a true "luxury first" catamaran consider a Bali 5.4 or Sunreef 60 — but at very different price points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Excess 11 bigger than the Leopard 45? ▾

The Excess 11 is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a 6.59 m beam, while the Leopard 45 is 45 ft (13.72 m) with a 7.35 m beam. The Leopard 45 is the longer boat, but the difference of 8 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Excess 11 or Leopard 45? ▾

Neither boat is purpose-built for families; both lean performance / modern lovers. For family charters we typically point you toward the Bali 4.4, Lagoon 46, or Astrea 51. Speak to a 2Hulls expert for a specific recommendation.

Which is better value — Excess 11 or Leopard 45? ▾

The Excess 11 is the lower-priced option (starts around $7,000/week bareboat), with the Leopard 45 starting around $13,500/week. The price difference of ~$6,500/week is usually worth it if you specifically want performance; otherwise the Excess 11 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Excess 11 and Leopard 45 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Excess 11: Caribbean, Mediterranean. Leopard 45: Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, Mexico & Central America, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East, US East Coast & Florida. Where they overlap (often the Caribbean + Mediterranean), they're both well-supported by local charter fleets and you can usually get a checkout sail either way.

How many guests can each boat sleep? ▾

Excess 11: 3 guest cabins + 1 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 6 guests in standard charter config. Leopard 45: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests. The Leopard 45 sleeps more; pick that one for larger groups.

Keep Comparing

More 37–45-foot Catamaran Comparisons

Excess 11 vs Excess 12 41 ft vs 37 ft · same brand Excess 11 vs Leopard 40 40 ft vs 37 ft · 4 cabins Excess 11 vs Leopard 42 42 ft vs 37 ft · 4 cabins Excess 11 vs Excess 13 43 ft vs 37 ft · same brand Excess 11 vs Excess 14 47 ft vs 37 ft · same brand Excess 11 vs Leopard 48 48 ft vs 37 ft · 4 cabins

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