Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Excess 15 vs Lagoon 50

Two near-neighbours in the 50-foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Excess

Excess 15

The Excess 15 is a 50-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2023. Best for performance, luxury, modern lovers. A performance-leaning hull form for sailors who care how it feels on the helm.

Lagoon

Lagoon 50

The Lagoon 50 is a 50-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2018. Best for family, large group, mixed adults. A proven family-friendly layout.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Excess 15	Lagoon 50
Length overall	50 ft (15.2 m)	50 ft (14.76 m)
Beam	8.07 m	8.1 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	4 + 2	4 + 2
Max guests	8	8
Year introduced	2023	2018
Best for	performance, luxury, modern lovers	family, large group, mixed adults
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East, South America & Galápagos
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$7,000	$8,500
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$57,500	$45,000
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 15 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Lagoon 50 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 4 symmetrical guest cabins. What differs is cabin shape — the Excess typically uses a forward-galley / island-berth layout, while Lagoon often offsets the galley aft. Worth seeing both layouts before deciding for a couples-only trip.
Amenities & kit. Excess 15 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, solar, dinghy, ice maker. Lagoon 50 adds bow thruster. The Lagoon 50 has a bow thruster — easier docking in tight Med slips.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Excess 15.

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 Lagoon 50's wider 8.1 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 15 starts at $7,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Lagoon 50 starts at $8,500/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Excess 15 reach $57,500/week and the Lagoon 50 reach $45,000/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 15. 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

Choose the Excess 15. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Excess 15 bigger than the Lagoon 50? ▾

The Excess 15 is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a 8.07 m beam, while the Lagoon 50 is 50 ft (14.76 m) with a 8.1 m beam. They're the same nominal size, but design differences (saloon layout, flybridge vs fly-bridge-free) affect how the space feels.

Which is better for a family — Excess 15 or Lagoon 50? ▾

The Lagoon 50 is the stronger family pick — designed with family / large group in mind, with 4 guest cabins and a layout forgiving for kids new to sailing. The Excess 15 leans performance / luxury — fine for older families with sailing experience.

Which is better value — Excess 15 or Lagoon 50? ▾

The Excess 15 is the lower-priced option (starts around $7,000/week bareboat), with the Lagoon 50 starting around $8,500/week. The price difference of ~$1,500/week is usually worth it if you specifically want family; otherwise the Excess 15 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Excess 15 and Lagoon 50 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Excess 15: Caribbean, Mediterranean. Lagoon 50: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East, South America & Galápagos. 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 15: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests in standard charter config. Lagoon 50: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests. Both sleep the same number — your choice depends on layout and amenities.

Keep Comparing

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