Hi there!
Disclaimer to start: we bought an Excess 11 but will try to be as neutral as possible.
We also sailed FP 40/45 and 47,
Lagoon 40/42 and also own a Dehler38SQ (2020) and Dufour45 Performance.
The short answer to your question is: The Excess 11 is super easy to sail and has better performance than Lagoon/FP for sure. Nautitech comes a bit closer but E11 also wins there in practice. The two helmstations will give you a completely different feeling than a flybridge or raised helmstation. So even when you would be going the same speed; you would think you're doing 2 knots more anyway
We did opt for larger steeringwheels in the back (10 cm diameter) bigger as it gives you a better position when standing. I think the positions aft are actually really save; you're much close the
water and can't really be 'thrown' off the top
deck. One major advantage we already noticed with the
helm position is that you can super easily
dock the
boat single handed, go backward, use 1 line and push the front against the
dock. Really easy and not expected than one.
Two things with the
Seawind (note we didn't sail it, only based on YouTube) is the
steering wheel location is weird to me, too close the window. The other thing is that the biggest cost of a boat is the depreciation. I personally don't think
galley down is the future (at all) so I think it will be hard selling such a boat in years from now. The reasons why people choose a cat is because of the level living area.
Regarding the space; it's insane what they did to the inside; 3 full 2 persons
bed; lots of
head room etc. Much more than the Nautitech 40 for example.
Btw we're heading to our Excess 11 "Bombarda" next week and will stay on it for the next year. We will start in Les Sables D'Olonne and will sail the
Med including the
Caribbean. Joining the
ARC 2021. Feel free to follow us at @sailingbombarda on Instagram. We're currently adding
lithium (900 Ah) and 2200 watts of
solar in case you're interested.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Marco - SV Bombarda