Preparing for a long-distance passage
by Excess Catamarans 10 Oct 20:15 UTC
Excess Catamaran © Excess Catamarans
Transatlantic and transpacific crossings... these are not just cruises. Crossing an ocean aboard a sailboat is an experience that truly enables you to reconnect with the essential, far from the world to which we are accustomed!
If you are dreaming of passagemaking under sail, there is excellent news: today, with a good catamaran, serious preparation, and well adapted assistance, sailing adventures are more accessible than ever.
We'll tell you all about it.
Set sail for an extended offshore cruise: From dream to reality
For ocean crossings aboard a catamaran, planning and preparation can take several years.
Let's look at what matters most.
The boat to carry you to the other side of the world
Are you planning to cross an ocean aboard a catamaran? First, your offshore cruiser must be versatile, safe, and enjoyable to sail. Priorities must be safety and seaworthiness: a solid structure, rigging in good condition, dependable engine, recent electronics...
We recommend opting for a catamaran that handles well in all conditions: downwind, upwind, and even in light winds.
Some advice: do not look for performance at any price: your craft must correspond with your experience and skillset. What's more, when crossing the Atlantic or the Pacific, we are not really racing the clock...
Equipping your catamaran for a long offshore passage: the essentials
Once you have chosen the model, it is time for preparation. You must have energy production capacity that is adapted to your crew and your future adventure, with solar panels, for example, and a watermaker in perfect working order.
You may be tempted to invest heavily in electrical appliances, as you would at home. In reality, this equipment weighs the catamaran down and increases energy consumption. It is better to focus on lines and spare parts!
Preparing for life aboard on an ocean crossing
Coastal racing, cruising for the week with family and friends... in terms of atmosphere, crossing an ocean aboard a catamaran is like nothing you have known before.
On open water, and when we leave for longer periods of time, each person on board must be able to rest, live at his or her own pace, and have a minimum of privacy.
Aboard Excess catamarans, living areas are generous and each person enjoys personal space.
You must be able to keep calm and keep an open mind. A little humility never hurts!
Transatlantic and transpacific crossings
Transatlantic crossing: a first crossing under sail
From France, we often begin with the transatlantic crossing, or the "Transat." Crossing the Bay of Biscay, sailing along the Iberian coast, or leaving the Mediterranean by the Strait of Gibraltar, the Canaries, Cape Verde... Short and medium-sized cruises allow you to warm up before making the long crossing, of just over two weeks, to the Antilles.
From east to west, we cross from Europe between the months of November and February. We arrive in the Antilles before hurricane season and enjoy winter in the sun!
Once you have arrived in the Caribbean, you have several options:
- Head south of the Antilles for hurricane season;
- Cross the Atlantic again, from west to east, in the months of March and April (and complete your tour of the Atlantic); or
- Continue on to Panama and the Pacific, and then make a transpacific crossing.
He has done it: Hiroshi Hamada crossed the Atlantic aboard his Excess 15 during the 2024 ARC!
Read his story
Crossing the Pacific, Next Level
Compared to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific is five times larger!
Following the trade winds, from East to West, the crossing - or "Transpac" - takes place in two legs.
- From Panama to the Galapagos islands, the wind is often light and variable, and there can be storms.
- From the Galapagos Islands to Polynesia (Marquesas or Gambier Islands), about 20 days at sea under the sun and the stars, where you may only encounter a few marine mammals...
Offshore Passagemaking with a Flotilla
You will have a unique experience aboard your catamaran. Have you considered sharing it?
On cruises and stopovers, you will enjoy moments of solidarity, simplified management, greater security... whether you are making the crossing for the first time or not, making a transoceanic crossing with a flotilla, that's good stuff!
Pacific Puddle Jump: a transoceanic rally to Polynesia
Since 1997, the Pacific Puddle Jump has attracted adventurers headed for Polynesia aboard their boats. Participation is free, open to all, and - contrary to other sailing rallies - there is no fixed date of departure.
Discover the Pacific Puddle Jump
David Allouch, our Excess dealer in French Polynesia, with Sail Tahiti, recently took over organizing the event organization. A passionate sailor, he has experienced sailing on multiple long offshore cruises aboard a catamaran - including the delivery of the Excess 11 TE AVA from France to Tahiti in 2022, and a transatlantic crossing to Panama aboard the Excess 14 ALHENA in 2024.
According to David, the Pacific Puddle Jump is in the Californian spirit of freedom and mutual assistance:
"The event perfectly corresponds with the heritage of Excess: enjoyable cruising, discoveries at anchorages, shared moments, cultural exchanges, and a passion for nautical sports. Excess catamarans offer an excellent balance of performance, enjoyable sailing, and ease of handling, and they lend themselves perfectly to the adventure!"