Choosing the ocean, with no sailing experience

At age 65, after selling his company, Étienne chose a less conventional path. Together with Brigitte, he decided to invest in a catamaran—not as a one-time leisure activity, but as the foundation for a new phase of life.

The reasoning was simple: mobility, flexibility, and freedom.

Without much sailing experience—just the occasional outing—the couple opted for a step-by-step approach.

Before they were able to sail the boat on their own, they went through several stages:

The process was well-organized yet accessible. According to the couple themselves, they adapted quickly, largely due to the boat’s stability and maneuverability.

The final decision was made during a test at the Cannes boat show.

With winds of about 18 knots, the Excess 14 exceeded 10 knots in speed—a turning point for Étienne, who until then had associated catamarans with lower performance.

What he found was more dynamic handling than he had expected, while still maintaining stability and control.

While the technical decision was important, the human factor carried equal weight. Brigitte valued above all the space on board, the natural light, and the ability to host family.

The chosen configuration reflects this: a layout designed to welcome children, grandchildren, and friends, transforming the boat into a social space, not just a vessel for sailing.

This project, however, is not limited to private use. The catamaran is currently used for both personal sailing and charter operations

This approach allows for a balance between the experience, continuous use, and optimization of the investment.

The case of Brigitte and Étienne reflects a growing shift in the profile of boat owners:

More than just a personal story, this project illustrates a paradigm shift: You don’t need extensive sailing experience to enter the world of sailing, but it’s essential to have a clear plan.

And, above all, choose a boat that allows you to grow with it.