ecryptfs brute force attack

Hi,

i have ercyptfx file system that needs the password recovered. (it guy lost the key) we know the key is about between 8 and 11 ascii char's long. 

Is hash cat the right tool to use? I have to sadly admit its been years since I've look at any of these tools. From the reading i'm doing it looks like what I first need to do is get the hash using code from john the ripper, and then feel the code the hashcat . However from what I'm reading it looks like is not going to actually try to crack the password but rather undo the hash some how.. Is there no tool made to attack ecryptfs directly?

I don't know how much help i can ask for but i figured I would start here by asking the question as bluntly as possible

Thanks in advice for any help provided.