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Built by the Sino Eagle Group, the Aquila 36 power catamaran is a versatile outboard-powered dayboat that is also capable of weekending and angling adventures. There are two en suite staterooms, one in each hull, with nearly queen-size berths and 6-foot-6-inch headroom. On the main deck, which can be covered by an optional fiberglass hardtop, cruisers have a dinette, a cooktop, a fridge, a sink and a smokeless grill. Top speed is 35 knots with 350 hp Mercury Verados. As of July, there were 11 Aquila 36s available, ranging from $439,000 to $725,000.  

From the Archive

“The Aquila 36 is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies. With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet, 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending.”

— Yachting, August 2018

The post The Versatile Aquila 36 Power Cat appeared first on Yachting.

Between 50 and 70 feet length overall, everything changes. That’s especially true of multihull designs, where volume increases dramatically because of the vessel’s wider beam. Engines, onboard systems, space for the tender and more get upsized, creating a higher caliber of yacht.

The Aquila 70 is an example of this principle and shows how the builder transitioned from the production mindset to a semicustom mentality.

“The aesthetics and speed are what really drove the 70′s design,” says Lex Raas, president of Aquila product development. “The majority of powercats don’t perform; they have very wide beams, and with the wrong length-to-width ratio, you’re challenged on speed. We made our yacht perform.”

The 70′s design allows for a top-end speed north of 27 knots, also thanks to Aquila saving weight by using a higher ratio of carbon fiber on the 70′s construction than on its other boats. The builder worked on the running-surface design using computational fluid dynamics. “We did extensive CFD and tank-testing on the hull and running gear, even down to the rudder shape, to get those numbers,” Raas says. Stability was also a primary goal.

J&J Design, which has penned all of Aquila’s models, was tasked with creating a profile that didn’t look boxy. J&J used tinted glass, curves and a raked superstructure to achieve that goal. In profile, the yacht could pass as a 70-foot monohull.

The ride, as I discovered on a jaunt into the Gulf of Mexico from Clearwater, Florida, is pleasant but different than it would be aboard a similar-size monohull. There’s no rolling thanks to the twin-hull form; high up, it almost felt like the 70 was gliding over the water, rather than punching through it. The yacht reached a 27.3-knot top hop at 2,470 rpm, and the cruise speed at 2,000 rpm was 21.3 knots, with fuel consumption of 62 gallons per hour. The 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels, paired with ZF 500-1 A gears, felt like the right power choice.

The forward section of the flybridge is enclosed, and the helm console is laid out well. There are three Stidd pilot seats, and there are lounges abaft for guests to enjoy the view underway. The open aft deck has a Kenyon grill, an Isotherm fridge and freezer, and a stainless-steel sink, making this place ideal for a barbecue on the hook.

The Portuguese bridge, which has joystick controls outboard to port and starboard, makes it easy to access the bow through centerline steps. There are also passageways along the side decks to move fore and aft on the main deck. Aft, stairs on both sides of the cockpit offer access to the water, while a custom tender is stowed in the transom, flush with the yacht.

Inside, Raas says, “the interior needed yachtlike DNA, so we incorporated the highest-end appliances, a proper dining table and Italian furniture.” Just forward of the cockpit is the 70′s main social area, measuring 300 square feet with 9-foot headroom, it has a galley with top-drawer appliances (see “Spacious Salon”) to starboard and a salon with a separate dining area to port. Fit-and-finish is excellent. Calming, light-colored Alpi wood covers the walls and ceiling, while details such as leather-wrapped, stainless-steel rails and a touchless faucet add a sense of subtle luxury.

The four-stateroom, five-head layout of Hull No. 1 (buyers can choose different layouts) includes a full-beam master stateroom, VIP staterooms aft that stretch along both sides, and a captain’s cabin that connects to the engine room. Thanks to windows everywhere, natural light permeates the spaces.

Looking at the yacht from the dock, the Aquila 70 is most certainly a catamaran. But step inside, and the yacht’s look and layout feel like a sizable monohull wrapped in luxury, speed and the comforts of home.

The King Treatment

The full-beam master stateroom forward has a table and lounge as well as a king-size berth occupying the central area, which is lit by windows along the sides. To starboard is an en suite with a private head, two sinks and a glass-enclosed shower. To port is stowage with pullout drawers, overhead cabinets, and a walk-in closet big enough for liveaboards.

Who Needs a Garage?

One of the highlights of the Aquila 70 is the custom-made Aquila tender, a 13-foot cat designed to be hoisted and secured between the yacht’s twin hulls. Designed by Morrelli & Melvin, the tender offers better stability than a similar-size monohull, with more carrying capacity. Aquila says the tender makes it easier to ferry people and gear to and from the dock, and that securing the tender flush against the deck is more efficient than hanging a tender off the stern. When the tender’s in the water, the platform can be used as a beach club.

Spacious Salon

The 300 sq. ft. salon/galley is populated with top brands for preparing meals (including a Gaggenau cooktop, oven, microwave, espresso machine and wine chiller) and for relaxing (the Natuzzi Italia decor includes a coffee table, bar chairs, a lounge and dining furniture). Other features such as electric blinds, Denon HEOS surround sound and controllable LED lighting deliver a high-end feel.

Take the next step: aquilaboats.com

The post Aquila 70 Reviewed appeared first on Yachting.

The evolution of the powercat has been steady during the past decade, thanks in part to Aquila Boats. The brand has been around for only nine years, but Aquila has sold more than 360 hulls in that time. I ran its most recent launch, the Aquila 54 Yacht Power Catamaran, in Clearwater, Florida—and learned firsthand why 27 hulls were sold before the boat even launched.

“We’re one of only three companies that design powercats this size,” says Lex Raas, head of Aquila’s product development. “The others come from sailing cats, so size and performance are different.”

Raas, who spent many years overseeing multihull design for France’s Leopard Catamarans, says the Aquila 54 came about because of demand for four- to five-stateroom multihulls that could be owner-operated. “You need that length to create these types of luxurious accommodations, not to mention a flybridge,” he says.

The 54′s interior has square footage that’s roughly the same amount of space as a 68- to 70-foot monohull. It’s also a smartly designed space: The cockpit has a table for alfresco dining, as well as three stools at a bar that connects to the galley inside via an opening window and door. Thanks to the boat’s 25-foot beam, the main deck effectively turns into one vast social area. Add the salon’s seating, 360-degree banks of windows and 6-foot-9-inch headroom, and the area feels more like a waterfront condo than a boat.

Aquila gave this first hull an ash-wood finish (the other choice is dark walnut) for a light, airy feel. The full-beam master stateroom has a queen island berth on centerline, with hullside windows and a few dressers. To starboard, the head (with two sinks, a toilet and a separate shower stall) is down a few steps. To port is enough cabinet stowage for long cruises.

The guest staterooms aft to port and starboard each have a dressing and seating area, as well as a head with an enclosed shower. The fourth stateroom, with twin berths and a separate entrance from the cockpit, can serve as crew quarters or a crash pad for two teenagers. This stateroom’s head also works as a day head.

My favorite part of the 54 was the optional sky lounge. The area can be sealed on rainy days or opened in sunny weather. Visibility from the twin helm seats is unobstructed, while the lounge area abaft those seats is its own ecosystem. Farther aft is a Kenyon grill.

The sky lounge also provides access to the foredeck via a Portuguese bridge and centerline stairs down to the bow. The setup not only makes moving between the bridge and foredeck simple, but it also provides a second route to get around the boat. Lounges on both sides of the stairs forward turn the bow into a private nook.

We left Clearwater for a short run along the Intracoastal Waterway and then out into the Gulf of Mexico. There was only a small chop, with 1- to 2-foot rollers, and the 54 felt like it was riding high off the water. One of a multihull’s advantages is minimal roll; pitch was also minimized by the foot-long underwater bulbs on the forward edges of the hulls. Those bulbs provide additional buoyancy and increase speed in displacement mode.

The hulls also plane, and with the upgraded 480 hp Volvo Penta D8 diesel inboards, this 54 reached a top-end speed of 22 knots; cruise speed was 15.5 knots. At 7.8 knots, its range is about 957 nautical miles. (Standard engines are twin 380 hp Volvo Penta D6s, and maximum power is twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels.)

Regarding style, J&J Design helped Aquila to give this power catamaran a yachtlike look, including keeping the profile sleeker than usual. Aquila also used well-known marine brands—many of them from US equipment-makers—throughout the yacht. Besides the Volvo Penta powerplants, the 54 has Kohler generators, Raymarine chart plotters and autopilot, SeaStar steering, a CZone system, Fireboy fire suppression, a Fusion stereo, and more. Raas says Aquila wanted owners to be assured they could service their boats in the United States.

Ironically, in that context, many of the 27 Aquila 54s that have been pre-sold are going to the Mediterranean, Asia and the Caribbean. “We hit all the right targets with this yacht,” Raas says, adding that pricing ranges from $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

What’s next for Aquila? According to Raas, potentially even bigger models. “We’re going to see the cat market explode,” he says. “Already, we’re seeing foils being adapted to catamarans, and other builders are coming up with innovative outboard versions.”

Take the next step: aquilaboats.com

The post Aquila 54 Power Catamaran Review appeared first on Yachting.

The hits keep coming—a phrase that is all too accurate for what usually would be a bustling fall boat-show season, but instead is seeing yet more cancellations due to COVID-19.

So, we’re choosing to look at the phrase differently this year. Because the truth is that the hits—as in star-quality creations that leave us grinning—also keep coming from builders unveiling and launching new models filled with innovation and beauty.

Indeed, the good stuff is now arriving in all market segments, from motoryachts to power catamarans to bluewater-ready fishing machines and re-imagined classics. No matter what form of yachting suits your fancy, there’s a new model out there that’s ready to get you on the water in style. The following pages offer a look at some offerings from builders hitting all the right high notes.

The Benetti Diamond 145 is the first launch in a new class of yachts for the builder. Exteriors on the fiberglass yacht are by Giorgio M. Cassetta, with interiors by Benetti’s in-house team. Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms, including a full-beam owner’s space on the main deck forward. The sun deck has a dining area, there’s a pool at the bow on the upper deck, and the aft space is focused on guests with the garage off to the side. According to Benetti, the Diamond 145 has a top speed of 11 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles, thanks to twin 1,400 hp MAN engines.

The Aquila 54 is the new midrange model in the builder’s line of luxury power catamarans, which also includes 44- and 70-foot models. The 54 can be ordered with three, four or five staterooms, as well as with the galley up or down and with or without skipper’s quarters. The flybridge can be open or fully enclosed with air conditioning. In all versions, the master stateroom spans the full beam forward, with windows that allow for panoramic views. Before the first hull of the Aquila 54 even hit the water, the builder says, 15 purchase orders for the yacht had already been placed.

CRN Yachts, part of the Ferretti Group in Italy, has delivered M/Y 137. It is a fully custom yacht with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. Nuvolari Lenard developed the concept as well as the interior and exterior styling. Six staterooms accommodate 12 guests, with the upper deck serving as the owner’s personal retreat. The yacht is the first from CRN to earn IMO Tier III certification, meaning nitrogen oxide exhaust emissions have been reduced by 70 percent. Three more custom builds are expected next from CRN, at lengths overall from 196 to 236 feet.

The V-46 joins 33-, 37- and 41-foot models in the Valhalla lineup from builder Viking Yachts. It’s available with quadruple Mercury V-8 450Rs, Mercury Verado 400s or Yamaha V-8 425s. That power, combined with a 694-gallon fuel capacity and a double-stepped hull by designer Michael Peters, should make the V-46 a contender for getting out to the canyons fast. The console, accessed through a portside door, has air conditioning and 6 feet, 7 inches of headroom. A head is inside, along with a galley and a convertible dinette for overnights on the hook. Up top, a tower is optional.

To create the Wheeler 38 from Wheeler Yacht Company, Bill Prince Yacht Design reverse-engineered the Wheeler Playmate made famous by author Ernest Hemingway. The design allows the boat to be built today from mahogany, using modern epoxy cold-molded construction techniques that didn’t exist in Hemingway’s day. Brooklin Boat Yard in Maine is bringing that design to life, with the Wheeler 38 reportedly being capable of hitting 30 knots. On board the classic-looking beauty are air conditioning, an autopilot, Sub-Zero refrigeration and other 21st-century amenities.

The Ocean Alexander 32L is part of the builder’s Legend series, which also includes the 36L. The 105-foot 32L has a main-deck master among its five staterooms and can be ordered with an open flybridge or a sky lounge. Use of aluminum-beam engineering allows for the extensive use of glass shown in the image below, creating wide views of the surroundings from most spots on board. Draft is about 5 feet, 6 inches, making the 32L an option for Bahamas cruising. Fuel capacity, according to Ocean Alexander, is 4,000 gallons, which should allow for long-distance passages.

The post Six New Yachts for 2021 appeared first on Yachting.

I have showered open-airon the stern at daybreak. I have seen gleaming white yachts in sizes ranging from humble to mega; some with sails, some without, and some on which sails could be put, but the owner couldn’t be bothered to do so. I have seen clouds alight in a Pantone guide’s worth, only to be mirrored by a metallic, ­shimmering sea.

My quartet of shipmates from Tennessee and I have taken a weeklong hiatus from our day jobs to live out the lyrics of any country song involving boats and sand here in the British Virgin Islands. On this sunny, 83-degree day—as every day ­promises to be here—our Caribs are going down cold and the radio is cranked on the flybridge of Jewel Box, a brawny, three-stateroom Aquila 44 powercat from MarineMax Vacations.

She’s pointed toward Virgin Gorda while on our circuitous route through green hills that rise forth from turquoise waters.

At the helm sits Parker, a distinguished man who would not look out of place with epaulets on his shirt. His wife, Karen, is our resident snorkel goddess, and he is flanked by Matt and Milka, a couple contractually obligated to blend pina coladas to perfection. I am the fifth wheel, pressed into service as first-assistant buoy wrangler.

We tie up outside Spanish Town, teeing us up to be the first at daybreak to grab a coveted mooring ball at The Baths, the country’s most recognizable natural wonder. We then celebrate our orientation aboard Jewel Box and first full day of BVI bareboating with sundowners at CocoMaya, a chic South Beach-inspired restaurant on the sand, and a must-see on any BVI cruise.

The next morning, I awake to Jewel Box‘s twin Volvo Pentas cranking all 520 horses, propelling us past the Club Med 2, a boutique cruise ship that just anchored, determined to inundate languorous beaches with acres of sun-seeking tourists. We quickly ready our snorkeling gear and dry bags, intent to swim ashore and have the granite grottoes mostly to ourselves. The boulders, rounded like giant river rocks, are piled at the edge of the sea. The experience of ­exploring their intimate passages is majestic, especially before the rest of the day’s sightseer rush begins.

Our next stop is Anegada, where, looking to beat the tour groups on land too, we rent a Suzuki at the Anegada Beach Club. “Drive on the left. Keep it under 30. We have wild cows, wild sheep, wild donkeys and wild people. They all roam freely,” club owner Lawrence Wheatley says.

Regarded by some as the British Virgin Islands’ sleepy stepsister, Anegada’s an outlier not only for its physical distance from the chain, but also for its flat, featureless silhouette on the horizon. The 15-mile run from our overnight spot at Leverick Bay took an hour and 40 minutes, by Parker’s count.

After navigating the ship-swallowing reef that ­encircles the island, we’re hungry for a lobster lunch, which was promised to Matt and Milka long before we set foot in the BVI. Passing more cows than cars, we land at Big Bamboo on Loblolly Bay, a 10-mile ribbon of gleaming white sand fronted by the reef where our lunch once lived. As we wait for the lobsters to grill, we occupy ourselves with chilled Caribs and swing in woven chairs hung from seagrape trees.

Alas, even in paradise, we eventually have to press onward.

Next is Jost Van Dyke, where Matt, Parker and I stare at the last mooring ball, which is missing part of its pennant. Matt and I call “not it” to swim to the buoy and secure the boat. We surely have ­onlookers: A flotilla is anchored stern-to the sand, with skippers as eager to enjoy White Bay Beach as we are. A string of bars known for rum punch and cornhole is just above the high-water mark. There’s Seddy’s One Love, Ivan’s Stress-Free Bar and, of course, the Soggy Dollar, where Painkillers (the cocktail, not the pills) have eased seafarers’ ails for decades.

Our time sipping Painkillers under the palms is short, but effective, as Parker notes many other charters have cut and run for Peter Island’s Great Harbour, a protected overnight anchorage minutes away. We follow suit, having a New York-style pizza on the beach, and later listening to a chorus of cocktail-inspired karaoke drift across from Foxy’s Tamarind Bar while we watch shooting stars flash over Jewel Box‘s bow.

Come daylight, I take the wheel from Jost to Norman Island for a snorkeling excursion. The afternoon involves welcomed laziness, followed by a hike up the spine of the island, where we admire a red sun sinking behind the rolling hills of St. John’s. The next morning we end our week at The Indians: four pinnacles of rock, like icebergs, hiding more below the surface than above. Karen leads us on our most epic snorkel yet, along a healthy reef teeming with blue tangs, sergeant majors, parrotfish and coral.

Afterward, we end our carefree week of breathe-easy British Virgin Islands cruising and cocktail-infusion ­therapy at the base back in Tortola, and we thank ­Jewel Box for giving us an up-close look at this ­seafarer’s paradise. Happily tired, sandy and ­sunburned, I think, Sometimes it’s good to be the fifth wheel.

Getting There

Connecting to the MarineMax Vacations base on Tortola’s Beef Island is easiest via puddle jumper, like those from San Juan, Puerto Rico, aboard Cape Air or Seaborne Airlines. An alternative route through St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a connecting ferry to Road Town on Tortola, is less expensive, but expect long lines at Customs and Immigration.

The Fine Print

MarineMax offers several power catamarans from its BVI base for bareboat, captained or crewed charter. One option is all-inclusive (with a captain, chef/deckhand, food, snacks, drinks, spirits, kayaks, a stand-up paddleboard, mooring-ball fees, taxes and insurance). Another is a la carte with a captain and chef. Or take the boat yourself, like we did. The vessels range from a two-stateroom 36-footer to a four-stateroom 48-footer. Bareboats charters like ours start at $1,287 and go up to $1,785 per night ($429 to $595 per stateroom).

Room to Breathe

The Aquila 44 is one of five power catamarans in the builder’s line, ranging from 32 to 48 feet length overall. Our version had three staterooms and three heads, making her a good option for couples who want to share the charter without anyone feeling like he’s stuck in a kiddie cabin. The master stateroom’s berth measures 71 inches wide by 79 inches long, or about the size of a queen; guest stateroom berths are 59 inches wide by 79 inches long. The salon’s seating converts into a single berth. A smart feature is the hinged window that opens the galley to the cockpit bar, to serve guests easily inside and outside.

If this Hull Could Talk

Her hold is laden with dark rum and darker secrets of those who have stayed long after sunset. The Willy T is the floating bar of Caribbean lore, but adrift for permanent anchorage because of a government dispute after her grounding in Hurricane Irma. Temporarily in Peter Island’s Great Harbour, her stern bar still serves up stories to remember.

Take the next step: marinemax.com/vacations

The post BVI Bliss appeared first on Yachting.

Here, we take a look at 12 catamarans ranging from a cruising-couple-size 36-footer to a 78-footer for friends, family and some more friends. And there are myriad power options: outboards, diesel inboards, hybrid or even all-solar power.

Fountaine Pajot MY44

The Fountaine Pajot MY44, a creation of Italian architect Pierangelo Andreani and French designer Daniel Andrieu, has a main deck that’s open from the aft-deck seating all the way forward to the starboard helm station. The sense of spaciousness is significant, for several reasons. First, four glass panels aft can all slide to port, creating an indoor-outdoor space with the aft deck and salon. In the salon, 32-inch-high windows extend for 12 feet down the sides of the yacht, with three sections per side, bringing in natural light along with the three forward panes that comprise the windshield. Finally, 6-foot-6-inch headroom provides vertical clearance, with a 21-foot-7-inch beam that adds interior roominess while keeping the yacht stable.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY44

Silent-Yachts 55

The ideas about which solar panels, electric motors, inverters and the like to use — and more importantly, Michael Köhler says, how to configure them — became the basis for the brand Silent-Yachts. The company offers 55-, 64- and 79-foot catamarans that run on solar-electric propulsion. The Silent 55 premiered this fall, and the 64 is sold out for the next two years, Köhler says.

Read more: Silent 55

Horizon PC74

As founder and director of The Powercat Company, a Horizon Power Catamarans distributor, Stuart Hegerstrom had long believed that catamaran builders needed to design their yachts to more stylish standards.

“The boats were very boxy,” he says, based on his years of experience with cats in the charter market. He and his partner, Richard Ford, asked Horizon to produce models that had high-end finishes and looked good inside and out.

The Horizon team brought in mega-yacht designer JC Espinosa to work with its own craftsmen. The result aboard the Horizon PC74 is a catamaran with exterior styling, layout and functionality that should appeal to private and charter owners alike.

Read more: Horizon PC74

Aquila 36

The Aquila 36 is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies.

With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending. The staterooms have nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads, stowage and 6-foot-6-inch headroom.

Read more: Aquila 36

Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Lagoon is a division of Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest builder of sailing yachts, and the Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat is a developmental sistership of its Seventy 7 super sailing cat. The Seventy series yachts are built at Construction Navale Bordeaux in France, which had to add a new yard to construct these catamarans because they require separate stern molds for the power and sail versions.

Read more: Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Horizon PC60

To understand the Horizon PC60 power catamaran, you need to put aside preconceived notions about midsize yacht amenities. For example, main-deck master suites are the province of yachts over 100 feet length overall. Incorrect. This 60-footer has an elegant and spacious owner’s stateroom on the same level as the salon. If you want a 14-foot center console tender on a 60-foot yacht, you have to tow it. Wrong again. On the PC60, you hoist it onto the upper deck, no problem.

Read more: Horizon PC60

40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef is known for pushing the boundaries of catamaran design, incorporating four adjustable hydrofoils into a twin-hulled speedboat.

The Polish builder is one of several European builders (including Evo, Fjord, Wider and Wally) transforming the open ­day-boat category with creative designs. ­Beyond its hydrofoils, the 40 Open Sunreef Power‘s cockpit has side “wings” along the aft gunwales that fold out at anchor, widening the beam from 17 feet to 22 feet 9 inches.

Read more: 40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Sunreef Yachts introduced its 50 Amber Limited Edition, with plans to launch just 10 hulls of the exclusive design.

The Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition will have a carbon fiber mast and boom, four layout options and numerous amber-colored elements, including the hull.

Read more: Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fitted with the optional twin 300-horsepower Volvo Penta D4 diesels, the Lagoon 630 MY burns only 1.64 gph total at 6 knots, giving a theoretical range of 2,952 nautical miles with standard tankage of 793 gallons. Hull No. 1 had an optional 502-gallon tank, giving it transatlantic range.

Luxury, stability and economy are all hallmarks of Lagoon’s return to luxury motor yachts. If you can take a ride, it will be worth your time.

Read more: Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fountaine Pajot MY 37

The Fountaine Pajot MY 37 easily accommodates the seafaring family with three- and four-stateroom options. In the three-cabin version, called ­Maestro, you’ll find an owner’s suite in the portside hull with a queen-size berth and en suite head. Two double-berth cabins and one more head are available for the kids. If your brood is bigger, the Quator setup features four double cabins with two heads.

The 37 is a traveler and can be powered with twin 150 hp or 220 hp Volvo Penta diesels. Top speed with the smaller engines is 17 knots, while it’s 20 knots with the bigger power plants. Interestingly, at 7 knots, the fuel consumption is the same, with either set of motors offering voyagers a 1 ,000-nm range.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY 37

Solarwave 64

Many yachts boast eco chops because they have a handful of solar panels that power the microwave or navigation lights. The Solarwave 64, launched last summer, has the potential to run on sunshine alone. The vessel’s 42 solar panels generate 15 kW that are stored in batteries weighing about 1,300 pounds. They connect to electric motors.

Read more: Solarwave 64

Glider SS18

This British builder says it strives for design innovation and the Glider SS18 displays that DNA, the result of 8 years of research and development. She has a head-turning, catamaran hull form constructed from aluminum and composite materials. She is 60 feet LOA with a 17-foot beam, and has a relatively shallow 1-foot draft. Powered by quad Yamaha 300 hp outboards, she can reportedly reach 50 knots, and with her Stability Control System (SCS), should give a smooth ride while doing it.

Read more: Glider SS18

The post The Power Catamaran Compilation appeared first on Yachting.

Aquila 36

When MarineMax approached the Sino Eagle Group, a Chinese boatbuilder, to create the Aquila series of power cats, the yacht sales firm had two goals: The first was to flesh out its MarineMax Vacations bareboat charter fleet in the British Virgin Islands, and the second was to create yachts suitable for private ownership.

Those are, in several ways, seemingly contradictory needs. Charter yachts need to be bulletproof: easy to maintain, easy to repair, easy to use. Private yachts, on the other hand, must be whatever their owners want them to be, even if using them takes a little extra maintenance now and then.

To satisfy both types of boaters, the Aquila line was created, first with a 48-footer and then with a 44-footer. The Aquila 36 is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies.

With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending. The staterooms have nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads, stowage and 6-foot-6-inch headroom.

Up on the main deck, under the optional fiberglass hardtop, are a dinette, cooktop, fridge, sink and smokeless grill. Forward, the seating transforms from benches to sun pads, and the anchor gear is hidden under a hatch with a wired remote control.

Aft, the choices include settees across the transom or a fishing/diving option with a bait tank and tackle station. Twin boarding gates allow for docking, diving or tender access.

The Siblings

Power choices are twin 250, 300 or 350 hp Mercury Verados, with the 350s pushing the Aquila 36 to nearly 35 knots.

A solid dayboat for the family or for fishing, the Aquila 36 is equally adept at weekending with friends.

The post Reviewed: Aquila 36 appeared first on Yachting.

Aquila has added a 36-footer to its growing powercatamaran range, which also includes 38-, 44- and 48-footers. The Aquila 36 will have a 14-foot 7-inch beam, making her attractive platform for those who like to onboard entertaining.

To that end, her cockpit comfortably seats 24 adults, and there’s a topside smokeless grill to feed all those hungry guests. When the party is over, the Aquila 36 has two staterooms, each with en-suite heads to give you and your crew a night’s rest.

Standard power is twin 250 hp Mercury Verado four-stroke outboards. (Optional power is twin 300 or 350 hp Verados.) Performance with the 250s is reported to be 21 knots at cruise speed and 27 knots at wide-open throttle. Range at cruise speed is predicted to be 282 nautical miles.

Check her out in person: The Aquila 36 is on display at the Miami International Boat Show, which runs from February 16-20.

To learn more about the 2017 Miami Boat Shows, click here.

The post Aquila 36 Power Catamaran Debuting at MIBS appeared first on Yachting.

To visit Aquila’s website, click here!

The post Miami: Aquila 44 appeared first on Yachting.

Aquila 48

Aquila 48

Aquila 48

Aquila 48

Aquila 48

Aquila 44

Aquila 44

Aquila 44

Aquila 44

Aquila 44

You were ready for this.

A soft yellow illuminates the master suite portlight announcing the daybreak. You slip quietly from the large, comfortable berth, dress quietly and climb a few steps up into the power catamaran’s main salon. Making a quick visual sweep around the sunny anchorage through large, strongly tempered windows and a glass aft bulkhead, you can make out two boats, a large cruising sailboat and an aft cabin trawler, both of which are rocking and rolling as the swell from some far off ocean storm invades the cove. You smile to yourself, because the cabin sole beneath your Topsiders is much more steady.

The generator is purring quietly, and the temperature inside your power catamaran has remained constant all night, a little cool and dry for sleeping comfortably. You walk over to the galley, drop a cartridge of dark roast coffee into the Keurig, and search for your iPad as the aroma of the brew fills the salon. The genset never skips a beat. With your cup and pad in hand, you slip quietly out the sliding door to the aft cockpit, then climb the molded stairs to the flybridge.

There’s a light coating of dew on every exterior surface, so you’re glad you slipped a cover on the helm chair last night. Once seated, you power up the electronics, spool up the radar, and check the screen for other boats in the cove. Some of the slower boats will be leaving soon, headed for the next cove that a few locals all know about. Since your power cat has twin Volvo Penta diesel engines that can cruise efficiently at 7 to 8 knots, and cut the cruising time quickly at speeds up to 17 or 18 knots, you’re not worried about who will get there first, even if you give the fog a chance to lift and leave a little later. You energize the iPad and enjoy your first sip of the dark, heady brew.

As I said, you were ready for this, for cruising in a power catamaran, for enjoying the large livable spaces inside and out with family and friends. Cruising power catamarans are selling in greater numbers than ever before, and you only have to look at the new Aquila 44 or the Aquila 48 to understand why. Here are two yachts with wide beams producing excellent stability at anchor or underway, with modern hull designs that offer shallow draft, as well as large interior volumes for engines, generators, and systems vital to comfort afloat. Both Aquila yachts are designed from the outset to be pure power catamarans, as opposed to some power catamarans that are modified sailing catamaran designs.

When MarineMax and the Asian builder Sino Eagle Group entered into an agreement in 2012, the Aquila line of contemporary, luxurious power catamarans — 38, 44, 48 — was born. Top-flight design firms like Morrelli & Melvin, and most recently J&J Design/Seaway Group, brought their considerable naval architecture and engineering skills to bear. From the beginning, Aquila specified that all serviceable components be globally available for ease of service and optimal support, many of which are made in the U.S. And to help ensure that the Aquila line was leading edge from the keel up, a new factory was built in Asia, incorporating the latest technologies in boat building.

Hulls, decks and even bulkheads are laminated using the resin infusion process for the strongest, lightest, stiffest possible structures. Unlike some manufacturers who hand lay resin-coated fiberglass and balsa core strips in the mold after the gelcoat has hardened, Aquila craftsmen lay in precisely cut dry fiberglass and balsa core mats specially prepared for infusion. Once the dry layup is finished, and all the pieces are firmly in place, the mold is sealed inside a bag that is attached to a vacuum pump, and all of the air is removed. The bag has a network of inlets that attach to a fiberglass resin source, and when the vacuum is assured, the inlets are opened, allowing resin to flow to every space, encapsulating the fiberglass layers and balsa core completely. Air voids are nullified when this process is carefully done, an Aquila hallmark.

Although it is time consuming to produce a boat using the resin infusion process, it is not only more environmentally friendly (fewer volatile organic compounds released into the atmosphere, less fiberglass waste) but also offers a higher quality structure that will better withstand impacts and minimize water intrusion into the structure if it is ever penetrated. Aquila specifies solid lamination on hull centerlines, where thru-hulls are located, and where hardware is attached. They also specify NPG gelcoat for superior UV resistance, and vinylester resins for long life and wear resistance. Interestingly, there is a fully sealed crash box in each bow, plus a separately molded and attached hull extension at each stern, to help ensure hull integrity in case of impact.

Aquila selected Volvo Penta diesels for their newest design, the 44, and their two-year-old flagship, the 48. These made-for-marine-use, cast-iron-block engines have proved themselves in large numbers, and their reliability is prized by those who own and maintain them studiously. Combined with these advanced hulls, owners will realize performance efficiencies most monohull vessels simply cannot achieve.

The 44 has twin 225 hp D4 engines with V-drive gearboxes, and running gear in tunnels (for reduced draft and a more efficient running angle). Long range speed is approximately 6.5 knots with a 2.5 gph fuel burn. With the standard 290-gallon fuel tank, the range is approximately 718 nm. At a cruising speed of 14.9 knots, consumption rises to about 17 gph and range becomes about 241 nm (all ranges quoted based on a 5 percent reserve). An optional tank raises a full load of fuel from 290 to 385 gallons, increasing ranges to approximately 954 nm and 320 nm, respectively. Wide open throttle settings can get you 18 knot top speeds.

The 48 packs a pair of 330 hp D6s, also with V-drive gearboxes and running gear in tunnels. Long range speed is approximately 7.1 knots with a 3.8 gph fuel burn. With the standard 356-gallon fuel tank, the range is approximately 634 nm. At a cruising speed of 13.3 knots, consumption rises to about 25.5 gph and range becomes about 177 nm (again, all ranges quoted based on a 5 percent reserve). An optional tank raises a full load of fuel from 290 to 385 gallons, increasing ranges to approximately 954 nm and 320 nm, respectively. Wide open throttle settings can get you 18 knot top speeds.

It is important to note that Aquila developed these figures using fuel and water loads over 50 percent on both the 44 and 48, but you need to be aware that there are many factors — current, wind, waves, load, and cleanliness of the hulls and drive trains — that can cause performance, consumption and range to vary.

The 44 and the 48 are both offered in four stateroom, four head layouts, but unless your family is larger than average, or you’re committed to taking a host of friends cruising, you may want to consider a layout offering more room in each stateroom. Which is why Aquila offers both yachts with three stateroom, three head layouts.

For the 44, the master stateroom, which is nearly full beam width, is forward and only a few steps down from the salon deck level. Its ensuite head is several steps down to port, while a cozy seating area occupies the same position to starboard. Two guest staterooms are located in the hulls, also with ensuite heads, with stairways descending near the aft salon bulkhead. The galley is to port aft, where it can serve the aft table as easily as the salon table, and is very well equipped, including Corian countertops for long service. Molded stairs lead up from the aft deck to either side deck, while the major stairway leads to the large flybridge. An L-shaped bench seat for four sits just behind the helm console, so a large group can enjoy the ride facing forward with the helmsman. Just aft, there is a console for an optional outdoor kitchen and a large U-shaped seating area and a table with folding leaves for easy access. And when the time comes to go forward, there’s no need to retrace your steps down to the aft deck. Aquila has included a centerline stairway with excellent handrails just ahead of the helm.

The 48 has this same ease of access from the flybridge, but there are two rather than one stairways, also with excellent handrails. The 48’s flybridge is spectacularly large, has an dining area with folding table leaves, and is shaded by an optional fiberglass hardtop that extends forward to cover the centerline helm. Behind the four-wide helm bench seat is a locker for an optional outdoor kitchen.

One of the more notable features on the 48 is both indoor and outdoor stairs to the flybridge. Another is the cozy seating area just ahead of the forward salon bulkhead, accessible through a centerline door. There’s a massive galley near the aft salon bulkhead, with access to the staterooms nearby on both sides. The master suite is to port and takes up the entire hull, with a large queen berth aft, a spacious head and shower forward, and excellent storage in between. Guest staterooms are to starboard, and each has a private ensuite head.

Fit and finish are outstanding on both yachts. Interiors are a pleasant blend of wood (striated olive wood in a glossy finish, cherry in a matte finish), fabrics and molded surfaces. You really have to see them to believe them, and you’ll get your chance at the upcoming Miami Boat Shows. You can find loads of information on MarineMax boat show specials on Aquila‘s yachts by logging on to this page: www.aquilaboats.com and take an opportunity to experience the stability, spaciousness and comfort of these luxurious cruising power catamarans. You are ready for this, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Aquila, www.aquilaboats.com

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