aquila 28 molokai power catamaran price

• 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
• SHALLOW WATER FISHING
• Email Newsletters
• Boating Tips
• Boating Safety
• Electronics
• Best Marine Electronics & Technology
• Baits & Lures
• Fishing Tackle
• Fishing Travel
• Conservation
• Fishing Knots
• Women in Fishing

• Boat Reviews

Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran Boat Review

• By Patrick Sciacca
• January 29, 2022

The Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran is an agile and fast wave-slicing fishing platform that’s stable whether you’re trolling, drifting over a reef or sitting on the hook bottom fishing over a wreck. The vessel’s 9-foot-8-inch beam carries from bow to stern and aids in the vessel’s stable-as-a-table nature. The 28 Molokai’s hull design is based on a form from Hawaiian Cat designer Kirk Clark.

The powercat’s notable fishing features include two 94-gallon insulated fish boxes, a 30-gallon livewell, 15 rod holders, and Taco outriggers. There’s also a removable cutting board, a sink, pullout tackle boxes in a console on centerline and under-gunwale rod stowage. For live-bait fans, the bow’s cast-net space measures about 4 feet wide with unimpeded room to throw.

Powered with a pair of 200 hp Mercury outboards (twin 150s are standard), my test boat jumped on plane quickly, motors spooling up with dog-sees-squirrel urgency. I saw an average top hop of 46.5 mph at 5,500 rpm on a choppy winter day off Pompano Beach, Florida, with Aquila brand manager Alain Raas.

The 28 Molokai’s hull tunnel is wide and deep, creating a pocket of pillowlike air that provides a sense of liftoff. Shooting across an aquamarine sea, it felt more akin to flying over the water than riding atop it.

Dialing the controls back to 4,000 rpm made for a comfortable 33 mph cruise speed. At this velocity, the engines consume 16.9 gph, or 1.95 mpg. Considering the boat’s 150-gallon fuel capacity (keeping a 10 percent reserve), the projected range is 263 miles. Bring the speed down to 23.5 mph, where fuel burn drops to 9.4 gph (2.5 mpg), and the range jumps to 337 miles.

The 28 Molokai’s layout includes forward-facing foldout seats in the aft cockpit that measure 22 inches wide and 17 inches deep. The coaming lifts up, the seats fold out and down, and then the coaming forms a backrest. The helm bench accommodates a skipper and companion. The forward section of the helm console features a built-in bench seat for two. A head is inside the console and is accessed abaft the seat.

The 28 comes with another bench at the bow, and abaft it to port and starboard lie two more lounges with removable backrests. All the cushions can be removed when it’s a fish day.

Boaters who want more protection from the elements can choose the 28 Molokai with a cuddy-cabin layout. Sprinting offshore to chase billfish or sitting on the hook to catch dinner, the Aquila Molokai 28 is a solid blend of form and function.

Hull Specifications

Performance.

• Engines: Twin Mercury 200s
• Load: Two crew, 75 gal. fuel, water
• Time to 30 mph: N/A
• Top Speed: 46.5 mph @ 5,500 rpm
• Best MPG:  1.95 mpg @ 23.5 mph (4,000 rpm)

Aquila Boats – Sold exclusively through MarineMax .

• More: Catamarans , Center Consoles , fishing boats , Multihulls
• More Boat Reviews

Sailfish 316 DC First Glance

Robalo 266 Cayman Boat Review

World Cat 260CC-X First Glance

Solace 32 CS First Glance

New Gear: The Siren Connected Boat App

QUICK GUIDE: Surf Fishing Etiquette

Fishing With Crabs as Bait

West Winds Are the Best Winds

• Privacy Policy
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Sport Fishing may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Sport Fishing Firecrown . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

• Paddle Board

2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran Guide: Complete Overview, Info, Specs & Review

At first glance, the Aquila 28 Molokai offers clean styling and lines that give the impression of a no-frills power catamaran designed for utility and cruising.

The large deck area in the vessel’s rear, coupled with the short front deck and spacious helm enclosure, gives the boat a boxy look. However, it seems to have a futuristic look, thanks to the slight curving of the deck rails and the sleek-tiered look of the pontoons on either side of the catamaran.

The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran looks ready to take you and your friends on the fishing trip of a lifetime, and there’s enough deck space for tackling the largest game fish. The cat also gives the impression that it’s a good choice for a dive boat, and we can imagine stacking the deck with divers ready to head out to sea for a liveaboard adventure for a few days.

Let’s unpack the details of the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran.

Design Overview

When you view the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran from the front of the vessel, it’s clear that this power cat has everything it needs to qualify as a power cruiser. Hawaiian Cat designer Kirk Clark designed this model as a wave-slicing, agile fishing boat capable of tackling any ocean environment and all fishing grounds.

Aquilla has a reputation for building some of the best power cats available. The larger models in the range are all about luxury and performance, giving you a highly adaptable and functional platform with plenty of luxurious fittings and finishes.

However, Aquilla wanted to do something different with the new 28 Molokai model. This power cat comes with a dedicated design for fishing or diving. Aquilla felt it needed a model that caters to this market segment without skimping on the design features that made the brand famous.

The result is a power cat with stylish looks and a hint of luxury everywhere on the vessel. At the same time, you get a boat with a practical layout and configuration that’s highly useful for fishing. The modular design of the helm and deck give you limitless customizations and arrangements for your seating and driver setup.

With a 28-foot length and a  9-foot-8-inch beam from bow to stern, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran has plenty of stability in the water. Whether you’re floating above the reef deep dropping for grouper or plowing through the surf on the way to your spot, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran provides a sturdy, secure ride that’s superior to anything a single-hulled vessel can provide.

This model comes with a setup to satisfy the demands of the pickiest angling enthusiast. Some of the standout fishing accessories and features included with this cat are its 15-rod holders, Taco outriggers, dual 94-gallon insulated fish boxes, and its 30-gallon live well. This boat is ready to take on overnight fishing trips in all ocean conditions.

Other notable accessories for anglers include the under-gunwale rod storage, sink, removable cutting board, pullout tackle box, and the bow offers you plenty of space for casting your bait net. Overall, this cat is an angler’s dream and a great choice for deep-sea fishing, spearfishing, and coastal fishing trips.

When it comes to the powerplants, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran runs on dual 150-Hp Mercury outboards . The 150s give you plenty of power for pushing the boat through the choppiest conditions. However, if you want to unlock the real performance of this vessel, we recommend upgrading to the more powerful 200-Hp motors in the twin configuration.

With the two Mercury 200s powering the cat, you get an amazing acceleration and a fast time to get the boat onto its plane. Test boats running the 2 x 200-Hp configuration see top speeds approaching 47-mph with the motors whining away at 5,500-rpm.

The ideal cruising speed for the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran seems to be around 33-mph, producing 4,000-rpm. You can expect modest fuel consumption at these speeds, even with the larger motors. Average consumption running at cruising speeds measures 16.9-gph.

The Aquila 28 Molokai comes with a 150-gallon fuel capacity, and you get a 10% reserve tank, storing an additional 15-gallons. With the standard and reserve in play, boaters can expect a range of approximately 263-miles.

If you decide to take your hand off the throttle for a leisurely cruise, you can expect even better consumption from the Aquila 28 Molokai. Dropping the speed to 23.5-mph at 3,000-rpm see’s your consumption drop to 9.4-gph, and the boat’s range jumps to a staggering 337-miles; that’s quite an improvement.

The Aquila 28 Molokai owes its performance and power not so much to the engines powering the vessel but more to its innovative hull design. This power cat has one of the best hull designs in its class, allowing you to get the boat moving onto its plane in no time.

This vessel’s deep, wide dual cat-style hull provides a sense of immediate liftoff, pushing the boat up and out of the surf for a smooth and easy ride. When you get up to planning speed, it feels like you’re floating across the ocean on a cloud. The reduction in chop is very noticeable over a single-hulled boat, and you get a light steering experience at the helm.

You get a lightweight fiberglass design for the hull, with a downdraft that won’t push spray over the bow. Overall, the cruising experience with this cat is nothing short of world-class. You get an easy slicing action through the water, even when conditions are in the four to six-foot wave range.

You get a soft-riding boat that feels extremely efficient, and it jumps on a plane at the lowest speeds, saving your gas while improving the cruising experience. The sides of the hulls come with plastic accents in four different colors, including black, blue, orange, and yellow.

Interior, Seating, and Deck

The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran comes with many configurations and deck layouts. The only thing defining your experience is your budget. It’s a completely modular boat, and you have options for a cuddy or center console setup.

You have plenty of options for deck setups, but the storage options stay the same. You get easy access to the gas tank from the underfloor well, and there are dual 94-gallon fish boxes on either side of the deck. You get underfloor access to the pumps for the live wells with plenty of room in the pontoon storage.

When it comes to rod holders, you get four on each gunwale, allowing for multiple deep droppers on either side of the boat. You also get four rocket rod holders on the rear of the canopy and two extra rocket holders, one on each side of the canopy. The center console model comes complete with an outrigger set up for fishing. You also have a complete 4-speaker premium Fusion audio system.

Behind the console, you’ll find a setup ready for fishing. There are built-in tackle boxes, plenty of cup holders, and more fishing trays under the driver and passenger seat at the helm.

The helm is spacious, with a double-wide bench featuring comfortable vinyl leather seating. The captains and passenger chairs come with collapsing armrests included.

The helm also features a full electronic dashboard system, with a Raymarine Fishfinder and GPS, including touchscreen capability. You get fantastic visibility from the helm, with the compass sitting on top of the dash for easy referencing. The dash has a push-button setup for a user-friendly experience. You have all the buttons you need for full control over the vessel, including the operation of the pump systems for the live wells and washdown system.

The windshield comes with a small gap in the top, allowing airflow through the cabin without letting in the spray. You also get a small storage cuddy in the dash with a USB port included for charging your devices and two more cup holders on either side.

The boat’s bow comes with three large storage bins for fish or gear, with easy locking functionality. With the bins closed and locked, you get a decent casting platform for your rod or bait net. You get compression-locking hatches and tread grip on the tops of the boxes to prevent slipping.

Moving to the deck, you have plenty of options for seating. You can choose between your deck layout, with benches offering comfortable padded seating and cool-touch fabrics. All the bench seating comes with under-seat storage for stashing away your fishing or dive gear. There are two drop-down fishing seats on either end of the stern, allowing for fold-out seating if you decide to keep the deck free of additional benches.

Behind the helm, you’ll find a double-bench seat with a backrest that opens into the cuddy. The cuddy has ahead and removable panels for accessing your wiring. It’s a well-laid-out design, allowing for easy access to everything around the boat without the hassle of feeling cramped.

The overhead canopy on the center console model offers you an extra extension to cover the bench deck seating, and you have other options available for roof racks and pumps to carry your gear. You also have options for LED lighting around the rim of the canopy and under the gunwales.

The transom comes with a massive 94-gallon live well, and you get a large step area on the gunwales that’s level with most docks for easy stepping onto the boat. The rear transom platform has plenty of room for moving around.

The transom comes with another live well as an option for the Cuddy version that doesn’t have the live well and sink behind the helm. You also get a collapsing dive ladder leaning off the transom deck, allowing easy access to the water and easy climbing out of the water after your swim or dive. The transom also features a collapsing bench that’s easy to stow

Overall, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran is a suitable addition to the Aquila power catamaran range. It fills the gap between a luxury cruiser and a dedicated fishing vessel, making it ideal for anglers looking for a boat that delivers the best balance of power, performance, and utility on the water.

The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran comes with one of the best sticker prices in its category. With the 150-hp motors as standard and no seating on the deck, you can expect to pay around $265,766 for the base price for this model.

However, add the 200-Hp Mercury package, some seating, and a Fishfinder upgrade, and you’re looking at over the $300,000 mark for this boat. However, even with spending the money on the upgrades and seating, you’re coming away with a high-performance vessel that’s outstanding value for money.

2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran – The Verdict

The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran has to be one of the best choices for anglers looking to get offshore for a fun fishing trip. The boat powers through the roughest water, getting on a plane fast. You’ll notice the clean ride and easy handling right away, and the power from the twin Mercury outboards is more than enough to get your boat to any destination with fuel to spare.

We love the modular design of the deck, allowing for several custom configurations for seating. Set your boat up for cruising, fishing, or diving, and choose between the cuddy or center console-setup. It’s the ideal fishing or dive boat, and you get enough capacity to carry a dozen people out onto the water for your next fishing trip.

Overall, we rate the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran as one of the best power cats on the market and excellent value for money. With the endless customizations and deck/console configurations, this boat is a real win for the dedicated sports angler.

John is an experienced journalist and veteran boater. He heads up the content team at BoatingBeast and aims to share his many years experience of the marine world with our readers.

A Complete Guide to Micro Skiffs: All You Need to Know!

A complete guide to narrow boats: all you need to know, a guide to aluminum fishing boats.

Comments are closed.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

2023 Aquila 28 Molokai Cuddy

• Apply for Vendor
• Vendors List
• Delivery & Payments

Aquila 28 Molokai for Sale

Price based on price list 2023 . Excluding VAT

Find right registration for your yacht Here »

EU (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, England, Croatia, Turkey and other), USA, UAE, Asia and other countries.

• Price Calculator
• Description
• Attached files
• Video gallery
• Stern drive

Sale of Aquila 28 Molokai

Learn about the benefits of the new motor catamaran Aquila 28 Molokai for sale, as well as the bonuses that you get when buying it through the topRik marketplace . The fact that the Aquila 28 Molokai's hull shape was inspired by Hawaiian cat designer Kirk Clark will already tell a lot to cat connoisseurs and board anglers. This nimble and fast motor catamaran is actually a fishing platform that is extremely stable in all types of fishing (trolling, drifting over a reef, fishing with a hook over a sunken ship).

topRik team has seen firsthand that this 9-meter boat is capable of handling even big waves while still showing amazing stability and high-speed performance. Sale for Aquila 28 Molokai power Catamaran allows you to use the built-in configuration calculator free of charge, in which all possible options are available, based on official manufacturer data. Keeping your eyes on the price, choose the Aquila 28 Molokai package, which is ideal for your needs.

The wide base spreads the hulls far apart, which provides room in the stern and bow cockpit. This allows you to use the catamaran for different purposes:

• offshore fishing with family and friends;
• participation in competitions;
• professional charter sport fishing.

There is enough space on deck for free passage and seating aft. The skipper from the helm station, as well as everyone on deck, has a 360-degree view. Powercat fishermen will be pleased with two 430-liter insulated fish boxes, a 135-liter livewell and 15 Taco rod holders and outriggers. Those who love live bait fishing have enough place to swing when casting.

The helm station features a solid instrument panel that will hold two marine multifunction displays, navigation instruments and control gauges for two 200 HP Mercury outboards. Our team can confirm that the kat accelerates quickly to 40 mph.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the experts of the marketplace - they are all experienced yachtsmen, they are well aware of the features of all models of small fleets and will give a comprehensive free consultation.

Choice of Aquila 28 Molokai for sale on the topRik marketplace will bring you no worries. After all, further operations are carried out by the marketplace employees:

• will negotiate with the manufacturer or dealer to provide you with the most favorable conditions;
• draw up all the necessary documents related to the purchase, insurance, border crossing, etc.;
• check on the spot the complete set and condition of the catamaran;
• the boat will be delivered to the specified location.

We will also make sure that the cat is equipped with all equipment and accessories that are not provided by the manufacturer: fenders, side ladders, rescue equipment, tools, etc.

To get a free consultation and apply for a full service, call the number indicated, write to [email protected] or use the feedback form.

Specifications

Aquila 28 Molokai Cruising in Thailand

Great short demonstration of what this robust yacht is capable of on the water

Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran

A lot of information for those who want to know a lot about Aquila 28

Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran Center Console Boat Walkthrough

More succinct review of this nimble yacht

2023 Aquila 28 Molokai Walkthrough | MarineMax Houston

Paull Glenn explains in his own words different benefits of owning Aquila 28 Molokai

Aquila 28 Molokai (2022) - Test Video by BoatTEST.com

BoatTEST provides another in-depth review of this yacht, with hands-on experience

Aquila 28 Molokai First Look - 2022 Miami Boat Show - Capt Tim "SGT" Peterson New Fishing Catamaran

Captain Peterson's proud demonstration of his new fishing boat - Aquila 28 Molokai

Watch This Sea Trial Before Buying an Aquila Boat - 2022 Miami Boat Show - Aquila 28 Molokai

Must see trial on the water from captain Peterson

Articles about Aquila 28 Molokai for Sale

Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran Boat Review by SportFishing Magazine

Tested: Aquila 28 Molokai by Power & Motoryacht

Aquila’s Wave-Taming 28 Molokai Power Cat by Yachting Magazine

2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran by Boating Magazine

Aquila 28 Molokai - Sport fishing for the family by Multihulls World

topRik Team 08.12.2023, 14:43

The advantages of the Aquila 28, like any catamaran, are their stability and safety even in heavy seas, especially if the weight distribution is as well thought out as on these boats. Quality, which compares favorably with the price of the Offshore series, is generally a distinctive advantage of yachts from this manufacturer.

Tell us something about it and help others to make the right decision

• Similar Products
• Most Popular
• Bestsellers
• Recently Viewed
• Profile details
• Comparison list
• Gift certificates
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Refund Policy
• Tallinn, Ehitajate tee 110
• +37253060890
• Mon-Sun 10.00 - 18.00
• [email protected]
• View on map
• Leave feedback

• No results were found.

28 Molokai Power Catamaran

Introducing the Aquila 28 Molokai. The incredible ride, inspired by native Hawaiian watercraft, is born from the rigors of island hopping in the tumultuous waters of the Pacific Ocean, making the Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran perfectly suited for almost any boating condition. 

The impressive stability and formidable ride along with the large aft and forward cockpits make the Aquila 28 Molokai ideally suited for offshore fishing with family and friends, tournament competition, and even professional charter sportfishing. And, although the Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran is primarily designed as a fishing platform, family-friendly features abound.  

When not being used for offshore fishing or diving, friends and family can enjoy other waterborne activities, including tow sports, or just relax onboard while visiting a favorite dockside restaurant, sand bar, or island. Lounge on the bow seating area or pull up the bow table and enjoy your favorite beverage at sunset with up to 10+ guests onboard.  

Because the hulls are spaced wide apart, the broad stance makes it easy to walk around both sides of the center console. The position of the center console provides a 360-degree line of sight with controls strategically positioned for ease of operation. The extra-large console dash is designed to support two large multifunction displays along with the Mercury® engine monitoring displays and Fusion® sound system head unit. 

The Molokai is truly a versatile boat that amplifies your boating lifestyle. 

Download Brochure

Request Information

28 molokai in action.

Full In-Depth Walkthrough

Fishing Lifestyles

Discover the Aquila 28 Molokai

The incredible ride, inspired by native Hawaiian watercraft, is born from the rigors of island hopping in the tumultuous waters of the pacific, making the Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran perfectly suited for extreme offshore adventures, fishing outings, and family fun.

External Evaluation

Aquila 28 Molokai Test Video - By BoatTEST.com

Aquila 28 Molokai | Walkthrough with Dan Jones

Aquila 28 Molokai | Walkthrough with Boat Trader

Join Boat Trader and Ryan McVinney for a full, independent walkthrough review of a new 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai power catamaran boat. The Molokai is truly a versatile boat that amplifies your boating and fishing lifestyle.

A Fresh Evolution of Classic Boating Traditions

Specifications

• DOWNLOAD SPECS

Aquila Models

Aquila 70 Luxury

Aquila 54 Yacht

Aquila 47 Molokai

Aquila 44 Yacht

Aquila 42 Yacht

Aquila 36 Sport

Aquila 32 Sport

Aquila 28 Molokai

Aquila 28 Molokai Cuddy

• 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
• Email Newsletters
• Boat of the Year
• 2024 Freshwater Boat and Gear Buyers Guide
• 2024 Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Water Sports Boat Buyers Guide
• 2023 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide
• Cruising Boats
• Pontoon Boats
• Fishing Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• Water Sports
• Boat Walkthroughs
• What To Look For
• Best Marine Electronics & Technology
• Watersports Favorites Spring 2022
• Boating Lab
• Boating Safety

Boat Test: 2024 Aquila 47 Molokai

• By Capt. Chris Caswell
• February 1, 2024

As we exited the inlet into a roiled Gulf Stream, importer Alain Raas grabbed a fistful of throttles on the new Aquila 47 Molokai power cat and put the hammer down. Behind us, 1,600 muscular horses whinnied, and we were off. I had two immediate uh-ohs. First, “­Uh-oh, this isn’t going to be pretty.” Second, “Uh-oh, we’re going to be featured in one of the inlet videos of people doing stupid things on boats.” 

But this new 47-footer sliced through the square-edged seas with aplomb, and the deeper we went into an upset Gulf Stream, the more my fists unwelded themselves from the grab rails. If the 47 didn’t notice the seas, why should I? 

For those who don’t know, Aquila power cats are imported by mega retailer MarineMax, which revolutionized the bareboat-charter world and have proved popular with private owners. The 47 Molokai is Aquila’s first foray into sport fishing and—oh, my—the boatbuilder clearly picked the brain of angling experts.

Interior and Accessories

For example, I lost count at 22 rod holders; the forward casting ­platform spanning the nearly 15-foot beam is a spacious 53 inches fore and aft; and there are 4-foot fish boxes on each side of the console, each served by macerator pumps. If those aren’t enough, there are a pair of insulated 74-gallon coffin boxes forward.

Oh, by the way, my worry about starring in an idiots-in-inlets video was the result of four hulking Merc 400s on the stern, and that was good for a solid 66-plus mph. Speed in your blood? Check the box for quad Mercury Racing 500Rs. Yee-haw—70-plus mph!

Tucked under the carbon-fiber hardtop (reinforced for the optional Pipewelders tower) are seven Stidd seats: three up front behind the helm, and four in the raised mezzanine to spectate the action. That helm is impeccable, from the eyebrowed black dash with twin (or triple) Garmin MFDs, C-Zone switching, custom Fusion audio, and Mercury joystick. Our test boat had been ­upgraded to Release Marine ladder-back seats—very comfy, very secure.

Fishermen will love being able to chase a fish round and round, with unimpeded 22-inch-wide walkways and 35-inch-tall padded coamings with recessed rails for security (kid safety too). When it comes to itty-bitty baitfish, the 47 Molokai has two 42.5-gallon transom livewells, with added livewells or tuna tubes optional.

But, as the car guys say, “What’ll she do?” With the quad 400s, we topped out at 66.5 mph but, dropping it back to between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm (37 to 54 mph), we had a range of about 600 miles with 10 percent reserve. That’s about 11 hours of running, which is a long haul, but it puts you deep in the islands or far down the Baja coast.  

The 47 isn’t just about speed though. With the joystick, it’ll spin easily to chase a fish and, using what hot-rodders used to call a “Brodie knob” on the wheel, it delights in doughnuts and slaloms till you’re bored.  

There’s more: Tucked into the low-profile ­console is a fully outfitted air-conditioned cabin with a queen-berth, 6-foot-7-inch headroom, big windows, overhead skylights and—ta-da!—a surprisingly spacious head with shower. One thing I really loved: walkarounds on each side of the berth (no inelegant clamber into bed from the bottom).

The soft-riding double-stepped hull carves square-edged seas and, because Aquila raised the tunnel height, there was almost no wave slap at trolling speeds and not a trace of “sneezing,” where spray is blown out the front of the tunnel (and then back at the crew).  

Construction ticks all the boxes, starting with watertight fore and aft bulkheads of carbon fiber (in case you ram something hard). The hull is vinylester (no blisters!) resin infused for superior strength and stiffness-to-weight ­ratios, nonskid surfaces are everywhere you might place a foot, and the anchor windlass with twin rode lockers all tuck under flush hatches in the ­casting ­platform.

If, as they say, the devil is in the details, then this power cat might need a full exorcism, because this is where the 47 really shines. Just take a peek at the massive hinges on the three boarding doors in the cockpit (port, starboard and aft), which provide easy diving and dock access.  

Best, the systems have been engineered and laid out by someone who has actually worked on a boat. Labeled and tidy, both the electric and plumbing are accessible and shipshape. The baitwells are fed from Hooker sea-chest pumps; the wiring is precisely loomed; and the two heavy-gauge aluminum fuel tanks have a transfer ­system, allowing the engines to run off both or just one. A charcoal fuel filter is standard because you know you’re going to get filthy fuel in faraway places. Just to keep things tidy, there are two freshwater washdowns (not counting the shower), plus a raw-water washdown.

Shopping around? The Invincible 46 Catamaran ($1,275,000) is narrower, with a head only and no berth.

With the ability to take a baseball team of friends fishing, overnight on the boat in cool comfort, or just to get your performance kicks ­blowing the doors off so-called hot boats, the ­Aquila 47 Molokai is (to use a 1920s ­adage) the cat’s ­pajamas.

Read Next: Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran

How We Tested

• Engines: Quad 400 hp Mercury V-10 Verado outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard two-speed/26″ x 15.25″ 4-blade stainless-steel
• Gear Ratios: 2.08:1/2.5.1 Fuel Load: 600 gal. Crew Weight: 600 lb.

High Points

• Deep gutters on every deck locker, hatch and fish box can handle Biblical rain.
• Berth walk-around space is very civilized.
• Lithium batteries power the air conditioning for eight hours without a genset.
• Aircraft-style overhead controls (including VHF) are hard to reach when seated.
• The single windshield wiper is offset and parks directly in the skipper’s view.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, efficiency, operation.

Aquila Catamarans – St. Petersburg, Florida; aquilaboats.com

• More: 2024 , 40-50ft , Aquila , boat tests , Boats , Center Consoles , Fishing Boats , March 2024 , outboards

Boat Test: 2024 Bass Cat Caracal STS

Boat Test: 2024 Regal 38 Surf

Using Hydrofoils to Improve Boat Performance

Six Boats Built for Adventure

We Test Interlux Trilux 33 Aerosol Antifouling Paint

Boating Shoes for Spring and Summer

MasterCraft Celebrates International Women’s Day With Fourth Annual ‘Let Her Rip’ Campaign

Garmin EchoMap Ultra 2 Series

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Boating may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Boating Firecrown . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

• THE PRINCESS PASSPORT
• Email Newsletter
• Yacht Walkthroughs
• Destinations
• Electronics
• Best Marine Electronics & Technology
• Boating Safety

Power Catamaran Popularity Rising

• By Victor Tan
• March 18, 2024

Aromas from sizzling steak, local lobster and freshly caught mahi mahi wafted through the air as an inflatable Santa ballooned on the flybridge of Mark and Janeen Traylor’s Horizon Power Catamarans 52 . The Georgia-based couple was in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, preparing for one of their most memorable family Christmas dinners.

Coker and Cathy Price of South Carolina also had what they described as their “best family vacation ever” aboard a catamaran—an Aquila 48 they chartered in the British Virgin Islands.

These are just two examples of boaters who have joined the shift toward catamarans in the past decade or so. While a catamaran or two used to be an anomaly at a marina, an increasing number of boaters are embracing the volume and efficiencies that catamarans offer. Marinas along the US East Coast are now building docks with transient catamaran cruisers in mind, and some charter companies now focus on cats because an increasing number of customers prefer them.

The Traylors made the transition from 35- and 60-foot monohulls to a 53-foot Horizon power cat. The Prices owned several catamarans smaller than 30 feet long before buying an Aquila 36 , christened Nauti Cat after Cathy.

“If you’re at anchorage, it’s much more stable. If you’re on a monohull, it just doesn’t take much at all to tip it from side to side,” Mark says. “It’s very family-friendly. As far as the amount of space that you get on it and having people be able to move around the boat and not feel like you’re right on top of each other, comparing it to a monohull, there’s just not much of a comparison at all.”

Coker also says there’s no comparison: “I don’t know why they even make monohulls anymore.”

Catamaran builders are seeing substantial increases in customer demand. Darren Henn, VisionF Yachts and Silent-Yachts sales broker for the United States, says that before the pandemic, Silent-Yachts sold four or five vessels a year. Since 2020, the builder has sold 15 or 16 hulls a year at an average price of $3.8 million to $7.6 million, he says.

Prestige Yachts, which launched its M-Line of catamarans with the debut of the M48 at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival, has sold more than 20 of the hulls and recently launched a new flagship for the line, the 65-foot M8.

The Silent VisionF 82 , which made its global debut at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, has a 32-foot-6-inch beam with an open-layout flybridge that, alone, could comfortably host upward of 20 guests. The 581-square-foot salon is dedicated entirely to socializing.

“I think it comes back down to usable space on the boats,” Henn says. “People want to be able to host parties. They want to be able to have friends. If you’re on any other vessel of similar size, you’re going to be able to put a fraction [of the] amount of those people. Once you see the bow of this vessel, you’re going to be like, ‘Man, you can put 100 people up in the front.’”

Other boatbuilders are designing catamarans to appeal to even more styles of boating. Aquila’s 47 Molokai , for instance, is a center-console sport-fisherman that can reportedly top out at around 62 knots and cruise at about 42 knots. It also has a cabin belowdecks for a couple to use on a long weekend. The wide-open, performance-centric design is much different from the first cats that came onto the market years ago.

“Traditionally, catamarans are boxes on the water, rectangles on the water,” says Alain Raas, Aquila brand manager for MarineMax. “You’re starting to see the more sporty look, the swept lines. And then you’re also getting up in speed now. All of our models, we’re really focused on semiplaning or planing hulls. We’re not just focused on going slow. We want to have the option to go fast for our clients.”

Another factor driving catamaran popularity is charter bookings. The Moorings now offers close to a dozen power and sail catamarans as part of its charter fleet. MarineMax Vacations specializes in power cats, and Regency Yacht Charters says it’s seeing broad demand for even bigger cats, such as the Sunreef 80.

Some of those charter clients, like the Price family, go on to buy power catamarans. They took delivery of Nauti Cat in January 2023. Its stability makes for an easy cruise from South Carolina to the Bahamas, they say, and its 2-foot draft allows for shallow-water approaches with family and friends aboard near Edisto Beach, South Carolina.

The Traylors say they’re not going back to monohulls. As of this writing, they were preparing for their first Abacos season aboard a new Horizon PC60 .

“The catamaran charter market is just exploding,” says Bob Denison, president of Denison Yachting. “We’re going to continue to see the growth in the catamaran segment of the market take off, and it’s never going to be a trend. This thing is here to stay. I think in 50 years, catamarans are going to be just as common as monohulls.”

• More: aquila , Catamarans , Horizon Power Catamarans , January 2024 , Prestige Yachts , Silent-Yachts , Yachts
• More Yachts

New Flagship for Bering Yachts: The B165

“Energy Observer” Zero-Emission Boat Showcases Sustainability

Princess Yachts’ Y95: A Flagship Flybridge

Sanlorenzo, Volvo Penta Announce Partnership

For Sale: Sunseeker Predator 68

For Sale: CL Yachts CLB 72

10 Yachts Under $500,000 You Can Have Today

How to Swing a Compass on a Boat

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding