aquila 54 catamaran

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Aquila 54 Power Catamaran Review

• By Michael Verdon
• Updated: July 16, 2021

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

• More: aquila , Aquila Boats , Catamarans , May 2021 , Power Catamarans , Powercats , Reviewed , Yacht Reviews , Yachts
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ANTHEM 54' | Aquila | 2022

$2,195,000..

• Aquila cat tender • Light maple joinery throughout • 17kW Kohler Generator with 632 hours • Combo washer dryer (same as factory) • Custom Starlink setup runs on 12volt battery • Sat TV • Complete Rouge Wave cellular wifi and wifi extender and repeater. • TV's in all staterooms , main salon and flybridge • Volvo 3 year extended factory warranty • Brunswick Chiller class AC extended warranty • Spare set of props • Hull Shield electronic anti fouling • optional large Czone screen in main salon • Fresh bottom paint and propspeed • Dual Raymarine flybridge • Single Raymarine in Master • Yacht controller remote

• BUILDER Aquila
• MODEL Power Catamaran
• BEAM 25' 2"
• DRAFT 4' 7"
• YEAR BUILT 2022
• HULL Fiberglass
• ENGINES (2) Volvo Penta D6
• LOCATION Port Saint Lucie, FL
• CENTRAL AGENT Raymond Young

About This Listing

Office: 954-525-7484 Cell: 954-980-3451 Email: [email protected]

Robert J Cury

Robert J. Cury opened the doors of RJC Yacht Sales and Charter in 1997 after a highly successful career at Broward Marine as Director of Sales and spent five years at Hatteras of Lauderdale as Sales Manager.

As principle of RJC Yacht Sales and Charter, Bob brings over 30 years of experience in the yachting business to his clients. His cumulative background in design, brokerage and new construction allows him to specialize in the sale of larger, late-model pedigree motor yachts and sport fishermen and provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of both the existing yacht market as well as new construction.

Whether marketing your yacht for sale or selecting a suitable yacht for purchase, Bob offers the highest level of knowledge, professionalism and honesty in an effort to initiate and maintain long-term relationships.

Office: 954-525-7484 Cell: 954-261-5250 Email: [email protected]

David Wiest

David Wiest has been an associate of RJC Yacht Sales and Charter since 1999, specializing in the sale of late model Motoryachts and Sportfisherman.

David began his career in yachting in the early 1990's as a Corporate Controller and CFO with The Allied Marine Group. In 1994, David joined Broward Marine as CFO where he met Robert Cury and together worked as the senior management team. In 1999, David joined Bob at RJC Yacht Sales as a broker primarilyrepresenting larger, late model Motoryachts and Tri-Deck Motoryachts.

During his successful career, David has been fortunate to sell many vessels including his first sale of the 1997 115' Broward MY, C-VENTURE, the 132' Amels TDMY, MONTE CARLO, the 130' Northern Marine TDMY, MAGIC, the 106' Lazzara MY, 24 KARAT, 122' Burger TDMY, LADY GAYLE MARINE, the 105' Azimut MY, LADY CAROLE, the 150' Richmond TDMY, STATUS QUO and recently, the 150' Richmond TDMY, EXCELLENCE.

Office: 954-525-7484 Cell: 954-658-2693 Email: [email protected]

Raymond Young

Raymond Young joined Hatteras of Lauderdale after graduating from University of Tampa, Florida. He has captained yachts extensively on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans including the Western Mediterranean. He currently holds a 1600 / 3000 Ton USCG Master License, as well as a MCA CLASS IV license.

Raymond has been involved with the construction of several large yachts including a custom 82' Hatteras, 112' Broward, 98' Westship, along with a 124', 141' and 157' Christensen. He managed each project from contract, to delivery, to captaining.

Over the past 20 years, Raymond has developed a wealth of knowledge from building, managing and running yachts. Raymond has established close relationships with shipyards, builders, designers, architects, yacht captains, and brokerage houses. As your yacht broker, Raymond can offer his experience and knowledge, assuring you a positive yachting experience.

Office: 954-525-7484 Cell: 954-214-1967 Email: [email protected]

Michael Strassel

Mike's 34 years of marine expertise has resulted in the sale and management of thousands of production Yachts from Hatteras, Viking, Bertram, Tiara, Princess, Azimut, Ferretti and Benetti. Utilizing this experience to begin the next phase of his yacht sales career by joining, RJC Yacht Sales, as a broker and member of their experienced yacht sales team. Mike is well qualified to assist with every phase of purchase and ownership for yachts of all sizes and pedigree. His experience in delivering and managing a wide variety of medium to large production, semi-custom yachts is an ideal collaboration with the experience team at RJC Yachts. Mike will assist in every aspect of purchase, sale and ownership for vessels of every size, make and pedigree.

Office: 954-525-3886 --> Email: [email protected]

Nicole Caulfield

Nicole Caulfield serves as the director of charter marketing & sales for RJC Yacht Sales and Charter overseeing sales, marketing, client relations, scheduling, and charter management.

Prior to joining RJC Yacht Sales and Charter, Nicole worked on board yachts as a crew member for nearly ten years. She travelled throughout the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Great Lakes, the US East Coast, Pacific Northwest, and Eastern and Western Canada.

Nicole still enjoys yachting and the ocean and spends much of her free time in the Bahamas with her husband who is a yacht captain and their two sons.

Office: 954-525-7484 --> Email: [email protected]

Kelli Field

Kelli Field has been in the yachting industry for twenty years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to RJC Yacht Sales daily. Kelli and Bob began working together at Broward Yacht Sales where she was a yacht listing secretary.

In 1997, Kelli joined Bob when he started RJC Yacht Sales and Charter. Kelli has been an integral part of the RJC office and the face of the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami International Boat Shows.