Aquila 54 Yacht

When people think of Aquila Power Catamarans, many positive qualities come to mind: Cruisability, livability and versatility.

To that end, this new 54 Yacht is an excellent example of what Aquila is all about.

This yacht falls in the middle of the brand’s model range. The twin-hull setup puts this Aquila far ahead of any comparably long monohull in terms of both stability and interior volume.

“Space is No. 1 with this model,” says Alain Raas, Aquila brand manager at MarineMax. “She has lot of interior volume, and the versatility is incredible with the SkyLounge option on the flybridge.” An open version is also available.

“The boat also comes in a three-, four- or five-cabin version, with the three-cabin model as the base,” Raas continues. “Most clients elect to go with the four-cabin version from a private ownership perspective.”

Regardless of the layout, the 54 Yacht comes with three engine options: Twin 380-hp Volvo Penta D6s (standard), twin 480-hp Volvo Penta D6s (optional) and twin 550-hp Cummins QSB6.7s. Aquila has been seeing about a 70/30 split in favor of the Volvo Pentas, and says that engine choices tend to track across geographical lines.

Those powerplants push along a semi-planing hull with twin bulbous bows. Raas says the bulbs act like a basketball when sunk underwater, popping back to the surface quickly, and in effect creating a very smooth ride for this mid-sized catamaran. “It’s a great boat in a swell,” he says, “and the bulbous bow lengthens the waterline, which of course helps with efficiency.”

The 54 Yacht is a boat with lots to choose from and lots to like depending on her intended use. And with current industry giant MarineMax selling them, you can be sure to see lots of this model somewhere near you very soon.