Aquila 45 Sport

Is there a dayboat today that doesn’t lean on outboards — more often than not, Mercurys?

Aquila’s brand-new 45 Sport power catamaran follows suit with twin 600-hp Verado V12s, seamlessly integrated so they don’t distract from the boat’s clean lines.

Ensconced in two slots positioned at opposite sides of the transom, these 1,260-pound monsters offer fixed-position, forward-facing motor housing. The first-ever independently steerable gearcase twists beneath the waterline. Add the 45-degree turning radius, and Mercury’s Digital Joystick control eliminates the need for a thruster, making docking and maneuvering easy. This is a good thing, in the case of Aquila, since the hull stays true to the company’s twin sponson pattern.

Tested in Tarpon Springs, Florida, close to the port where nearly all Aquila models arrive from the tech-rich Aquila plant in China, we managed an impressive 51 mph, a heart-racing zero to 30 hole shot in about 8 to 9 seconds, before throttling back to a cruise speed of 4500 rpm and roughly 36 mph. Based on a 400-gallon fuel tank, we calculated a cruising range of 310 miles. If you want speed, the top end is 57 mph, yielding a 250-mile range.

Pick your favorite Great Lakes port and do the math. It’s an easy one-tank trip to reach summer paradise.

Host a party

I must have heard the phrase “designed for entertainment” a half-dozen times during our test ride — and it fits. It’s easy to picture all your favorite guests onboard, music pumping through the Fusion sound system, while LED lighting transforms the space into a floating disco. Push a button on the hardtop support and both port and starboard terraces lower, extending deck space over the water. With both wings extended, the beam expands from 15 to 19 feet.

With three distinct “entertainment zones” onboard (forward, midship and aft), there is indeed room to host a party underway — or more likely at the marina. Depending on the options you choose, the aft summer kitchen includes standard slide-in coolers or optional one or two slide-out Isotherm refrigerators/ freezer combos or your choice of hardware.

Air conditioning, heating and all electronics are powered by the newest Mastervolt Lithium Ion bank, providing more than 16 hours of power, so a separate generator is unnecessary. A standard two AGM house bank of batteries cranks up the engines, which have workhorse alternators to recharge. For overnighting, the wet head with shower and a king-size bed — and I do mean king size — is tucked midship under the helm. It’s quite adequate for a long weekend or extended vacation, but not quite as spacious as what you’ll find on typical cabin cruisers.

Splash around

Zeroing in on specifics, the forward bow is one wide, deep couch where five adults could easily lie back and relax. Armrests fold down, and cup holders and anchor access are all within reach. A deep gunwale will provide a sense of safety if you have small children aboard; however, it can also be a stretch for short legs to exit the boat on the dock.

The helm is a command center extraordinaire, with three flat-screen, multifunction devices to view every gauge, chart and all electronics galore. Aquila prefers Raymarine, but there are other alternatives when ordering a boat. The layout is sleek and modern — everything is push-button and touch-screen, with the VHF neatly positioned just to the right of the helm wheel.

Four stadium-like padded seats are lined up, and each has independent adjustments. Directly behind the helm is the summer kitchen ensemble: Kenyon grills, hidden beneath countertop panels that slide away while cooking, with a recessed flat-screen TV in the center. Additionally, the counter itself has slide-out drawers and the aforementioned optional refrigerators or coolers. Trash bins and a sink round out the kitchen counter.

Farther back are two back-to-back U-shaped seats with hi-low tables, one facing forward, the other facing aft. These seats have adjustable backrests, and the tables have the ability to lower, transforming this area into large sunbathing areas either in the sun or under the hardtop. This is a great place to lounge with an unobstructed view of the water when at anchor, watching the kids splash around.

Virtually the entire boat sole has built-in storage compartments. From stowing water toys to extra fenders to an overnight guest’s hard-sided suitcase (yes, not everyone got the memo), storage is dry, out of site and allows for unencumbered movement.

Add-ons include the overhead slide-out shade for the aft seating, a wide-open transom to make launch and retrieval of a dinghy easy, and a hardtop designed to support paddleboards and kayaks.

Aquila has added the 45 Sport as the flagship for its Sport lineup, which includes two smaller vessels. The hull boasts sharp angles and feels much like a sports car underway. Base price is around $750,000, and hull No. 1 was tricked out to about a million. Get ready for a fantastic, entertaining weekend of boating.