Multihulls Special 2021: Aquila joins ‘big league’

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The Aquila 70 reaches 27 knots with twin 1,000hp Volvo D13 inboards

Aquila moved into a whole new sector of the powercat market when it launched the Aquila 70 (see REVIEW), a model that had its world premiere at the 35th Palm Beach International Boat Show earlier this year.

The 70’s size puts it up against the likes of Sunreef’s 60, 70 and 80 Power models, Lagoon’s Sixty 7 and Seventy 8 powercats, and Fountaine Pajot’s Power 67. However, Aquila says the primary distinctions of its new flagship are its motor yacht-style lines and performance, with twin 1,000hp Volvo D13 inboards powering her to 27 knots.

The Aquila 70 has a central platform for the tender – and entertaining

Aquila has also released its new 54, which was developed simultaneously with the 70. It shares many of the design traits of its big sister including the option of an enclosed flybridge, a high-low swim platform that carries a purpose-built Aquila tender, and central stairs from the flybridge to foredeck.

Inside, it also offers multiple main-deck and accommodation layouts including the option of a full-beam master cabin forward of the saloon.

The brand says multiple units of the 70 have been sold, although the huge sales story was the overwhelming popularity of the equally-new 54, as Aquila’s sales across the globe continued to rise post Covid.

Aquila has reported remarkable sales of its 54 including for the Gulf of Thailand

“The initial drop at the beginning of Covid was followed by a surge in orders,” says Yvan Eymieu, Aquila’s International Sales and Distribution Manager. “The first quarter of 2021 has been fantastic for international sales, notably from Europe.”

The sales of the 54 have included an order from the Gulf of Thailand through regional dealer Simpson Marine, which represents the brand in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia. And while the American markets prefer the enclosed ‘skylounge’, clients in Europe, Asia and elsewhere show a preference for the open flybridge.

Like the 70, the 54 can have a full-beam owner’s suite forward of the saloon

The new 54 and 70 have radically expanded the offering by Aquila, which was founded in 2012 by MarineMax and Sino Eagle, and initially focused on building for the MarineMax Vacations charter fleet in the Caribbean and for private clients in the US.

Gradually, the private orders started to overtake the charter demand, but arguably the biggest change has been the increase in ‘international’ private sales, especially for the larger, inboard models.

The 36 is set to overtake the 44 as Aquila’s most popular model

Alongside the spectacular sales of the 54, orders for Aquila’s ‘core’ models have continued to thrive over the past year. Aquila notably completed the 100th hull of its 44 in May 2020 – delivering that unit to an owner in Hong Kong – before matching that production figure for its 36 in December.

Aquila says strong demand continues for the 44, a model that debuted in early 2014, and the even faster-selling 36, which was launched in 2017 as the brand’s first model with outboard engines. The 36 is offered in a variety of configurations, including for fishing and diving, while a Hydro Glide Foil System to reduce consumption is also available.

Aquila recently released an upgraded version of its Aquila 32

According to Eymieu, the Aquila 36 has proved the most popular model in Asia and two more units are due to arrive in Singapore by the fourth quarter of this year.

“The orders keep increasing in most of the Asian markets,” says Eymieu. “We are very satisfied with the collaboration with Simpson Marine and the development of the brand in Asia.”

The new Aquila 32 has a fixed swim platform, revised seating configuration and new hardtop

Meanwhile, the Aquila 32 has sold steadily since its debut in 2019 and is now produced in an updated design featuring an upgraded seating configuration, new hardtop and a fixed swim platform between the outboards with a customised, fully stowed swim ladder. A new entry-level model will be added to the range this year.