The new, massive and luxurious Aquila 70 flagship power catamaran will make its U.S. debut at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, starting March 25.
Aquila designed the new cat to look like a yacht, trying to avoid the more squared-off look of some large power catamarans. Lex Raas, the Aquila president, said the company interviewed many customers before they designed the 70, and they said “it needs to look like a yacht, not like a box.” As a result, the 70 has flowing lines and a luxurious aesthetic.
The customers also said they wanted performance, Raas said. The 70 has a top speed of 27 knots with optional 1,000-hp Volvo Penta diesels working with straight shafts. But its efficient catamaran hull offers minimal resistance, so the boat also can serve as a long-range cruiser at lower speeds.
The new 70 has large, open interior spaces bathed in natural light from windows all around. The salon is all one area, including the galley, with uninterrupted views from every angle. It also has soft fabrics, rich wood finishes, lots of headroom and versatile interior layouts.
You can order the 70 with six staterooms below, including a full-beam 27-foot wide master suite. Or you can choose just three staterooms, including the master forward and two large VIP suites in the hulls, all with en suite heads and showers.
The cockpit and swim platform area are meant to be major social areas. The transom has a “slipway” where the tender can be launched remotely by a single person.
Raas said that owners of smaller Aquilas were particularly happy with the stairs that connect the flybridge to the foredeck, so that was repeated on the 70. The bridge can be open, or fully enclosed with air conditioning.
Aquilas are built in China by the Sino Eagle Group, and are sold to private buyers around the world. They also are entered into the MarineMax Vacations fleet.
All in all, Raas says the new 70 worked out as planned. He said, “An owner can look at the boat sitting at the dock, with its beautiful lines, and think, I’m certainly proud to own that boat.”
Specs.: LOA: 69’9” Beam: 26’11”; Draft: 4’9”; Disp.: 110,000 lbs.; Fuel: 1,447 gals.; Water: 412 gals.; Power: 2×800-hp Volvo Penta D13s. Read more:
