The world’s leading builder or recreational power cats, Aquila has proven year after year that they hear their customers and can deliver just what they want. So is the case with the new 42 Coupe which provides a large, enclosed salon instead of an indoor-outdoor space surrounded by canvas.
With no side decks and almost 16 feet of beam, the 42 feels like a much bigger boat particularly when the doors between the salon and the cockpit are open creating one vast social space.
The main space has a large C-shaped dinette with the inline galley across from it. The twin helm seats offer good views over the bows and the sofa across from the helm is a great place for guests to relax while underway.
Comfort and ease of living is certainly one of the main themes backed into the new design but performance is the other and maybe more significant story. With Aquila’s fixed carbon fiber hydrafoil system, the boat is both efficient and lickety-split fast.
With the standard Volvo 440-horsepower D6 outdrives, the boat has a top end speed of over 40 knots. But, with the hydrofoil system, you can adjust the angle of the outdrives and throttle back from the top end to get a 20 to 30 percent decrease in fuel flow. That will give the 42 a range of over 500 miles.
You can opt for twin gasoline V10 outboard that will deliver the same top end sped but, as Aquila notes, you will cut your cruising range in half.
While the 42 has ample enclosed living space as well and two en suite doubles cabins, it does have plenty of outdoor lounging space with a sunning area in the forward cockit and large sun beds aft. Access to the water is from the stern platform, there are boarding doors built into both sides of the cockpit.
Aquila did not become the power cat leader by accident. They listen, they innovate and they pay close attention to the important details. The new 42 Coupe, which will make a great weekender or even a Great Loop cruiser, is the result.
