At first glance, it’s easy to see why the new Aquila 36 power cat is getting a lot of attention. After all, two big 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards are hanging off the stern. But look again, and you’ll probably want to climb on board for a test run. The boat has an enormous amount of space, inside and out. The cockpit alone can hold 24 adults, while the two staterooms below, one per sponson, are not only large but also come with extra headroom, lots of light (from long side windows), and an en suite head.
The new Aquila is a combination of cruising comfort and performance. With the twin 300s, it tops out at 36 knots; at its cruising speed of 25 knots, it has a 200-nm range. And because the outboards are mounted on the far corners of the stern, the boat is easy to pivot and handle around a dock. The outboards also have the advantages of fuel efficiency and minimal draft; raise them up, and the Aquila’s draft is only two feet, perfect for the Bahamas or lots of places around the Chesapeake with skinny water.
As a two-stateroom, two-head cruiser, the new cat comes in two versions, both with the same power, including options for twin 250-, 300-, and 350-hp Verados. The Private version is open with a hardtop (and optional sunroof) and a walkway forward to the massive bow seating. The Island version, made for the charter trade and MarineMax Vacations, has an enclosure forward of the helm so it can be air-conditioned. The Island version also has more storage, a built-in cooler and dinghy davits.
Potential owners can mix and match any of these features as they wish. Whether for charter or simply for cruising with family or friends, the two equal staterooms, separated into each hull, offer an unusual amount of privacy for a 36-foot boat. As part of the MarineMax Vacations charter ownership program, the boat costs $359,000.
Specs.: LOA: 36’0”; Beam: 14’7”; Draft: 2’0” (outboards up); Disp.: 19,400 lbs.; Fuel: 356 gals.; Water: 52 gals. Power: 2×300 Mercury Verado outboards.
For more: http://aquilaboats.com http://marinemaxvacations.com
