When I first encountered the Aquila 45 Sport at its U.S. debut in spring, I felt an immediate grin. Stepping aboard again for a sea trial a few weeks later reinforced that first impression: this is, unmistakably, a boat built for purposeful use. The design centers on a roomy, robust deck configuration that feels solid underfoot—far from hollow or bouncy—and secure thanks to tall gunwales and a thoughtful layout.
The Aquila 45 Sport is a power catamaran with a 15-foot beam, and its expansive deck area gives the impression of a much larger vessel. Onboard, the construction feels substantial. Alain Raas, Aquila’s global brand director and son of founder Lex Raas, piloted the boat out of Jupiter Inlet in Florida to show how well she handles a variety of sea conditions.
Aquila developed the 45 as the new flagship of its Sport line in collaboration with Florida-based Yacht Design Works. The hulls and structural components are produced using a vinylester resin infusion process that enhances durability and resistance to moisture and chemicals. This method also reduces water absorption below the waterline and limits cosmetic “milking” above it as the vessel ages, contributing to a longer service life for the catamaran.
A distinctive production technique casts the twin hulls and the bridging structure as a single mold, creating a unified, rigid foundation. Bulkheads are also manufactured from vinylester and PVC foam core, with no wood used in the laminate. That stiffness matters when twin 600-hp Mercury Verado V-12 outboards are bolted to the transom; together they provide the thrust needed for spirited performance without compromising structural integrity.
“This is a completely new hull design,” Alain Raas explained, noting that beyond engine power, most gains in efficiency come from hull shaping. The double-stepped hulls reduce surface friction and drag, and the catamaran’s wide stance delivers a level of stability a monohull of similar length can’t match. During the trial, Raas demonstrated confident handling through a series of turns and speed runs.
Acceleration felt brisk: the 45 Sport climbed to 26 knots in about eight seconds with minimal bow rise, then continued on to 46 knots at wide-open throttle. Builder tests indicate a top speed near 48 knots, though fuel consumption at that pace climbs—engines were recorded consuming 93.9 gallons per hour at 6,100 rpm—so sustained top-speed runs reduce range. The practical cruise for long legs is about 31 knots, which delivers an estimated 310 statute miles—comfortably enough for popular coastal passages and island hops.
Aquila designed the 45 Sport to blend day-boat fun with the ability to overnight comfortably on longer trips. “This boat is the foundation of an entertainment-focused, forward-looking sport boat,” Raas said, highlighting the model’s speed and social layout. In protected waters the 45 is rated for up to 29 passengers; in offshore conditions, seating and comfort are optimized for roughly 17 people.
Jean Raas, chief product officer and CEO of Aquila USA, described the layout as intentionally open: “Everything’s open. There’s a seamless flow from the bow all the way to the stern.” The single-level deck makes moving fore and aft effortless. Optional cockpit side terraces add about 40 square feet when deployed, expanding the beam to 19 feet, 4 inches and providing extra space for entertaining or launching water toys. Practical touches include an optional air pump in the port gunwale for inflatables and paddleboards.
An almost 5-foot-wide swim platform sits between the outboards, sized to carry a small tender, with an integrated stainless-steel ladder tucked beneath a hatch. The summer galley, located amidships, can be outfitted with dual refrigerators, an induction grill and a pop-up television. Interior social spaces include two U-shaped settees that share an adjustable backrest to form a large sunpad, and hi-low teak tables that adapt to multiple seating arrangements. Forward, a full-beam lounge sits low for secure, comfortable seating while underway.
Access to the cabin is cleverly integrated: a port-side deck with solid freeboard and a starboard walkway with steps that open to a platform also lead to the fiberglass hardtop. Those steps slide aside to reveal a below-deck cabin with a wet head and a king berth. The cabin is climate-controlled with air conditioning and heating, making the 45 suitable for both colder northern waters and warm southern climates. Shore power supports the air conditioning, and an optional lithium-ion battery package allows AC use off-grid. According to the builder, cooling the cabin to around 72°F draws roughly 75 amps, and the battery setup should support about 18 hours of climate control and auxiliary usage when fully charged, with recharge provided by the engines—eliminating the need for a generator and keeping anchorages quiet.
Helming the 45 is a pleasure. The centerline console accommodates up to three 16-inch displays, and the helm row features four large seats with flip-down bolsters and armrests. Controls include Mercury’s digital throttle and shift (DTS) and Joystick Piloting, C-Zone digital switching, convenient phone charging stations, drink holders, a glove box with USB-A/C outlets, and a Fusion stereo. The dash is intentionally low to make the boat approachable for a wide range of operators.
Aquila plans to broaden the Sport series with 35- and 40-foot models that echo the 45’s versatility: a design focused on maximizing weekends and longer trips across varying sea conditions and climates. The 45 Sport aims to deliver confident handling, strong performance for meaningful range, and flexible accommodations that make it easy to enjoy time on the water—whether for day cruising or extended island-hopping adventures.
- LOA: 46’6”
- Beam: 15’
- Draft (outboards down): 3’5”
- Displacement: 21,969 lbs.
- Fuel capacity: 400 gal.
- Water capacity: 50 gal.
- Power: (2) 600-hp Mercury Verado V-12s
- Manufacturer: Aquila
This article was originally published in the August 2026 issue.