Aquila delivers a pair of new Coupes 42’ and 46’
Coupes with a single level enclosed cabin are popular these days since many boaters like to drive in the comfort and climate control afforded inside. On one boat I owned I often wound up driving from the flybridge while the family was below, which wasn’t ideal. In a Coupe everyone is congregated together which makes it easier to have a conversation or ask for some coffee or a sandwich when underway. Coupes also have less vertical height, increasing their versatility because you can access more places. Both the Aquila 42 (vertical clearance of 10’3”) and the Aquila 46 (vertical clearance of 11’) can easily get under all the bridges on the Great Loop even if you add a radar and other modest cabin top accoutrements.
Aquila is a well-known manufacturer of catamarans at a time when cats are finding renewed popularity in the American market. Catamarans offer the unique combination of speed, fuel economy, and a more stable ride than most monohulls. They also deliver a lot of usable accommodations space given their overall length. The Aquilas may be slightly wider than other types of boats, but with beams of 15’ 11” on the 42 and 17’ 11 on the 46 they can still fit in many slips.
Both of these new Aquila cat coupes have two cabins and two heads with separate shower compartments. The sleeping cabins in the 42 are nearly the same as each other although one is slightly larger. The 46 features one cabin with a larger dressing area and an athwartships bed. Both boats have comfortable lounges in the salon and fully equipped galleys. Outdoor seating is both forward of the windshield and aft in the cockpit.
Aquila offers a number of performance choices on each boat. Standard propulsion is twin Mercury outboards 2X 400HP (42) or 2X 600 HP (46) but both boats also offer two Volvo Penta D6-440hp DPI sterndrive diesel engines as an option. Another option is the Aquila Hydro Glide Foil System™ which consists of foil like appendages that run between the two hulls. They claim the foil system enhances performance, increases fuel efficiency, and delivers a more comfortable ride. I have looked at their data and listened to their explanation and promotion of this system but have yet to drive a boat equipped with the foils. That said I am intrigued by this interesting innovation and would like to better understand it and try it out personally.
The new Aquila 42 and 46 combine coupes, catamarans, and outboards, all of which are becoming increasingly popular. To me this seems like a winning combination for a lot of today’s boaters. I hope to spend some time aboard these boats to learn more.
Aquila 42 Coupe Power Catamaran Specifications
Length overall (with outboard engines and anchor): 42’ 10” / 13.06 M
Length overall (with inboard engines and anchor): 42’ 3” / 12.88 M
Beam overall: 15’ 11” / 4.85 M
Height above waterline w/hard top excl. electronics: 10’ 3” / 3.13 M
Draft with outboards and inboards up with foil: 2’ 10” / 0.88 M
Draft with outboards down with foil: 2’ 11” / 0.90 M
Draft with inboards down with foil: 3’ 3” / 0.98 M
Approx Dry Weight (Dual V10-400hp engines): 18,740 LB / 8,500 KG
Fuel Capacity (total): 410 GAL / 1,552 L
Fresh Water Capacity (standard, total): 52 GAL / 200 L
Black Water Capacity (total): 42 GAL / 160 L
Cabins: 2
Heads with separate showers: 2
CE Certification: B (offshore) – 12 PAX C (coastal) – 20 PAX D (inland) – 29 PAX
Propulsion Standard: 2 x 400hp Black Mercury Verado V10 with JPO
Optional: 2 x Volvo Penta D6-440hp DPI sterndrive diesel engines
Aquila 46 Coupe Power Catamaran Specifications
Length overall: 47’ 4” / 14.44 M
Beam overall: 17’ 11” / 5.46 M
Height above waterline w/hard top excl. electronics: 11’ 0” / 3.36 M
Draft with outboards and inboards up with foil: 3’ 7” / 1.08 M
Draft with outboards down with foil: 3’ 9” / 1.13 M
Draft with inboards down with foil: 4’ 1” / 1.23 M
Approx Dry Weight (Dual V12-600hp engines): 31,970 LB / 14,500 KG
Fuel Capacity (total): 616 GAL / 2,334 L
Water capacity (standard, total): 116 GAL / 440 L
Black water capacity (total): 42 GAL / 160 L
Cabins: 2
Heads with separate showers: 2
CE Certification: B (offshore) – 12 PAX C (coastal) – 22 PAX D (inland) – 32 PAX
Propulsion Standard: 2 x 600hp Black Mercury Verado V12 with JPO
Optional: 2 x Volvo Penta D6-440hp DPI sterndrive diesel engines
