Important News: We Test a New Aquila 36 w/ Foils and Compare to Identical Boats W/O - 02/01/21
BoatTEST Newsletter February 1, 2021
New Test Video
Aquila 36 Sport Power Catamaran:
Foil Increases WOT MPH +6 MPH/+16%
The Aquila 36 Sport Power Catamaran is the first cruising cat that we’ve tested with a foiling system. Developed by Melvin & Morelli, the California firm that engineered the foils being used on America’s Cup boats, the foil on the Aquila is called the Hydro-Glide Foil System. It consists of a foil installed amidships that spans between the two hulls, plus two stabilizing fins at the trailing edge of each hull in the tunnel. Our tests, when compared to Aquila test numbers of an identical boat without foils, improved top speed by 6 mph or 16% – 44.1 MPH vs. 38 MPH w/o foils.
At 4500 RPM the 36 with foils went 31.7 MPH, 8.7 MPH or 37% faster than the boat w/o foils. Most remarkable was that at 5000 RPM the boat went 37.7 MPH, which was best cruise for the vessel, getting 1.1 MPG and giving her a range of 412 statute miles (358 nm). An Aquila 36 we tested some time ago with twin 350 outboards w/o foils had a best cruise at 3500 RPM, going 17.7 mph and getting 1.2 MPG for a range of 374 statute miles (325 nm) – 10% less and going 20 MPH slower.
Compared to an identical Aquila 36 powered by 2x Mercury 400s that we also tested, the higher horsepower drove the boat 2 MPH faster (46 MPH) at WOT, but at a fuel burn penalty of a whopping 26.8 GPH.
Based on BoatTEST data, the new Aquila 36 with foils begins to make a performance improvement at 4000 RPM and 22.3 MPH then takes off in terms of both speed and fuel efficiency. Conversely, below 3000 RPM the foil shapes do not overcome the additional drag presented and speeds and fuel consumption suffer, as one might expect.
This is important news for power cat buyers and it is not the first time we have seen this phenomenon. Five years ago, we tested a RIB cat with a nearly identical foil system with the same result. So, the foils definitely scale. More...
Test Video
Fleming Yachts 55:
A Classic that Gets Better w/Time
This is the pretty face that started it all: The Fleming Yachts 55. She is still being built and she is as modern and as relevant today as the first day she was introduced. She is intended primarily for one or two cruising couples, but a third cabin can be added with bunks. In that way she can handle three generations at once. When running at 7 knots, the Fleming 55 has a range of 2,788 nautical miles – getting 3.1 nmpg, thanks to her twin Cummins 500-hp diesel inboards. She can run 18 knots when necessary, but that’s not how her owners usually operate her. Even though she’s the smallest of the Fleming line, she has the same DNA of the new 85, and no two 55’s are exactly alike as the yard is constantly taking owner input and making tweaks. More...
Family Dayboating At its Best
West Palm Beach Area
Family Dayboating at its Best in the West Palm Beach Area
This Spring, enjoy Sovereign Boat Club's fully loaded 2020 37’ center console in the Riviera Beach-West Palm Beach area. Let us get you and your family out on the water in this luxury boat! Equipment includes a Seakeeper 3, joystick, full fishing amenities, plus an air-conditioned cabin for two. Complete boat familiarization and hands-on operation with a licensed captain instructor is included. We offer low-cost membership packages from one day to unlimited use.
To reserve your spot, please go to our website, email [email protected] or contact our general manager Greg Sweeney at 727.200.3474.
Test Video
Yamaha 212XD:
Easy to Drive — and Enjoy
Yamaha’s DRiVE system gives the 212XD a superior level of control for the driver, especially for a boat powered by twin jets. It uses the manufacturer’s E-Series drive-by-wire system that has push-button start-stop, engine sync, single-throttle lever and paddle controls for docking. The paddles control forward and reverse propulsion for each engine and they’re progressive so the driver can adjust throttle levels without having to take his/her hands off the wheel. More...
Test Video
Alumacraft Edge 185 Sport:
Fish and Ski Boat w/Board Storage
Alumacraft’s Edge 185 Sport is designed to meet the needs of a family that likes plying the wakes at the end of a tow rope as much as it enjoys casting a line for fish. That means there needs to be space to store gear when it’s not being used. The Edge 185 Sport has the expected rod and tackle storage in the bow, but the manufacturer goes a step further, providing a dedicated bungee system for stowing wake and kneeboards. More...
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Boating News
Greenline Yachts to Supply
First All-Electric Charter Fleet
Greenline Yachts to Supply First All-Electric Charter Fleet
Greenline Yachts is teaming with Canal Boats Telemark AS in Norway and W Yachts and Torqeedo to create the world’s first all-electric charter boat fleet. Greenline will provide two 33’ (10.06 m) yachts and four 39-footers (11.89 m) with the company’s E-Drive system. The Canal Boats Telemark website is live and the charter season is expected to start in May. More...
Photo of the Day
This red snapper was caught in the Jupiter Inlet.
We – and our 160,000 newsletter readers – want to see your boating photos and videos! Email us at [email protected] and we may feature your submission in our newsletter.
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