Aquila 45 Sport Power Catamaran (2026-)

Overview

The Aquila 45 Sport is the flagship of the builder's Sport line, and it makes its case the instant the throttles go down. Powered by twin Mercury Verado 600 V12 outboards, our test boat ran past 50 mph and touched 54 — performance that more than justifies the "Sport" designation on a power catamaran of this size. We put her through her paces in Jupiter, Florida, on the Intracoastal Waterway, with a look at sportier conditions offshore, to find out whether that name was marketing or merit. It proved to be merit.

On the Water

The 45 Sport climbs onto plane quickly and pulls hard through the midrange. We were at 25 to 30 mph almost immediately, and the twin 600s kept pushing well past that — this is a boat that runs strong and never feels like it's straining. At 40 mph the helm stayed notably quiet, helped by flat water but also by a hull and structure that keeps noise down. Topping out just over 50 mph in our runs, and 54 earlier in the day, is genuinely quick for a cruising catamaran of this displacement.

By the Numbers

Our test boat carried a length overall of 46'6", a beam of 15'0", and drafted just 2'0" with the engines trimmed up. Test weight was estimated at 24,371 pounds, running with roughly 70 percent fuel aboard and three passengers, on twin Mercury Verado 600 V12 outboards.

• Top speed: 54.3 mph at 6,350 RPM
• Best cruise: 41.2 mph at 5,000 RPM, returning 0.7 mph
• Range at cruise: approximately 269 miles with a 10 percent fuel reserve
• Acceleration: 0–10 mph in 2.0 seconds; 0–20 mph in 4.0 seconds; 0–30 mph in 7.5 seconds; 0–40 mph in 13.0 seconds
• Fuel capacity: 412 gallons total (two 206-gallon tanks)

Handling: The Catamaran Advantage

Cut the wheel hard over to port and the 45 Sport bites and grabs, holding its line through aggressive turns. At these speeds you'll want to warn your passengers before you carve, because the boat generates real G-forces in the corners — a credit to how hard it grips rather than a criticism.

The catamaran layout pays a dividend most buyers don't anticipate until they feel it. With a wide hardtop and the helm set near the centerline, the boat stays remarkably level through a turn. On a monohull, the same maneuver heels the boat over and swings the hardtop into your sightline, blocking your view of exactly where you're turning.

The 45 Sport simply doesn't do that — your view into the turn stays clear. Through the tighter corners, the 600s kick down and deliver even more bite and grip without bogging; there is no shortage of power back there.

At the Helm

Aquila designed this helm with the next generation of boat buyers in mind — owners who expect to be connected, with data at their fingertips. Three 16-inch Raymarine touchscreens dominate the dash, leaving ample real estate to display engine data, charts, and CZone digital switching, which controls virtually every system aboard, with room to spare for radar or a fish finder. Frequently used functions are backed up by physical push-buttons below the screens.

Visibility is a strong suit. Seated, the line of sight to the horizon is excellent; the windshield supports are slim and the hardtop posts intrude only minimally. At 5'8", I had clear sightlines whether seated, perched on the flip-up bolster with its molded footrest, or standing. Creature comforts are well sorted, too: two wireless induction phone chargers, three helm-level A/C vents for slow-speed and no-wake-zone running, a large glove box, and a full complement of USB and 12-volt outlets, including connections and card slots for chart-plotter updates.

Below Decks: Systems and Build Quality

This is where the Aquila reveals its build quality, and it is consistently impressive. The machinery spaces in each hull are spacious and genuinely easy to move through, with compartments extending well forward to additional access hatches — a reminder of just how much usable room a catamaran offers.

The detailing rewards close inspection. The engine backing plates are polished stainless steel, finished to a mirror shine — the kind of touch that runs throughout the boat. Wiring is bundled in looms, hoses are run cleanly and double clamped, the electrical components are mounted high and dry above a finished false floor that seals off the bilge below, keeping salt water from sloshing up into critical systems.

Everything is clearly labeled, from the air-conditioning filter and fresh-water pump to the AGM engine-start battery and house bank. Servicing this boat, or troubleshooting underway, would be straightforward.

Raw-water systems draw from a sea chest, providing constant, reliable pressure to every raw-water consumer aboard, with accessible strainers and clearly located, easily operated through-hull fittings and seacocks — exactly what you want to find in an emergency. Bilge pumps on both sides are easy to reach and inspect.

The Advantages of Lithium. Our test boat was optioned with a full Mastervolt lithium system in place of the standard AGM setup. The added capacity lets owners run the air conditioning all day or overnight at anchor, and the Mercury 600s can fast-charge the bank from 30 to 80 percent in roughly 40 minutes. No heavy, noisy generator is needed.

The aluminum fuel tanks — two 206-gallon units for 412 gallons total — are built in-house by Aquila and dipped in a corrosion-resistant coating for added longevity in a saltwater environment, with clean access to the vent, supply, and sending unit.

On Deck

A final, thoughtful detail sits just forward of the engines: a hatch over the splash well. Aquila could have left this open, but enclosing it preserves valuable usable square footage on the aft deck. Because the Verado 600s should be trimmed fully out of the water when the boat is idle, the hatch lifts to clear them — and Aquila added an audible alarm to remind the owner to raise it before trimming up. It's the kind of forethought that defines a well-engineered boat.

Foredeck and Ground Tackle

At the centerline forward, the anchor locker houses a Quick windlass with a remote and access to the rode below. A deck hatch to either side opens into deep storage that easily swallows fenders and dock lines, and a fresh-water hose is on hand to rinse the anchor and rode after a night in a muddy bottom.

The Verdict

After running wide open on the Intracoastal and pushing offshore into sporty conditions, the Aquila 45 Sport delivered exactly what its name promises: serious speed, confident handling, and the level, visible ride that only a well-designed power catamaran provides — all wrapped in a build quality that holds up to scrutiny belowdecks as well as it performs on top of the water.

• By Capt. Tripp

• Cabin w/king berth
• Wet head w/hand-held shower wand and electric fresh water flush
• Fiberglass hardtop
• White hull
• Fusion audio system
• Slide out stainless swim ladder
• Double step hull
• Recessed stainless handrails
• Variable position stainless steel steering wheel w/spinner knob
• Composite fiberglass and stainless-steel supports for
  windshield
• Manual push button override switches and controls
• Port & starboard bow wet lockers for fenders and lines
• Cockpit hot/cold shower
• Cabin skylight
• Shore side power electrical system connection w/galvanic isolator
• Inverter/battery charger(s)-12V/3500W

• Side fold-out terraces
• Makefast aft shade system 
• Lithium battery package for off-grid use of electrical systems 
• Power lift television for galley
• Teak Hi-Lo cockpit table
• Reverso fresh water auto flush system
• Rain shower in the wet head
• Cabin television
• Stainless roof racks on fiberglass hardtop
• Raymarine Radome Quantum2 Q24 radar w/mount
• Hull Shield ultrasonic antifouling protection
• Manual removable bow sunshade
• FLIR M232 pan and tilt night vision camera
• Air pump for blow up toys
• Wireless remote for windlass
• Underwater lights
• Hard top spotlight w/helm remote control
• Platinum navigation package: 3 x 16" Axiom2 XL with Raystar 150 GPS, CPTS Through Hull transducer with CP100 Chirp Sonar, Ray 90 VHF
• Gold navigation package: 2 x 16" Axiom2 XL with Raystar 150 GPS, CPTS Through Hull transducer with CP100 Chirp Sonar, Ray 90 VHF
• Silver navigation package: 1 x 16" Axiom2 XL with Raystar 150 GPS, CPTS Through Hull transducer with CP100 Chirp Sonar, Ray 90 VHF

There is a lot to see aboard the Aquila 45 Sport and with its catamaran hull allowing for a 15’0” beam to be carried fully forward, the design and engineering teams were able to supply an overabundance of space for seating, entertaining, gathering, and even a cabin for overnight stays. With the optional terraces deployed aft to both sides, and only while on the hook, her beam extends there to 19’4”.

Bow

Catamaran hulls mean a beam can be carried fully forward and on the Aquila 45 Sport that translates into a bow area able to supply wide open seating and lounging opportunities.

Helm

Aquila paid special attention to the centerline helm aboard the 45 Sport with a four seat across set up and excellent views forward into the seaway as well as all around.

Cockpit

With its one level, fore to aft design, the Aquila 45 Sport offers maximum use of its deck space and here in the cockpit and aft sections, that plan focuses squarely on seating, dining, and relaxing.

Aft

The twin 600-hp Mercury 12V outboards were specifically chosen due to their unique design with the lower units turning instead of the entire engines. In this way, Aquila was able to maximize the aft deck real estate even without deploying the terraces.  

Maintenance

Accessed via deck hatches, the below decks space offers lots of room in each hull to easily get to critical areas for maintenance and servicing. 

Cabin

Aquila designed the 45 Sport to cover all the bases when it comes to comfort, performance, and maximizing usable space, something that is quite evident in the living accommodations.

Equipped with a pair of 600-hp Mercury V12 powerhouse outboards, performance on the Aquila 45 Sport, and as we found out, is going to be as exciting as the boat itself.

Our test day saw air temps at 74° and relative humidity at 74% as well. Wind was no more than 10 knots and the sea conditions were relatively calm with wave heights less than one foot. Our test weight was averaged at about 24,371 pounds with 70% of the 400 gallon fuel capacity. There were three people on board.

During hole shots, our test boat averages 10 mph in 2 seconds, 20 mph in 4 seconds, 30 mph in 7.5 seconds, and 40 mph in 13 seconds. Our top speed came in at 54.3 mph at 6350 rpm. We settled into our best cruise at 5000 rpm where we noted a speed or 41.2 mph. At that rate, we calculated a range of 295.1 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve. We found she quickly answered the helm on all maneuvers especially while making hard over, S, doughnut, and speedy turns where the Aquila 45 Sport displayed control and driver confidence at high rpm.

The Aquila 45 Sport was designed and engineered for the twin 600-hp V12 Mercury outboards. One of the main factors was in the ability of these engines to pivot their lower units without moving the uppers thus allowing the design of the aft end of the boat to be equipped with maximum space for those aboard. In addition, these hefty powerplants, along with a double stepped hull design, provides sparkling performance and precise handling when underway.

One look around, confirms the concept of a boat with carefully considered space for entertaining, gathering, and traveling. With the added plus of a king berth in the cabin, plenty of storage, and a stand-up head, the Aquila 45 Sport will supply unforgettable day/weekend, and extended time away opportunities.  

Wrapping things up and given Aquila’s excellent history in this sector of the industry, there is a lot of confidence built into the 45 Sport for owners to experience firsthand while aboard and traveling.

REMEMBER, LIFE IS BETTER ON A BOAT!