Aquila 32

This little speed machine was waiting for us at the visitor dock at the South Beach Marina, in typical Floridian conditions: 30°C (86°F), still water and 93% humidity! Ideal conditions for a trip to Biscayne Bay. Harry Mountain, Aquila's Brand Manager, presented this innovative boat to us. He began by explaining the concept behind this powercat… 

A day-boat concept

The Aquila 32 is an atypical multihull to say the least; it is even relatively unique in the category of motor multihulls under 40 feet. Its program: a perfect platform for a day or weekend on the water. But hold on, we’re talking about a fun weekend! This boat offers comfort, of course, but also power; two Mercury 225 hp engines as standard (our test boat was equipped with two 250 hp and available as an option, 2 x 300 hp) and 1,350 l (355 US gal) of gas. Plenty enough to have a few hours of fun on the water.

In addition to the power, it offers impressive stability for such a limited length. The weight distribution has been particularly carefully worked on this model designed by the Aquila team of architects and engineers. Like the other models in the range, the 32 is built by Sino Eagle Yacht in China. But the concept was obviously developed by the group's thinker - and its director - Lex Raas. He launched the Aquila brand back in 2012, and there is now a total of five models available in the current range and nearly 400 units launched to date. For this year 2019, the yard has an order book of 95 units, no less! Exceptional growth for such a young - and already very popular - brand. The Aquila 32 may be the baby, in terms of size and age, but it feels like one of the big ones already! 

An incredible amount of space for a 32-footer

From the outset, the Aquila 32 looks 10 feet bigger than it really is. The cockpit configuration offers a real feeling of unprecedented space on board such a small model. The aft platform (345 x 100 cm / 11’4” x 3’3” with a passage between the two engines) serves as the main access from the dock but also as a very practical bathing platform. A format that is usually only found on larger powercats. On deck, the synthetic teak decking provides additional comfort and a very elegant look.

Moving forward on deck, there are bench seats with reclining backs, making this a real saloon that can be converted into a sunbathing area. On the starboard side, a 100 x 52 cm (39x20”) table easily seats 4 people. Large lockers are intelligently integrated under the seats. The rigid bimini, equipped with two opening hatches, perfectly protects the living space from bad weather and in the event of any spray. The zipped canvases allow the side openings to be adjusted as required. The cockpit's headroom is generous (207 cm/6’9”). The excellent handrails facilitate safe movement around the boat.

The forward end of the cockpit has a wet bar to port, equipped with a refrigerator, grill and sink - note the neat trick with the cutout which holds the cover from the sink. The helm station, on the starboard side, offers very good visibility, both while standing and seated. There are also two adjustable seats, large storage lockers, an adjustable wheel steering system, Raymarine electronics and Mercury controls for the engines.

A small door to the forward cockpit provides additional protection when sailing. A second gate at the aft of the deck completes the front one to create a perfect enclosed space, making it safe for young children. This forward cockpit has sun loungers, which are a little short (125 cm long by 72 cm to 120 cm wide / 4’1” x 2’4”to 3’9” wide) to be comfortably lying on your back. They nevertheless remain very comfortable for sitting and above all remain dry, even when under way! An undeniable plus for enjoying the view without getting wet. 

Comfort for two

This weekender is designed above all for outdoor living, enjoying the sun and the sea during the day or for sundowners. But the Aquila team still managed to make the interior space welcoming for the overnighting. Once again, don't be surprised by the small size of the hulls: they have a very comfortable layout. For a couple, no more.

In the port hull, the double cabin is equipped with a 200 x 102 cm (6’7” x 3’4”) memory-foam mattress: a little narrow, especially since the structure of the hull limits the width of the bed. There’s reasonable headroom of 184 cm (6’) and a lot of natural light comes in thanks to the two panoramic windows and the deck hatch. Some storage spaces are available at the foot of the bed as well as a fan to improve cabin ventilation – there being only one opening hatch.

By going up the staggered steps - which work perfectly, it’s very easy to get in and out - you pass through the starboard hull. Here, you find a full bathroom with toilet, shower and vanity to safely store your toiletries. The headroom is limited to 175 cm (5’9”). Sir, or even madam, may sit down to take a shower. But on board a day boat, most often we are satisfied with rinsing off after swimming, on the aft deck.

Exceptional stability

For our sea-trial, we opt for Biscayne Bay with the Downtown skyscrapers as a backdrop. Today's weather: sunny, 16 knots of easterly breeze (peaking at 22), calm in the bay and 1 m to 1.50 m (3-5’) of swell once outside. A perfect opportunity for testing the Aquila 32 in various conditions to get a precise idea of its seakeeping qualities - or weaknesses. On board: Harry Mountain, our skipper, Warren and myself, 450 liters (120 US gal) of fuel in the tanks and a few cans of Coke for rehydration, of course! With our little crew on board, we launch the beast at full speed to test its capabilities. With the result that this small powercat was pushed into the bay at speeds of up to 62 km/h (33 knots) in under 30 seconds! And our first comments were not about speed, surprisingly, but first of all about stability... nothing moves.

We leave the bay, in a rather chaotic sea – currents running with us and headwinds - and no spray whatsoever coming into the forward cockpit. Even when going into the 1.5 m /5’ of Atlantic swell, not a single wave passes over the foredeck. The least we can say is that the stability combined with the absence of spray makes this powercat extremely pleasant to cruise on, even at 60 km/h (32 kts) at sea (our maximum speed recorded going into the wind). Note that there was a vase on the washbasin in the bathroom. It didn't move during the whole duration of the sea-trial, until the last few minutes, once back in the bay, when we tested handling tight corners - well, it's still a boat after all. The 360° turning circle is just one and a half times the powercat’s length. The feeling when making a very tight turn at high speed is obviously a bit abrupt, but the 32's handling remains generally comfortable and above all very safe.

Another positive point for this small powercat is its ability to maintain its course in rough seas; a trajectory close to perfection and no zigzagging, even in surf mode when coming off a wave. The helm is very reactive, which makes handling easier and avoids any delay in the catamaran's reaction. In addition to all this, there is the optional Active Trim, which further enhances comfort under way. 

Slightly underpowered as standard

Despite their good performances during our test, the twin 250 hp motors on our Aquila 32 could prove to be a little light in a heavy headwind sea. And the two 225 hp Mercury delivered as standard aren’t going to make things better... The 300 hp outboards available as an option are probably the best choice for this model; you'd then be nicely comfortable and have complete serenity. That being said, Mercury engines are particularly quiet: you can't hear them at low speed (or in neutral, of course). Even at full speed, the crew still manages to hear each other without having to scream. This isn’t always the case on powercats! Especially ones with outboard engines…

An optimized deck layout 

Right, the boys have had their fun, it's my turn to take the helm. What strikes me from the outset is how good the visibility is from the helm. It's a fairly small boat, granted, but with all these tinted windows, you could think it would feel a little blocked. But not at all. Unobstructed view, except for a small part of the starboard bow where the shape of the windshield creates a slight blind spot. But not bad enough to use it as an excuse for any handling hiccups at the marina…

Coming alongside the dock is quickly and easily done, thanks to a well-thought-out deck plan. The maneuverability of the Aquila 32 is a real pleasure; the rear platform allows you to jump onto the dock without any problem. The only weak point: The midship cleats. On both port and starboard sides of the powercat, they are hidden behind the side window of the windshield and therefore inaccessible from on deck. This makes it difficult to set up fenders or lines. 

Conclusion

This compact powercat is an excellent platform for an afternoon outing with the kids or just with friends. Its stability and comfort offer undeniable advantages when compared with monohulls of similar size. Innovative and almost alone in its category, it certainly looks to have a very promising future!

Multihulls World figures

Fuel consumption at 15 knots:

0.2 miles/liter (0.7 miles/US gal)

74 l/h (19.6 US gal/h)

Cruising speed:       

30 to 33 knots (on flat water)

18 to 20 knots (with 1-1.5 m/3-5' swell)

Pluses

            - Stability and comfort

            - Well-designed interior

            - Aft platform 

Minuses

            - Underpowered with standard engines

            - Lifting platform is only optional

            - Price

Technical Specifications

-        Builder: Aquila Boats

-        Overall length: 9.93 m / 32’7”

-        Beam: 3.85 m / 12’8”

-        Draft (outboard engines up): 0.64 m / 2’1”

-        Air draft: 2.66 m / 8’9”

-        Light displacement: 5.7 t / 12,600 lbs

-        Fuel: 2 x 475 l / 2 x 125 US gal

-        Fresh water: 170 l / 45 US gal

-        Outboard engines: 2 x 250 hp Mercury Verado (2 x 225 hp Mercury V6 4-stroke outboard / 2 x 300 hp Mercury Verado as an option)

-        CE certification: B: 8

-        Berths: 4 (2 in the saloon)

-        Maximum number of passengers: 14

-        Cabins: 1

-        Toilets: 1

-        Showers: 2

-        Base price ex-tax: $ 350,000

-        Price inc. tax of the model we tested: $ 449,685 (2 x 250 HP Mercury engines)