I’m Mike, an amateur sailor and boat enthusiast living in Florida. Over the past seven years, I’ve owned three catamarans—a Leopard, a Lagoon, and an Aquila 44—and I now run a small charter fleet full-time.The author would like to note that this article is based on my personal experience and that of friends in the boat owner community over many years of use; there is no paid promotion of any brand.
Let me start by being completely honest
The Aquila brand isn’t exactly common or widespread in the domestic sailing community. However, along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean, its growth over the past two years has been nothing short of explosive.If you walk toward the Fort Lauderdale marina, you’ll see the Aquila 44, 54, and even the massive 70 model more and more frequently.
Why?
It’s simple. They’ve tapped into a real pain point for many people.
But behind those pain points lie even deeper ones. Let me start from the beginning.
Why I Didn’t Choose a Lagoon Back Then
As 2019 began, I planned to upgrade my old boat. My goal was clear: I wanted a boat around 44 feet long that could take my family out for weekend cruises. Not only that, but it also needed to be capable of occasional trips to the Bahamas.
After looking around, I found the Lagoon 42 to be a pretty good boat, but its price was enough to make anyone want to curse. A new one, even with optional extras, easily pushed the price toward $700,000.The Leopard 45 felt too heavy to steer; my wife found it particularly difficult to handle. Moreover, Leopard’s quality control was a bit inconsistent at the time, and delivery dates were delayed time and time again.
Then a friend who’s a boat owner took me to see the Aquila 44.
First impression? Ugly.
Don’t laugh. That vertical bow design at the front of the boat—at first glance, it really does look like a piece of cake. But once I stepped aboard, I realized I’d been a complete idiot.
The salon area was ridiculously spacious.
For a 44-foot boat, the Lagoon 42’s salon area feels a bit cramped with just six people.The Aquila 44, however, can easily accommodate eight people—plus a Labrador. What’s more, the Aquila 44’s kitchen countertop is actually spacious enough; it’s not the kind of size where you have to worry about a pot falling off while you’re chopping vegetables.
A bridge suspended in mid-air? It’s practically a platform floating in the air, perfect for relaxation. This platform can accommodate a two-seater sofa and two recliners. My wife made up her mind right then and there—this was the one.
Although it was on the expensive side at the time—the standard 44-foot model that year came with a generator, air conditioning, and a water purifier, and the final price came to nearly 620,000—we still gritted our teeth and decided to buy it.
Three Years On: The Pitfalls I’ve Encountered
Let’s start with the positives, then move on to the negatives. That’s only fair.
The Good—It’s Actually Great
1. Unbelievably stable
On summer afternoons in Florida, thunderstorms are extremely common. Once, on our return trip from the Bermuda Islands, the waves were over six feet high. and while the Lagoon 42 next to us was rocking back and forth and looked extremely unstable, the Aquila 44 we were on—though also being tossed about—was noticeably much more stable.The key lies in the hull design: the vertical bow, combined with the wide beam, gives it superior wave-cutting ability compared to many boats of the same size.It is no exaggeration to say that this has been verified by official data from Aeroyacht: the Aquila 44’s stability index (STIX) is approximately 15% higher than that of the Lagoon 42.
2. High Space Utilization
Many people are unaware that Aquila’s hulls are wider than those of many competitors. The Lagoon 42 has a hull width of approximately 1.8 meters, while the Aquila 44’s hull is 2.1 meters wide. What does this actually mean? The rooms inside the hull aren’t cramped like coffins. I’m 1.83 meters tall, and I can stand upright in the starboard owner’s cabin on the Aquila. The bed is 1.6 meters wide; my wife says it’s even more comfortable than the bed in our bedroom, and we don’t feel squeezed even when sleeping alongside the dock.
3. Reliable Little Details
Over the past three years, the window seals have never leaked—something that would have been absolutely impossible on my old Leopard.
The cabin door locks are made of heavy-duty stainless steel, not plastic latches.
The fresh water tank holds 370 liters, so we didn’t need to refill during a three-day cruise in the Caribbean
On the downside—I have to say
1. Engine compartment maintenance is a nightmare
This is probably the most criticized aspect of the Aquila. The Volvo Penta D2-60 engine is a solid piece of machinery, but if you want to change the oil, you have to remove all the sofa cushions and floor panels. Once, when I was changing the oil filter at the dock, I was lying flat on the floor, and my arm almost got stuck when I reached inside. The Lagoon 42 at least has a dedicated access hatch; the Aquila’s designers probably have never changed the oil themselves.
2. The flybridge awning design is problematic
The factory-installed Bimini top is too small.At midday, when the sun is directly overhead, only one-third of the flybridge is in the shade. After spending two summers baking under the Miami sun, I eventually paid out of pocket to replace it with a larger custom canopy, which cost me $1,200. However, this is an additional expense.
3. Resale liquidity is not as good as the Lagoon
This is the cold, hard reality: if you plan to sell the boat after two years, the Lagoon used boat market is much more mature than Aquila’s. Aquila has a smaller buyer base, and the average time to sell is two months longer. According to 2024 BoatTrader data, the average listing time for a Lagoon of the same size is 90 days, while for an Aquila it’s about 115 days. It’s not that they don’t sell—it just takes longer.
Things Beginners Most Often Overlook
If you’re considering buying an Aquila, I recommend you think through these points first.
First, the anchoring equipment is far from sufficient
The factory-installed anchor weighs only 20 kilograms, which is far too small for a 44-foot boat. So I personally replaced it with a 35-kilogram Rocna anchor. Additionally, the factory-installed anchor chain is only 40 meters long, but in the Bahama’s mooring areas, that length is simply not enough, It needs to be extended to at least 60 meters, which costs an additional $800—but it’s well worth it.
Second, the battery capacity is on the low side
The Aquila came standard with two 120Ah lead-acid batteries. If you plan to go on extended offshore voyages while using a watermaker, the refrigerator, and the navigation system simultaneously, you’ll run out of power in just two days.Later, I spent $3,500 to install a 400Ah lithium battery pack, and I’ve had peace of mind ever since.
Third, don’t believe the nonsense that “the standard equipment is enough.”
Some dealers often make claims like this, insisting that “this boat must be fully equipped before it can go to sea.”That’s utter nonsense. When it comes to the options list, you must at the very least add the following: a generator with a minimum output of 3.5 kW, a watermaker capable of producing at least 40 liters per hour, and solar panels with a minimum output of 400 W.If these three items aren’t included, the Aquila you own is nothing more than an empty shell for luxury cruising.
What’s it really like to sail an Aquila?
Many people ask. I’ll put it bluntly.
The steering is light—much lighter than on the Leopard 45. My wife can handle it with one hand.
Acceleration is fairly average. It’s equipped with a 60-horsepower diesel engine, with a cruising speed of about 7 knots and a top speed of 9 knots. If you want more speed, go for the 80-horsepower version, though fuel consumption will double.
Reversing? All catamarans are terrible at reversing, and the Aquila is no exception. You’ll get used to it.
Sailing? Wait a minute… Most Aquila models are motorboats, not sailboats. That’s right—the Aquila brand specializes in motor catamarans, not sailboats. A lot of people get this mixed up.
Compared to the competition, who comes out on top?
I’ll clarify this with a table. This is based on my actual driving experience and discussions in the boat owners’ group.
| Category | Aquila 44 | Lagoon 42 | Leopard 45 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salon Space | Large | Medium | Medium-small |
| Stability | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Ease of Maintenance | Poor | Fair | Moderate |
| Resale Market | Slow | Fast | Moderate |
| Price (New Vessels, 2024) | 650,000–700,000 | 550,000–600,000 | 580,000–630,000 |
| Who It’s For | Long-term personal use, Caribbean cruising | Rental, resale, entry-level for beginners | Boating enthusiasts, singles, or couples |
Data sources include the 2024 edition of BoatWorld International, official information from Aeroyacht, and inventory analysis from Boats.com.
A True Story
Last summer, I sold an Aquila 44 to a retired couple who had moved from Ohio. They had never owned a boat before, and during their first test sail, the wife got seasick and vomited. However, two months later, they sailed from Miami to San Juan, navigating the entire journey themselves and fixing minor glitches on their own. The husband messaged me, saying, “This boat makes me feel like I’m not a novice.”
However, one woman quietly told me, “The sunlight on the flybridge is too intense. Next time we go out, you absolutely must teach me how to install the sunshade on my own.”
See, that’s the Aquila—it can make you fall in love with sailing, but it’ll also push you to learn how to fix the boat yourself.
Q&A (Questions I Often Get from Real Users)
Q: Compared to Chinese-made catamarans, which is more reliable—the Aquila or a Chinese-made one?
A: Domestic models are cheaper, but their after-sales service overseas is a disaster.Aquila, at the very least, has official authorized service centers in the U.S., and parts can be ordered with a lead time of less than two weeks. What about the Chinese-made ones? Sometimes you have to wait two months. However, Chinese-made boats have made rapid progress in interior design in recent years, and their prices are about 40% lower, so they’re worth considering if you’re on a tight budget.
Q: Can the Aquila 44 make a transatlantic crossing?
A: Theoretically, it’s feasible. However, you wouldn’t actually consider doing that. With a fuel tank capacity of 400 liters and an economical cruising speed of 7 knots, the range under these conditions is roughly 700 nautical miles.This range would barely suffice for a trip from Florida to Bermuda; for a voyage to Europe, you’d need to make a stopover in the Azores and carry additional water and fuel. It’s not entirely impossible, but the entire process would be quite a hassle.
Q: I’m only looking to buy a used Aquila. What pitfalls should I watch out for?
A: Pay close attention to the model year. For some Aquila 44s built between 2018 and 2020, there’s a design flaw in the flybridge drainpipe that can cause water to accumulate on rainy days. Additionally, check the battery compartment for rust—this is a common issue.It’s best to hire a third-party surveyor—don’t skimp on those $800.
Q: Is the Aquila 54 too big for a beginner?
A: Yes, it is. You have absolutely no idea how expensive mooring fees for a 54-foot boat can be. At South Beach Marina, daily mooring fees start at $100. Furthermore, handling a 54-foot boat becomes significantly more difficult; with a beam exceeding 8 meters, it cannot navigate many narrow waterways.I suggest starting with a 44-footer, enjoying it for a couple of years, and then upgrading. Don’t be tempted by the larger size.
Q: Does the Aquila need an annual bottom paint job?
It depends on where you’re located. In the warm waters of Florida, twice a year is the minimum requirement; in the Caribbean, you must inspect it once every three months. If you don’t apply the proper antifouling paint, barnacles will give you a harsh lesson in their power. I recommend using Micron 66 by International; it delivers consistent results. Although it’s an expense, it gives you peace of mind.
Final note
The Aquila isn’t the cheapest boat out there, nor does it have the best resale value, and its design isn’t the most perfect.However, if you’re looking for a boat that can accompany you on leisurely cruises—one with ample space that isn’t too much of a hassle—then it deserves a spot in the top three on your list.
Would I buy it again?
If I were to choose a new boat after my next upgrade, I’d most likely still consider the Aquila. However, I’d make sure to order that sunshade canopy in advance.
Remember: Buying a boat isn’t about the specs—it’s about the hundreds of weekends you and your family will spend on it.