Aquila 44 Power Catamaran Yacht Review

The 44 is a smaller version of the 48. It is the 48 made affordable. She is a 44 feet, 225hp double Volvo Penta D4 diesel engine, propelled by a four blade torque. The 44 has a shape that helps it neatly cut through water, she has a bow so wide, you would think it’s an annex – it is cost efficient on the fuel front.

Performance

Before she was open for sale, two varieties were tested; the two exhibited same characteristics with slight difference in speed. The wide bow 44 paced at 12 knots with 3200 on the rpm gauge, whereas the slim bow went 8.9 knots with the same rotation. The wide bow has some three degrees running attitude at 3000rpm, occasionally dropping to two degrees.

In a nutshell, the wide bow 44 is more advantageous than the slim, turning vigorously, enjoying the push it gets from the Volvo Penta doubles.

Engineering

A firm engineering from Sino-Eagle in China with the hull and deck interfaced with a blister resistant vinyl resin, making an optimum strength lamination. In order to prevent shrinking and leaks, all centre beams and finishing on the glass is made of glass, similarly, gelcoat is used to prevent other time caused degradation and UV related chalking.

The glasses used on the windows are all shatterproof; there is a divider at the forward of the sponson and hull. All accessories are easily accessed; the filter, the Spectra watermaker and the Racor fuel-water separators, they are all affixed to the sideboard, essentially tallied with two-inch noise insulators.

Space

There is plenty of space on the Aquila 44; a cockpit, galley and relaxation lounge that is a spherical with a credenza with folding chairs on the other side. Under deck, three staterooms with shower fittings in each one. On the aft spread, a grill, mini bar and straight-backed chairs. Amidship, another set of chairs for the utilisation of helmsman. A railed passage stretches to the bow. According to Lex Raas, president of the marketing charter, she is a unique product.

LOA: 48’0″
BEAM: 17’4″
DRAFT: 2’8″
DISPL.: 40,212 lb.
FUEL: 290 gal.
WATER: 180 gal.
TEST POWER: 2/225-hp Volvo Penta D4-225 diesel
TRANSMISSION: ZF HS63IVE-D w/ 2.48:1 ratio
PROPELLERS: 20×23 BT Marine 4-blade bronze