Boat test for the 2004 Baia Aqua 54 including boat specifications, photo galleries, boat videos, boat layout diagrams, boat test numbers, boat test results, and boat speed graphs. Also includes pricing, engine test reviews, ratings, standard features, and gear for the 2004 Baia Aqua 54.

He explained that once you have the boat up to cruise speed and higher, you want to keep the props trimmed to about midline on the trim gauge, which is easily viewable just forward of the wheel. At slower speeds, the gauge should read about one-quarter below midline. The propeller-trim joysticks are easily positioned just to port of the wheel with trim tabs and optional bow thruster controls also here. Large icons next to each control make them readily identifiable on the fly.

Mataloni added that once the Aqua is on plane and before giving her some throttle, I should retract the tabs. This may sound like a lot to keep in mind, but it’s really quite easy. Within five minutes of taking the wheel, I found trimming this boat felt quite similar to trimming my own boat’s 250-hp outboards. Of course, this is on a grander scale, but the same principles apply.

I pushed the ZF Mathers ClearCommand single-lever electronic controls forward and started to trim the props, and the Aqua popped right onto plane. I noted that the wake was steep and unforgiving should anyone try to cross it, and while a 25-knot cruise speed would be plenty for me, it was fun to kick that rooster tail up and take off like a shot. The Aqua streaked across the Atlantic just like that Chevelle down Kissena, only instead of hitting an occasional pothole, the choppy water gave the Aqua the occasional slap while running at WOT. It wasn’t teeth jarring, but it did cause me to throttle back to 2000 rpm and 44 mph, where the ride was cleaner. At all speeds I found that ZF controls smooth with good detents and the hydraulic steering quick.

A pair of 1,015-hp Caterpillar C18 diesel engines coupled to Arneson Surface Drives helped propel the Baia Aqua to a 53.3-mph top speed.

Having seen Mataloni do some interesting hairpin turns earlier in the day, I wanted to try my hand at it. You need as much prop in the water as possible for this kind of maneuver; at speed, a surface-drive prop usually only has about 40 to 50 percent of its diameter in the water, and not keeping the outboard prop down could result in it losing whatever bite it has. I got the Aqua up to about 38 knots, trimmed the starboard prop all the way down, and turned the wheel hard to port. She heeled substantially to port, producing a blind spot to that side. So before you make a turn like this, look twice, and then twice again. The turn was quite sharp, roughly a boat length or less. Aside from radical turns like this, I found sightlines at the helm to be quite clean (I’m 5’7”).

But the Aqua’s bridge deck isn’t just for driving; it’s also designed for relaxing and entertaining. There’s a wraparound lounge to port that can seat approximately eight guests, and it’s positioned so all of your friends and family can easily admire those high-speed maneuvers. That is, if they’re not busy cooking lunch on the grill just aft of the helm or sunning on the aft sunpad that’s large enough for three. (There’s another sunpad on the foredeck.) The aft sunpad rises at the flick of the switch near the helm and reveals the engine compartment, which is cavernous. I could easily access all points on both engines with room to spare.

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