Since 2012, Aquila has built a strong reputation for producing spacious, steady power catamarans that were designed more for comfort than speed. The new 45 Sport upends that narrative entirely.
The 45 Sport is not simply a scaled-up version of the builder’s popular 36 Sport, of which they’ve built more than 300. It’s a complete reset. Aquila took what worked, the twin-hull efficiency, inherent stability, and usable space, and reimagined the rest—around how owners actually use boats today. Think fast day trips, sandbar hopping, watersports, and occasional overnights.
A sloppy, early-March sea trial off Florida’s Gulf Coast, with lead-gray skies, spitting rain, a stiff northeast wind and a persistent, nasty chop, proved to be the right proving ground. If this boat was going to make good on its promise as a performance-minded outboard cat, these were worthy conditions. And it didn’t disappoint.
The design, by Yacht Design Works, reflects that shift in the vessel’s looks. Gone are the softer, more conservative lines of earlier Aquilas. In their place: sharper edges, faceted surfaces and an aggressive stance that feels more performance sports car than cruising cat. It looks quick at the dock, which sets expectations high.
Then you push the throttles forward.
Twin 600-horsepower Mercury Verado outboards define the 45 Sport’s character. The boat was designed around them from the outset (indeed they’re the only option), and it shows. There’s no hesitation when accelerating, with no gradual build. Instead, the boat virtually jumps onto plane with minimal bow rise. I recorded a 0-to-30-knot time of about 8 seconds, an impressive figure for a 46-foot cat with this kind of volume. Top speed nudges just shy of 50 knots.
More telling is how the boat behaves across the range. At a 31-knot cruise, fuel burn sits around 46 gallons per hour, yielding a range of roughly 242 nautical miles with a 10 percent reserve. That opens up real-world itineraries: Florida’s west coast to Key West, or Bahamas crossings from the East Coast, without pushing the limits too hard.
Efficiency also shows in the boat’s ability to stay on plane at around 14 knots and even run comfortably on a single engine if needed. For a performance-oriented platform, that kind of redundancy adds confidence when heading for destinations well over the horizon.
Handling is equally dialed in. Where some catamarans can feel awkward or lean outward in hard turns at speed, the 45 Sport remains notably flat and composed throughout the throttle range. Steering is predictable, with enough feedback to avoid overcorrecting. Mercury’s Active Trim system further simplifies operation, automatically managing engine trim so the driver can focus on conditions rather than constant adjustments. Docking is handled with joystick control and Skyhook station-keeping, which will be familiar and welcome to anyone stepping up from a modern center console.
The helm is straightforward and functional, with excellent sightlines through a broad windshield that proved its worth in poor weather. Our test boat carried triple 16-inch Raymarine displays, though owners can spec fewer screens if preferred.
Four seats span the helm beneath a hardtop with more than 6 feet 10 inches of headroom. One of the standout features here is the absence of a generator. Instead, a lithium-ion battery system powers onboard systems, including air conditioning at the helm and belowdecks, for up to 18 hours. The result is a noticeably quieter experience underway and at anchor, with fewer moving parts to maintain. It’s a subtle, but important shift, but one that aligns well with how this boat is likely to be used.
Walkaround access is one of the inherent strengths of a catamaran, and the 45 Sport makes the most of it. Side decks are deep and secure, with handholds placed where you need them. Movement from bow to stern feels natural, even in rougher conditions.
The cockpit flows into a flexible lounge with a U-shaped settee and an additional sunpad at the transom. Fold-down terraces on both sides expand the usable space, creating a beach-club feel that’s rare in a 45-foot outboard platform. Add a retractable sunshade, and it becomes an inviting social hub.
There’s a clear emphasis on watersports as well. A reinforced tow point, onboard air compressor and optional roof rack for paddleboards or kayaks reinforce the boat’s active mission profile.
At the transom, a swim ladder deploys from a central hatch between the engines, and there’s space for a small tender. Practical details, like hatches that allow the outboards to tilt fully clear of the water, paired with an alarm reminder, underscore a design team that’s thinking about functionality, not just aesthetics.
The accommodations are intentionally straightforward. A master stateroom with a king berth sits below, accessed via a sliding hatch to starboard of the helm. The space benefits from natural light via a skylight and hullside windows, avoiding the cave-like feel common in smaller cats. A separate wet head and shower round out the layout.
This isn’t a long-range cruiser, and it doesn’t try to be. But for overnights or a quick weekend, the setup is more than adequate, and consistent with the boat’s overall mission.
Construction reflects Aquila’s experience as multihull pioneers. Weight control and load distribution remain central, helping deliver the performance gains without sacrificing durability. High-load areas are reinforced, while overall displacement is kept in check. Systems access is clean and logical, with well-finished mechanical spaces. CZone digital switching manages onboard systems, with manual backups in place.
The 45 Sport works because it doesn’t chase categories. It’s not trying to be a traditional cruising cat, nor is it mimicking a center console. Instead, it occupies a space that feels increasingly relevant: a fast, efficient, highly social platform with real range and just enough overnight capability. And perhaps more importantly, it signals where the segment may be headed next.
Aquila 45 Sport Specifications:
LOA: 46’6”
Beam: 15’
Draft: 3’
Displ.: 31,480 lb.
Fuel: 400 gal.
Water: 50 gal.
Power: 2/600-hp Mercury Verado V12
Info: aquilaboats.com
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2026 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
