March 7, 2026
The Aquila 54 Yacht: Where Catamaran Efficiency Meets Liveaboard Comfort
The Aquila 54 delivers 54 feet of catamaran efficiency with 68-foot-equivalent interior volume, four true staterooms and 581 gallons of fuel…
Read the articleAquila 54 Yacht
Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 54' 2" |
| Beam | 25' 2" |
| Draft | 4' 6" |
| Displacement | 23,300 KG / 52,367 LB |
| Engines | 2x Volvo Penta D6 380 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 2,200 L / 581 GAL |
| Water Capacity | 1,000 L / 264 GAL |
| Cabins / Heads | 3 to 5 Cabins |
| Max Speed | ~22 - 24 knots |
| Cruise Speed | 18-20 knots |
Source: Spec & Photos courtesy of Aquila. Specs verified by Tony Smith, USCG 100 Ton Master, on August 9, 2026.
Part of the Aquila Yacht series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- A 25'2" beam on a 54'2" hull is the whole argument for a power catamaran: living space and stability no monohull this length can reach, on a 4'6" draft that opens up the shallow anchorages
- Three, four or five cabins — each with its own head and separate shower — plus skipper's quarters, sleeping ten and more; the layout choice genuinely changes what this boat is for
- CE Category A (Ocean) certification for twelve, bulbous bows and a resin-infused hull: engineered for open water, not sheltered-water weekends
- 581 gallons of fuel standard with a 190-gallon reserve, and three engine choices — standard twin Volvo Penta D6 380s, optional D6 480s, or Cummins QSB6.7 550s
- Aquila calls its own performance data "purely indicative", so treat any range number you are quoted as unconfirmed until a sea trial says otherwise
Our Take
The Aquila 54 is one of the few purpose-built power catamarans in this size range, and it shows. The build quality is solid, the systems integration is thoughtful, and the performance envelope is honest. This isn't a sailboat hull with engines bolted on. The underwater bulbs, planing hulls, and Category A certification mean it's engineered for real offshore work. The optional sky lounge is worth the upcharge if you plan to spend time at the helm.
This boat is for the owner who wants to run their own vessel and cover serious distance without refueling every day. It's not for the buyer chasing speed or the purist who thinks catamarans are a compromise. If you're transitioning from a trawler or a mid-40s express and want more space without hiring crew, this is the right conversation. Families who cruise for weeks at a time will appreciate the four real staterooms and the separation between guest and owner areas.
A purpose-built power catamaran in this size range has few direct substitutes when it comes time to sell. Running costs are real on a boat this size and you should have them budgeted before you buy — but owner-operating is where the money is saved, because you are not carrying crew. The US-sourced equipment means you're not hunting for parts in the islands or waiting on international shipping. This is a smart ownership play for the right buyer.
Watch Our Aquila 54 Yacht Reviews
Official Aquila Premiere: Inside the Aquila 54 Yacht
Video courtesy of Aquila.
Aquila 54 Yacht Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Aquila.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Aquila 54 Yacht and the Aquila 70 Luxury?
The 70 is a different class of boat, not a bigger 54. The Aquila 54 Yacht is 54 feet 2 inches on a 25-foot 2-inch beam, twin Volvo Penta D6 380s, 581 gallons of fuel, and up to five cabins. The Aquila 70 Luxury is 69 feet 9 inches on a 26-foot 11-inch beam, twin Volvo Penta D13 1,000-hp diesels, 1,447 gallons, five cabins and five heads. Step up when you want the full-beam master and the hydraulic beach club, not simply more berths.
Can you run the Aquila 54 Yacht without hiring crew?
Yes, and that is the entire value proposition. The 54 is engineered as an owner-operated boat, and crew is the largest standing cost on a yacht this size — choosing not to carry any is what separates the 54 from a comparable crewed yacht on running costs. Standard power is twin Volvo Penta D6 380s, and the equipment list is deliberately US-sourced — Kohler, Raymarine, SeaStar, CZone, Fireboy, Fusion — so you are not waiting on parts from overseas when something needs attention in the islands. Families who cruise for weeks tell me the four real staterooms matter more than any single system aboard.
How far can the Aquila 54 Yacht travel on one tank of fuel?
With the upgraded 480-hp Volvo Penta D8 diesels, range is 957 nautical miles at 7.8 knots — Florida to the Abacos with fuel to spare. Capacity is 2,200 litres / 581 gallons. Push up to the 18-to-20-knot cruise and that number drops sharply, which is the trade every planing catamaran makes. The point of the 54 is that you get to choose: run fast for a weekend, or throttle back and go genuinely far. Standard power is twin Volvo Penta D6 380s.
What is the sky lounge option on the Aquila 54 Yacht?
It is a fully enclosed upper helm space with twin helm seats, a lounge area, and a Kenyon grill — open it up on a good day, seal it shut and stay dry when the weather turns. It is the option that most separates the 54 from the rest of the class, and it earns the upcharge if you spend real time at the helm. Pair it with the Portuguese bridge, which gives you a protected route forward and turns the bow into a private lounge.
Can a family live aboard the Aquila 54 Yacht?
Comfortably. The 25-foot 2-inch beam gives the 54 the interior volume of a 68-foot monohull, with three, four, or five cabins depending on layout and 264 gallons of water. The salon carries 6 feet 9 inches of headroom and 360-degree windows. The full-beam master sits on centerline with a queen island berth, hullside windows, and a two-sink head with a separate shower. The fourth cabin has its own entrance from the cockpit, which is what makes it work for kids or crew.
What does an Aquila 54 Yacht cost to own?
Two decisions set it: how the boat is specified and whether you carry crew. The 54 is built to be owner-operated, so the largest standing cost on a yacht this size is one you can choose not to have — and on the build sheet it is the cabin layout, the sky lounge and the Portuguese bridge that move the number most. After that it is the ordinary line items: insurance, a slip that takes a 25-foot 2-inch beam, haul-outs, and fuel from a 581-gallon tank. Resale has held up well — a purpose-built power catamaran this size has few direct substitutes when it comes time to sell. Ask for the build sheet with every option priced line by line and for the yard's delivery timeline in writing; we will get you both, and arrange the sea trial and a private showing on a representative hull.