Aquila 42 Yacht — The Catamaran That Rewrites the 40-Footer Playbook

Photo Credit: Aquila

Picture this: you're anchored off a quiet cove in the Bahamas, coffee in hand, standing on a bow deck wide enough to host yoga at sunrise. Your guests are still asleep in ensuite cabins below. The flybridge grill is prepped for lunch. And when the wind picks up, you'll cruise at 17 knots without breaking a sweat or emptying the tank. This is the Aquila 42 Yacht—a power catamaran that delivers the space of a 50-footer, the efficiency of a trawler, and the versatility serious cruisers have been asking for.

Aquila launched the 42 Yacht in 2023 to fill a gap in their lineup: a touring catamaran small enough to be owner-operated, large enough to live aboard for weeks, and flexible enough to configure for couples, families, or charter. It's the entry point to their Yacht series, and it punches well above its 41'6" length.

Who It's For

The Aquila 42 Yacht is built for the owner who wants to step up from a 30-something center console or express cruiser without stepping into the complexity of a 50-foot yacht. It's ideal for couples planning extended cruises through the Bahamas or Caribbean, families who want separate cabins and real living space, or seasoned boaters downsizing from larger yachts but refusing to compromise on comfort.

The catamaran hull delivers stability at anchor and underway, making it a strong choice for first-time cat buyers or anyone tired of the roll that comes with monohulls. With a 3'7" draft, you can tuck into shallow anchorages that bigger boats can't reach. And because it's symmetrical—cabin house on centerline, wide side decks to both port and starboard—it feels balanced, predictable, and easy to handle.

The 42 Yacht comes standard with two cabins and three heads, but Aquila offers three- and four-cabin layouts. That flexibility matters when you're deciding between private ownership and charter income, or when you need a dedicated office for remote work.

Design & Layout

The Aquila 42 Yacht carries the brand's signature design language: bulbous bows for lift and efficiency, a hardtop-covered aft cockpit, and those center-mounted stairs from the flybridge to the bow. That last feature is a game-changer. Instead of heading aft, down, and around the side decks to reach the foredeck, you walk straight down from the flybridge. It's faster, safer, and makes the boat feel more connected.

The bow itself is a social zone. Twin sunbeds flank a massive anchor locker with an electric windlass and 44-pound Delta anchor on 150 feet of chain. The starboard bow holds a cavernous lazarette—large enough for an optional freezer, dive gear, or a season's worth of provisions. Just don't overload it, or the cat will hobby horse.

The aft cockpit is protected by the hardtop and opens to the salon through a stainless-framed glass door. A long transom bench and folding table make this the default breakfast and cocktail spot. Two bar stools sit at a counter that connects to the galley through an opening window—a signature Aquila touch that blends indoor and outdoor entertaining. A dinghy crane extends from the hardtop, hoisting the tender onto a fixed platform between the swim steps. No davits, no clutter, and when the tender is launched, that platform becomes a private sundeck.

Inside, the salon is flooded with light from wraparound tempered glass windows. The standard layout features a U-shaped dinette to starboard that seats six, with a hi-lo table that converts to a berth. The galley runs along the port side with a two-burner induction cooktop, convection microwave, and DC fridge/freezer. Corian counters, ample storage, and an optional propane cooktop or wine fridge round out the package.

Forward of the salon is a utility cabin with a single bunk, optional washer/dryer, and bottle fridge. In the three- or four-cabin configurations, this space becomes a full ensuite cabin or disappears entirely to create a larger stateroom in the starboard bow. The master cabin occupies the port hull with a 59" x 79" berth, vanity desk, and ensuite head with rain shower. The VIP cabin mirrors the layout to starboard, minus the desk.

An optional lower helm station can be added to port in the salon. It's a smart choice for owners who want to run the boat from inside during weather, and it beats wrapping the flybridge in isinglass.

Performance & Handling

The Aquila 42 Yacht is powered by twin Volvo Penta D4 diesels—230 hp standard, 300 hp optional. With the upgraded engines, expect a top speed around 21 knots at 3,400 rpm. Cruise speed is 16 to 17 knots at 2,800 rpm, where the engines burn 16.5 gallons per hour and deliver one nautical mile per gallon. With 290 gallons of fuel, that translates to a 260-mile range with a 10 percent reserve—enough to run from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and back with fuel to spare.

The VPLP-designed hull pops onto plane in under nine seconds, and the bulbous bows keep the ride smooth and the bow high in chop. The cat's 21-foot beam delivers stability at anchor and underway, and the shallow draft opens up cruising grounds that deeper-draft yachts can't access. An optional bow thruster in the starboard hull makes close-quarters maneuvering effortless, and the hydraulic steering with seven turns lock-to-lock takes some getting used to but provides precise control once dialed in.

The flybridge helm is center-mounted with a double-wide seat, flip-up bolster, and a single 12-inch Raymarine Axiom MFD. Visibility is excellent forward, though the midline placement means you can't sight down the side decks when docking. The flybridge itself is a second living room: L-shaped settee to port and aft, two pedestal tables that combine with a leaf, companion seats flanking the helm, and a wet bar with sink, fridge, and Kenyon electric grill.

The Ownership Conversation

The Aquila 42 Yacht starts around $800,000 with standard equipment and climbs depending on layout, engines, and options. That's competitive for a 42-foot power catamaran with this level of finish and flexibility. Annual operating costs—fuel, insurance, maintenance, dockage—will run $40,000 to $60,000 depending on how much you use the boat and where you keep it. Add a generator, watermaker, and solar panels, and you're looking at another $30,000 to $50,000 upfront, but those upgrades buy you the freedom to anchor out for weeks without worrying about power or water.

The 42 Yacht is designed to be owner-operated. Two people can handle docking, anchoring, and systems management without breaking a sweat. The symmetrical layout, wide side decks, and thoughtful deck hardware make line handling straightforward, and the optional bow thruster eliminates the stress of tight marina slips.

Resale on Aquila catamarans has been strong, driven by the brand's reputation for build quality and the growing demand for power cats in the 40- to 50-foot range. If you're considering charter, the three- and four-cabin layouts make the 42 Yacht a viable option, though you'll want to work with a management company that understands the cat market.

Strategic ownership tip: if you're planning extended cruising, spec the boat with the 300-hp engines, generator, watermaker, and solar panels from the start. Retrofitting later costs more and takes longer. And if you're on the fence about the lower helm, add it. The ability to run the boat from inside during a squall or cold snap is worth the salon space it takes up.

Where to Start

The Aquila 42 Yacht is a rare find: a power catamaran that balances space, efficiency, and versatility without asking you to compromise on performance or comfort. It's the boat for owners who want to cruise farther, stay longer, and do it all without a crew.

Explore full specifications at www.YachtSpecsDirect.com.

Browse available Aquila inventory at www.mintedyachts.com/aquila.

The horizon is closer than you think.