Aquila 50 Yacht: The Power Catamaran That Rewrites What a 50-Footer Can Be
Picture it: seven in the morning somewhere in the British Virgin Islands. The light is low and golden, cutting across a flat anchorage while the rest of the fleet sleeps. You are standing barefoot on a flybridge the size of a Manhattan terrace, coffee in hand, watching the sun lift clear of the hills. Below you, your guests are still asleep in cabins that would not look out of place in a boutique resort. Later, you will cruise 240 nautical miles to the next island without stopping for fuel.
This is the ownership proposition of the Aquila 50 Yacht — a power catamaran that debuted at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and immediately established itself as one of the most considered boats of its length on the market. It draws on more than a decade of collaboration between MarineMax and Sino Eagle shipyard, and you can feel that institutional knowledge in how thoroughly this boat uses its space.
Who It's For
The Aquila 50 is purpose-built for two buyers who often turn out to be the same person. The first is the experienced cruising couple ready to step up from a 42- or 46-foot boat, unwilling to trade range for comfort. The second is the charter-minded owner who wants a vessel that earns its keep in a professional fleet before transitioning to private use. Aquila has designed the cabin configuration to accommodate both.
It suits anyone who wants to cover serious miles without the rolling motion of a deep-V monohull. With a draft of just 4'2", the 50 also fits into anchorages that heavier displacement boats cannot reach — an advantage in the BVI, the Pacific Northwest, and the Bahamas alike.
Design and Layout
The Aquila 50's defining dimension is its 25'6" beam — 7.76 meters on a 52-foot hull. That near 2-to-1 length-to-beam ratio creates interior volume that competes with boats ten to fifteen feet longer. The headline feature is the full-beam, single-level owner's cabin positioned forward on the main deck. Where most catamarans of this size require you to step down into a hull to reach the head or wardrobe, the Aquila 50 runs completely flat — no stairs, no level changes. Raised freeboard along the forward third made this possible.
The master suite delivers a king bed, walk-in wardrobe with his-and-hers sections, dual-sink vanity, private head, and a full rain shower, flooded by panoramic hull windows. For a 15.9-meter boat, it is exceptional.
Buyers choose between a three-cabin and four-cabin configuration. The three-cabin layout preserves a dedicated utility room with washer and dryer — practical for extended cruising. The four-cabin version converts that space into additional guest accommodation, while an optional hi-lo saloon table adds a fifth berth. A captain's cabin in the forward starboard hull rounds out charter arrangements.
Above decks, the flybridge spans nearly the full beam, divided into a helm zone, dining area, and lounge. A wet bar with a Kenyon grill, ice maker, and refrigerator gives it the character of an outdoor kitchen. Retractable awnings provide shade, and seating comfortably handles fifteen people. At the stern, an optional hydraulic platform bridges the two hulls into a continuous beach club.
The saloon offers nearly seven feet of headroom throughout and a U-shaped dinette that seats eight. An aft galley connects to the cockpit through a large hinged window that opens to create an indoor-outdoor bar — one of the most naturally social features of the layout.
Performance
The standard engine package consists of twin 380-hp Volvo Penta D6 direct-drive diesels. Most U.S.-market boats are upgraded to twin 480-hp Volvo Penta D6 engines, which produce a cruising speed of 16–18 knots and a top speed of 21–22 knots. Fuel burn at cruise is approximately 35 gallons per hour, translating to a range of 240 nautical miles from the standard 518-gallon fuel capacity with a 10 percent reserve. Adding the optional twin reserve tanks extends range to approximately 360 nautical miles — enough for meaningful offshore passages.
An optional upgrade to twin 550-hp Yanmar engines unlocks the Aquila Hydro Glide Foil System, a fixed V-shaped foil designed by naval architects VPLP Design. The foil provides lift at speed, improving fuel efficiency by up to 40 percent at cruising speeds and smoothing the transition onto plane. For owners running regular longer passages, the economics are compelling. The engine rooms also come pre-configured for a forthcoming hybrid package, and the hardtop supports up to 1,400 watts of optional solar panels.
The catamaran architecture itself contributes to performance: propeller tunnels reduce draft and wetted surface, the wide stance produces exceptional stability in beam seas, and breakaway bulbous bows on each hull improve economy at displacement speeds. Docking requires a short learning curve, but optional twin bow thrusters and a 360-degree Raymarine camera system make the process manageable from day one.
Ownership
New Aquila 50 Yacht listings are currently priced at approximately $2.1 million for a well-specified U.S. delivery — placing it at the lower-middle tier of the 50-foot power boat market and meaningfully below comparable-length monohull motoryachts from European builders, while delivering superior interior volume.
Running costs favor the catamaran platform: lighter displacement and reduced drag translate to lower fuel burn per nautical mile versus a comparable monohull at equivalent speed. The main calculus that shifts is marina berth width — a 25-foot beam occupies more than a standard slip, and some facilities charge accordingly. Confirming berth dimensions and any supplemental costs before purchase is worth the conversation.
The GRP hull uses vacuum-infused vinylester resin below the waterline and in structural bulkheads, with no wood in structural components. Engine room access is practical in both hulls, with standing headroom and clear routing to all major systems. A growing MarineMax service network across the U.S. provides the kind of after-sale support infrastructure that matters during the first years of ownership.
For buyers considering a charter offset, the Aquila 50's three-to-four-cabin conversion path and robust build quality reflect direct input from commercial operators. It is a boat designed to work as hard as you do.
For complete specifications, engine options, and layout diagrams, visit YachtSpecsDirect.com To connect with a specialist or arrange a viewing, visit mintedyachts.com/aquila