Aquila’s 45 Sport made its world debut at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2026 and returns to Palm Beach this month for its second major public showing. It is the largest model in Aquila’s Sport range and the first of what the company describes as a completely reimagined series. The numbers give a clear picture of what that means in practice: twin Mercury Verado V12 600HP outboards, a top speed above 50mph, and a 19-foot social deck that unfolds at the push of a button.
Aquila is the world’s leading power catamaran manufacturer, building a range from 28 to 70 feet through its manufacturer Sino Eagle Yachts. The 45 Sport marks a deliberate shift in the brand’s approach to the Sport category: sharper styling, more aggressive performance, and a hull architecture that departs from conventional catamaran design.
The Double-Stepped Hull
The performance case for the 45 Sport starts below the waterline. The double-stepped hull reduces wetted surface area at speed, allowing the boat to ride progressively higher as power increases. The result is less drag at cruise, better stability at high speed, and improved fuel efficiency compared to a conventional deep-V catamaran configuration. It is a technology more commonly associated with offshore racing hulls, applied here to a 46-foot entertainer.
Top speed is quoted above 50mph. Cruise sits at 38-40mph. Those figures come with 29 people aboard capacity, which gives them practical weight. The 400-gallon fuel tank provides meaningful range at cruising speed. Draft with engines up is just 2 feet, making the boat usable in shallow coastal waters that would stop larger yachts.
LOA
Total power
Top speed
Aft social space
Design: SUV Influence
The 45 Sport was designed in collaboration with Florida-based Yacht Design Works. The brief drew consciously from contemporary luxury SUV aesthetics: sharp creases, a low aggressive silhouette, crisp edges where traditional boats favour curves. It is a different visual language from the broader Aquila range, which tends toward the clean and functional.
Jean Raas, Chief Product Officer and CEO of Aquila USA, framed the intent clearly at the Miami launch.
“We set out to create an entertainment platform that doesn’t compromise on performance. With top speeds exceeding 50mph and a comfortable cruising speed of 38-40mph, you spend less time commuting and more time doing what you love. The expansive aft deck with fold-down terraces creates an unmatched social space, while our double-stepped hull design delivers the exhilarating performance today’s boaters expect.”
– Jean Raas, Chief Product Officer and CEO, Aquila USA
The Aft Deck
The social space is the core proposition of the 45 Sport. The standard beam is 15 feet. When the patented hydraulic fold-down terraces on both sides open, the beam extends to 19’4″ and the aft deck becomes a platform closer in character to a superyacht day deck than a production power boat. Two U-shaped seating areas convert to sunbeds via manual high/low tables and fill-in cushions. A fresh water hot/cold pull-out shower, ten cup holders, and a galley block with optional BBQ or induction cooktop complete the setup for extended days on the water.
The Helm Station
Four helm seats with flip-down bolster cushions and adjustable positions. Dual 16-inch flush-mounted chartplotters. Fusion Apollo MS-RA770 marine stereo. C-Zone 5-inch display for DC electrical management. Ergonomic throttle and joystick controls. Windshield wiper connected to the fresh water supply. The helm is also integrated with Android and iOS for remote system monitoring and operation, which Aquila positions as first-in-class for the sport boat category.
Construction
Sino Eagle Yachts builds all Aquila models using vinylester resin infused throughout the hull, deck, cockpit floor, and bulkheads. No wood is used in structural components or below the waterline. PVC core materials vary in density according to load requirements. NPG gelcoat on the hull provides additional chemical and moisture resistance. The construction approach mirrors what the offshore racing and premium yacht industries have used for decades, applied here to a production platform. Aquila backs the hull and deck with a five-year structural warranty.
Below Deck
A king-sized cabin (203cm × 197cm memory foam mattress) sits below deck with a private lockable companionway door from the main deck. The head has a full electric fresh water flush toilet, hot/cold shower, Corian basin, and teak grate on the shower floor. Four 200Ah AGM house batteries with a 3,500W inverter/charger handle onboard electrical load. An optional lithium battery package supports off-grid air conditioning. Shore power connects via a galvanic isolator.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| LOA | 14.17m / 46’6″ |
| Beam (standard) | 4.57m / 15’0″ |
| Beam (terraces open) | 5.88m / 19’4″ |
| Height above waterline (hardtop) | 3.02m / 9’11” |
| Draft (engines down) | 1.04m / 3’5″ |
| Draft (engines up) | 0.60m / 2’0″ |
| Light displacement | 9,965kg / 21,969lb |
| Loaded displacement | 14,279kg / 31,480lb |
| Fuel capacity | 1,514L / 400 gal |
| Water capacity | 189L / 50 gal |
| Holding tank | 80L / 21 gal |
| Standard propulsion | 2× Mercury Verado V12 600HP |
| Maximum passengers | 29 |
| Sleeps | 2 |
| CE certification (offshore) | B: 10 persons |
| CE certification (coastal) | C: 20 persons |
| CE certification (inland) | D: 29 persons |
| Hull warranty | 5 years (Aquila Protection Plan) |
| Design | Yacht Design Works / Aquila USA |
| Builder | Sino Eagle Yachts |
The 45 Sport is on display at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, March 25-29, 2026 at the MarineMax dock/ramp. Full details at aquilaboats.com.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
