Featured Boat: 2018 Aquila 48

Owner Comments:

“Why I like our Aquila 48”

The Lois Kate is our fifth boat and by far our favorite. She is also our fourth catamaran. Actually, my first boat was a beach cat back in the early ’70s, then in the late ’70s I acquired a 23-foot monohull sailboat. Around that time my family was growing and my work was putting a lot of demands on me, so I sold my sailboat and did not get another boat until 1997.

At that time, I had decided, for many reasons, I really preferred catamarans. First of all, the first thing you notice is how roomy they are. Next, they’re incredibly stable—I used to say I don’t mind heeling over for a little while, but I get tired of it when it’s constant all the time. Also, many areas where we cruise are less than 6 feet deep, so the shallow draft of a catamaran is very advantageous. Of course with a catamaran, and this is not unique to Aquila, the ease of maneuvering (especially when short-handed) is very much appreciated. By having the engines wide apart, the boat can literally turn in its own length and with the bow thrusters, it makes pulling into tight spaces much easier. Finally, foot for foot, dollar for dollar, a catamaran is faster and more efficient than a monohull.

So, I set out in search of a catamaran. As luck would have it I found a 30-foot Endeavourcat for sale on the South River and bought her. We had lots of fun but she was not a particularly good performer. Therefore, in 2003 I ordered a new PDQ 36-foot sailing catamaran. That was a really nice boat. We kept her for about 12 years and had lots of good times. I retired from work in 2016 and decided it was time to try a larger power boat. We had done three separate charter vacations in the islands with four cabin ensuite catamarans. Two of the charters were on power cats and one was on a sail cat. On each of these charters we had four couples and we all remarked on how spacious and comfortable the boats were.

As a natural evolution, when it came time to order my next boat, I decided to get a four cabin ensuite powercat. We went around to the boat shows and the Aquila brand really caught my eye. There were several things I liked about it compared to its competitors, primarily quality and layout. I noticed the quality of the fittings especially—everything was substantial and larger than it needed to be. Also, the layouts were really nicely done. On the 48-foot Aquila the interior stairs to the flybridge make a lot of sense for when the weather is not cooperating. Also, they had wisely moved the engines completely outside of the living quarters. One of the boats we had chartered had the engines underneath of the aft bunks, so the noise and the smell were always present. Additionally, the aft bar with the pass-through window and barstools just cried out to us for how much fun that would be having sundowners while at anchor. The many separate areas on the boat where you can entertain or just get off by yourself are incredible. The forward deck, the forward cockpit, the salon, the four cabins, the aft deck and the flybridge are all great areas in which to enjoy the boat. So, we ordered the 48 in October of 2017 and she was delivered in 2018, taking almost a year to build and deliver.  

By ordering the boat I was able to upgrade and select a number of options that really enhance enjoyment of the boat.  These are listed in the Notes and Specifications, but I would like to especially point out the electric capstans, the interior helm, the bow thrusters and the Yacht Controller.  The electric capstan winches are invaluable when pulling into a slip or pier with an adverse wind; the interior helm is essential for when the weather is bad; the bow thrusters are a great asset for pulling in tight spaces; and, with the Yacht Controller remote control, the helmsman is freed to look over the side for a closer look at what’s happening.

I think the Aquila represents a good solution for a number of uses: some people live aboard, some people like to charter (this boat has never been chartered), some people are doing the Great Loop and some people are just using it for their family cruising. Now that I’m older and retiring from boating,  I am super- glad we made the leap and made the memories while we still could. We have had many good times aboard (though not nearly as many as I would have liked.)

Lois Kate is a must see, call us today to discuss. She is the newest available offering in a very limited inventory brokerage market. She won’t last.