With every boat, there’s an origin story. In the case of the Aquila 47 Molokai power catamaran, it starts with MarineMax, which saw people renting boats for bareboat charters. MarineMax Vacations was born. After experimenting with several production yachts, the company decided to build its own: the Aquila line, designed for charter as well as for sale to owner-operators.
Sales are uncomplicated: Build a boat that buyers want at a price they can afford. Charter is another creature because a charter yacht has to be desirable and bulletproof. Bareboats have to be rugged, easily maintained and even easier to repair. Thus, the Aquila line became a success.
Now MarineMax spies a new niche: sport fishing. While previous iterations of the Aquila power catamaran have generally been comfy cruisers—and though the 28 Molokai dipped the builder’s toe into the sport-fish scene—the Aquila 47 Molokai has serious offshore angling written all over it. This boat can get to the fishing grounds at 60-plus knots, has amenities ranging from bait tanks to fish boxes, and is built with a nicely outfitted cabin for long weekends out chasing pelagics. At nearly 15 feet wide, this center-console cat has uncluttered 22-inch-wide walkways for chasing a fish all around. There’s also a 15-by-4-foot casting platform forward. The in-deck fish boxes are as long as 8 feet, and there are twin 42-gallon transom livewells.
On the day before I got on board, 15 anglers took the same 47 Molokai into the Gulf Stream to chase mahimahi and wahoo. They didn’t feel crowded because the 47 Molokai is CE-certified for as many as 20 passengers, with forward- and aft-facing seats. Under the carbon-fiber hardtop—which is braced for an optional Pipewelders tower—there’s seating for seven people in Stidd seats. Three are in front at the helm, and four are on a mezzanine level for kibitzing about the action.
The dash is user-friendly with twin (or triple) Garmin multifunction displays, CZone switching to control every system, neatly labeled overhead switches and buttons, custom Fusion audio and a Mercury joystick. Flipping up a panel reveals four ignition switches. Standard power on the 47 Molokai is twin 600 hp Mercury V-12 Verados, with quad 400 hp Mercury outboards optional and propelling the 47 Molokai to hit those eye-watering top speeds.
The 1,600 hp clamped to the transom is impressive, but so are other numbers associated with this slippery Peart Yacht Design hull. Running at 47 knots with the quad 400s, the 1,048 gallons of fuel provide a nonstop range of 600 miles with 10 percent reserves.
During my ride, we had a lumpy Gulf Stream with washing-machine chop. Even still, the 47 Molokai was soft-riding and comfortable, including in beam-to seas. Aquila raised the tunnel clearance above water, so there was no sneezing spray blown forward between the hulls, nor any slapping of waves at lower speeds. Quite simply, the power cat felt sidewalk-solid, even when we were at rest offshore.
The boat jumps onto plane quickly, and it was a giggle to use the knob on the steering wheel to spin doughnuts. Even better, at about 31 knots, the sound barely touched 78 decibels, which made for easy conversation.
Aquila built the hull using a lot of carbon fiber, and with resins that are 100 percent vinylester as well as infused for strength. Fore and aft watertight bulkheads add to the vessel’s monocoque strength. Muscular hinges on the three boarding doors (port, starboard and aft) make dive and dock access easy. Every hatch and locker has deep gutters to handle tropical downpours or overeager washdowns.
As a creature comfort, the 47 Molokai has a portable toilet in the cabin, which is outfitted to yacht-level finish with a queen-size berth, two skylights, windows, 6-foot-7-inch headroom, and an enclosed head with a shower. A pantograph door from the portside deck opens directly into the head, keeping the cabin pristine during fishing hours. With the standard lithium batteries, air conditioning will run for a solid eight hours.
I was also impressed by the carefully labeled, tidily loomed and accessible systems. From the baitwells (with a Hooker Pumps sea chest) to the fresh- and saltwater washdown plumbing, everything is easily reached for service. The two heavy-gauge aluminum fuel tanks have a transfer system to run off both or just one, and a charcoal fuel filter is standard.
The 47 Molokai that I got aboard also had the standard 20-plus rod holders and 10 spring-mounted cleats, plus an optional Release Marine leaning post, Gemlux outriggers, and Release Marine ladder-back seats in place of the standard Stidds.
This power cat is worth considering for owners who want a serious sport-fishing vessel, a way to entertain friends and family, or an enjoyable weekender. Beautifully designed and built, this boat is (don’t hate me) the cat’s pajamas.
Peart Yacht Design
Headed by naval architect Chris Peart, this team is based in catamaran-rich South Africa. The company’s name is increasingly well known in North America. Power-cat design is a specialty, from initial concepts to engineering details.
CE-Certified
The CE designation stands for Conformité Européenne. It ensures compliance with European safety and performance standards. In this case, the 47 Molokai is certified for passengers in the categories of offshore, coastal and inland.
Take the next step: aquilaboats.com
