Cover Feature: Out There Starts Here
Aquila Power Catamarans are inspired by the Islands, but designed and built by the world.
ANCIENT ENGINEERINGThe recorded history of catamarans goes back to the Austronesian peoples, who migrated from Taiwan to the islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans circa 3000 to 1500 BCE. Their expansion continued for centuries, stretching from Easter Island to the east, Madagascar to the west, and New Zealand to the south. They may have even reached the west coast of the Americas.
Fast forward a few thousand years and power catamarans have become the fastest-growing segment of the yachting industry, offering diverse sizes and styles for both monohull boaters and catamaran enthusiasts.
Power cats have several distinct advantages over monohull boats:
STABILITY & COMFORT
The dual-hull design of catamarans minimizes rolling and pitching motions, resulting in a smoother, safer ride, especially in rough seas. Air pressure between the hulls provides lift and cushioning, so catamarans tend to ride over the water rather than knife through it. The wide footprint also provides greater stability.
SPACE
Boats are often categorized by length, which can be misleading. Monohull boats taper to a point, which means space on and below deck gets narrower towards the stern. On a catamaran, this space constriction does not happen. The wide beam allows for multiple cabins, spacious lounging areas, and ample storage.
To achieve a similar amount of interior space, a monohull typically needs to be about 20% longer to achieve a similar ‘size’ in terms of livable space.
MANEUVERABILITY
Twin hull configuration and shallow draft make catamarans easier to handle in tight situations, such as docking or navigating channels and inlets. The engines are placed further apart from each other, allowing for easier maneuverability than monohulls. The shallow draft helps catamarans reach idyllic shallow-water locations monohulls cannot, allowing you to anchor closer to shore.
FUEL EFFICIENCY
Catamarans experience less water resistance and improved hydrodynamics, reducing fuel consumption. At low to moderate speeds, a lightweight catamaran hull experiences resistance to passage through water that is proportional to its speed.
A displacement monohull, by comparison, experiences resistance that is at least the square of its speed. This means that a catamaran would require four times the power to double its speed, whereas a monohull would require eight times the power to double its speed.
“Inspired by the Islands. Designed and Built by the World”
