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Horizon Power Catamarans 68 Reviewed

• By Tom Serio
• September 22, 2023

The increasing popularity of power catamarans means more boaters are discovering the brand Horizon Power Catamarans, which has been building for this market for 37 years. Its latest model, the PC68 , blends sea-kindly performance with a high level of luxury in a strong build.

Horizon Power Catamarans has done a lot to optimize the space that this yacht’s 24-foot-6-inch beam affords. The sheer size felt impressive when I boarded from either hull platform (they flank a high-low hydraulic platform) or via the side gates. The cockpit has a 9-foot-long high-gloss wood table that seats eight guests, with real estate to move around unimpeded. The wet bar here has a Corian countertop, a fridge and an ice maker. There is still plenty of room to get to the curved staircase to port, providing access with grab rails to the flybridge.

The salon is through a 6-foot-wide glass door with a stainless-steel frame. Inside is an average of 7-foot headroom, which feels like walking into an upscale club. To port is a sofa, accented by a custom wood-and-metal coffee table. Across from there is the low-profile, open galley with three stools at a center island for informal dining. The galley has Miele appliances, including a four-burner cooktop, a convection oven and a fridge, along with a dishwasher and a cooling drawer by Fisher & Paykel. Corian countertops wrap around the island for added panache.

Forward is the primary gathering spot, with a deep, soft, L-shaped sofa. It’s surrounded on three sides by windows. A custom coffee table houses dual ottomans. This area can also be set up as an on-deck master stateroom (see sidebar).

Dismiss the thinking that lower staterooms on a multihull yacht are small and constricted. Horizon Power Catamarans performed some design magic and created four spacious dwellings. In the starboard hull, the master stateroom has a private entrance with a walkaround king-size berth athwartships in the peak, giving the owner an exterior view via a frameless hullside window. The master’s en suite head has his-and-hers sinks and a shower stall. A vanity, cabinets and cedar-lined, full-height closets are included.

The en suite VIP stateroom in the port hull has a queen-size berth. Two additional en suite staterooms, each with twin berths, are in either hull.

Sizable entertaining space is on the flybridge. Most of this deck is open for rest and relaxation, with the helm to port. Twin Stidd helm seats allow for a companion to assist in navigation or take in the views underway. Three 22-inch Garmin multifunction displays show navigation data, camera feeds, engine specs and more, while individual displays for the MAN diesels are neatly laid out in the dash, along with switches, thruster joysticks and throttle controls. Helm air conditioning is via two outlets.

Two windshields are split by a pass-through electric door. Guests can also enjoy the ride from the forward benchseat to starboard. A filler cushion can be used to make this a lounge-pad area.

Abaft the flybridge helm are a tiered bar, three chairs, Corian countertops, cooler drawers, an ice maker and a wet bar. Across from there is a C-shaped settee for several guests with a fold-out wood table. The seating is a touch higher than I expected, but Horizon builds in a raised footrest to ensure folks are comfortable. The height adds to the visibility.

This space also has a sky lounge option with side windows and an after bulkhead, but the versatility of the open bridge with Sea Crylic curtains for the sides and aft provides the best of both worlds.

What is really exciting is the PC68’s Portuguese deck. Through the flybridge forward door are two L-shaped settees with high-low tables. Guests can easily transit from the flybridge without having to walk around the boat’s sides. Also, the tables lower and have fill-in cushions that convert them to sun pads and loungers. A portside staircase leads guests to the foredeck with pulpit seats at the bow. All these areas have railings up to 33 inches high, in stainless steel, for safety.

Aft on the flybridge is room for a 17-foot tender with a 1,750-pound-capacity crane. There’s also room for lounge chairs. A grill station is in one corner, and a day head with a shower is in the other.

“I’m very pleased with the way the 68 came out,” Richard Ford, Horizon Power Catamarans founder and CEO, says with a grin, adding that production will never be mass-scale because the company wants to ensure quality control and resale value. “We don’t build a lot of boats. We don’t want to.”

Quality, he adds, promotes reliability—so much so that he gives each owner his personal cell number. The commitment to quality is also evident everywhere on board the Horizon Power Catamarans 68.

On-Deck Master

As an option, the standard salon space forward can be ordered as a full-beam master stateroom with wraparound windows, a centerline king berth and an en suite head in the lower port hull. In this layout, the two twin-bunk guest staterooms belowdecks remain, as does the VIP, which is relocated to starboard.

Powered by twin 850 hp MAN i6 diesel engines spinning five-blade Veem props, the PC68 cruises easily at 19.7 knots, burning 52 gallons per hour and offering a range of approximately 644 nautical miles based on the 1,500-gallon fuel capacity. At wide open and 2,400 rpm, this power cat hit 24.8 knots, burning 82 gph with a range of 514 nm. Pull back to 10 knots at 1,200 rpm for a 1,417 nm range at a miserly 12 gph.

Multihull yachts ride differently than monohulls, often counteracting the sea’s motion for a smoother, more stable ride. On the PC68, sharp hull entries make head seas seem gentle, and a Humphree stabilization system with blades reduces roll. Horizon Power Catamarans uses SCRIMP construction for resin saturation that maximizes strength with an 111,112-pound displacement. And with a 5-foot-4-inch draft, the PC68 invites island cruising.

Take the next step: horizonpowercatamarans.com

• More: August 2023 , Horizon Power Catamarans , Reviewed , Yacht Reviews , Yachts
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Whether you plan on relaxing weekends cruising the coast or inland waterways or embarking on an extended offshore adventure to remote destinations, each ILIAD Catamarans model is designed to deliver uncompromising safety, commanding performance and unprecedented living space and style.

The sleek ILIAD 53S features a sporty sedan silhouette making it ideal for unrestricted cruising throughout the world’s waterways.

Discover the ILIAD 53E, the ultimate combination of performance, sustainability, style and comfort.

Experience commanding performance and fuel efficiency while enjoying a remarkable level of quality and living space, wherever your adventures take you.

Striking an impressive silhouette and boasting one of the longest-range capabilities in her class, the ILIAD 62 is the ultimate fuel-efficient power catamaran that will take you further in absolute luxury.

The flagship of the range, the ILIAD 75 represents the pinnacle of long-range luxury. Ideal for commercial charter or as the ultimate private explorer, this superb model sets a new standard in space, craftsmanship and performance.  

9 Best Power Catamarans For Rough Seas and Coastal!

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Power catamarans are gaining popularity in the cruising world thanks to their enhanced stability and ease of operation. They’re ideal for coastal cruising but can also be used for ocean crossing thanks to their stability and speed.

Here are some of the best power catamarans on the market:

• Fountaine Pajot MY6
• Nautitech 47 Power
• Horizon PC74
• Lagoon Seventy 8
• ArrowCat 420
• Sunreef Supreme 68

In this article, I’ll review some of the best power catamarans out there. I’ll also go over the main features of different power cats and if they can handle rough weather. 

But before we dive in, let’s get a better understanding of what power cats are.

Table of Contents

What Is a Power Cat?

A power catamaran (power cat) is a motor-powered boat that, unlike traditional boats, has two hulls connected by a bridge deck. These vessels are more stable than monohulls because of their wide base.  

Power cats also don’t have a leaded keel to weigh them down, so they’re pretty lightweight and fast. The lack of a keel also means that power cats are more suitable for shallow waters.

They feature large engines designed to handle their bigger bodies and weights, and serve different purposes, like fishing, cruising, or crossing rough seas. In addition, each hull has a separate engine which makes them more maneuverable, especially at turns and tight spaces.

Power catamarans don’t have sails or masts and get all of their power from the combustion engine (or electric motor), unlike their sailing cousins. In addition, these vehicles are much easier to steer because of their increased stability.

Power catamarans have more interior and exterior space thanks to their multihull design, making them perfect for cruising and liveaboard . They also have ample space for storing everything you need on a cruise without worrying about weighing it down. Catamarans offer increased privacy as well because each hull houses one sleeping area, separated by the living area between them.

Are Power Cats Good in Rough Water?

Power catamarans are good in rough waters particularly because of their multi-hull design. Their wide base makes them stable, and their high speed allows for outrunning bad weather.

Power cats that feature a high bridge clearance, will handle rough waters effortlessly. With the added height, you won’t experience pounding and slamming even in heavy waves, allowing the crew to easily control the vessel in challenging situations.

These boats are also faster than their sailing counterparts, which means they can get you out of rough waters quickly.

In addition, since catamarans are large and tall, maneuvering is easier because you have a better view of the surroundings. Additionally, you can steer from the interior cockpit (on certain models), making it easier to control the vessel in bad weather.

Finally, although a power cat doesn’t have a keel to help it right itself in case of capsizing, it will still float easily because of its positive buoyancy.

Are Power Catamarans More Efficient?

Power catamarans are more fuel-efficient than monohulls because they don’t have leaded keels. While keels are designed to offer stability by weighing down the vessel, they increase the wetted surface and thereby add drag.

Due to the catamarans’ narrow bow entry, there’s lower resistance, leading to smoother acceleration and greater fuel economy in catamarans. In addition, power cats show fewer spikes in fuel consumption in a single power band, especially because of their smooth acceleration and fuel consumption.

The figures reported by cat owners or manufacturers show that power cats have the best power-consumption-to-speed ratios.

That being said, you can improve fuel efficiency by maintaining lower speeds; studies have shown that speed can be the most important factor in fuel efficiency, regardless of the number of engines or hull types. 

Now that you have a better understanding of power catamarans, let’s take a look at the ten best models on the market.

1. Leopard 53

This 53ft (16.19m) power cat is the fourth generation of the widely popular Leopard catamarans, and brings with it all the great features from her predecessor, the 51. 

Although the 51 was the company’s best-selling cat, they added these features to the 53 along with new ones to repeat its success. For example, they have built an enormous saloon, flybridge, and galley by removing the foredeck cockpit in the 51 PC, making it 30 percent larger than the previous model.

This model comes with three or four stateroom layouts, with the 3-stateroom version featuring an owner’s stateroom, two sinks, a loveseat, and lots of storage space.

With two Yanmar 370 hp engines, a maximum speed of 22 knots, and a cruising speed of 17.5, you can enjoy a magnificent ride, whether it’s long-distance cruising or a fun night out with friends.

2. Fountaine Pajot MY6

This luxury power cat is 44ft (13.40m) long, making it super spacious and suitable for families and big parties. With its spacious flybridge, sunbathing lounge, and enormous galley, it’s nothing short of a second home on the water. 

You can steer the cat from the saloon or the 21sqm (68 sq ft) flybridge which features a sunbathing lounge, a pool, and a galley.

This motor yacht continues to delight with its luxurious combination of privacy and pleasure, with views of the sea in almost every interior space. With three cabins, two bathrooms, six cabin beds, ample storage, and a kitchen that opens into the cockpit, you can enjoy practicality and luxury in one place.

The MY6 is exceptionally seaworthy and stable thanks to its wave-piercing hulls and Volvo IPS engines.

Like all power cats, it has straightforward steering, enabling you to control this beast even in the roughest circumstances.

3. Nautitech 47 Power

Powered by dual Volvo Penta D4 engines, this model can output 225-300hp, reaching a maximum of 22 knots and a cruising speed of 18-20 knots . This 46′ 8″ (14.23m) long power cat comes in three or four cabin versions, depending on the customer’s preference.

No matter which layout you choose, you’ll get a spacious, luxurious, and comfortable catamaran with panoramic views from the cabin. The sleek, streamlined exterior design ensures elegant sailing and seaworthiness.

It’s easy for passengers to navigate the deck thanks to its seamless design that connects the saloon to the cockpit and the rear deck. The stern features a big swimming platform that can also accommodate a tender. The cockpit is usable in different weather conditions thanks to the clear covers wrapping the whole area.

This efficient catamaran promises long cruising for big families and groups with two 300L water tanks and a pair of 645L fuel tanks.  

4. Horizon PC74

The Horizon PC 74 is another luxury power cat that can give you the comfort of your home on water. This 73′ 9” (22.48m) long power cat with a 2,000gal (7570L) fuel tank is an enormous vessel that can accommodate more than 14 people.

The enormous hardtop on the three-piece windshield, the teak dining table, the U-shaped bar, the sun pad, and the swing-out stools all guarantee that you’ll have the luxury cruising experience of a lifetime.

This vast and wide catamaran allows you to access the aft deck from the flybridge via a curving staircase. The vast aft deck has a ten-person dining table, a wet bar, and storage space. You can separate the interior and exterior spaces through sliding glass doors and make the space appear bigger by opening them.

Reaching a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 19 knots, this enormous catamaran was built for efficiency and practicality.

5. Lagoon Seventy 8

This 78’1″ (23.80m) power cat with two 494 HP engines and a 2246gal (8500L) fuel capacity is one of the largest power cats on the market, offering both comfort and reliability. The enormous flybridge can feature a jacuzzi, a sunbathing area, a large foldable dining table, and a hardtop with a moveable roof. However, you can customize the flybridge based on your preferences.

The designers have compromised nothing in terms of elegance and high-quality materials with top-of-the-line finishes and interior paneling to create the kind of luxury you want.

The saloon is huge, well-ventilated, and separated from the exterior by glass doors and panoramic windows.

But what sets Lagoon Seventy 8 apart from other power cats, in addition to its enormous size, is the wide choice of layouts. You can choose between five different versions, all offering the same amount of storage space, living and sleeping area, and privacy.

Additionally, some versions are fully customizable, allowing you to pick every detail to your liking.

6. ArrowCat 420

This 41′ (12.73m) long express cruiser is a semi-custom catamaran with two-stateroom and three-stateroom layouts. The ArrowCat 420 is designed and built with comfort and strength in mind, and capable of handling rough waters safely.

The two Suzuki 350 hp engines give this model a maximum speed of 40 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots.

The streamlined design and the angled hulls ensure the vessel cuts through the waves effortlessly, making it easy to maneuver.

The fully-equipped head features an electric toilet, a shower, sink, and mirrors, coupled with a dining table, floor storage locker, and teak-finished floors. This cat is built to combine luxury and comfort for both onshore and offshore cruising.

7. Bali 4.3

This 43′ (13.1m) power cat is made for ocean crossing in mind. With five different layouts featuring different combinations of cabins and heads, the company ensures you’ll get the kind of setup you want. Regardless of the layout, this cat offers a spacious master suite with a large double bed and other private sleeping quarters.

You can quickly add to the overall space by removing the adjustable glass doors to merge the cockpit with the saloon.

A feature that sets the 4.1 apart from its predecessor is the fixed aft deck between the hulls, which provides a passageway and eliminates the need to go from one hull to the other without entering the cockpit.

8. Sunreef Supreme 68

According to its designers, this model was built with a radical concept in mind while staying true to the company’s promise of building the most comfortable and spacious power cats in the world.

One of the greatest features of the Supreme 68 is its aft garage that houses a 5m (16 ft) tender and two jet skis in addition to other water toys.

You can also transform the aft to a large platform for water sports by lowering the garage door.

The four-stateroom layout features ample storage, ensuite guest cabins, queen-sized beds, and TVs to create a memorable stay. The white and beige furniture with chrome details and floor-to-ceiling glazing create a soothing atmosphere that blends with the practicality of the well-equipped galley. 

However, if you’re looking for something different, you can opt for a customized model from three different layouts.

9. Hudson 48

The sleek, diamond-cut design of this 46.46’ (14.16m) long power cat is usually the first thing to catch your eye.

It’s a light displacement cat that ensures fast cruising with a top speed of 24 knots and cruising speed of 8 knots thanks to the two 370hp Yanmar V8 engines.

The three-cabin layout features a master stateroom with a spacious and well-ventilated design made possible via the three overhead windows and opening deck hatches.

The saloon’s enormous helm station allows for comfortable and safe accommodation, making it great for rough waters and bad weather conditions.

This model also offers a few entertainment options with its large TV systems and mood lighting. The storage areas and the full-sized walk-in wardrobe give this model a comfortable, homely setting.

Here are Some of My Favorite Catamaran Cruising Resources

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful as you hopefully start your sailing adventures. Here are some resources that I use as a sailor that I hope you’ll also find helpful. These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact things that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family. Sailboats: If you’re looking for the best boat to suit your needs, I would recommend a catamaran. If you’re interested, I can show you the differences between catamarans and other types of sailboats .

Books:  For getting started, I really like  Cruising catamarans made easy . It is actually a textbook from the American sailing association; it is used to get a cruising catamaran certification. There are some other great books, and I have compiled a list of books about cruising catamarans that you will find useful.

Communication:  Being out on adventures, whether it be sailing or climbing mountains, good communications are essential to being safe. I recommend two things Google fi (incredibly simple cellular data all over the world) and Garmin inreach mini (for text and voice in remote areas without cell coverage)

Sailing courses: Online sailing courses are great for beginners starting out their sailing career; it’s an efficient way of learning the basics of navigation, throttle controls, and maritime safety. I suggest starting with two free courses from NauticEd .

To see all my most up-to-date recommendations,  check out this resource  that I made for you!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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Best power catamarans: 6 of the best models on the market right now

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Power catamarans have become so popular in recent years. Alex Smith talks us through 6 of the most exciting models we've covered in the past 12 months...

With the promise of extra volume stability and running efficiency it’s easy to see why power catamarans have become so popular in recent years.

Established players like Sunreef , Leopard and Lagoon have been joined by new builders like Vandal, Archipelago and Moon Yachts.

Big brands like Prestige have also made them move into twin hulled motorboats in recent years, and the likes of Bluegame and Wider Yachts look set to follow suit.

So with the trend showing no signs of slowing here’s our round-up of some of the most exciting new power catamarans you can buy right now.

Article continues below…

Prestige M48 sea trial review: The smartest multihull on the planet?

Moon Power 60 review: Is this £3.7m adventure cat the next big thing?

6 of the best power catamarans available right now.

Prestige M48

Prestige’s first ever power catamaran is designed to provide the volume of a 60 footer alongside the running efficiency of a 40 footer, but the way it manages all that onboard space is also quite attractive.

A three-part aft swim platform features a raising central section to help extend the cockpit party out over the water. The foredeck mimics that with freestanding furniture right at the forepeak and between them the saloon includes a big-aft galley, a large port lounge and a compact helm with a handy starboard side door.

From here private stairwells to the forward owner’s cabin and each of the two guest cabins provide plenty of privacy, and the split design of the port ensuite means it works really well as a day head.

In terms of styling the freestanding bow furniture looks a bit odd, and in terms of dynamics the stooping bridge deck does tend to touch down when the swells get beyond a couple of feet.

But if you want an accessible, novice-friendly boat that provides a party platform way out of proportion to its length, the first model in Prestige’s M line has a lot going for it. And if you have the budget, the more recent Prestige M8 is an even more convincing piece of work.

Watch our full sea trial review of the Prestige M48

Moon Power 60

As a modified sailing cat, the Moon Power 60’s beam stands at a massive 53% of its overall length and that has a very clear impact on the inside.

In spite of huge side decks with dual access to the flybridge , the internal saloon occupies an enormous footprint. It’s used for a pair of peripheral seating areas plus a forward door to access a lovely sunken bow lounge.

Visibility from the lower helm is restricted by the big stuts that sit sailboat-style toward the centre of the screen, but performance is pretty impressive: a pair of 3,500L tanks give you a 2,000nm range at 8 knots with a fuel flow of just 3lpm, and if you really want to boost the range there’s plenty of space for extra fuel capacity too.

Up on the flybridge there’s a big symmetrical lounge and a hot tub flanked by sunbeds, and down below the two hulls borrow a bit of inboard space for four ensuite cabins.

The simplistic saloon arrangement, the absence of a day heads, and the sheer masculinity of that styling might prove a bit problematic for some, but if you’re okay with a modified sailing cat, and you’re happy to work with the yard to refine that deck layout, this big imposing long-distance boat is unlike anything else out there.

Watch our full sea trial review of the Moon Power 60

Invincible 33

Invincible is a well-respected American Builder with a strong offshore sports fishing heritage and close links with the US Navy, but it also builds high-performance power catamarans, and this impressive 33-footer is the entry point to that fleet.

It uses quite a narrow beam with asymmetrical chines and spray rails, which enable it to heel into a turn in much the same fashion as a monohull and to ride the chop without spitting clouds of spray over that bow.

Capable of 56 knots with twin 400hp Verado outboards , it can also reportedly achieve cruising economy of just 2.5lpm for a range of around 500nm.

The internal arrangements are also really practical – with high capacity deck drains and an automatic fresh water flushing system for the outboards you can simply hose this boat down after a trip and get on with your day.

The fuss-free fit out includes multiple bait wells as well as lots of drained, insulated lockers that do a great job as ice chests and storage spaces, and the squared off bow provides lots of seating to supplement the big open deck of that half cockpit.

It might be built with fishing in mind, but as a rapid offshore performance machine, this might just be the perfect power catamaran for monohull lovers.

Watch our yacht tour video of the Invincible 33

Archipelago 47

The Archipelago 47 is a seriously good looking boat. Built from aluminum on the Isle of Wight with design input from commercial specialist Chartwell Marine, its low roofline, reverse screen, wide beams, slender forward hulls, and raised bridge deck give it a seriously potent profile, and that’s precisely what this boat is all about.

The idea is to deliver proper long distance offshore performance alongside a handy turn of pace in a homely fit out, and the Archipelago delivers that.

Built from 8mm hull plating with 6mm topsides, this Category A boat is rated to carry 12 people and sleep up to eight people in four cabins.

Reserving one entire hull for the owner’s suite is a really attractive option, but in all cases headroom is great and huge vertical picture windows provide amazing views from bed level.

The saloon features a large galley and lounge, as well as a raised helm with a shut-off partition for night nav. There are still some design tweaks required, particularly at the helm and the aft end, to maximise this boat’s potential, and if you want a flybridge you’ll need to look toward the Archipelago 52 instead, because on this particular boat that’s not an option.

But with space up top for all kinds of expedition friendly tenders, toys, cranes and solar panels, this tough go anywhere power catamaran has plenty going for it.

Watch our full sea trial review of the Archipelago 47

Vandal Explorer

As a foil-assisted, outboard-powered, flybridge equipped, aluminium power catamaran, the Vandal Explorer is certainly not the mainstream choice, but of course it was never designed to be.

Created by Ben Mennem, who wants to enjoy the sun-drenched waters of the Med, in collaboration with Norwegian designer Espen Oeino, who loves outdoor adventures in the Nordic States, it seems to straddle both camps.

It uses a wide open main deck with skeletal bars rather than rigid bulkheads to keep you properly in touch with the sea. There’s also a big aft platform between the Verado XTO outboards, which operates as a passerelle, and thanks to a ladder and rain shower does a great job for watersports too.

Ahead of the cockpit lounge there’s a big transverse galley tucked inside the shelter of the pilothouse structure, and there’s also a raised full-beam bow cabin with a separate incinerator toilet.

It’s a bit noisy on that main deck when you’re underway and the limited two-berth arrangement of the base boat is likely to compel some people to question its overall practicality.

But as a tough and lightweight 40-knot boat with space for 14 people, a cool off-grid aesthetic and all the custom friendly flexibility you could want, its simplicity is actually a really key part of its appeal.

Watch our full sea trial review of the Vandal Explorer

The Aquila 44 is a proper wide-beam cruising cat

Built at Sino Eagle’s 1million sqft facility in China and developed in collaboration with the renowned J&J Design Group, Aquila is a specialist power catamaran builder and that absolutely shows.

Capable of up to 20 knots with the top rated Volvo Penta D4 420s, the Aquila 44 uses bow bulbs for extra waterline length, a softer ride and improved stability at displacement speeds.

But is the way it uses its 21ft beam that really impresses. In the aft cockpit a convivial c-shape dinette sits opposite a fold-out bar at the aft galley.

At the bow a set of steps connects the foredeck lounge directly to the flybridge, which is great for practicality as well as for large partie, and up top a central walkaround helm pod keeps things more sociable and inclusive than on any other boat in this class.

There’s a proper main deck helm too if you want it, plus sleeping for six in three private ensuite cabins, including a brilliant owner’s cabin that occupies the full beam beneath that foredeck.

If you need extra performance and style you could of course look toward the brand’s smaller, narrow-beamed, outboard-powered sport line, but for proper power catamaran lovers this big, cleverly arranged entertainment platform feels exactly right.

Watch our yacht tour video of the Aquila 44

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70 Luxury Power Catamaran

Gorgeous lines, super balanced, intelligent luxury. These are just a few ways to describe our new flagship, the Aquila 70 Luxury Power Catamaran. This breathtaking and powerful catamaran is like nothing you have ever stepped aboard. With an aesthetically pleasing design at every angle, the Aquila 70 looks like the stunning luxury yacht that it is.

The Aquila 70 can top out at 27 knots (with the optional engines) yet still cover long ranges at slower speeds. Power and maneuverability come from Volvo Penta inboards coupled with joystick control. Carbon fiber reinforcements keep weight down while adding to the yacht’s strength. The high bridge-deck clearance allows for even more comfort underway and improved speeds. 

For your relaxation and entertainment needs, the Aquila 70 has massive spaces designed with European flair that are bright, inviting, and welcoming including a 27’ wide master suite. Versatile interior layouts, along with rich wood finishes, soft fabrics, smart appliances, designer furnishings, incredible headroom, and panoramic windows make your experience onboard even better. 

Outdoor areas receive just as much attention. Our signature stairs make it easy to access the foredeck from the flybridge, which can be fully open or enclosed with A/C and a wide Portuguese bridge for easy access from aft to bow. If you prefer, spend your time hanging out aft, with its comfortable plush seating, huge beach area, deep swim ladder and excellent dinghy launching. 

The Aquila 70 is truly a crowning achievement.

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Aquila 70 Luxury: Make Your Dream Come True

Gorgeous lines, super balanced, intelligent luxury. These are just a few ways to describe our new flagship, the Aquila 70 Luxury Power Catamaran. 

This breathtaking and powerful catamaran is like nothing you have ever stepped aboard. With an aesthetically pleasing design at every angle, the Aquila 70 looks like the stunning luxury yacht that it is

A Yacht Built for Exploring Your World

Gorgeous lines, super balanced, intelligent luxury. Introducing the Aquila 70 Luxury Power Catamaran.

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Aquila 70 Luxury Power Catamaran | Full In-Depth Walkthrough

Join us on a tour of the all-new Aquila 70 both inside and out. Gorgeous lines, super balanced, intelligent luxury.

Aquila 70 Luxury Power Catamaran Test Video - By BoatTEST.com

Get a full, in-depth Captain's report on the Aquila 70 Luxury, reviewing test data and performance. 

Aquila 70 Luxury Features Video - By BoatTEST.com

A complete features inspection on this largest model by Aquila, who entered the luxury yacht segment with this flagship model. 

Specifications

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Longreach 1400

Long range cruising.

The Longreach is a family of High Performance Power Catamarans with a comprehensive 5 year construction warranty. The Longreach 1400 is a full displacement design with low drag smooth riding slender hulls and docking keels for safe grounding and protection of the running gear. Reliable and proven Volvo IPS propulsion economically delivers long range cruising in comfort and security.

Luxurious Furnishings

The Saloon features two large opening hatches forward for natural ventilation, with massive panoramic views from windows all around and cooled by 20,000 BTU air-conditioning throughout. The comfortable saloon lounge and dining setting looks onto a flat screen TV and 10 speaker sound system, but can convert into another bed with a telescopic table.

The galley opens out into the cockpit and features all of the appliances you would expect at home, including a large upright refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, convection microwave oven and of course stove tops.

Open Living Plan

Partially (front windscreen with quarter side windows) enclosed panoramic flybridge with spacious liveable areas and direct access to the foredeck where a casual beach club atmosphere is provided in the foredeck lounge area. Aft cockpit featuring lifting platform for divers’/swimmers and RIB stowage. Dedicated dive bottle secure storage with easy access to the sea toy stowage above.

• Displacement 14tn
• Reserve long range tanks 2000L
• Water 1200L
• Engines 2 x Volvo 600 IPS

Boat Description

The Longreach is foremost a family of Performance Power Catamarans with a comprehensive 5 year construction warranty. Enjoy long range, low impact, economical, smooth, safe and secure passage making in comfort and at speeds to thrill. Reach further, stay longer.

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Long range power catamarans

Peter Brady provided a brief history ( Multihull World Magazine, #142 ) of how he saw the development of long distance power catamarans:

Arthur Defever 1960’s (“long range cruising” monohulls) –> Robert Beebe 1974 (“passage maker” monohulls) –> Malcolm Tennant 1990’s (catamarans) &  Roger Hill 1990’s & Peter Brady 1990’s in Australia (catamarans).

The qualities of the “passagemaker” were defined by Beebe as 2,400nm range at 7.5kn, self-sufficient for at least two weeks.

Brady opines that 2,000nm at displacement speed is a “reasonable bench mark”, with 55-65′ boats making 8kn at “displacement speed”.

This “displacement speed” indication is perhaps a better metric and allows calculation of the standard “ hull speed ” calculation of 1.34 x sqrt(LWL), with a “displacement speed” changing the multiplier from 1.34x to 1x or 1.1x (so a 49′ boat would average 7-7.7kn, a 64′ boat would average 8-8.8kn).

It is worth saying now that many trimarans and catamarans are acknowledged as NOT being limited by this theoretical hull speed as the formula is based on the hydrodynamic (wavemaking) properties, but hulls that are very narrow for their length (some say 8:1 or more on LWL:BWL) may instead be more limited by the interaction properties of the waves off each hull. There is not

So as a working definition, a passage maker or long range cruiser can be classified as being able to go at least 2,000nm on standard tanks at a speed of 6-8kn (depending on length, but 36-64′ covers most cruising size boats).

I have collected fuel consumption, displacement and size for quite a collection of power catamarans that I consider cruising boats. By this I mean they have considerable range and autonomy, have a displacement or semi-displacement hull shape, and can sleep at least two couples. This precludes the larger and smaller fast fishing boats (hull shape; range), patrol boats (comfort; sleeping), and all the smaller aluminium cats.

Based on the data I have collected, for production boats, these are long range passage makers:

• Sunreef 70 – range 3200
• Africat 420 – range 2800
• Fountaine Pajot 46 Cumberland – range 2100

and for non-production boats, these are those I can find enough data to support as long range:

• Tennant 66 Domino – range 7000nm+
• Tennant 60 Catbyrd – range 6000nm+
• Tennant 54 PH8 – range 3000nm
• Tennant 44 St John – range 2000nm
• Roger Hill 66 Tenacity – range 2500nm
• Roger Hill 66 Lola – range 3200nm
• Brady 17.5 Passagemaker – range 3200nm

By definition, these power catamarans (a mix of one-off and production boats) are not long-range:

• Fountaine Pajot 37 Maryland (with 75hp engines, not 150hp) – range 1500
• PDQ 41 – range 1500
• Pachoud 49 Solitaire – range 1250
• Fountaine Pajot 37 MY – range 1200
• Lagoon 43 – range 1200
• Horizon 52 – range 1150
• Fountaine Pajot 35 Highland – range 1100
• Fountaine Pajot 44 MY44 – range 1100
• Ligure 50 – range 1100
• Aquilla 48 – range 1050
• Fountaine Pajot 40 Summerland – range 1000
• Fountaine Pajot 44 Cumberland – range 1000
• Leopard 51 – range 1000
• Leopard 43 – range 1000

and those with less than 1000nm range at the requisite speed:

• Aquilla 45 – range 950
• Leopard 37 – range 900
• Fountaine Pajot 34 Greenland – range 900
• Aspen 120 – range 750
• PDQ 34 – range 680

Going non-production, you are generally into one-off builds. Even though the big-name designers may have sold multiple hulls of the same initial design, these are often modified over the build so that they may only partly resemble each other once finished.

Lastly, the technical list of non-long range power catamarans ignores the fact that all of those referenced have an excellent range of at least 900nm. There are few times in a passage maker’s travels where more range is needed – the Pacific (Panama-Marquesas) and Atlantic (Bermuda-Azores, Cape Verde-Barbados, Cape Town-St Helena) are such, but these are an extremely small part of the time on water a passage maker spends compared to being close to land and places where diesel – quality or not – is available.

As a final warning, almost all of the above it theoretical waffle. It doesn’t take into account some vital points of decision: is the boat designed and built to handle the conditions of a long passage? Are the people aboard capable and ready for such voyages?

If you know of other long range power catamarans and can provide at least three data points of speed-consumption, please let me know and I can add them.

Other interesting articles about power catamarans are:

• Shuttleworth on his Adastra
• Some of Malcolm Tennant’s ideas
• Alex Simonis on the Leopard 43 and why Power Catamarans Don’t like to go Uphill
• Noah Thompson on hull fuel efficiency

and for some first hand information, Domino and SnoDog are fantastic.

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Published by robout

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3 thoughts on “Long range power catamarans”

I didn’t know this about power cats. So few go long range! How interesting.

[…] the range you can travel a lot (no ocean crossings and possibly no multi-day trips). We want to go long range cruising […]

Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.

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