Aquila 36 Molokai Preview
Aquila Catamarans has been building cruising power cats for more than 40 years. Today, the Chinese company is known for their multihull distance cruisers, sporty day boats, angling craft, and even sailboats. Last year, they launched the third in their angling line, the Aquila 36 Molokai, an outboard-powered speedster that can fish all day for just about any species.
The new model fills a gap in the line of fishing catamarans that ranges from 28 to 47 feet. Once again, Aquila tapped Pearl Yacht Design as they did for the Molokai 47, which the smaller model aspires to emulate.
Aquila 36 Molokai Overview
Starting forward, three chaise seats with cupholders rest against the center console below the windshield. Just ahead at the bow is a flat surface that hides the windlass and stowage compartments but is large enough to be used as a casting platform. Wide sidedecks lead aft past the center helm, which sits under a hardtop and features a single row of seating.
A padded gunwale runs the length of the hull, and a stainless handrail gives passengers something to hang onto while moving around the bow. A hull door on the starboard side makes dockside boarding easy.
Hospitality and comfort items include a galley module in the cockpit with a grill and a sink tucked in behind the seating area. Just below is a tackle station with integrated drawers and a cutting board with a ruler to measure your catch drawn right on it.
Twin Yeti coolers below the galley pull out and serve as seats when you top them with cushions. Two additional seats pop down at the transom when the fishing is done and the social activities begin.
Helm and Covered Seating
The heart of the Aquila 36 Molokai is the central seating area, which is protected by a carbon hardtop. Aquila placed three ladder-back chairs with armrests and bolsters aft of the large dash. Since the dash is tall, a cheater step drops down below the skipper’s seat to help elevate the driver’s sightlines.
Twin Raymarine multifunction displays centralize onboard information, including navigation and systems information. Buyers can opt to mount a third screen at the aft end of the hardtop to share information such as depth with the crew or anglers in the cockpit, so the fishing can continue uninterrupted. The throttles and joystick are to the right of the wheel. Overhead is a row of hard switches for key systems you use every day. Buyers can opt for induction charging for a cellphone and a FLIR camera system.
Even on what some boaters might consider a battlewagon, Aquila adds luxury touches. You get high-gloss wood finishes around the helm, top-notch stitching on the seats, and finely finished surfaces throughout.
Aquila 36 Molokai Fishing Features
Anglers have use of more than 20 rod holders and a rack of seven rocket launchers across the back of the hardtop. Two livewells flank the narrow walkway between the cockpit and the aft swim platform. That platform hides a hefty swim ladder. Fish boxes are situated fore and aft and can be used for dry storage.
The transom seats fold up when the fish are biting, letting anglers lean against that padded gunwale mentioned above. Basically, you can fish off this boat a full 360 degrees.
Propulsion and Performance
The builder equips the Aquila 36 Molokai with twin Mercury V8 300 hp outboards as standard power. Buyers have access to a variety of upgrades, up to and including twin Mercury Racing 500R engines. With these motors, expect a top speed of 60 mph and a solid cruise of 40 mph. Given the cat’s 508-gallon fuel tank, you can fish offshore or hop up and down the coast before you need to top up the tank.
The ride is soft thanks to the stepped hulls that carve sure-footed turns. Joystick piloting makes for easy work in tight quarters.
Aquila 36 Molokai Accommodations
The Aquila 36 Molokai hides a cabin below the double lounge on the bow. Entry is via a door on the starboard side, and the head, bed, and sink are combined into one space. The aft end of the sunbed up top flips up to bring fresh air into the cabin or you can use this space for storage.
Aquila ensured lots of light can get into the cabin by adding windows not only in the cabin structure but also in the hull at the same level. You can see from the bed all the way out to the water and beyond. An angling couple can spend the weekend aboard and lack for little.
Versatility
Aquila launched their Molokai range with a 28-footer and then added the fancy 47 Molokai. Smack in the middle, the Aquila 36 Molokai is a catamaran built for serious angling, but it’s also a solid entertainer for a party of up to 16 people or a weekend getaway for one or two. And all of this is delivered on a cushioned, vinyl ester, twin-hulled platform that’s light on fuel and easy on passenger fatigue.
If you’re looking for a fishing machine that can also pass the “family fun test,” the 36 Molokai may be your answer.
Specifications:
- LOA: 38 feet, 2 inches
- Beam: 11 feet, 9 inches
- Draft: 3 feet, 6 inches
- Air draft: 9 feet
- Displacement: 12,888 pounds dry
- Standard power: Twin Mercury V8 300 hp
- Maximum horsepower: 1,000
- Fuel capacity: 508 gallons
- Water capacity: 21 gallons
- Base price: ~$500,000
Images are courtesy of Aquila.
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Zuzana Prochazka
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