Aquila 70 Luxury Review (2021 Edition) by NautiStyles

On Deck

The sugar scoops on this yacht are among the largest seen on a power catamaran, styled less like traditional scoops and more like a full aft deck. There are receptacles for repositionable staples and a swim ladder built into the portside compartment that doubles as a passerelle. Storage lockers sit beneath the transom platforms, while the real showstopper is the hydraulic tender platform ­- Aquila’s signature beach club extension. It accommodates a 4.3m (14ft) tender and can be locked into various positions, effectively bridging the pontoons when lowered.

The side walkways are impressively wide, with massive windows flanking them and drop-down cleats set into the bulwarks. The foredeck is a true entertainment zone with secure seating, molded stainless rails, and molded lockers housing the windlass, anchor gear, and oversized fenders. Visibility of the primary anchor is excellent from the deck, and there are ample remote and manual controls for the windlass and electric winches at the bow.

The Portuguese bridge feature on the flybridge allows step-down access and leads to wing stations on either side. These docking controls provide great visibility and convenience. The bridge connects directly to the foredeck as well, via secure side decks with solid handrails.

The flybridge features a watertight door from the interior and a combination of hardtop and soft enclosures. There are four overhead hatches ­- two large and two standard ­- that are electrically operated to allow ventilation when underway. The flybridge helm offers three helm chairs, large multifunction Garmin displays, a CZone display, joystick and throttle controls, and good visibility all around. There's a high-top table with a layout pad and storage compartments throughout.

Aft on the fly, a dedicated grill and wet bar area includes an electric grill with griddle, drink fridge, ice maker, a third galley sink, and more storage. There’s space for lounge seating or chairs, along with a big deck drain to handle rain runoff.

Step inside through the heavy-duty sliding glass doors and you’re greeted by a salon that feels open, airy, and unmistakably upscale. The designers have kept the layout clean and sociable, with a proper dining space to starboard and a relaxed seating area to port. The table is set for six but could easily be expanded to eight if needed. Large panoramic windows allow natural light in, and the revolving blinds are a clever touch ­- offering adjustable privacy without blocking the view. There’s great ceiling height here, too, and the layered lighting gives the space a sense of depth and texture. The galley sits just forward and blends easily into the conversation, ideal for those who entertain while cooking.

The galley itself is fully loaded. There’s a full-height fridge with a separate freezer drawer below and a wine cooler tucked into the cabinetry. A built-in coffee station sits beside a convection microwave oven. Forward of that is a flush induction cooktop with a full-sized oven underneath and a proper hood above. The layout is practical without feeling crowded, with ample drawers and hidden storage for cutlery, cookware, and waste bins. There’s even a full-size dishwasher, a luxury touch that owners living aboard will certainly appreciate.

One of the more thoughtful features here is the privacy glass divider between the galley and salon. It can be raised to give the chef some separation when prepping, or dropped for full visibility across the space. In total, it's a proper liveaboard galley designed for real cooking, not just snacks.

Owner's Cabin

Forward of the main deck, the master cabin stretches across the full beam of the boat, made possible by the power cat’s broad hull and clever layout. Headroom is excellent ­and large side windows paired with two overhead hatches bring in natural light and ventilation. Storage is split across deep drawers and a built-in vanity on the starboard side, with a second desk space tucked further forward. There’s a full-length settee under the windows ­which is generously sized enough that it could double as a berth for a child.

The ensuite feels more like a proper bathroom than a heads compartment, with a dual-sink vanity, drawer storage, and a walk-in shower large enough for two (or three, if you take the video host’s suggestion). Finishes are tasteful and consistent throughout, including a bench seat and plenty of tucked-away shelf space. It's elegant, yes, but also practical ­- the kind of cabin an owner could spend extended time in without compromise.

Guest Accommodation

Just aft and midship to starboard is another well-proportioned guest cabin. It’s not far off the VIP in terms of space, and in some ways, it feels more private. There’s a full wardrobe, drawer storage beside the bed, wireless charging pads, and a drop-down TV with sound bar. The ensuite matches the VIP’s in both finish and function, with a proper one­-person shower (that could easily handle two), good lighting, and space to move around.

The VIP cabin sits on the port side and is fitted with a queen-size berth, generous storage, wireless chargers, and another drop-down TV. The ensuite here follows the same formula: a two-person shower, ample under-sink storage, and quality fixtures. 

Crew Accommodation

Accessed directly from the cockpit, there's a separate cabin that can serve as either a guest stateroom or a captain’s cabin. For owner-operators, it’s ideal. You get full privacy, a dedicated entrance, a double bunk layout, and a proper working desk with technical panels, including breakers, battery switches, CZone controls, and fire suppression systems. A Garmin repeater and CZone display are also installed, making this a smart nerve-center for the boat’s systems. The ensuite includes a shower and direct access to the engine room. If you’re running with light crew, it’s perfect for a captain and deckhand. If you’re going owner-operator, it’s still useful as a fourth cabin or even a teenage hideaway. 

The engine room is accessible both from the aft crew cabin and through a large cockpit hatch. Once inside, there’s excellent headroom and full walkaround access to the twin Volvo Penta IPS D13 1,000hp engines. The layout is tidy and you’ve got sightlines to everything: exhaust systems, filters, strainers, and the water heater. There’s a hydraulic side power thruster unit to port, with a Kohler generator mounted aft and good clearance for maintenance.

The boat runs on straight shafts rather than pods, with a joystick system that incorporates the main engines and bow thrusters. That means you still get fingertip control at close quarters without the complexity of an IPS drive. Cruising speed sits around 21 knots, with a top speed of 27 knots. For long-range cruising, she’ll deliver up to 3,000 nautical miles at 6 knots, with a 4,400-litre (1,162 US gal) fuel capacity.

There are a few practical realities to weigh here. The 8.2m (27ft) beam - generous even by cat standards - means marina fees will lean toward the high side. Berthing is usually charged by square meter, so in busy Med or U.S. coastal marinas, expect to pay more than a monohull of similar length.

On the plus side, the shaft drive arrangement keeps servicing relatively straightforward and avoids the costlier maintenance associated with pods or outdrives. Annual engine servicing for this setup will need paying for, with haul-out, antifouling, and regular zinc and polish work nudging any total higher depending on location and haul fees. Fuel burn will vary depending on how the yacht is driven. Aquila reports efficient cruising at displacement speeds, but when pushing 18-20 knots, fuel use can land somewhere between 100-150 litres per hour combined. 

It’s also worth noting that the Aquila 70 is rated to CE Category A, giving it full ocean-going credentials for those looking to cruise further afield. For owners planning longer passages or occasional charter work, light crew support might be part of the plan. A full-time captain alone can cost £60,000-£100,000 per year depending on experience and contract, with additional costs if you add a deckhand or steward.

In total, annual running costs will naturally vary depending on how you use her and where you’re based. But for budgeting purposes, a ballpark of 7-12% of the purchase price is a realistic working figure for private ownership ­- less if you keep things lean, more if you're operating with full-time crew or offsetting costs by commercial chartering.

Other rival yachts that are worth taking into consideration are the Horizon PC68 and the Bluegame BMG75. 

The Aquila 70 Luxury is as comfortable as a weekend entertainer as she is on an extended passage, with storage, systems, and redundancy that will make sense to any serious boater. Factor in the cruising range, owner-operator viability, and sheer usable space across the deck and accommodations, and it's easy to see why this yacht drew such a crowd. It's a big cat with serious range, wrapped in a layout that feels more like a smart floating home than a compromise at sea.