Aquila’s Double Win: 50 Sail Honored as International Multihull Premiere, 46 Yacht Claims Yacht Style Award

Aquila Catamarans marked a notable week on the awards circuit, picking up honours for both its first production sailing model and a flagship power design. The 50 Sail was awarded the International Multihull Show Premiere at the Multihull of the Year awards, while the Aquila 46 Yacht took the Power Catamaran 12–16m category at the Yacht Style Awards.

Two recognitions, different strengths

The accolades arrive at a moment of accelerated product development for Aquila. The 46 Yacht—one of the brand’s most established and globally successful platforms—was singled out by Yacht Style judges for delivering “large-yacht comforts in an intimate package.” The 50 Sail, launched at the Miami International Boat Show 2026, was commended by Multihulls World/Multicoques Mag as a bold and deliberately executed entry into sailing, praised for its innovative design and ergonomics.

46 Yacht: cruising ambition in a compact hull

Designed as a true offshore cruising power catamaran, the 46 Yacht blends an explorer aesthetic with practical volume and seakeeping. Aquila’s structural approach—one-shot molding for hull, deck and roof, with vinyl ester-infused bulkheads and stringer systems—targets consistent finish and long-term integrity. The model’s foam-cored bulbous bow, a signature of Aquila’s Yacht range, is engineered to generate forward lift and reduce hobby-horsing, improving ride comfort in chop.

Judges noted several incremental yet meaningful refinements over its predecessor, including a wider beam (creating an impressively roomy 23’3″ interior), a reworked owner’s cabin with an open bathroom, and a multi-zone flybridge that enhances social and circulation flow. The 46 Yacht’s layout flexibility—available in four- or five-cabin arrangements with multiple heads—reinforces its appeal as a long-range family cruiser with generous entertaining spaces and strong natural light through panoramic glazing. Aquila also offers the brand’s optional Hydro Glide foil system on yacht models, an innovation the company has applied across its range to improve efficiencies.

50 Sail: Aquila’s intentional pivot to sailing

The 50 Sail represents Aquila’s deliberate move into sailing catamarans, created with J&J Design and launched at Miami International Boat Show 2026. It emphasizes onboard sociability—most notably with a bow cockpit and large forward seating—alongside practical circulation via bridge-to-bow access. Below decks the 50 Sail offers four-, five-, or six-cabin configurations, generous headroom and abundant storage. Propulsion options include conventional diesel or the Hybrid Ocean Drive™, which provides electric propulsion and silent-ship capability while at anchor.

What the judges referenced

• Yacht Style judges highlighted the 46 Yacht’s increase in volume over its predecessor, the quality of its interior and exterior refinements, and the multi-zone flybridge as selling points.
• Multihulls World recognized the 50 Sail for its “innovative design and ergonomy,” marking a confident first step for Aquila into the sailing market.

Company perspective

Jean Raas, Chief Product Officer at Aquila Catamarans, framed the wins as confirmation of the company’s product strategy: “Winning a Yacht Style Award for a second consecutive year is an honor for our entire team. The Aquila 46 Yacht was created to redefine what an offshore cruising power catamaran can be. We are also very proud to be recognized with the International Multihull Show Premiere award for the 50 Sail. We have entered the sailing market with intention and precision, and to receive this accolade reaffirms the confident new step for Aquila.”

Industry context

Aquila’s pair of awards illustrates a broader trend in the multihull market: buyers are seeking platforms that combine the liveaboard volume and comfort of large yachts with the practicality and efficiency of catamaran architecture. Innovations such as Aquila’s Hydro Glide® foil system—deployed on other Aquila models to enhance performance and fuel efficiency—underscore how builders are borrowing engineering solutions across power and sail segments to meet demand for comfortable, efficient offshore cruising.

Key highlights

• 50 Sail: International Multihull Show Premiere award—Aquila’s first production sailing model, launched at Miami International Boat Show 2026, noted for bow cockpit, bridge-to-bow access and Hybrid Ocean Drive™ option.
• 46 Yacht: Yacht Style Awards, Power Catamaran 12–16m winner—recognized for increased volume, refined owner’s suite, multi-zone flybridge and offshore capability.
• Aquila continues to apply composite manufacturing and design learnings across its range; optional Hydro Glide® foil system aims to improve fuel efficiency and performance.

For Aquila, these honours do more than fill a trophy case: they validate a two-pronged strategy of refining core power-cat competencies while expanding deliberately into sailing. As the brand scales both lines, the industry will be watching how those design principles—volume, efficiency and ease of use—translate into owner experience on the water.

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