Aquila 47 Molokai: The Power Catamaran Built to Fish

Power catamarans used to mean charter boats and condo-style cruisers. Aquila's Molokai line exists to argue the other case: that two hulls make a better offshore fishing platform than one. The 47 Molokai is the flagship of that argument, and after walking it on camera, the logic is hard to dismiss. Stability at drift, a mountain of deck space, and efficiency numbers monohulls struggle to match.

What Aquila built here

Aquila lists the 47 Molokai at 48 feet overall with a 14-foot 6-inch beam, built with advanced carbon fiber construction and carrying a CE Class B certification. Power is twin 600-horsepower or quad 400-horsepower Mercury Verado outboards, fed by a fuel capacity Aquila lists at 1,048 gallons, which is the kind of tankage that turns far offshore banks and island runs into routine trips.

The fishing spec reads like a wish list: a 360-degree walkaround deck, twin 42-gallon livewells, and what Aquila lists as over 700 gallons of fishbox capacity. Seating for up to 17 people means the whole crew, and then some, rides along. Below, there is a genuine cabin with a queen island berth, a full head with shower, and air conditioning, so overnighting at the islands or resting mid-trip is built in rather than bolted on.

Why two hulls change the trip

The catamaran platform earns its keep in two places. At rest, the wide stance kills the roll that wears anglers out during long drifts and bottom fishing sessions. Underway, the twin hulls slice rather than pound, which crews feel at the end of a 60-mile day. There is a helm argument too: a beam this wide gives the console and mezzanine seating real elbow room, and visibility across the flat foredeck is excellent. The tradeoff has always been dockage width and looks, and the walkthrough gives you a fair view of both so you can judge for yourself. Spend two minutes watching the camera move around the gunwales and you will understand why charter captains gravitate to this layout.

Who the 47 Molokai is for

Serious offshore fishermen who have done their time getting beat up on monohulls, families who want one boat that fishes hard and cruises comfortably, and island-hoppers who value range and stability over tradition. It is also a compelling platform for anyone running long distances to the grounds, where the ride quality compounds trip after trip.

Watch the full walkthrough on the Nautical Network YouTube channel, see more originals from our series, and compare cats and monohulls side by side on the marketplace.