2014 Aquila 48, 48-foot, 4-suite bedroom version. This boat was popular in charter for several years in the BVIs. It was cosmetically damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 & repaired, re-entering the charter fleet.

The electronics were replaced in 2018. It was purchased by me in 2020 & registered here in the US, planning to charter it locally, & then do The Loop, thanks to its favorable air draft & also shallow water draft, plus maneuverability.

Aquila’s 48 was their original Flagship model, setting new standards in style, maneuverability, usability & safety. It put them on the map because they “overdid” it in these areas, successfully establishing the entire brand with that reputation. It is easy to handle, it’s solid, has storage everywhere & with luxury touches normally limited to much more expensive yachts. They were very popular in charter. Fantastic air conditioning. Plenty of water making. Flybridge electric grill. Big “normal” windows & each bed has an eye-level view of the water. Each berth has its own dry shower, a tall closet for hanging clothes, storage all along the wall & under the bed as well as under the floor. There’s an hydraulic swim platform with unique davit overhead.

It is satisfying to hear mechanics at the marinas commenting on how impressed they are with this boat, compared to other boats, in areas such as the thickness of the wiring & accessibility of components.

Taxes, transportation & were tariffs paid. These were huge because a 25% tariff applied to Chinese boats imported in to the US then (it may still apply to any boat built in China). Although this boat had spent years in the BVI, it had never been imported. To import it in to the US required the tariff to be paid. This is in addition to taxes, inspection & documentation fees. Plus, shipping a 50,000 pound 48×24′ boat on a ship from BVI to Miami, then hiring a delivery Captain to take it from there, was another $25,000). This has all been paid on this boat. You’d still be responsible for paying tariffs to your country (if not the US), plus applicable fees & taxes.

Not registered with Coast Guard, but has international CE designation (10 in open seas, 25 inshore) with safety crush zones on each end of each hull, elevated electronics, redundant systems, auto-inflating life boat, overbuilt everywhere.

It is very easy to handle with the wide-spaced motors. You can turn within the width of the boat & “crab” it sideways. Bow thrusters are not needed. See video.

I can accept Bitcoin.