At first glance, the Aquila 28 Molokai offers clean styling and lines that give the impression of a no-frills power catamaran designed for utility and cruising.
The large deck area in the vessel’s rear, coupled with the short front deck and spacious helm enclosure, gives the boat a boxy look. However, it seems to have a futuristic look, thanks to the slight curving of the deck rails and the sleek-tiered look of the pontoons on either side of the catamaran.
The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran looks ready to take you and your friends on the fishing trip of a lifetime, and there’s enough deck space for tackling the largest game fish. The cat also gives the impression that it’s a good choice for a dive boat, and we can imagine stacking the deck with divers ready to head out to sea for a liveaboard adventure for a few days.
Let’s unpack the details of the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran.
Contents
Design Overview
When you view the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran from the front of the vessel, it’s clear that this power cat has everything it needs to qualify as a power cruiser. Hawaiian Cat designer Kirk Clark designed this model as a wave-slicing, agile fishing boat capable of tackling any ocean environment and all fishing grounds.
Aquilla has a reputation for building some of the best power cats available. The larger models in the range are all about luxury and performance, giving you a highly adaptable and functional platform with plenty of luxurious fittings and finishes.
However, Aquilla wanted to do something different with the new 28 Molokai model. This power cat comes with a dedicated design for fishing or diving. Aquilla felt it needed a model that caters to this market segment without skimping on the design features that made the brand famous.
The result is a power cat with stylish looks and a hint of luxury everywhere on the vessel. At the same time, you get a boat with a practical layout and configuration that’s highly useful for fishing. The modular design of the helm and deck give you limitless customizations and arrangements for your seating and driver setup.
With a 28-foot length and a 9-foot-8-inch beam from bow to stern, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran has plenty of stability in the water. Whether you’re floating above the reef deep dropping for grouper or plowing through the surf on the way to your spot, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran provides a sturdy, secure ride that’s superior to anything a single-hulled vessel can provide.
This model comes with a setup to satisfy the demands of the pickiest angling enthusiast. Some of the standout fishing accessories and features included with this cat are its 15-rod holders, Taco outriggers, dual 94-gallon insulated fish boxes, and its 30-gallon live well. This boat is ready to take on overnight fishing trips in all ocean conditions.
Other notable accessories for anglers include the under-gunwale rod storage, sink, removable cutting board, pullout tackle box, and the bow offers you plenty of space for casting your bait net. Overall, this cat is an angler’s dream and a great choice for deep-sea fishing, spearfishing, and coastal fishing trips.
Engines
When it comes to the powerplants, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran runs on dual 150-Hp Mercury outboards. The 150s give you plenty of power for pushing the boat through the choppiest conditions. However, if you want to unlock the real performance of this vessel, we recommend upgrading to the more powerful 200-Hp motors in the twin configuration.
With the two Mercury 200s powering the cat, you get an amazing acceleration and a fast time to get the boat onto its plane. Test boats running the 2 x 200-Hp configuration see top speeds approaching 47-mph with the motors whining away at 5,500-rpm.
The ideal cruising speed for the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran seems to be around 33-mph, producing 4,000-rpm. You can expect modest fuel consumption at these speeds, even with the larger motors. Average consumption running at cruising speeds measures 16.9-gph.
The Aquila 28 Molokai comes with a 150-gallon fuel capacity, and you get a 10% reserve tank, storing an additional 15-gallons. With the standard and reserve in play, boaters can expect a range of approximately 263-miles.
If you decide to take your hand off the throttle for a leisurely cruise, you can expect even better consumption from the Aquila 28 Molokai. Dropping the speed to 23.5-mph at 3,000-rpm see’s your consumption drop to 9.4-gph, and the boat’s range jumps to a staggering 337-miles; that’s quite an improvement.
Hull
The Aquila 28 Molokai owes its performance and power not so much to the engines powering the vessel but more to its innovative hull design. This power cat has one of the best hull designs in its class, allowing you to get the boat moving onto its plane in no time.
This vessel’s deep, wide dual cat-style hull provides a sense of immediate liftoff, pushing the boat up and out of the surf for a smooth and easy ride. When you get up to planning speed, it feels like you’re floating across the ocean on a cloud. The reduction in chop is very noticeable over a single-hulled boat, and you get a light steering experience at the helm.
You get a lightweight fiberglass design for the hull, with a downdraft that won’t push spray over the bow. Overall, the cruising experience with this cat is nothing short of world-class. You get an easy slicing action through the water, even when conditions are in the four to six-foot wave range.
You get a soft-riding boat that feels extremely efficient, and it jumps on a plane at the lowest speeds, saving your gas while improving the cruising experience. The sides of the hulls come with plastic accents in four different colors, including black, blue, orange, and yellow.
Interior, Seating, and Deck
The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran comes with many configurations and deck layouts. The only thing defining your experience is your budget. It’s a completely modular boat, and you have options for a cuddy or center console setup.
You have plenty of options for deck setups, but the storage options stay the same. You get easy access to the gas tank from the underfloor well, and there are dual 94-gallon fish boxes on either side of the deck. You get underfloor access to the pumps for the live wells with plenty of room in the pontoon storage.
When it comes to rod holders, you get four on each gunwale, allowing for multiple deep droppers on either side of the boat. You also get four rocket rod holders on the rear of the canopy and two extra rocket holders, one on each side of the canopy. The center console model comes complete with an outrigger set up for fishing. You also have a complete 4-speaker premium Fusion audio system.
Behind the console, you’ll find a setup ready for fishing. There are built-in tackle boxes, plenty of cup holders, and more fishing trays under the driver and passenger seat at the helm.
The helm is spacious, with a double-wide bench featuring comfortable vinyl leather seating. The captains and passenger chairs come with collapsing armrests included.
The helm also features a full electronic dashboard system, with a Raymarine Fishfinder and GPS, including touchscreen capability. You get fantastic visibility from the helm, with the compass sitting on top of the dash for easy referencing. The dash has a push-button setup for a user-friendly experience. You have all the buttons you need for full control over the vessel, including the operation of the pump systems for the live wells and washdown system.
The windshield comes with a small gap in the top, allowing airflow through the cabin without letting in the spray. You also get a small storage cuddy in the dash with a USB port included for charging your devices and two more cup holders on either side.
The boat’s bow comes with three large storage bins for fish or gear, with easy locking functionality. With the bins closed and locked, you get a decent casting platform for your rod or bait net. You get compression-locking hatches and tread grip on the tops of the boxes to prevent slipping.
Moving to the deck, you have plenty of options for seating. You can choose between your deck layout, with benches offering comfortable padded seating and cool-touch fabrics. All the bench seating comes with under-seat storage for stashing away your fishing or dive gear. There are two drop-down fishing seats on either end of the stern, allowing for fold-out seating if you decide to keep the deck free of additional benches.
Behind the helm, you’ll find a double-bench seat with a backrest that opens into the cuddy. The cuddy has ahead and removable panels for accessing your wiring. It’s a well-laid-out design, allowing for easy access to everything around the boat without the hassle of feeling cramped.
The overhead canopy on the center console model offers you an extra extension to cover the bench deck seating, and you have other options available for roof racks and pumps to carry your gear. You also have options for LED lighting around the rim of the canopy and under the gunwales.
The transom comes with a massive 94-gallon live well, and you get a large step area on the gunwales that’s level with most docks for easy stepping onto the boat. The rear transom platform has plenty of room for moving around.
The transom comes with another live well as an option for the Cuddy version that doesn’t have the live well and sink behind the helm. You also get a collapsing dive ladder leaning off the transom deck, allowing easy access to the water and easy climbing out of the water after your swim or dive. The transom also features a collapsing bench that’s easy to stow
Overall, the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran is a suitable addition to the Aquila power catamaran range. It fills the gap between a luxury cruiser and a dedicated fishing vessel, making it ideal for anglers looking for a boat that delivers the best balance of power, performance, and utility on the water.
Pricing
The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran comes with one of the best sticker prices in its category. With the 150-hp motors as standard and no seating on the deck, you can expect to pay around $265,766 for the base price for this model.
However, add the 200-Hp Mercury package, some seating, and a Fishfinder upgrade, and you’re looking at over the $300,000 mark for this boat. However, even with spending the money on the upgrades and seating, you’re coming away with a high-performance vessel that’s outstanding value for money.
2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran – The Verdict
The 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran has to be one of the best choices for anglers looking to get offshore for a fun fishing trip. The boat powers through the roughest water, getting on a plane fast. You’ll notice the clean ride and easy handling right away, and the power from the twin Mercury outboards is more than enough to get your boat to any destination with fuel to spare.
We love the modular design of the deck, allowing for several custom configurations for seating. Set your boat up for cruising, fishing, or diving, and choose between the cuddy or center console-setup. It’s the ideal fishing or dive boat, and you get enough capacity to carry a dozen people out onto the water for your next fishing trip.
Overall, we rate the 2022 Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran as one of the best power cats on the market and excellent value for money. With the endless customizations and deck/console configurations, this boat is a real win for the dedicated sports angler.
