The Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran is an agile and fast wave-slicing fishing platform that’s stable whether you’re trolling, drifting over a reef or sitting on the hook bottom fishing over a wreck. The vessel’s 9-foot-8-inch beam carries from bow to stern and aids in the vessel’s stable-as-a-table nature. The 28 Molokai’s hull design is based on a form from Hawaiian Cat designer Kirk Clark.
The powercat’s notable fishing features include two 94-gallon insulated fish boxes, a 30-gallon livewell, 15 rod holders, and Taco outriggers. There’s also a removable cutting board, a sink, pullout tackle boxes in a console on centerline and under-gunwale rod stowage. For live-bait fans, the bow’s cast-net space measures about 4 feet wide with unimpeded room to throw.
Powered with a pair of 200 hp Mercury outboards (twin 150s are standard), my test boat jumped on plane quickly, motors spooling up with dog-sees-squirrel urgency. I saw an average top hop of 46.5 mph at 5,500 rpm on a choppy winter day off Pompano Beach, Florida, with Aquila brand manager Alain Raas.
The 28 Molokai’s hull tunnel is wide and deep, creating a pocket of pillowlike air that provides a sense of liftoff. Shooting across an aquamarine sea, it felt more akin to flying over the water than riding atop it.
Dialing the controls back to 4,000 rpm made for a comfortable 33 mph cruise speed. At this velocity, the engines consume 16.9 gph, or 1.95 mpg. Considering the boat’s 150-gallon fuel capacity (keeping a 10 percent reserve), the projected range is 263 miles. Bring the speed down to 23.5 mph, where fuel burn drops to 9.4 gph (2.5 mpg), and the range jumps to 337 miles.
The 28 Molokai’s layout includes forward-facing foldout seats in the aft cockpit that measure 22 inches wide and 17 inches deep. The coaming lifts up, the seats fold out and down, and then the coaming forms a backrest. The helm bench accommodates a skipper and companion. The forward section of the helm console features a built-in bench seat for two. A head is inside the console and is accessed abaft the seat.
The 28 comes with another bench at the bow, and abaft it to port and starboard lie two more lounges with removable backrests. All the cushions can be removed when it’s a fish day.
Boaters who want more protection from the elements can choose the 28 Molokai with a cuddy-cabin layout. Sprinting offshore to chase billfish or sitting on the hook to catch dinner, the Aquila Molokai 28 is a solid blend of form and function.
Hull Specifications
| LOA: | 30 ft. 9 in. |
| Beam: | 9 ft. 8 1/2 in. |
| Transom Deadrise: | N/A (catamaran) |
| Draft: | 1 ft. 1 in. |
| Dry Weight: | 6,166 lb. (w/ engines) |
| Fuel: | 150 gal. |
| Max HP: | 400 hp |
| Base Price: | $265,000 |
Performance
- Engines: Twin Mercury 200s
- Load: Two crew, 75 gal. fuel, water
- Time to 30 mph: N/A
- Top Speed: 46.5 mph @ 5,500 rpm
- Best MPG: 1.95 mpg @ 23.5 mph (4,000 rpm)
Contact
Aquila Boats – Sold exclusively through MarineMax.
