A compact catamaran in a large display

Aquila Catamarans will bring the 35 Sport to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show for its Americas debut, following the model's European unveiling. The event runs from 28 October to 1 November, with the builder's display situated at Dock E at Bahia Mar Yachting Center.

The manufacturer lists ten power catamarans across its Yacht, Coupe, Sport and Molokai lines for the exhibition. That breadth matters for visitors because the 35 Sport can be assessed alongside bigger cruising catamarans and more specialised offshore models without leaving the dock.

More beam than a conventional dayboat

The 35 Sport measures 10.81 metres overall and 4.49 metres across the beam, giving its twin-hull design unusually broad deck spaces for a boat of this length. Aquila has used the beam to combine a social bow, four-seat helm and generous aft cockpit with spaces that would be difficult to distribute in the same way aboard a narrow monohull.

The boat's double-stepped hull is intended to support brisk, efficient planing with outboard power. Prospective owners will still need to assess handling, docking clearances and marina berth width, since the beam that creates the accommodation advantage also affects practical storage and mooring decisions.

Sliding seating changes how the cockpit works

One of the most distinctive details is the motorised U-shaped seating module aft, which can move sideways to clear a wider passage on either side. This allows guests to board, crew to handle lines and families to move around the boat with less interruption than a conventional fixed lounge arrangement.

The cockpit also supports an informal entertainment layout, while a summer galley and open transom connect the interior seating with swimming and watersports. These features place the 35 Sport between a pure high-speed dayboat and a smaller coastal cruiser intended for longer stays.

Cabin facilities extend the itinerary

Below deck Aquila provides a private queen-berth cabin and an enclosed wet head, allowing two people to sleep aboard. That does not turn the boat into a long-range yacht, but it expands realistic use from an afternoon out to a comfortable overnight stop or a short weekend trip.

The listed freshwater capacity is 189 litres and fuel capacity is 1,500 litres, figures that are useful when comparing the 35 Sport with other large outboard dayboats. As always, practical endurance depends on engine configuration, sea state and speed, rather than fuel capacity alone.

Power and helm visibility

Standard propulsion is a pair of Mercury Verado V8 300-horsepower outboards, with twin V10 400-horsepower units offered as an alternative. The widely spaced engines should help low-speed manoeuvring, while the builder highlights wide visibility and a relatively low dashboard at the four-seat helm.

Aquila publishes indicative maximum speeds of roughly 39 to 45 knots depending on the power package, although it cautions that real performance varies. For buyers, a sea trial with the intended load is more informative than comparing a single quoted top-speed number.

What visitors can examine at FLIBS

The US premiere lets visitors explore access from dock to cockpit, the operation of the sliding seat, helm ergonomics and the transition to the private cabin. The hardtop can also carry optional water-sports equipment, so the display should show how the vessel integrates active day boating with the practicalities of storing gear.

Aquila says production deliveries are planned to begin in early 2027 and encourages prospective buyers to arrange viewing appointments. The 35 Sport's American debut is therefore a timely chance to evaluate a new model before ordinary production deliveries become widely available.