Aquila’s move into sailing catamarans is entering its next stage only weeks after the 45 Sail made its world debut in Cannes. The 14.38-metre model is now heading to Annapolis for its first US public appearance, placing the new sailing line in front of one of North America’s most concentrated multihull audiences.
The 45 Sail will appear alongside the 50 Sail from 15 to 18 October at Dock B. For Aquila, the display is more than another boat-show stop because it marks the brand’s first appearance at the Annapolis Sailboat Show with its dedicated sailing range.
The 45 Sail moves from European debut to US market test
At 47ft 2in overall with a 25ft 5in beam, the 45 Sail sits directly inside LYG’s core market. Aquila gives it more than 1,350 square feet of upwind sail area and positions the model as a cruising catamaran that balances interior volume with genuine sailing capability.
Annapolis should provide a useful test of that proposition. US multihull buyers are accustomed to comparing established sailing-cat brands in one place, so the Aquila will be judged less as a novelty and more on layout, sailing systems and practical owner use.
Bridge-to-bow access is one of the defining layout ideas
The design carries Aquila’s bridge-to-bow circulation concept into the sailing range. Guests can move from the open flybridge helm toward the fixed forward deck without the route feeling disconnected from the rest of the yacht.
The forward area adds seating and a sunpad, while the flybridge includes U-shaped seating, a coffee table and a forward-facing settee. That creates several social areas without asking the saloon to carry every daytime function.
The 50 Sail provides a larger comparison point
Showing the 45 alongside the 50 Sail lets buyers compare two steps in Aquila’s new sailing family rather than assessing one model in isolation. The 50 gives the brand a larger reference for owners who prioritise accommodation and volume, while the 45 may appeal more strongly to those who want a more manageable footprint.
That side-by-side comparison is particularly useful in catamarans because an extra few feet can create a surprisingly large change in internal volume. Buyers can see whether the larger platform produces usable advantages that justify the added berth, handling and ownership requirements.
Annapolis is a strategic next stop for the sailing programme
The Annapolis Sailboat Show remains one of the most relevant events in the US for cruising sailors and multihull buyers. Aquila’s decision to take both sailing models there so soon after Cannes signals that the company wants the new range assessed directly against established sailing competitors.
For LYG readers, the 45 Sail remains the key model to watch because it brings Aquila’s power-catamaran experience into a 14.38-metre sailing platform. The US premiere will show how convincingly that crossover translates when buyers can step aboard and compare it in a sailing-focused environment.
