Aquador Powerboats for Sale

Aquador

Scandinavian powerboaters often have a very different idea of good weather than their Mediterranean counterparts. Anyone cruising the Finnish archipelago doesn't want to turn back every time clouds roll in or a rain shower freshens up the windshield. That's exactly where Aquador plays to its strengths: these Finnish powerboats combine sheltered helm stations and cabins with open cockpits and large sunroofs. The result sits somewhere between a daycruiser and a small motor yacht – and it has long since proven itself well beyond Finland.

From Mattila via Bella to Nimbus

Aquador was created in the early 1990s on the initiative of Finnish entrepreneur Sakari Mattila. Together with Bella founder Raimo Sonninen and Swedish designer Rolf Eliasson, the first Aquador was developed. In 1995 the Aquador 22 came onto the market and sold successfully. After a brief interlude with production in Ireland's County Cork, Bella Boats bought the brand in 2000 and brought manufacturing back to Finland. In 2018 the Swedish Nimbus Group finally took over Bella-Veneet and with it Aquador. Today Aquador is run within the Nimbus Group as a Finnish-shaped brand for compact premium cruisers.

Hardtop instead of a good-weather guarantee

Aquador became particularly well known for its HT models (hardtop): the helm station and a large part of the cockpit sit sheltered beneath a fixed roof, while large openings and sunroofs still bring in plenty of fresh air when the weather is good. The concept suits the North. In rain and wind the crew stays protected, and in sunshine the boat can be opened up wide. At the same time, the cockpit, bathing platform and outdoor areas remain an important part of life on board. Older Aquadors such as the 23 HT, 25 Cabin, 26 HT, 27 HT or 28 C are therefore still in high demand on the used boat market today.

A new generation after 20 years

In 2022 Aquador began the most comprehensive overhaul of its range in around two decades. The 300 HT came first, followed by the smaller 250 HT and, with the 380 HT, the new flagship. The basic principle was retained but interpreted in a more modern way: larger window areas, sunroofs and convertible cockpit areas. Also newly developed was the so-called AquaDynamic hull, which according to the yard gets the boat onto the plane earlier and allows more efficient cruising speeds.

Aquador 250 HT: compact all-rounder

The 250 HT marks the entry point into the new hardtop generation. Despite its compact dimensions, it is not intended purely as a dayboat. Below deck there are berths, a galley and a head, and above it a sheltered helm and lounging area.

Aquador 300 HT: already a little more motor YACHT

The 300 HT combines a large, partly covered cockpit with cabins and overnight accommodation below deck. This moves it clearly in the direction of a cruising motor yacht. The seating areas can be used in different ways, and large roof openings bring plenty of fresh air into the boat in fine weather.

380 HT: the flagship

With the Aquador 380 HT, the concept has finally arrived in the motor yacht class. Several cabins, a galley, a bathroom and generous living areas turn the weekend boat into a fully fledged cruiser.

Inboard or outboard?

For a long time, Aquador was one of those Scandinavian brands for which a diesel engine and a sterndrive were almost a matter of course. With the more recent generation, the range is more varied. Depending on the model, inboard or outboard engines are available. As a general rule: outboards free up space in the boat and make the technology easier to access, while the classic inboard allows for a more open bathing platform. Which solution suits you better therefore depends very much on your cruising area and intended use.

Buying a used Aquador boat

With older Aquadors, besides the hull, deck and installations, the propulsion in particular should be inspected. Many boats are fitted with inboard engines and sterndrives. The maintenance condition of the propulsion, bellows, cooling system and steering can therefore have a considerable influence on later costs. On hardtop and cabin models, sunroofs, window seals and drainage also deserve attention. After all, a boat whose strength is supposed to be weather protection should let in as little weather as possible.