40 n TRANSPORTATION July/August 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com Electric hydrofoil boats take off Electrically-powered hydrofoil boats are starting to make inroads into a market traditionally dominated by diesel-fuelled vessels. Candela, the Swedish boat developer which is probably the global market leader in electric hydrofoil vessels, has recently turned its attention to world’s most popular type of boat – centre console craft, typically used for fishing, watersports and family outings. It says its eight-passenger electric hydrofoil craft will deliver “unprecedented” electric speed, range, and an energy efficiency that is several times better than traditional boats. As well as being popular – around 50,000 are sold annually in the US alone – centre console boats also some of the most inefficient vessels on water. With veeshaped hulls around 9m long, they are typically propelled by a pair of 400hp (300kW) outboard motors. Candela’s alternative is powered by a single 100hp (75kW) pod motor that will use 80% less energy than vee-hulled boats, enabling a range of 57 nautical miles (105km) at a cruising speed of 22 knots (40km/h). This, it says, is three times further than any other electric boat on the market, and will cost less than 10 dollars to charge its battery. The Candela craft, dubbed the C-8 CC, will soar above choppy water and wakes caused by other boats on computer-guided hydrofoils – effectively underwater wings – that are adjusted 100 times per second to ensure a smooth ride. The foils can retract into the hull at the push of a button, allowing the vessel to be beached or stored on a trailer. Once foil-borne at 16 knots (30km/h), the direct-drive pod motor is said to be almost silent. It needs no maintenance for 3,000 hours. Candela's 230-strong team of engineers and technicians have been working on hydrofoil systems and software since 2014 . The company has a technical partnership with Swedish electric car-maker Polestar, which supplies batteries for the boats. The centre console vessel is based on the same platform as Candela’s Daycruiser vessel, unveiled earlier this year, which is claimed to be the world’s best-selling electric boat, with more than 150 global orders so far. The carbon-fibre centre console vessel will cost upwards of €330,000, with the first deliveries due next summer. The price will include facilities such as sofas for up to six passengers, a swimming platform with a shower, and a six-speaker stereo system. Candela expects the vessel to be attractive to anglers because its speed can be reduced to a mere 0.2 knots (0.1m/s), making it ideal for sneaking up on potential catches. “It's really the best fishing machine at low speeds,” says Candela’s founder and CEO, Gustav Hasselskog. “With foils down, it doesn’t drift and is incredibly stable. Our Candela C-POD motor is like a high-power The world’s most popular type of boat is being targeted by a Swedish developer of electric hydrofoil vessels which claims that its alternative is much more efficient as well as being faster and cheaper to run. Meanwhile, a UK boat-builder says it has produced an electric hydrofoil with a record range. Candela hopes to electrify the market for the world's best-selling type of boat with its, fast, efficient and silent hydrofoil vessel
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