Electric Flying Boat Revolutionizes Florida's Gas-Guzzling Powerboat Scene

(Media test rides available)

While new cars are typically becoming more energy-efficient, the opposite trend is occurring in the powerboat industry. At the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, a pioneering Swedish company will showcase their groundbreaking flying electric daycruiser, the Candela C-8, offering a smoother ride and superior performance, all while using 80% less energy. The secret sauce? Technology derived from jet fighters.

The Swedish-built Candela C-8 marks a groundbreaking achievement as the world's first electric hydrofoiling vessel in serial production. As this carbon fiber electric craft skims the water's surface at high speeds, it consumes only a fraction of the energy demanded by its conventional, fuel-guzzling peers. Furthermore, it glides in almost complete silence and employs computer stabilization to counteract seasickness.

Slung under the hull of the C-8 are two wings, also known as hydrofoils. The C-8’s hydrofoil system works much like the wings on a modern aircraft, providing lift at speeds above 16 knots – raising the hull of the boat above the friction of water. And just like fighter aircraft, the C-8 is equipped with a Flight controller – a computer that regulates the foils in real time, ensuring a smooth ride in waves.

"The C-8 looks like a boat, but underneath it's like an airplane with similar electronics and software. Thanks to the hydrofoils, the C-8 is quieter, more comfortable, and 90% cheaper to operate than a regular gasoline boat," says Maria Rohman, who represents Candela in Florida, the US's top state for boating.

While new cars are typically becoming more fuel-efficient, and electric cars are gaining significant traction, the opposite trend is happening in the powerboat industry. In recent years, manufacturers have been equipping their vessels with larger and more numerous gasoline engines. The US has about 11 million motorboats, and these consume roughly 1,503 million gallons of fuel each year, resulting in 13.6 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.

While speedy, powerboats are also costly to operate and generate noise that hinders casual conversation and takes away from the tranquil experience that many people seek when out on the water.

Candela's electric C-POD motor, located in a torpedo-shaped nacelle under the water, is so quiet that passengers can converse with each other without raising their voices, even at the cruising speed of 22 knots. Since the boat uses so little energy – 80% less than regular boats - it's also very cheap to operate. A full battery lasts 65 US miles and costs only 11 dollars to charge.

Another advantage is that the Candela C-8 hardly creates any wake. Behind the boat, only a white streak forms, no waves, which means the boat potentially can travel fast in no wake zones.

Candela is confident that the C-8's combination of superior seakpeeing, silence, high performance and low operational costs will attract new electric boaters in Florida. The Swedish company is premiering their vessel at FLIBS and are currently setting up an office in Miami to showcase the Candela C-8, which has already sold 150 units worldwide, with about half destined for the US market.

“Once you have tried electric hydrofoiling, it’s hard to go back to conventional boats. We’re not just selling an electric boat, we’re offering a better experience at sea”, says Maria Rohman at Candela.

Media are welcome to experience the C-8 at Fort Lauderdale Boat show, Booth 919, and to test the Candela C-8 during the media test days in Coconut Grove, Miami, from November 1 to 5. Reach out to mikael.mahlberg@candela.com or call +46765376678 to book an appointment.

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2023-06-17 Miami