The Candela C-8 flying electric boat becomes the only electric boat with real range at speed.
Swedish boatmaker Candela produced and launched its latest C-8 hydrofoil electric speedboat. With Candela C-8, the Swedish electric boat maker aimed to bring electric boats to high-volume production. “With the new C-8, we’re pushing the technology to the next level, and at the same time focusing on making a boat that has all the comfort you would expect, while designing it for efficient mass production.” – Candela.
Gliding above the waves, the C-8 flies on a pair of computer-controlled hydrofoils that automatically raise, lower, and make fine-tune adjustments over 100 times per second to create an ultra-smooth ride. “Combined with the hydrofoil’s silent, magic-carpet ride in rough conditions, the C-8 offers a superior experience at sea.” – Candela.
What is important to highlight about this speedboat is the work done by engineers who designed the boat to reduce the energy required to cruise at speed while spending a day on the water. If we take into account a typical 28-foot boat of similar size to the C-8, it uses 15 times more energy than a familiar car. That is why, engineers produced this new speedboat, which can remove water from the equation. Besides, it automatically takes off lifting itself out of the water and reducing the amount of energy required to cruise at a constant speed. As a result, the boat uses 25% of the energy required by a typical speedboat, allowing it to achieve a “longer range than any other fast battery-powered boat on the market.”
The C-8 speedboat features all the amenities in a premium cruiser: A large, comfortable cockpit with seating for eight people, a bur sunbed, a spacious front cabin equipped with beds for two adults, and two kids, and a marine toilet.
It also features an improved version of Candela’s revolutionary hydrofoiling technology that cuts energy consumption by 80% compared to conventional boats, thereby allowing a long-all electric range at high speeds. The C-POP, the C-8 can cruise for longer distances than any electric powerboat before it: over 50 nautical miles on battery power at a speed of 22 knots. The C-POD makes the C-8 the most efficient powerboat ever. At a speed of 22 knots, it only draws 16 KW/21 hp from the battery.
“Instead of punching its way through the waves, C-8 flies silently above the surface. Instead of fitting a bigger engine, we went for dramatically improved efficiency by developing a pod motor optimized for hydrofoils. Instead of creating huge swells, we made a craft that leaves no wake behind. To this, we added the best user interface ever seen in a boat, over-the-air upgrades, and all the amenities and comfort you would expect from the world’s best leisure boat.” – Candela.
