Debuting in Venice, the P-8 Voyager hydrofoil electric boat has arrived
Stockholm, Sweden-based Candela have unveiled their new P-8 Voyager hydrofoil electric boat that’ll quietly glide across the water while barely leaving a mark. Poised to provide a whole new future for marine transportation, the boat is on pace to replace traditional water taxis and commercial passenger boats that have depended on combustion engines for propulsion.
The Candela P-8 Voyager hydrofoil electric boat was just revealed at the Salone Nautico in Venice, and is based on Candela’s popular C-8 electric speedboat. It uses a similar hydrofoil system that’s been developed by over 50 engineers at Candela using experience from aerospace, drones, and software. The silent ride allows it to only form a 5cm high wake that shouldn’t affect marine life or cause beach erosion.
Utilizing Candela’s computer-guided foils, the P-8 Voyager cuts energy usage by 80% compared to typical motorboats. When the boat hits 16 knots, the onboard Flight controller alters the angle of attack of the foil, allowing it to take off and glides above the friction of the water. When sailing at 20 knots, the P-8 Voyager hydrofoil electric boat consumes just around 25 kW from its Candela C-POD motor.
With 2 to 3 times the range of other electric speedboats, the Candela P-8 Voyager can cruise over 2 hours without any compromises thanks to the technology of the hydrofoils. It’s also designed to be maintenance-free due to the C-POD that directly drives counter-rotating propellers without transmission. This results in no oil, coolant, noise, and essentially, no maintenance.
In addition to the crew, the 8.5-meter (28-foot) boat can accommodate six passengers onboard. Production is expected to begin later 2022, with deliveries beginning late 2022 or early 2023. Priced at over $483,000, you can pre-order one now for $2,145 on the Candela website.
