The Swedish company Candela presented what it claims to be the world’s fastest electric passenger ferry, Candela P-30, in March this year and then an all-electric hydrofoil boat, Candela C-7, in June. Now the company has presented its new electric hydrofoil C-8 as the bigger and better successor to the C-7.
Instead of punching its way through the waves, Candela’s C-7 flies silently above the surface by combining an advanced flight control system with fully submerged hydrofoils. Candela’s electric hydrofoil system reduces water friction by 80% compared to a planing boat and makes for a completely different – and better – ride. Candela C-7 can achieve a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h) and a range of 50 nautical miles (93 km) at 22 knots (41 km/h) on a single charge.
While the first-generation C-7 was never intended for mass production, the C-8, on the other hand, has been designed to appeal to a broader market, sell in the thousands.
The C-8 features a sleek, carbon-fiber hull that Candela claims is much more efficient than a traditional planing boat. It is also fitted with a next-generation hydrofoil system with an improved sensor suite and avionics. The new and improved version of the hydrofoiling technology and a newly developed drive train with a 55-kW motor allow the C-8 to reach a speed of 16 knots.
Candela C-8 has a range of over 50 nautical miles per charge traveling at 24 knots. The achieved range is about four times longer than the best electric boats currently on the market. According to Candela, the C-8 can reach up to 30 knots at full tilt. It’s also fitted with a 44 kWh battery pack that can be recharged relatively quickly in around two hours.
The C-8 offers space for eight people, a large sun lounger, a spacious front cabin with beds for two adults and two children, and a marine toilet – as well as a “large, comfortable cockpit.” Candela not only developed and optimized the drive and the hull with the hydrofoil system itself but also wrote the software itself. All settings – from activating the cooling systems to navigation – are controlled via a 15.4-inch touchscreen or the Candela app.
The Candela C-8 will cost roughly €290,000 ($339,000), and the production is expected to begin in January 2022. The first deliveries to customers are planned for spring 2022.
