Pelagion, a Florida-based startup, has developed the HydroBlade as an easy-to-master electric hydrofoiling personal watercraft. The eFoil could greatly enhance maneuverability, speed, and range, elevating the rider’s experience on the water.
The HydroBlade is a new electric hydrofoil design with dual motors and steering capabilities. It is a kind of surfboard equipped with a handlebar and able to automatically lift itself out of the water when driven at high speed so that it seems to be flying on the surface of the sea.
Its hydrofoil effect is actually more pragmatically guaranteed by a wing that remains underwater and which, according to Pelagion, can ensure the driver a driving experience reminiscent of that of a jet ski, even if the pilots are standing and not seated.
The HydroBlade is a new electric hydrofoil design with dual motors and steering capabilities that combine high performance, versatility, and confident handling. Unlike other eFoils, it is powered by dual motors with 8kW peak/5kW continuous ratings each, which are mounted on the rear foil. This allows the eFoil to reach a claimed top speed of 70km/h (43 mph).
Additionally, the dual 5.5-kWh lithium battery modules – 29kg each – are good for about four hours of runtime with one 4-hour charge. The battery pack is not hidden away inside the vehicle but is instead displayed on its deck. The design allows the batteries to be easily removed for recharging or quickly swapped for a freshly-charged battery.
The whole craft measures up to 3.5 meters (11.4 feet) in length, and the weight is quite considerable – around 105 kg, considering that the batteries alone weigh 58 kg. It is made of an impact and chip-resistant ABS skin with a composite structure yielding a lightweight yet damage-resistant hull with secondary floatation inside for safety.
Other features of the HydroBlade eFoil include a user interface (UI) provided through a phone app/Bluetooth connection. A smartphone app doubles as an electronic dashboard. Simply put the phone in the craft’s handlebar mount and get readings, including speed, state-of-charge, and telemetry.
Pelagion intends to increase production of the Hydroblade in the coming months and deliver the first units from the end of 2023, with the pricing for the HydroBlade starting at around US$20,000.
