Candela presents new electric hydrofoil ‘C-8’
The Swedish company Candela Speedboat has presented its new electric hydrofoil C-8. Based on the Candela C-7, the manufacturer calls the C-8 the “iPhone moment for electric boats” and wants to bring them to large-scale production.
As a reminder, the previous model, known as the C-7 or Seven, had a range of 92 kilometres at 20 knots with its 40 kWh battery. These values have hardly changed for the C-8, which still has a range of 50 nautical miles or 92 kilometres – but now at 22 knots.
Further development has taken place in other areas, according to Gustav Hasselskog, founder and CEO of Candela. “With the C-7, we have proven that our hydrofoil technology not only enables a long range with electricity, but also offers a better experience than conventional boats. In a hydrofoil you have a smoother, nicer ride,” says Hasselskog. However, “The C-7 was more of a hand-built sports car, never meant for mass production.”
That is now set to change with the C-8. According to the announcement, the 8.50-metre-long e-boat will offer “all the amenities you would expect from a premium cruiser”. 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”.
With a price of 290,000 euros net, the C-8 is to be on a par with many conventional boats in the size class of 28 to 29 feet, according to Candela. The C-7, however, was still quoted at 245,000 euros net. After purchase, however, the operation of the boat is said to be up to 95 per cent lower than that of combustion boats. Thus, maintenance on the C-Pod direct drive with 55 kW, developed by Candela itself, is hardly necessary. The service interval of 3,000 operating hours allegedly corresponds to a service life of 50 to 100 years in recreational boating.
In addition, the hydrofoil technology is said to save costs in two respects: Since only 16 kW of power is said to be needed to travel at 22 knots, energy costs are correspondingly low – comparable internal combustion boats are often equipped with petrol outboards with 300 hp (220 kW) and more and have high consumption. In addition, hydrofoils are to be able to be folded upwards after mooring so that they are above the waterline – algae and mussel growth (and costs for corresponding countermeasures) are to be minimised in this way. “It’s basically free boating and, for the first time in history, trouble-free boating,” Hesselskog says of the operating costs.
Candela has not only developed and optimised the drive and hull with the hydrofoil system itself, but also writes the software itself. All settings – from activating the cooling systems to navigation – are controlled via a 15.4-inch touchscreen. Candela also designed the user interface itself. With the accompanying app, the owner should also be able to monitor and control various systems from shore.
According to the announcement, production of the C-8 is scheduled to start this autumn at Candela’s Stockholm plant, with the first deliveries to customers planned for spring 2022. Hasselskog is confident about the sales targets. “We expect to produce several thousand Candela C-8s in the coming years,” says the CEO. “Those who have tried it once realise that boats will have to look like this in the future.”
With reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.
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