Govind TekaleA Swedish company, Candela, has unveiled a new version of its electric hydrofoil boat, the Candela C-8 Centre Console (C-8 CC). An eight-seat boat with a two-seat console in the center, two rows of bench seating on either side of a table in the rear, & two more seats in the open bow.
The C-8 CC boat, with a body of carbon-fiber, moves with its hull in the water at slower speeds & rises up out of the water on front & rear foils, which are adjusted 100 times per second in order to ensure a smooth ride.
This arrangement allows the C-8 CC to use 80% less energy than a non-foiling boat, resulting in a claimed range of 57 nautical miles (66 miles or 106 kms) at a cruising speed of 22 knots (25 mph or 41 km/h) & a top speed of 30 knots (35 mph or 56 km/h).\
The design of the C-8CC is made to electrify the central console boat segment, which is the most popular recreational vessel as around 50,000 are sold each year in the US for fishing, water sports, & more.
The Swedish company Candela aims to accelerate the shift to fossil-fuel-free lakes & oceans through this popular segment. A single 100-hp electric pod motor propels the craft, which should require no maintenance for 3,000 hours.
A 69-kWh lithium battery pack provides power, & as the pack is made by electric car manufacturer Polestar, the battery can be charged from 10% up to 80% in 35 minutes.
The measurement of C-8 CC is 8.89 mol going by 2.5 maidens (29 by 8.2 ft ), & weighs 1,700 kg (3,700 lb). The C-8CC boat can be towed on a regular trailer & beached on the sand with its foils retracted.
The features of the new boat are a 15.4-inch navigation screen, a wet bar, an enclosed head, a sun bed, an extended swimming platform with shower, a six-speaker in-hull stereo system, plus fishing rod holders, & a depth sounder.
The Candela C-8 Center Console Can be preordered by the buyers via the company website, with sniping expected in the summer of 2024 (Northern Hemisphere). The Candela C-8 CC ‘s price starts at €330,000 (about US$ 361,434).
The boat operates on a computer-guided hydrofoil & an underwater wing, with the flight controller adjusting the hydrofoils to ensure a smooth drive. The C-8 CC boat is kept stable as it is regulated with the foil 100 times per second, even in wind & waves.
The C-pod motor of the Candela converts stored electricity in the batteries to thrust & propel the boat forward. The design of the C-8 CC is to provide a completely calm & steady ride, even in chop & wind. It has taken Candela 8 years to work on the complicated system to ensure it works 100%.
