On Monday at Salone Nautica in Venice, Swedish electric boat-maker Candela unveiled the P-8 Voyager all-electric flying water taxi. Known for its hydrofoil electric boats, Candela has debuted multiple models, including the C-7 and the C-8. While the C-7 was a largely hand-build model with a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 50 nautical miles at 22 knots on a single charge, the C-8 is the mass-production model that's longer than its predecessor and has a higher range of over 50 nautical miles at 24 knots on a single charge.
With people looking for more efficient vehicles that are both cheap to run and less harmful to the environment, electric cars and electric boats are gaining increasing traction. However, all-electric vessels are still primarily restricted to ferries and small passenger boats on inland waterways, as the massive power requirements to operate large container vessels means that electric ships, even with huge batteries, are impractical for long-distance cargo haulage. Nevertheless, electric boats still make a positive impact for the most part, and Candela's latest offering is a case in point.
Candela's P-8 Voyager is intended to replace traditional water taxis with gas-guzzling internal combustion engines. The vessel is based on the C-8 electric speedboat and uses a hydrofoil system that enables it to fly over the water's surface. The company claims that the system has been designed by dozens of engineers with experience in the drone, aerospace and software industries. According to Candela, the onboard flight controller in the P-8 Voyager automatically changes the foil's angle of attack when the boat reaches 16 knots, allowing it to rise above the water surface and fly above the waves to offer a smooth ride to the passengers.
The Candela P-8 Voyager Is No Ordinary Ferry
One significant advantage the P8 Voyager has over traditional boats is that it leaves no wakes in the water, making it ideal for areas that are sensitive to boat wakes. One such city is Venice, Italy, known for its intricate canals and inland waterways that double up as roads across much of the city. According to the company, the vessel leaves almost zero wakes as it mostly glides above the water's surface with its hydrofoil technology. It also makes it suitable for use as a water taxi in other wake-sensitive areas, such as while moving over delicate coral reefs.
Not only does the boat offer a smooth ride in calm waters, but it is also said to remain smooth in choppy waters, thanks to advanced sensors that can gauge wave height and rise above them to ensure that passengers don't feel seasick. The company claims that the boat can easily handle four to five feet of waves without ever letting its passengers feel the chop. The P8 Voyager can also run for 3,000 hours without service, while operating costs are about $10 per 90km (56 miles) at 20 knots. Of course, the real-life figures are likely to be different, but it still sounds mighty impressive compared to traditional ICE vessels. The Candela P-8 Voyager production will start in fall 2022.