Swedish company Candela has quickly become one of the top names in electric boating, after the launch of the world’s first foiling electric boat, in 2018. The Candela C-7 has won numerous awards in the meantime, but the C-8 is gearing up to take that performance even further. The manufacturer’s newest model, the C-8, has just passed its first official test out at sea with flying colors.
The new C-8 is a long-range all-electric watercraft that was designed to become the most efficient, silent boat ever built. The 27.8-foot-long (8.5 meters) vessel can hit an impressive speed of 30 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph), but its range is even more outstanding, boasting more than 50 nautical miles (57.5 miles/92 km) at a cruising speed of 24 knots (27.6 mph/44 kph). According to the Swedish builder, this is four times longer than what the best current electric boats can offer. As an example, the C-8 can cross the entire San Francisco Bay on a single charge.
This performance is owed to the craft’s design, materials, and cutting-edge equipment. The lightweight carbon fiber hull was inspired by aircraft design, and its electric hydrofoil system, automatically controlled, ensures a stable, pleasant ride and maximum efficiency. Its motor, the C-POD, claims to be not only the most efficient boat motor ever but also the most durable one – it’s meant to last a lifetime, with zero maintenance required.
The C-8 also integrates advanced avionics, using several sensors for measuring the vessel’s speed and acceleration. Plus, driving this electric boat is supposed to be comparable to being inside a racing car, thanks to the instant-feedback, fly-by-wire steering.
The boat’s interior is no less impressive. It can sleep a small family of four, and its deluxe features include a premium sound system. The boat can be delivered as an open day cruiser or a sheltered hardtop with a retractable sunroof. It can also be further customized, with pricing starting at $330,000 (€290,000).
Although already available for pre-order, the C-8 is now even closer to serial production. It recently flew above the water for the first time, outside the manufacturer’s headquarters in Stockholm. This comes after more than a year of development and will be followed by several other flight tests.
This performance is owed to the craft’s design, materials, and cutting-edge equipment. The lightweight carbon fiber hull was inspired by aircraft design, and its electric hydrofoil system, automatically controlled, ensures a stable, pleasant ride and maximum efficiency. Its motor, the C-POD, claims to be not only the most efficient boat motor ever but also the most durable one – it’s meant to last a lifetime, with zero maintenance required.
The C-8 also integrates advanced avionics, using several sensors for measuring the vessel’s speed and acceleration. Plus, driving this electric boat is supposed to be comparable to being inside a racing car, thanks to the instant-feedback, fly-by-wire steering.
The boat’s interior is no less impressive. It can sleep a small family of four, and its deluxe features include a premium sound system. The boat can be delivered as an open day cruiser or a sheltered hardtop with a retractable sunroof. It can also be further customized, with pricing starting at $330,000 (€290,000).
Although already available for pre-order, the C-8 is now even closer to serial production. It recently flew above the water for the first time, outside the manufacturer’s headquarters in Stockholm. This comes after more than a year of development and will be followed by several other flight tests.