Clever wolves have long worn sheep’s clothing, and Candela’s all-electric foiling C-8 follows this tradition. From afar, the boat looks relatively normal—save, perhaps, for its open transom and the seat belts that cross its three sculpted helm seats. However, closer examination reveals a glimpse of a hydrofoil wing protruding from below the hull’s midship, plus bow strakes and hull steps for conventional running.
The quiet and ultra-efficient electric motor is potted inside a narrow, torpedo-shaped housing. Courtesy CandelaThe C-8 leverages two hydrofoils. One set extends outward from the motor box and is trimmed by a dedicated actuator. The amidships-fitted C-Foil employs two vertically mounted carbon-fiber struts that are attached to actuators on their inboard ends, while their outboard ends attach to a 9-foot horizontal hydrofoil. The boat employs sensors that measure its ride height, rate of turn, acceleration, and position; this data is fed into Candela’s UAV-inspired flight-control system, which adjusts (via the actuators) the C-Foil’s angle of attack and twist 100 times per second.
Foiling eliminates hull slap, and the efficient, submerged C-Pod generates almost no noise. Courtesy CandelaTakeoffs are so smooth, stable, and subtle that the absence of slap—not an adrenaline rush—is the only tell that the hull’s undercarriage is drying off. Speed too is redefined as distant objects quickly draw close, sans hull vibration.
The C-8 Open Daycruiser takes 6.5 hours to charge from zero percent to 100 percent. Courtesy Candela Motors and BatteryCandela likes building things in-house, and this includes the 50-kilowatt C-Pod that powers the C-8. This quiet and ultra-efficient electric motor is potted inside a narrow, torpedo-shaped housing that’s fitted to the rudder’s outboard end. A set of contra-rotating propellers, which are spun by dedicated inline motors and powered by the boat’s Polestar-built 69 kWh lithium-ion battery, are fitted to the C-Pod’s aft end.
The boat employs sensors that measure its ride height. Courtesy CandelaThe C-8 delivers 65.6 miles of range at 25 mph, plus 3.5 additional miles in a 5 mph “limp-home” mode. The boat lifts off at 18 mph. Candela claims that its Polestar-built battery charges from 10 percent to 80 percent in 35 minutes when connected to 135 kW of DC juice on its 400-volt fast charger. It takes 6.5 hours to charge from zero percent to 100 percent on 11 kW of AC power from a 220-volt charger.
Seeing as weight is lift’s nemesis, the C-8’s cabin and cockpit accommodations are minimal to help it lift on the foils, but, come liftoff, you realize that these are worthy trade-offs.
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Seating is comfortable. Courtesy Candela How We TestedNavier recently released its N30, which is also available in three configurations, and which employs two 90 kW motors to deliver 86 miles of range at 23 mph. Top speed is 35 mph. Pricing starts at $375,000.
Pricing and Specs Price:$395,000 (base)LOA:27’9″Beam:8’6″Draft (max):5’0″ (appendages extended, not foiling)Displacement:3,527 lb. (dry boat)Transom Deadrise:22 degreesBridge Clearance:6’10”Battery Capacity:69 kWhMax Horsepower:67Available Power:C-Pod electric motor to 50 kW (67 hp) Speed, Running Time, Range Candela C-8 Open Daycruiser Certified Test Results Boating Magazine Contact CandelaCandela – Stockholm, Sweden; candela.com
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