Candela C-8 hydrofoil boat test

I have just driven what could be the future of harbour boating – a full-electric hydrofoiling runabout called the Candela C-8 that flies in the face of convention. You don’t need oxygen masks, there are no tray tables … but kindly fasten your seatbelt.

The belts are there purely as a precaution when you’re soaring over swells at up to 27 knots with quiet, smooth and joyful efficiency. Compare that to the crash, bash and splash associated with planing hulls, and the fumes, noise, vibration and running costs of combustion engines, and really it’s no comparison.

We’re not talking a fanciful prototype in the C-8’s case, either. It’s a fully-evolved, thoroughly evaluated production vessel from Sweden. Proof-of-concept work, in fact, was performed by a smaller model, the C-7, released in 2019 with a tilting electric outboard.

The C-8’s latest foil system is a unique selling point in the current market. Aft, there’s a single T-foil that doubles as the rudder and bears a torpedo-like motor. Forward, close to the hull’s centre of gravity, the C-8 has a large one-piece main wing suspended on two struts.

These retract to various depths for beaching/trailering, shallow water operation and planing mode. Strategically-placed sensors feed input to alter the wing’s angle of attack in real time, compensating for pitch, roll and height like an aeronautic drone. 

For propulsion, Candela has created what it calls a C-POD with two compact motors fore and aft that provide direct drive to counter-rotating propellers. There’s no oil or fluids needed, which means almost zero maintenance.

Under the cockpit floor is a 69kW battery by Swedish carmaker Polestar. It could possibly go larger, but batteries are heavy and heavy is hard to lift. As such, the C-8 is capable of 57nm (105km) at optimum foiling speed. That’s around 2½ hours at 22 knots, which is ample for a typical day on enclosed waters.

With displacement also impacting range and performance, the hull and many of the components are constructed entirely from vacuum-infused carbonfibre to keep total weight to just 1750kg. The foils are carbon, too, but they’re designed to sheer at a designated point if they strike a hard object at high speed.

Looking around the cockpit, you get a hinged swim platform, padded sunpad, three-seater lounge and a trio of bucket seats for the driver and co-pilots. The bow cabin contains a full V-berth and a toilet, like any good family boat should. 

Overall, the hull design is reminiscent of a European GT sportscar, with sleek, elongated lines combined with elegant curves and rake to enhance the aerodynamics. Below the waterline, the fine entry tapers into a multi-straked deep vee with twin steps to break the water tension for lift off.

These sections also provide softness when landing or running in planing mode, and there’s a long, flat stern overhang to provide initial lift and accommodate the aft foil in its own nook. The front wing also retracts above the waterline, away from the clutches of marine growth.

A beam of 2.5m ensures the Candela can be towed without a permit.

To get this baby off the ground, you simply press a button to deploy the foils at a depth of 1.5m, then click clack, front and back – yes, the nation that introduced seatbelts in Volvo cars really has given us seat belts in a boat.

Akin to a Tesla car, key information is neatly displayed on a 15in multi-function touchscreen. Scrolling buttons and switches are located on the steering wheel hub to allow the driver to spend more time watching the runway ahead.

It’s noticeable just how quiet the electric motors are, being sealed and located underwater. Launching is a matter of centring the wheel and going full throttle. Within about 10 seconds the C-8 is planing, before becoming airborne at around 16 knots.

Cruising speeds are between 22 and 27 knots. It takes waves and wakes in its stride without needing to slow down and, while you can’t throw it around like a planing boat, it turns with a nice inwards heel. The flight controller automatically detects when you’re decelerating and a landing sequence engages to ensure a smooth touchdown. 

You don’t need to be a pilot, nor does the C-8 require kid gloves, as the background technology makes the complex seem effortless. I honestly haven’t enjoyed a ride on Sydney Harbour like this since the days of the Manly hydrofoil.

It’s the first electric foiling runabout to arrive here, and it’s early days for the supporting infrastructure, but hopefully there’s more to come. The Swedish-built dayboat won’t appeal to everyone, but you don’t have to be a Prius-driving ecowarrior to appreciate the technical wizardry.

Price as tested: $750,000

Pricing current at October 2024

Beam: 2.5m

Displacement: 1750kg

Draft: 0.5m/1.5m

Motor: C-Pod 45/50kW

Battery: Polestar 69kWh

Capacity: 6-8 people

A FULL REVIEW OF THE CANDELA C-8 RAN IN THE OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2024 (VOLUME 39.5) ISSUE OF CLUB MARINE MAGAZINE.

VISIT CARBON YACHTS FOR MORE INFORMATION.