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[2023] Hydrofoil Yacht: The Ultimate Guide to Sailing on Foils

• November 1, 2023
• Hydrofoil Basics

Quick Answer: A hydrofoil yacht is a sailboat equipped with wing-like foils that lift the hull out of the water as it gains speed. This reduces drag, increases speed, and provides a smoother ride. Hydrofoil yachts can be retrofitted on both monohull and multihull sailboats, with different types of foils used for stability and control.

Welcome to Hydrofoiling™, where we bring you all the latest and greatest information about hydrofoil boarding. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the world of hydrofoil yachts, exploring their history, configurations, classes, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a curious beginner, this article will provide you with expert advice and insights into the exciting world of hydrofoil yachts.

Table of Contents

Quick answer, quick tips and facts, background: the evolution of hydrofoil yachts, types of hydrofoil yachts, hydrofoil classes: from moths to ac75, hydrofoil yacht brands and models, advantages and disadvantages of hydrofoil yachts.

• Recommended Links
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A hydrofoil yacht is a sailboat equipped with wing-like foils that lift the hull out of the water as it gains speed. This lifting action reduces the wetted area of the hull, minimizing drag and allowing the yacht to achieve higher speeds. Hydrofoil yachts can be retrofitted on both monohull and multihull sailboats, with different types of foils used for stability and control.

Shopping Links: Check out hydrofoil yacht products on Amazon | Shop hydrofoil yacht on Walmart | Etsy hydrofoil yacht products

• Hydrofoil yachts use foils to lift the hull out of the water, reducing drag and increasing speed.
• Different types of foils, such as T foils, C foils, S foils, and L foils, are used for stability and control.
• Hydrofoil yachts can be retrofitted on both monohull and multihull sailboats.
• The International Moth class is one of the most widespread uses of hydrofoils in sailboats.
• Hydrofoil yachts can achieve impressive speeds, with some reaching over 50 knots.

Hydrofoil technology has been around for over a century, with the first patent for a hydrofoil boat filed in 1898 by Italian engineer Enrico Forlanini. Since then, hydrofoil yachts have undergone significant advancements, transforming the sailing experience and pushing the boundaries of speed and performance.

The concept behind hydrofoil yachts is simple yet ingenious. By using wing-like foils mounted under the hull, these yachts can lift themselves out of the water as they gain speed. This lifting action reduces the wetted area of the hull, minimizing drag and allowing the yacht to glide effortlessly through the water.

Hydrofoil yachts come in various configurations, each designed to optimize performance and stability. Let’s explore some of the most common types of hydrofoil yachts:

Monohull Hydrofoil Yachts : Monohull hydrofoil yachts feature a single hull and employ a “ladder” arrangement of hydrofoils. These hydrofoils typically have a dihedral angle of around 50 degrees and are complemented by a stabilizing rudder foil. This configuration provides stability and control, allowing the yacht to sail smoothly on foils.

Multihull Hydrofoil Yachts : Multihull hydrofoil yachts, such as catamarans and trimarans, offer increased stability and performance. These yachts use wider planforms, allowing for greater lift and control. Some multihulls utilize three foils, with two main forward foils providing lift and a horizontal foil on the rudder for additional control.

Hydrofoil Catamarans : Hydrofoil catamarans, also known as foilcats, combine the stability of a catamaran with the speed and efficiency of hydrofoils. These yachts can achieve impressive speeds while maintaining excellent stability, making them popular choices for racing and recreational sailing.

Hydrofoil technology has found its way into various sailing classes, revolutionizing the way we sail. Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable hydrofoil classes:

International Moth : The International Moth class is one of the most widespread uses of hydrofoils in sailboats. These single-handed dinghies feature foiling capabilities, allowing sailors to achieve incredible speeds and maneuverability. The class has seen rapid growth since 2001, with carbon fiber foils and advanced design techniques pushing the boundaries of performance.

Waszp : The Waszp class is similar to the International Moth class but utilizes aluminum foils instead of carbon fiber. This makes the Waszp more accessible to a wider range of sailors while still providing the exhilaration of foiling.

AC75 : The AC75 is a foiling monohull sailboat class used in the 2021 America’s Cup. These impressive yachts can reach speeds of up to 50 knots, showcasing the incredible potential of hydrofoil technology in the world of competitive sailing.

IQFoil : The IQFoil windsurfer class was selected by World Sailing for the 2024 Summer Olympics. These windsurfers feature hydrofoils, allowing athletes to glide above the water and achieve impressive speeds.

IMOCA 60 : Originally designed as non-foiling offshore racers, the IMOCA 60 class has embraced hydrofoil technology. These yachts now feature S-shaped daggerboard foils, providing partial foiling capabilities and enhancing performance in various conditions.

F50 : The F50 sailboat class is used in the SailGP series and is the first sailboat class to break the 50-knot barrier during a race, with a top speed of 52.2 knots. These high-performance catamarans showcase the incredible speed and agility that hydrofoil technology can offer.

Several brands have embraced hydrofoil technology, offering a range of hydrofoil yachts to cater to different sailing preferences. Here are some notable hydrofoil yacht brands and models:

Gunboat : Gunboat is a renowned brand in the world of luxury hydrofoil yachts. Their models, such as the Gunboat 68 and Gunboat 72, combine performance, comfort, and elegance, providing an exceptional sailing experience.

GC32 : The GC32 is a hydrofoil catamaran designed for high-performance racing. This foiling catamaran offers thrilling speeds and precise control, making it a favorite among competitive sailors.

AC72 and AC45f/AC50 : These hydrofoil catamarans were used in the America’s Cup, showcasing the cutting-edge technology and innovation in the world of hydrofoil yachts. These yachts pushed the boundaries of speed and performance, captivating sailing enthusiasts worldwide.

Nacra 17 and Nacra F20 : Nacra is a well-known brand in the world of multihull sailing, and their Nacra 17 and Nacra F20 models feature hydrofoil capabilities. These yachts offer a perfect balance of speed, stability, and maneuverability, making them popular choices for recreational and competitive sailing.

Hydrofoil yachts offer a range of advantages that make them appealing to sailors seeking speed, performance, and an exhilarating sailing experience. However, they also come with some drawbacks. Let’s explore the pros and cons of hydrofoil yachts:

Advantages:

Increased Speed : Hydrofoil yachts can achieve impressive speeds, thanks to reduced drag and increased lift. This allows sailors to cover more distance in less time, making hydrofoil yachts ideal for racing or simply enjoying the thrill of speed on the water.

Smooth Ride : By lifting the hull out of the water, hydrofoil yachts provide a smoother and more comfortable sailing experience. The reduced contact with the water minimizes the impact of waves and chop, resulting in a smoother ride even in rough conditions.

Improved Efficiency : Hydrofoil yachts are more efficient than traditional sailboats, thanks to reduced drag and improved lift. This increased efficiency translates to better performance and reduced energy consumption, making hydrofoil yachts an environmentally friendly choice.

Disadvantages:

Complex Design : Hydrofoil yachts require a more complex design compared to traditional sailboats. The addition of foils and the associated control systems can increase the complexity of the yacht, requiring more maintenance and potentially higher costs.

Learning Curve : Sailing a hydrofoil yacht requires a certain level of skill and experience. The handling and control of a hydrofoil yacht can be more challenging compared to traditional sailboats, requiring sailors to adapt to the unique characteristics of foiling.

Higher Costs : Hydrofoil yachts, especially high-performance models, can come with a higher price tag compared to traditional sailboats. The advanced technology, materials, and design required for hydrofoil yachts contribute to their higher cost.

How fast is the hydrofoil racing yacht?

Hydrofoil racing yachts can achieve impressive speeds, with some models reaching over 50 knots (57.5 mph or 92.6 km/h). The F50 sailboat class, used in the SailGP series, holds the record for the fastest sailboat class, with a top speed of 52.2 knots (60 mph or 97 km/h).

What does a hydrofoil do to a boat?

A hydrofoil lifts the hull of a boat out of the water as it gains speed. This reduces the wetted area of the hull, minimizing drag and allowing the boat to achieve higher speeds. The lifting action of the hydrofoil also provides a smoother ride by reducing the impact of waves and chop.

Read more about “… Hydrofoil Catamaran: The Ultimate Guide to Foiling on Water”

How fast do hydrofoil boats go?

Hydrofoil boats can reach impressive speeds, depending on their design and purpose. Racing hydrofoil yachts can achieve speeds over 50 knots (57.5 mph or 92.6 km/h), while recreational hydrofoil boats can reach speeds of 20-30 knots (23-34.5 mph or 37-55.5 km/h) or more.

Why don’t boats use hydrofoils?

While hydrofoils offer significant advantages in terms of speed and efficiency, they also come with certain limitations. The complex design and higher costs associated with hydrofoils can be prohibitive for some boat owners. Additionally, the handling and control of hydrofoil boats require a certain level of skill and experience, making them less accessible to novice sailors.

Read more about “… Why do boats not use hydrofoils?”

Hydrofoil yachts have revolutionized the sailing experience, offering increased speed, improved efficiency, and a smoother ride. Whether you’re a competitive sailor looking for the thrill of high-speed racing or a recreational sailor seeking a more exhilarating sailing experience, hydrofoil yachts provide an exciting and innovative option.

Recommended Links:

• Hydrofoil History
• Advanced Hydrofoiling Techniques
• Hydrofoil Equipment Reviews
• How Do Hydrofoils Work on Boats? 2023

Reference Links:

• Sailing Hydrofoil – Wikipedia
• Gunboat Official Website
• Nacra Official Website
• SailGP Official Website
• America’s Cup Official Website

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of hydrofoil yachts, it’s time to set sail and experience the thrill of foiling firsthand. Whether you’re racing on the high seas or cruising along the coast, a hydrofoil yacht will take your sailing adventures to new heights. Happy foiling!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on research and personal experience. Hydrofoiling™ is not affiliated with any specific brand or product mentioned in this article. Always consult with experts and follow safety guidelines when engaging in hydrofoil activities.

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It’s a Boat. It’s a Plane. It’s a Hydrofoil Boat: What Is It, How It Works, & Why Buy One! 

Table of Contents

Last Updated on June 5, 2024 by Boatsetter Team

We’ve created this helpful guide to introduce new and experienced boaters to the facts and features of hydrofoil boats. We’ll delve into the practical aspects and explore the advantages and considerations they bring. Whether you’re drawn to the efficiency of the design or the promise of smoother rides, hydrofoil boats might be just the subtle yet impactful change you’re looking for in your boating ventures. Post summary: 

• What are hydrofoil boats & the works 
• Why choose a hydrofoil boat 
• What to consider before buying 

Rent. List. Share—Only at Boatsetter  

What are hydrofoil boats & the works 

A hydrofoil boat is a watercraft equipped with wing-like structures mounted beneath the hull . The hydrofoils generate lift as the boat accelerates, causing the hull to rise above the water’s surface. 

Decreasing the hull’s contact area with the water helps to reduce hydrodynamic drag and wave resistance and increases fuel efficiency. Vessels can achieve higher speeds for longer distances, making hydrofoil boats ideal for applications like ferry services and long-distance travel. 

The concept of the hydrofoil boat emerged in the early twentieth century. Today, this innovation offers a thrilling option for boaters seeking a unique, efficient, and more environmentally friendly boating experience. Pro tip: On Boatsetter , you can browse through 20,000 different makes & models of boats! 

Why choose a hydrofoil boat

Three words: Speed, stability, and maneuverability!

1. Speed  

The lift generated by hydrofoils allows these vessels to glide effortlessly, offering a thrilling experience for adrenaline-seeking boaters. Speed comes with improved fuel efficiency, which makes hydrofoil boats an eco-friendly option as well. 

2. Stability  

Whether you’re facing calm waters or challenging sea conditions, lifting above the water surface minimizes the impact of waves on hydrofoil boats. This provides a smoother ride and enhanced stability, which makes for a more comfortable and enjoyable voyage. 

3. Maneuverability  

Hydrofoil boats excel in maneuverability, offering a dynamic and agile experience on the water. Lifting enables quick and precise movements, making hydrofoil boats a preferred choice for boaters who appreciate responsive navigation.  

What to consider when buying a hydrofoil boat

Complex design = Complex maintenance

The intricate design of hydrofoil boats, including the hydrofoils themselves and control systems, demands careful maintenance and technical expertise . Boaters should be prepared for higher maintenance costs and the need for specialized knowledge to keep the vessel in premium condition. 

Weather sensitivity

While hydrofoil boats perform admirably in various water conditions, they can be sensitive to extreme weather, especially strong winds. The hulls of traditional vessels remain fully submerged in water, which means they face more resistance on the water during strong winds. Hydrofoil boats are lifted out of the water, which means strong winds pose more of a threat to the boat’s stability and control. So, when you set sail in a hydrofoil boat you’ll want to be sure to carefully consider the weather conditions.  

Initial cost investment

The advanced technology, specialized materials, and intricate design that contribute to hydrofoil boats’ uniqueness also add to their price tag. Hydrofoil boats often have a higher initial cost compared to traditional vessels, so you should be sure to weigh the upfront investment against the long-term benefits. Pro tip: Trying to figure out budgeting to buy a boat? Read How to Rent Out Your Boat? (How Much Can You Actually Make?)  

Ready to try hydrofoil boating?

Hydrofoil boats offer an exhilarating experience for boaters seeking speed, efficiency, and stability on the water. Whether you’re looking for a quick thrill or want a more fuel-efficient option for your long-distance trips, we recommend giving hydrofoil boats a chance. 

Boatsetter boat rentals provide the perfect solution for those eager to try hydrofoil boating without committing to ownership. Seize the opportunity to experience the excitement firsthand and ensure your next adventure is not just a boat ride, but a hydrofoil-powered journey.

For more information, click here ! 

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Nemesis One — world’s fastest luxury hydrofoil superyacht

The ‘NEMESIS ONE’ will be the World’s Fastest Luxury Foiling Yacht, able to break the 50 knots speed barrier, while flying on computer controlled hydrofoils. Contrary to being a stripped out racing vessel, the all carbon fiber Nemesis One boasts stunning futuristic, yet comfortable interiors. The future owner of the world’s fastest sailing yacht doesn’t have to sacrifice on comfort.

Powered by VPLP Design’s patented ‘OCEANWINGS’ wing sail, the high-tech superyacht resembles more of a stealth fighter jet, than a conventional sailing yacht. The excessive speeds the sailing yacht will be capable of under sail, required the Nemesis team to completely abandoned the classic operating concept of: ‘Pulling lines and handling sails’.

To further minimize crew requirements, they’ve implemented state of the art hydraulic and electric controls throughout the design. Replacing bulky winches in the size of a car’s tire and line cluttered cockpits, commonly conceived when thinking of large sailing yachts.

One of the design’s cornerstones is the fully autonomous VPLP Oceanwings wing sail, powering the Nemesis One. The wing automatically adjusts it’s angle of attack, camber and twist, eliminating any need for manual sail trimming. Additionally, the reef and furlable wing sail is a staggering 2.6 times more efficient than a conventional sail plan of equal size.

But flying on water at speeds in excess of 50 knots, leaving most performance motor yachts in her wake, won’t come at the expense of security and comfort. Nemesis One will be equipped with the latest generation of smart LiDar (laser radar) sensors, precisely capturing the yachts surroundings. The current sea state, especially wave height, shape and frequency, will be live monitored by LiDar as well. All gathered data will be processed by the yacht’s mainframe and translated into precise control commands for the automated hydrofoils and rudders, making the yacht exceptionally stable & safe at any given speed.

The Nemesis One offers the unique option to exchange the port and starboard facing living modules, for ones with different interior configurations. Making it a breeze to transform the interior layout from owner to charter setup for example. To boost her performance even further, both modules can also be completely removed, transforming the already very fast yacht into ‘Ultra-Light Race Mode’ configuration.

Even without wind, the Nemesis One will remain a zero emission vessel. Powered by a retractable hydrogen-electric propulsion, the yacht has no need for any fossil fuel. In addition to the hydrogen fuel, up to 750 sqm / 8073 sqft of solar panels, will generate up to 150kW of power, to recharge the yacht’s batteries.

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A Fleet of Candela’s Electric Foiling Yachts Is Rolling Out to the Red Sea in 2025

The eight p-12 vessels will help commuters get around a new tourism destination in saudi arabia., rachel cormack.

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Candela is taking its flying yacht to new heights.

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Announced in June 2022 and launched in November 2023, the P-12 is the fourth model in Candela’s fleet, following the C-7 , C-8 , and P-8 Voyager that debuted in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. (The yard also launched a C-8 Polestar Edition in July.) The zero-emission 39-footer “flies” above the waves using computer-guided hydrofoils that are adjusted 100 times per second to ensure smoothness and stability. Candela says the P-12 uses 80 percent less energy than conventional shuttle ships and will emit 97.5 percent less CO2 during its lifetime than a traditional diesel-powered vessel of the same size.

Equipped with two of Candela’s electric C-POD motors and four 63 kWh batteries, the P-12 has a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 40 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 25 knots. The yacht also creates a minimal wake and is well-suited to coastal cruising. The fleet serving the Red Sea will be able to carry 30 passengers around the northwestern shores of Saudi Arabia.

“We’re extremely proud to provide a vessel system designed with both passengers and the environment in mind,” Hasselskog adds.” Short waiting times, quick connections, and a very enjoyable experience without taxing the environment with wakes, emissions, and noise will revolutionize how we travel on water.”

The P-12 will debut as part of Stockholm’s public transport system this fall. The NEOM fleet will then be delivered in 2025 and early 2026.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Foiling technology has really taken off in the past few years. We pick out 6 of the best hydrofoil boats you can buy right now…

With its roots in the 19th century, foiling technology is as old as the hills, but in the past five years we’ve noticed an explosion of hydrofoil boats coming onto the market.

In part inspired by the foiling raceboats of the America’s Cup , the popularity of foiling is easy to understand – fuel efficiency gains are substantial, noise is almost eliminated (particularly if your foiling boat also happens to be an electric boat ) and they look as cool as a snowman in a freezer!

To help you understand the dizzying array of foiling boats available right now, we’ve put together the following guide to what we think are the most promising designs out there.

6 of the best hydrofoil boats

SEAir foiling RIB

Founded in 2016, French yard SEAir builds foiling RIBs, having been inspired by the speed of foiling racing yachts.

We tested their 5.5m model back in 2018 and since then they have expanded their range to cover superyacht chase boats, commercial and military vessels.

Our tester recorded a top speed of 32 knots, with the foils doing their best work at around 20 knots, but SEAir claims that 42 knots is possible in the right conditions.

Read more about the SEAir foiling RIB

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A dual helm set-up allows the boat to be piloted from the bow or the cockpit. Photo: Guillaume Plisson

Enata Foiler

Dubai-based Enata Marine added a healthy dose of glamour to the world of foiling boats in 2018 with the launch of its Foiler.

In addition to a superyacht tender-worthy exterior, this 32fter includes a bow window for spectacular views while underway.

A 40-knot top speed and a 190nm range makes this a very appealing option, although the premium price tag of $938,000 may put some off.

Read more about the Enata Foiler

Princess R35

When British boatbuilding giant Princess Yachts got in on the foiling boat game in 2019 with a 35ft carbon-fibre dayboat, we knew that things had really taken off.

While the foil-assisted R35 may not have the spectacular cruising-above-the-waves appeal of some other foiling boats, it is highly efficient, beautifully designed (in collaboration with Pininfarina) and handles like nothing else we’ve ever driven.

In our review, we praised its rare combination of agility, refinement and stability, with spray kept in check impressively at high speeds.

Read more about the Princess R35

The foiling Candela C-8 is the first boat to use Candela’s proprietary C-POD, but bigger craft will follow later

Candela C-8

Swedish firm Candela burst onto the scene in 2021 with its debut, the Candela C-7 , which was billed as the world’s first electric foiling boat, but it was the 2022 launch of the Candela C-8 that really moved the game on.

Available with a 69kWh battery, adapted from the Polestar 2 electric car, owners can expect a range of 57nm at 22 knots, more than enough for dayboat use.

The consumption figures are truly staggering, with Candela’s figures suggesting that the C-8 is more than 12x more efficient than an equivalent 300hp outboard powered sportsboat.

Read more about the Candela C-8

The electric Iguana is capable of three knots on the land and 30 knots at sea

Iguana Foiler

Not content with being at the forefront of the amphibious boats market with its caterpillar-track offering, French yard Iguana has set its sights on the world of foiling too.

Announced last year, the Iguana Foiler will be powered by the world’s most powerful electric outboard engine, the 300hp Evoy Storm .

Having tested both the engine and the boat separately, we can’t wait to see the result when they come together with the added advantages of foiling technology. Watch this space…

Read more about the Iguana Foiler

The foils lift up at slow speeds to reduce the draft

Mantaray M24

Another exciting model in the hydrofoil boats pipeline, this 24ft runabout is particularly interesting is its simplicity. Unlike its main foiling rival, the Candela C-7, the Mantaray M24 requires no complicated electronics to ‘fly’.

Instead it uses the builder’s patented mechanical hydrofoil system, which it has trademarked as Dynamic Wing Technology or DWT. The technology is said to be the result of ten years’ development work and uses a retractable T-foil in the bow and H-foil amidships that self-stabilise mechanically.

This allows it to lean naturally into corners and ride serenely over waves without relying on a network of sensors and algorithms to monitor and adjust the foils. If it proves effective this could drastically reduce the cost and complexity of foiling boats, while simultaneously increasing reliability.

Read more about the Mantaray M24

It doesn’t end here, with fascinating one-off projects from Spirit Yachts and BMW on the water, it’s clear that foiling has a huge potential for transforming the world of boating.

Read more about hydrofoil technology

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74m 'flying' yacht concept Plectrum revealed by Lazzarini Design Studio

A 74 metre concept foiling yacht called Plectrum has been revealed by Italian studio Lazzarini Design Studio . 

The design takes inspiration from the more contemporary America’s Cup sailboats - specifically the Luna Rossa design- and would be the largest example of foiling technology installed on a yacht. Top speed would be an impressive 75 knots and the yacht would be constructed entirely in carbon. 

The foiling superyacht was designed to reach her impressive top speeds by “flying over the waterline.” Instead of being pushed by the wind, Plectrum is lifted above the water and moves via propulsion from three hydrogen-powered motors capable of 5,000hp each.

Her hydrofoil technology has been envisioned with an adjustable beam of up to 20 metres that can be reduced to 15 metres when the yacht is berthed or at anchor. The draught would be 6.5 metres.

Finished in a striking burnt orange shade, Plectrum’s exterior design is defined by a smooth, streamlined silhouette with flat arched sides that form the side decks and garage openings.

The yacht's living spaces are split across four decks, with the main body offering six guest cabins and an owner's suite. Preliminary renderings also boast a helipad located on the bow and a large beach club on the aft complete with a pool. There is amidships storage for tenders, plus a garage at the stern for a car. 

Past design inspiration has been said to include the US’s first hydrofoil ship USS Plainview, which was launched in 1965.

Lazzarini has a number of head-turning designs in its portfolio, including the 169 metre Sovrano and an 150m airship-style superyacht concept powered by helium gas .

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At Candela, we make hydrofoiling electric boats and ferries that are the first to combine long range with high speed. Our innovative hydrofoil technology cuts energy use by 80%, creating silent, fast, zero-emission vessels with unmatched efficiency. Simply put, we’re revolutionizing sustainable water travel.

Professional vessels

Zero-emission waterborne transport that is quicker and more comfortable for passengers, while offering huge cost reductions for operators. Explore our vessels for public transport, shuttle services, and bespoke solutions for private clients. Our professional vessels

Leisure boats

Our best-selling leisure boats elevate electric performance at sea, providing a superior experience free from the noise, exhaust fumes, and slamming of conventional powerboats. Powered by Candela C-POD, the quietest and most power-dense marine motor available. Our leisure boats

Candela P-12 Fast electric commuting

Candela C-8 Simply a better experience

Candela C-7 The first of its kind

We aim to transition to fossil fuel-free transport with superior efficiency and environmental benefits. Traditional ferries are polluting, costly, and slow. Our hydrofoil technology unlocks the potential of waterways, offering quicker, more comfortable, and cheaper journeys, reducing road congestion from Stockholm to New York to Bangkok. Gustav Hasselskog Founder / CEO at Candela

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Learn more about the tech that enables the greatest breakthrough in vessel efficiency in history.

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THE FLYING YACHT The new era of sailing begins

Equipped to the highest standards, offering luxurious features to meet the requirements of the most influential and demanding patrons, FOILER is available in different layouts so that you can build a flying yacht to suit your needs. Whether you’re after family fun, a little (or a lot) of thrill-seeking, or that James Bond appeal, FOILER is a modular platform offering multiple layout options.

Raise your standards and sail above the waves at 40 knots in full comfort. Beauty meets science in the 2019 evolution of the FOILER.

With a novel 740 hp hydrostatic propulsion system and ENATA's custom torpedoes, the FOILER continues to revolutionise the way you explore the seas.

The hydro-foiling system enables the boat to fly 1.5 metres above the water, providing an unmatched experience where speed and reactivity are the centrepieces.

Experience a unique sense of tranquillity and comfort at high speeds. Anchored in the water by four powerful foils, the FOILER is both extremely stable and immune to wave interference. Driving the FOILER is surprisingly easy and effortless, and the subtle luxury will make any sailing session a relaxing and memorable experience.

Voyage into luxury in complete serenity as you experience something new. The FOILER glides above the water, while her retractable foils and futuristic design deliver a unique presence and bold extravagance. FOILER will create a little drama in your life and turn heads - but who wouldn't want that?

Don't you feel the urge to fly?

It isn't a dream anymore. For the new generation of sailors, we are building your FOILER.

• Apr 7, 2022

Hydrofoils are Back! Let's Weigh the Pros and Cons

By: Captain Bill Jennings

Ride high. Ride fast. Ride smooth.

Could there be a hydrofoil boat in your future? With recent technical developments, foil boats offer new possibilities. As you may already know, hydrofoil boats are like regular boats, but have those strange wingy things dangling down below their bottom, that magically lift the boat completely above the water when going fast. Here are the details.

The first prototypes of hydrofoil boats date back to WWl , when even Alexander Graham Bell worked on their development. While several prototype models proved that the foil lift concept works, there were no specific needs for such a design of boat so development stalled. That is until research began again after WWll. Canada built a number of coastal patrol hydrofoils that had the speed to protect its extensive shorelines. In the 1970's, the U.S. Navy built six foil boats that were used for drug interdiction operations until scrapped in 1993. A more recent experiment in 2008, applying foils to a 24' Bayliner, re-ignited the interest in foils. With today's advanced computer control systems and specialized composites, successful hydrofoils are beginning to look more likely to become a popular choice. Numerous companies are now offering tempting designs in hydrofoil boats.

To seriously consider whether your next boat should be a hydrofoil, lets review how they operate and list their pros and cons. When we look at a standard powerboat today, we see that it floats on the surface of the water. When pushed, the shape of the hull causes it to ride up and skim along on the water surface, or 'plane,' with varying degrees of efficiency. Unfortunately, the wetted surface of a regular boat creates considerable drag when running, which in turn reduces efficiency. This drag is the main problem that foil boats can eliminate.

A hydrofoil boat supports a "wing" like structure under the hull. As boat speed increases that small wing creates lift. That lift reduces wetted surface and drag. As speed further increases, the boat lifts entirely free of the water surface. Only the foil, or wing, remains in the water. This is exactly the same as an aircraft lifting off a runway as the speed of laminar flow over its wing increases.

There are two types of hydrofoils : fully submerged and surface piercing.

Fully submerged foils are just that, and they are relatively unaffected by conditions on the surface. They do, however, require an automatic control system to maintain flying height and smoothness of ride, because without computer feedback hydrofoil boats are unstable in pitch. This 'autopilot' computer system controls how the foils move to cause the boat to take off, fly smoothly, and land safely. Height sensors in the computer, such as a gyro, or an inclinometer control foil movement for lift and stability. This computer adjusts the foil angle up or down within a five degree movement each way. Surface piercing foils operate in much the same way, but their lift is provided by 'V' shaped foils that run partly above the water surface. We see these used mostly on commercial vessels.

The power to push these two types of foils comes from three types of power. Propellers, water jets, or wind. I won't discuss the latter here, as the system is highly technical and primarily used on America's Cup racing sailboats. Water jets and propellers, as we see everywhere today, are well understood and readily available to match different foil horsepower applications.

The reason we are seeing a renewed interest in hydrofoils is because they can now safely offer several advantages to some pleasure boat applications.

Here are some hydrofoil "pros":

1. In most cases, foils will get you on a plane faster and allow you to stay on a plane at lower speeds. 2. From the many tests that I have read, and some that I have conducted, foils substantially improve fuel mileage. 3. Hydrofoils will decrease the motion index. Less porpoising means improved passenger ride and comfort. 4. Foil boats are not as affected by rough water as regular hull pleasure craft, and the larger the foil, the better the ride. 5. Whether foils can improve your boat speed seems to depend on a number of factors, but according to tests foils still present drag so a properly trimmed regular boat will probably run a similar speed to foils. Most test references to speed with foils refer to more passengers moved per fuel unit.

This list of foil advantages would be very convincing, if it were not for some of their disadvantages. Here are some hydrofoil "cons":

1. Driving a hydrofoil boat requires more skill than a standard runabout.

2. A strong power source is required, meaning more expensive engines.

3. If the foils are fixed your boat draft is greatly increased. If the foils retract or fold they take up space in the boat, or make the boat wider.

4. For lakes with shallow water, hydrofoils are not practical at all.

5. Bottom strikes while riding on foils can be catastrophic.

6 Hydrofoil pleasure boats under 40 feet are not considered ocean capable vessels. As wave height increases, hydrofoils must 'land' and cruise on their standard hull.

7. Should the foil lift out of the water over a wave, expect a hard water landing. 8. Hydrofoil vessels operate best within a specific speed range. Therefore, your speed choice with foils is not as great as it is with a standard boat.

9. When foil boats are running on the hull, rather than their foils, they have a great deal of drag produced by the foils themselves --- unless they retract.

10. Maintenance costs are high. Many commercial hydrofoil boats have been taken out of service due to the higher cost of operations and maintenance.

11. Because of the requirements for higher strength and added equipment, foil boats cost more. Too much so for the average pleasure boater.

If a real or perceived need for hydrofoils becomes commonplace, we may see a resurgence of foil boats. The key is identifying a specific purpose and advantage for such a design. But the appeal of foils to general powerboaters is still limited. Mr. Fisherman worries about a 4-foot draft when in many waterways. Mr. Performance does not want to be restricted by foil operational parameters. Mr. Weekend Boater wants a simple boat to drive. Mr. Practical will find the computer automated features on a foil boat to be excessive. Mr. Economical will find the initial cost too expensive, compared to standard boats that can provide the same boating pleasures.

So just as it was in the early 1900's, there still seems to be a limited application for hydrofoil boats. When you factor in the considerably higher up-front cost of hydrofoils over a conventional runabout, even more interest evaporates. For example, a 28-foot foil runabout currently sells for around $400,000 U.S.

While I always like to offer fact based advice from first hand experience about specific subjects, this is not always possible. Product advancements may still be in the works, while other products may be encountering new problems. And of course, personal preferences and requirements are also major factors. For boaters wanting to know more about hydrofoils, check out some of the papers and tests reported by the 60 year old International Hydrofoil Society .

As we are seeing several hydrofoil pleasure boat manufacturers appearing on new boat menus, the best advice I can offer is this: if you think you might want a foil, take one for a test drive. Nothing beats a first hand experience to determine if a hydrofoil boat is what you always wanted. #culture #tips

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NEOM to use candela’s electric hydrofoil shuttle ships as water transport around its islands

Candela’s electric hydrofoil shuttle ships p-12 to arrive at neom.

Candela has announced that NEOM has ordered a fleet of P-12, its high-speed electric hydrofoil shuttle ships , to be used as water transport around the islands of the Saudi Arabian megacity. The Swedish boat manufacturer shared the news on Instagram, confirming that they will supply a fleet of their P-12 electric hydrofoil shuttle ships to NEOM. The deliveries will begin in 2025, in time for the expected construction deadline of the megacity in 2039.

Candela, which has also partnered with Polestar for its C-8 electric boat with hydrofoils painted in gold, describes the P-12 as the world’s first high-speed, long-range electric shuttle ship. If this is the case, it may fit well within NEOM’s Sindalah, the so-called luxury island destination in the Red Sea and part of the megacity. In a LinkedIn post, the NEOM team hints that something is coming to Sindalah. ‘Coming to the Red Sea, our sustainable gateway for the world’s yachting community will feature world-class hospitality and unforgettable experiences,’ the post says. This may indicate that the electric hydrofoil shuttle ships will find their new home on this island.

Vessels that can cruise at a speed of 16 knots

NEOM’s LinkedIn post alludes to a ‘world-class yachting club’ on Sindalah Island , the potential home of Candela’s P-12 electric hydrofoil shuttle ships. The Swedish boat manufacturer’s Instagram post adds that the addition of their zero-emission fleet to the Saudi Arabian project can ‘redefine waterborne transport with frequent departures, high speeds, and low energy costs,’ the technology team writes. The manufacturer also says that NEOM’s fleet order may be their largest one yet, marking a major milestone for the series’ growth.

The P-12 model took its first cruise as a real-life electric hydrofoil shuttle ship back in November 2023. During the test, the vessel cruised at a speed of 16 knots. It reached its designed top speed of 30 knots within 16 seconds as well. It appears to float because of the three carbon fiber wings beneath the hull. With this in mind, the boat manufacturer envisions its product as a modern and faster commuting transport.

Customizable interiors for electric hydrofoil shuttle ships

Clients like NEOM can customize the interiors of the electric hydrofoil shuttle ship. They can transform it into a business space with plush seats. They can also dress it up with a full-out voyager design similar to those found in luxury yachts. The Shuttle version of the electric vessel can accommodate up to 31 passengers at once. The manufacturer also claims that it can reduce commuting times from 55 to 25 minutes (depending on the location and based on their 2023 test). So far, NEOM has yet to announce the arrival of Candela’s P-12 fleet into their project.

the P-12 model took its first test cruise back in November 2023

Candela envisions P-12 as a modern commuting transport

project info:

manufacturer: Candela | @candelaboats

city: NEOM | @discoverneom

location: Saudi Arabia

happening this week! discover riva, the historic brand that blending technology and tradition, reinventing a contemporary, modern, and unique style for fiberglass yachts between 27 and 164 feet in length.

a look back at the developments of saudi arabia's futuristic NEOM project unveiled in 2023

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This $15K Electric Hydrofoil Is the Mountain Bike of the Sea

It’s not until the fourth time I fall into the choppy, rolling waves at the mouth of San Francisco Bay, directly below the Golden Gate Bridge, that I realize I probably never should have gone this far out on a motorized surfboard I’ve never ridden before.

I'm zipping around—a foot above the waves most of the time—on an electric hydrofoil board made by the Canadian company Hydroflyer . Jerry McArthur, Hydroflyer’s CEO, is on another of his company’s boards behind me. We started out at a peaceful lagoon inside the bay in Sausalito, but I’ve decided to trek over to the bridge—where the current and waves are the strongest—just to see if the Hydroflyer could handle it. Turns out, it very much can. The question is whether I had the aquatic acumen.

It’s high tide, meaning currents coming in from the ocean are strong and the headwind is ripping, making the approach under the bridge difficult. (McArthur had warned me about these precarious conditions before we left.) At one point I’m gunning the thro

ttle as fast as I can make it go, and the board and I are all but staying in place. I finally cross the threshold to the other side of the bridge, then the wind whips me into the water again. This time, McArthur helps me back up onto the board before the waves can smash me into one of the bridge’s pillars, and finally I can get going.

We head back to the Sausalito lagoon, out of the wind. By the time we are almost home, I’m so exhausted that it’s hard to stay standing on the board. The whole experience was an adrenaline rush—a magnificent scene that I probably never would have experienced without this very expensive electric board. McArthur laughs and says his lawyers probably wouldn’t be very happy to hear that he took me out that far in these conditions. OK cool, I'll be sure not to tell them.

The author atop the Hydroflyer

Hydroflyer CEO Jerry McArthur (left) with WIRED's Boone Ashworth.

Floating World

Hydrofoils are growing in popularity, particularly among rich dudes. (Just ask Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg , who famously takes his hydrofoiling hobby very seriously. They can also be spotted at beaches and on lakes. Around the world, there are already around 1,700 companies in the hydrofoil business. Some are the electric kind, powered by either jet or propeller motors. Others are powered and steered purely by human movements. Both designs achieve the same goal of giving the rider a new and fun way to zip around atop the water. Hydrofoils are quieter and less obnoxious than jet skis, and they can be a thrilling stand-in for windsurfing on days when there's no breeze.

Hydroflyer, a Canadian company, has been selling its efoil boards for about a year, and McArthur says the company has sold around 150 of them in total. The Hydroflyer is available in one version for now, called Cruiser. Two more models—the flashier Sport and the more beginner-oriented Inflatable—are coming soon. Prices for the Cruiser start at $15,990.

The craft has attachments that make it more stable, and other attachments that can be removed to reduce drag and make it more nimble.

While I rode the Cruiser model during my test ride, McArthur piloted the zippier Sport model. It takes a few tries to figure out the balancing, but once you learn to feel comfortable pitching your weight forward, staying stable is easy.

These contraptions are heavy. Depending on the model, the Hydroflyer weighs around 108 pounds including both the board and the battery. You can carry them by yourself, sure, but they’re definitely harder to lug around than something like a paddleboard that doesn’t have a heavy motor or a battery.

Below the deck where you stand on the Hydroflyer lives a lithium-ion battery that provides around two hours of aquatic fun time. McArthur says there are three layers of waterproofing to keep the internal cells of the battery from getting wet—which would be very bad indeed. The Hydroflyer tops out at about 27 miles per hour, which is a little slower than some other efoils offer, but still feels plenty speedy when you’re standing on top of it as it blasts across the water.

The Hydroflyer has an electric prop at the end of the keel, meaning there’s a spinning blade at the bottom of the vehicle. This is in contrast to a jet ski or other efoil board designs that use jet propulsion instead of propeller propulsion. Jet motors are definitely safer—there’s no spinny blade to risk getting your toes caught in—but they struggle to match the oomph of a propeller. Still, the Hydroflyer is designed with safety in mind—the prop is surrounded by a circular casing to keep your digits away, and the motor shuts off automatically as soon as you take your finger off the throttle trigger or pull out the kill switch, both of which are connected to the handlebars.

The standout element of the Hydroflyer, of course, is that handlebar pole. Other efoils with handlebars tend to be aimed at beginners, like the SeaDoo Rise with its retractable handle or the Flitescooter with its detachable handle pole. Those handlebar designs can feel more flimsy, as they’re meant to be more of a supplement to help the rider keep their balance. That’s not the case on the Hydroflyer, where the sturdy pole serves as a differentiating feature. The pole here is a very deliberate centerpiece meant to enhance the ride for people of all skill levels. The handlebar assembly can technically be removed if you want a more surfboard-like stance, but McArthur says that isn’t really the point. The point is to feel the way mountain bike riders feel when they’re blasting down a hill. The handles do in fact feel like mountain bike handles because they were designed to feel like mountain bike handles. They’re angled slightly back toward the rider, and they have rubber grips that help your wet hands cling on.

The handlebars were designed to feel and work like those on a mountain bike.

This level of commitment to the design means the pole feels stable—unlike the removable handlebar on the Flitescooter, which in my experience had some real wobble to it that made it hard to keep a grip on. At first I worried about the prospect of smashing my nose on the Hydroflyer’s handlebars in a crash, but after a few tries and falls I realized you'd have to contort yourself in quite a few weird angles to make that a real problem.

Falling is inevitable when you’re starting out on an efoil, but the Hydroflyer has a couple of design elements beyond the handlebar to help a rider keep their balance. One is the shape of the bow, which was designed by a hydrodynamicist who developed racing boats for the America’s Cup. Most of the time when the nose dips down and catches a wave, it bounces right back up rather than nosediving straight down into the water and stopping the board.

Beginners will also benefit from a set of attachments that hook along the sides of the scooter to expand the surface of the board and help make the thing easier to balance. More advanced riders can remove those, as well as swap out the wing along the bottom to allow for different levels of speed and lift.

Caviar Dreams

McArthur's fellow Hydroflyer hype man, called JP, just flew in from Sydney this morning, yet somehow he has a demeanor that is the complete opposite of jet lagged. (Jet jazzed?) Admittedly, it's difficult to be in a bad mood when your workplace is a tranquil cove in San Francisco Bay with a close-up view of the towering Golden Gate Bridge as the last of the morning fog peels away to let in warm rays of sun. After we're done with the demo, we stand around and chat while changing out of our wetsuits. JP asks me where the yacht clubs in the area are. That's who is likely to be Hydroflyer’s customer base, after all—yacht owners and wealthy types able to shell out $15,000 or more for a fun zip on the bay. The Zuckerbergs and other dudes with plenty of disposable income.

But McArthur says his longer-term goals are more egalitarian. He wants to get a version of the board down below the $10,000 mark. He imagines one day the Hydroflyer could be used as a last-mile form of transit, for people looking to cross the bay or a river. He wants to incorporate autonomous driving and balancing technology, along with a wider board surface to increase stability.

It's unclear whether that will be enough to entice commuters with their office garb and laptops in their bags to hop on and risk that journey standing up as you fly across the waves.

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Electric boats

Saudi arabia, saudi arabia’s bold plan to ferry people around in flying electric boats.

Saudi Arabia has its sights set on shuttling people around its desert megacity on flying electric boats. While it may sound like science fiction, the wings are already in motion. To achieve its goal, Saudi Arabia even already purchased eight of the Swedish electric boatmaker Candela’s new P-12 electric ferries.

Candela’s electric boats are famous not just for their high efficiency, but rather how they achieve such high efficiency. Candela uses computer-controlled hydrofoils to automatically lift its boats out of the water, making its batteries last much longer while the boats travel faster and farther.

The company got its start with speedboats for recreational boaters, but has since expanded into commercial vessels by applying its technology and designs to multiple sizes of flying ferries.

“The P-12 is designed to create zero-emission water transport systems which have significant improvements over traditional water commuting” explained Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela. “Unlike legacy systems with large, slow, and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the Candela P-12 is a smaller and faster unit, allowing much more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers. All daily necessities and services will be just a short boat commute away.”

The Candela P-12 is the model that Saudi Arabia plans to use in its NEOM desert megacity, currently being built along the Red Sea. The city has already purchased eight P-12s, the largest commercial order in Candela’s history.

The vessels are expected to be delivered starting next year.

The P-12 was first launched last year and will begin operations as part of Stockholm’s public transit system later this year.

The boat not only reduces the energy required for commercial ferry systems but also offers a much smoother and more comfortable voyage, even over choppy water. Because the boat doesn’t rock or crash over waves and boat wakes, even passengers prone to sea sickness find the ride comfortable.

“We’re extremely proud to provide a vessel system designed with both passengers and the environment in mind. Short waiting times, quick connections, and a very enjoyable experience without taxing the environment with wakes, emissions, and noise will revolutionize how we travel on water,” added Hasselskog.

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Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

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Saudi Arabia's Neom is getting electric shuttle ships that appear to hover over water to transport passengers in its waterways

• Saudi Arabia's Neom ordered eight electric shuttles from Sweden-based Candela.
• The Candela P-12 shuttles are high-speed electric foil ships that sit above the water.
• Candela says the shuttle design allows it to use 80% less energy than conventional ships.

Saudi Arabia 's "city of the future" is set to get its own ships of the future — electric passenger shuttles that appear to fly as they move through the water.

Neom , the highly ambitious and controversial development project in northwest Saudi Arabia along the coast of the Red Sea, has ordered eight electric shuttles from Candela, an electric vessel maker based in Sweden, the company said in a statement provided to Business Insider.

Billed as a futuristic, high-tech megacity in the desert, one of Neom's best-known planned features is " The Line ," a linear city contained in mirrored skyscrapers that plans to run on 100% renewable energy.

Developers previously said they expected the first phase of Neom to be completed by 2030 , though there have been reports of delays.

The vessels Neom contracted for its waterways are the Candela P-12, billed as the world's first high-speed and long-range electric shuttle ship. The shuttles are expected to transport passengers on the Red Sea and in Neom's waterways.

Related stories

"The P-12 is designed to create zero-emission water transport systems which have significant improvements over traditional water commuting," Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela, said in a statement. "Unlike legacy systems with large, slow, and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the Candela P-12 is a smaller and faster unit, allowing much more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers."

According the company the vessel is also the first-ever electric hydrofoil ship. Hydrofoil refers to underwater fins designed to lift a vessel out of the water. Videos of the Candela P-12 show the vessel high enough out of the water that at some angles it appears to be floating above the water, not on it.

According to Candela, the ship's underwater wings are guided by computers and enable it to use 80% less energy than conventional vessels.

A study conducted at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm found electric hydrofoil ferries emit 97.5% less carbon dioxide during their life cycle than those powered by diesel. [ source link ]

The ship is nearly 40 feet long, can carry 30 passengers in addition to one crew member, and can travel up to 30 knots.

The Candela P-12, which launched last year, is expected to be rolled out in Stockholm's public transportation system this fall and be delivered to Neom in 2025 and early 2026.

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Hydrofoil Superyacht​? The birth of The Hyper Yacht

I could hardly say a hydrofoil superyacht is ‘nothing personal’ it is instead very personal. My name is Leopoldo Rodriquez and I feel privileged to say I grew up on Hydrofoils, or ‘Aliscafi’ as we call them in Italian, as my grandfather Carlo Rodriquez ( see History ) was and still is to date the one who built and employed most of the large hydrofoils (over 50 feet) that were ever built.

About 6 years ago I started toying with the idea that the world of Superyachts could have used a breath of fresh air and as America’s cup was deploying foil technology the general public was getting more and more familiar with this still amazing concept of hydrodynamic and its deliverables.

It was only after I met the designer and engineer Lorenzo Lucchini Gilera whose great-grandfather could surely be considered as daring as mine ( Giuseppe Gilera founder of Gilera Motociclette) that it became clear to me we had to start something radical. It became clear to me that a hydrofoil superyacht would have been a good start. Lorenzo had learned by masters of Yacht Designs such as Zuccon and Lazzarini and Pickering, however, very much like me, he was looking for something more intriguing and that wasn’t only about design.

My initial idea was that of a modern Yacht Version of the Pt20 just like the one in the James Bond movie “Thunderball” (See Video Above). However, we went to visit Rodriquez Cantieri Navali in Messina now Intermarine SPA , to see the latest prototype with fully submerged foils instead of semi-submerged foils. The FSH37 (or FSH 38).

With a preliminary agreement with Intermarine SPA , we started developing a design based on this tested vessel that was being tested and tuned with 2 different drive configurations: z drives and regular shafts.

After some initial designs of the exterior lines, I received a phone call from a young designer who I had known through common friends who called me saying I would love to design a hydrofoil yacht. Architect Daniele Natoli told me, it’s would be a dream for me because I was born on a hydrofoil. Daniele is indeed originally from Lipari (Aeolian Islands, Sicily) and I thought his speech was figurative due to the frequent use of ‘ A liscafi’ that connects those islands. Instead, Daniele Natoli birth certificate actually testify that he was physically born aboard of a 1963 Rodriquez build Hydrofoil model PT50 and his umbilical cord was indeed cut by Capt Francesco Romeo on the hydrofoil named ‘ Freccia Del Mediterraneo’ (see image below)

From a Commercial Vessel to..

So we started to work on yacht design.

Designing an innovative yacht is a very difficult job even with clients that know exactly what they want. Designing one were we had to imagine who the clients could be and where every kilo makes the difference because of the complex weight distribution is even harder.

Hyper Goals for the HyperYacht

1) lower fuel consumption at high speed, 2) unprecedented comfort, 3) unprecedented stability at anchor, 4) smarter not bigger, 5) simple and timeless lines, we loved the challenge and we wanted a new name for the type of yacht.

Someone once said it’s not the size that matters it’s how you use it. So maybe instead of going bigger and bigger, it was time to see something smarter.

The Name: The Hyper Yacht

The word ‘super’ was originally associated with superpowers (see Superman) but in truth, in the yachting industry ‘Super’, ‘Mega’ and more recently the word ‘Giga’ still refers to size – the latter- for the 80m+ gigantic yachts.

We have been busy trying to innovate the technology as well as the nomenclature of what we would like to be the new generation of yachts. As we did not believe this “project HSY38” truly belonged to any of the known categories Super or Giga or Mega, we thought it needed to have a class of its own: HYPER was the right one.

What is The Hyper Yacht and why is it unique?

It all started from “projects FSH37” (See Video Below) already built and tested in two 1-1 scale prototypes (38m in lenght) from Intermarine Spa (formerly Rodriquez Cantieri Navali). Differently, form ‘traditional’ commercial hydrofoils with semi-submerged foil the FSH37 is equipped with fully submerged foils that do not need to follow the wave reacting with the usual rolling and ducking of the hull. Historically speaking, fully submerged foils are a less sophisticated design, however, pre 1950s when the first commercial Hydrofoils where built and deployed by Rodriquez Cantieri Navali.

Now we are ready to disclose some of the early images of the Yacht version based on such project, which thanks to a good ‘diet’ will be able to carry much more fuel and therefore a much longer range compared to the original FSH37.

We called it The Hyper Yacht

Advantages of the technology

• Lower fuel consumption of an expected 50% at cruise speed compared to a similar size vessel at the same speed
• Unprecedented comfort while on the foils the vessel goes up and down on the vertical axis with virtually no rolling and no ducking
• The foils act as natural stabilisers while at anchor
• The vessel thanks to the foils is also particularly stable at slow speed before ‘ take off ‘ or island hopping at slow speed

Why is this the only credible Hydrofoil superyacht soon available to orde r ?

• Nobody except for Rodriquez/Intermarine has an history of over 300 hydrofoils built and maintained to date.
• No other shipyards in the world as working 1-1 scale (38m long) prototype ready to test for serious buyers
• The shipyard is reliable and publicly listed and will honour the delivery dates and the spec sheet performance and quality of materials 100% made in Italy.

For Brokers and Clients

If you are a broker or a prospective buyer and you would like to receive more detailed information or book a visit to the prototype please contact Mr Leopoldo Rodriquez at +44 7445 30 8622 or use the contact us form

The team behind the project

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Neom orders electric hydrofoils from Sweden

Candela has received an order from Saudi Arabia. In 2025 and 2026, the Swedish electric boat manufacturer will supply eight of its P-12 electric water taxis for the water network in Neom.

• Candela P-12

According to the Swedish company, this is the largest order in Candela’s history. The P-12 is a hydrofoil with electric propulsion designed as a passenger ferry. Candela offers the C-8 model as a hydrofoil for (wealthy) private customers.

However, the order from Saudi Arabia is aimed at the planned water transport network in Neom in Northwest Saudi Arabia: the eight P-12 ferries will be used for shuttle services on the Red Sea. However, the exact routes are not mentioned in the press release. When Neom ordered 15 eVTOLs from Volocopter in December 2021 , the company specifically mentioned connections from Neom to the industrial city of Oxagon or within the 170-kilometre-long ribbon city ‘The Line.’ However, there are now doubts whether ‘The Line’ can even be realised in this length.

The planned use of the Candela ferries will likely be a different story. The P-12 has been produced in series since last November and will debut on Stockholm’s public transport network this autumn. Depending on the variant, the P-12 can carry up to 30 passengers. A more luxurious business version with up to 20 seats or a smaller model can be used as a water taxi ‘on demand’ rather than as part of the public transport system on fixed routes. The hydrofoil concept should reduce energy consumption (due to the reduced water resistance), thereby increasing the range, and provide a high level of comfort. As a hydrofoil, the P-12 virtually flies over the water; the digital control system balances the ship 100 times per second.

“Unlike legacy systems with large, slow, and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the Candela P-12 is a smaller and faster unit, allowing much more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers,” says Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela. “All daily necessities and services will be just a short boat commute away.”

mynewsdesk.com

• electric ships
• Saudi Arabia

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