Candela’s C-8 electric foiling boat has been named the European Powerboat of the Year 2023 at the European Powerboat Awards, also known as the ‘Oscars of the boat industry’.

The award presented at boot Düsseldorf last weekend recognises the C-8’s outstanding performance and innovation in the industry.

The Candela C-8 won the electric boat category thanks to its cutting-edge hydrofoil technology, which allows the boat to fly on water using only a fraction of the energy conventional boats need.

With a range of 50-plus nautical miles at 22 knots, the C-8 has two to three times the range of conventional electric boats and matches the performance of fossil fuel-powered speedboats.

Its active hydrofoil system ensures a smooth ride, while its onboard computer automatically adjusts for side winds and waves, providing a more comfortable boating experience.

The real game-changer lies in the C-8’s energy efficiency, according to its Stockholm-based manufacturer. With 80% lower energy consumption than conventional vessels and an almost non-existent wake, the C-8 causes minimal disturbance to marine life, Candela says.

In a recently announced partnership, Candela’s electric outboard engines will use batteries from electric premium car maker Polestar, which will allow the C-8 to achieve an even longer range, further pushing the boundaries of what is possible with electric boats.

“We’re committed to revolutionising the boating industry by creating electric boats that are not only more sustainable and environmentally friendly, but also outperform traditional fossil fuel-powered boats, thus accelerating the transition to sustainable boating,” says Mikael Mahlberg, Candela’s head of communications. “Winning the European Powerboat of the Year 2023 award is an important recognition for our work.”

The Candela C-8 is on display at boot Düsseldorf which closes today, Sunday 29 January. For more information visit candela.com.

The new electric-first Delphia 10 Lounge enjoyed its official launch at boot Düsseldorf on Sunday morning (22 January).

Similar to the D10 LoungeTop which was unveiled last November by the ‘mindful cruising’ brand, the Delphia 10 Lounge boasts an open cockpit with up to 12 seating positions so even more can get together for fun and relaxing times.

While the focus is on short retreats along city canals and other inland waterways, weather conditions can still change quickly — which prompted the design of a complete cockpit enclosure protect those on board from the elements.

Evening trips on the Delphia 10 Lounge can go a little further thanks to multiple accommodation options below deck

And down below, the spacious interior with up to four sleeping berths and a bathroom is the perfect set-up for a night onboard when the evening trip goes a little further.

In the propulsion department, once again Delphia has partnered with marine e-mobility specialists Torqueedo to equip the Delphia 10 Lounge with an 80hp Deep Blue electric motor, offering three different configurations of electric propulsion. And like the LoungeTop, it also comes with a diesel option with reduced-emission engines from Yanmar.

Express your interest in the Delphia 10 Lounge with recently appointed Irish agents MGM Boats at [email protected] — and meet them this week at boot Düsseldorf to see more the boat at Hall 1, Stand B/16.

The latest addition to Delphia’s ‘mindful cruising’ range — available in Ireland via MGM Boats in Dun Laoghaire — is the Delphia 10 LoungeTop, which will have its worldwide launch in Berlin this week.

Designed for relaxation in total comfort, the Delphia 10 LoungeTop has a refined silhouette with an “innovative” outside cover that encompasses the best aspects of open and enclosed boating.

Combined with an optimised layout and its electric-power-first spec, the Delphia 10 LoungeTop is “the ultimate partner to go mindfully cruising through the canals and along the coast”.

The rear platform’s bike storage solution makes it easy to get out and explore the landscape along your travels

Moving around inside and outside has never been easier thanks to the one single-level platform and open cockpit, while the deep side decks and the closing companionway create a secured environment.

Disembarking for explorations is facilitated by the side gate on starboard. In particular, the rear platform’s bike storage solution makes it easy to get out and explore the landscape along your travels.

Staying on board, two protected lounge areas in the open cockpit offer up to 12 seating places. A wet bar to prepare meals and a variable dining bench on port complete a superb environment for socialising and relaxing.

Sustainable fabrics and materials as well as choice of two woodwork and floor options for the interior guarantee a pleasant environment.

The Delphia 10 LoungeTop boats an “innovative” outside cover that encompasses the best aspects of open and enclosed boating on deck

In the single or twin cabins, natural light comes though the large portholes reinforcing this relaxing feeling and guaranteeing bright days and optimal conditions for peace of mind.

Finally, a contemporary bathroom with walk-in shower will help you unwind after a day of adventure.

Proud of its ‘nature friendly’ reputation, Delphia teamed up with Torqeedo, a leader in e-mobility in the marine industry, to fit the Delphia 10 LoungeTop with the powerful 80hp Deep Blue electric motor, offering three different configurations of electric propulsion. It also comes with a diesel option with reduced-emission engines from Yanmar.

The worldwide launch of the latest Delphia 10 will happen at the Boat & Fun exhibition in Berlin from this Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 November. Express your interest with recently appointed Irish agents MGM Boats at [email protected].

‘Mindful cruising’ is the philosophy behind the sustainable boating brand Delphia, available from recently appointed Irish dealer MGM Boats in Dun Laoghaire.

This concept has grown out of 30 years of custom-designed boats inspired by nature, characterised by a more comfortable and relaxed approach to cruising inland waterways and the use of smart solutions and sustainable materials.

And in its latest iteration, with the Delphia 11, electric propulsion makes for results even more in tune with the environment.

In its ambition to be a “nature-friendly” boatbuilder, the Polish brand teamed up with Torqeedo, a leader in e-mobility in the marine industry, to equip its vessels with the Dutch company’s user-friendly and widely serviceable Deep Blue electric drive system.

The Delphia 11 comes in electric and diesel versions — in an elegant Sedan or luxurious Fly­Lounge layout — and among its many remarkable features is its purposely designed solar power (photovoltaic) system, which means you can extend your stay in a secluded area without having to worry about visiting a marina to recharge your batteries.

Meanwhile, the diesel-powered Delphia 12 also comes in Sedan and Fly­Lounge versions, with key features including its low-noise operation, its easy manoeuvring thanks to powerful thrusters and a shallow draft with a 100% displacement hull specially designed by Tony Castro for navigating inland waterways.

For more details, get in touch with MGM Boats via their Facebook page and download the Delphia press kit below.

MGM Boats will have a busy post-summer with both the Cannes Boat show from 6-11 September and the Southampton International Boat Show from 16-25 September.

MGM Boats in Dun Laoghaire are delighted to introduce a new range of electric and low-HP diesel-powered boats from Polish brand Delphia, a part of the Beneteau Group.

The Delphia 11 comes in electric and diesel versions — in an elegant Sedan or luxurious Fly­Lounge layout — and among its many remarkable features is its purposely designed solar power (photovoltaic) system, which means you can extend your stay in a secluded area without having to worry about visiting a marina to recharge your batteries.

Meanwhile, the diesel-powered Delphia 12 also comes in Sedan and Fly­Lounge versions, with key features including its low-noise operation, its easy manoeuvring thanks to powerful thrusters and a shallow draft with a 100% displacement hull specially designed by Tony Castro for navigating inland waterways.

For more details on the Delphia range of cruisers, check the MGM Boats website and follow on Facebook.

Swedish marine tech firm Candela – known for cracking the code for long-range electric crafts and topping electric boat sales – has announced it’s raised €24M, led by EQT Ventures, with participation from existing investor Chris Anderson, the Curator of TED.

Candela says the new capital will boost the company’s already substantial cash influx from sales and will be used to triple R&D, invest in production automation and scale up the sales organisation to meet demand for Candela’s electric leisure and commercial vessels worldwide.

The shift to zero-emission boats and ships has been hampered by the enormous energy consumption and correspondingly low range of conventional electric boats. Flying on computer-guided underwater wings -- known as hydrofoils -- that reduce energy consumption by 80% compared to conventional planing craft, Candela’s vessels soar above the waves in silence with 2-3 times longer endurance than the best conventional electric powerboats. The active hydrofoil system stabilises the vessels in-flight using computer power and advanced software that accounts for waves and side winds, allowing for a wake-free and smoother ride than conventional boats.

Over the past three years, Candela’s high-tech hydrofoil vessels have disrupted the global boating industry by being the first to offer the elusive combination of long all-electric range and high speed. Since 2019, Candela has led electric boat sales in Europe with its foiling C-7 sportsboat. Now, the company is building on this success with the mass market Candela C-8, a day cruiser that the company has close to 100 orders for, just three months after launch.

The Swedish tech company Candela has racked up more than 60 orders for its revolutionary, €290,000 electric boat, the Candela C-8. That makes the flying C-8 one of the fastest-selling 28-foot boats on the market.

The Candela C-8 is the next-generation electric boat from the Swedish tech firm Candela. Using a new version of the company’s patented hydrofoil system, C-8 flies above the waves with greater range than any other electric boat, powered by a new, silent pod thruster – the Candela C-POD.

Compared to the company’s first model, the smaller and hand-built C-7, the C-8 is made for rapid mass production which allows Candela to sell it for a price that is in line with conventional premium, fossil-fuel boats.

Five weeks after launching the C-8, Candela has more than 60 orders for it, which makes the novel electric powerboat one of the best-selling 28-foot premium boats in Europe.

According to the firm's data, the C-8 is the second or third fastest-selling powerboat in the 28-foot category in Scandinavia. Not just electric boats, but any type of power source. By year's end, we expect to have a real impact on combustion engine boat sales in this size category, says Mikael Mahlberg, Candela’s Communications Manager.

First long-range electric boat - intended for mass production

Candela’s first boat – the open Candela C-7 – was a sales success in its own right, but still a niche product. With 30 units delivered since production started in 2019, C-7 led premium electric boat sales in Europe on account of having longer range, higher cruise speed and smoother ride than other electric boats, thanks to the company’s hydrofoil tech that lifts the hull above the water friction and allows for long-range on battery power only.

Candela C-8 is a far bigger and more capable boat that will offer new features not found in other boats. Flying on computer-controlled hydrofoils that lift the hull above the waves and reduce energy consumption by 80% compared to traditional powerboats, the C-8 can cruise for more than 2,5 hours at 20 knots. The hydrofoils also reduce slamming by 90% compared to conventional hull boats.

• The C-8 will not just have longer range than other electric boats, it will offer a better ride experience than any boat out there. In 3-4-foot chop, you’ll be able to drive at 30 knots without feeling the waves. It will be like a magic carpet ride, says Mikael Mahlberg.
• The real game-changer is Candela’s new boat motor - the Candela C-POD. By putting the electric motors in a torpedo-shaped pod under the water, Candela gets rid of mechanical gears and the associated noise. Shifting to electric direct-drive also reduces the number of moving parts, making the Candela C-POD more efficient, and virtually maintenance-free. With 3 000 hours between overhauls, the Candela C-POD will last a human lifetime without maintenance.
• The C-8 will be the first truly silent, fast motorboat. There’s no slamming, no noise from the transmission. You’ll be able to cruise along at 24 knots, with only the sounds of wind whistling past the windscreen, says Mikael Mahlberg.

First fully integrated boat

Candela’s 25-strong engineering team consists of experts in hydrodynamics, software, advanced computer simulations, mechatronics and electric propulsions systems, among other fields.

All software and most hardware – including the Candela C-POD motor and Flight controller that controls the foils in-flight - are designed in-house. Candela C-8 is a fully integrated boat, offering a seamless user experience. Gone are the myriads of physical buttons and knobs found in conventional boats. All features, from foil retraction to route planning, are managed by the 15,4-inch panoramic touch screen, which is running Candela’s intuitive User Interface. Boaters can also manage and monitor charging, route planning, heating etc from the Candela app. 

Foilborne without compromise

Thanks to the hydrofoils – two underwater wings – that lift the hull above the water friction, Candela C-8 can run for considerably longer distances than other electric, fast boats. At a cruise speed of 22 knots, the C-8 will cover more than 50 nautical miles (92 km) on one charge of its 45-kWh battery.

When foilborne, the C-8’s on-board computer, called the Flight Controller, adjusts and twists the hydrofoil about 100 times per second to maintain the best flight height and to counteract waves and side wind. This allows for an artificially stable ride, free from the slamming and pitching common in conventional motor boats.

In very rough seas that prevent hydrofoiling, the C-8 can also be driven as a conventional boat, albeit with reduced range. By pushing a button on the touch screen, the hydrofoils will retract into the hull. This feature is also useful when entering a shallow harbor, or when storing the boat on a trailer. When driving in Shallow Mode, the C-POD motor and C-Foil are retracted and fully protected from both fouling and hitting submerged objects.

Deliveries begin in 2022

The first Candela C-8 boat is being assembled in Candela’s Lidingö, Stockholm factory during December. First deliveries will start during spring 2022.

Candela the Swedish electric boat maker is aiming to bring electric boats to high-volume production but for now the cost of the new electric range remains high with the costs of its new C8 range estimated to be €295,000 for the eight-metre boat.

The C-8 has a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 50 nautical miles. 

Building on its first, successful sports craft, the Candela C-7, the Swedish tech company is now launching its second-generation hydrofoiling leisure boat: the Candela C-8, a larger and more comfortable craft designed to bring electric boats to the wider market.

- With the C-7, we demonstrated that our hydrofoil technology not only allows for long range on electricity, but also provides a better experience than conventional boats. In a hydrofoil boat, you get a smoother, nicer ride. However, the C-7 was more like a hand-built sports car; never intended for volume production, says Gustav Hasselskog, Candela’s founder and CEO.

- With the new C-8, we’re pushing the technology to the next level, and at the same time focusing on making a boat that has all the comfort you would expect, while designing it for efficient mass production.

At 8,5 metres length, the C-8 features all the amenities anticipated in a premium cruiser: A large, comfortable cockpit with seating for eight persons, a big sunbed, a spacious front cabin equipped with beds for two adults and two kids, and a marine toilet.

99% cheaper to own

At 290 000 euros excluding VAT, the C-8’s asking price is on par or lower than many conventional fossil fuel powerboats in the 28-29-foot range.

However, once purchased, the C-8 is virtually free to own and use. Thanks to the company’s efficient hydrofoil system, the cost of driving Candela C-8 is 95% lower than for combustion engine boats.

Equipped with the newly launched Candela C-POD direct-drive pod motor, the C-8 requires neither oil changes nor regular maintenance. The C-Pod is rated for 3 000 hours service-free use, which is the equivalent to 50-100 years of recreational boating – without any maintenance whatsoever.

The Candela C-POD direct-drive pod motor

When moored, the C-8’s hydrofoils can be retracted above the waterline, minimizing growth and the need for antifouling.

- It’s basically free boating, and hassle-free boating, for the first time in history, says Gustav Hasselskog.

Longest electric range ever

The C-8 features a new and improved version of Candela’s revolutionary hydrofoiling technology that cuts energy consumption by 80 % compared to conventional boats, thereby allowing long all-electric range at high speeds.

Combined with Candela’s newly developed drive train, the C-POD, the C-8 can cruise for longer distances than any electric powerboat before it: over 50 nautical miles on battery power at a speed of 22 knots. The C-POD makes the C-8 the most efficient powerboat ever. At a speed of 22 knots, it only draws 16 kW/21 hp from the battery. For comparison, a conventional, planing, 28-foot cabin cruiser is typically equipped with a 300-horsepower gasoline outboard motor.

Elevated driving

Candela C-8 is designed to be the first totally silent motorboat. Unlike other motorboats, there’s no transmission noise and no sound from waves hitting the hull. Only the faint whisper of the wind will remind you that you’re cruising at a speed of 30 knots.

The C-8’s Flight controller automatically and instantly adjust the foils to keep the boat level and steady, even in adverse weather conditions. In an industry-first for leisure boats, the C-8 is equipped with true fly-by-wire steering and has Autopilot features for more relaxed driving over long distances. When the driver lets go of the wheel, the boat will automatically steer the set compass course. More features will follow as the C-8, like every Candela, is upgradeable Over-The-Air.

Candela C8 cockpit

- With all learnings from C-7, a new, even more efficient foil system has been developed for C-8. A planing boat has a lift to drag ratio of 4, a seagull is at 10 and an albatross, with its long sleek wings at 20. C-7 reached 15. With quite some re-thinking, C-8 ended up at 17, making it the most efficient boat ever.

- Maybe even more important, we put a lot of effort into understanding how to translate the feeling of a very tight driving experience into mechanics, electronics and software. To shorten the system’s reaction times we developed our own height sensors. Also, we have taken out the mechanical play of the entire system. In terms of driving experience, it is a world of a difference – the boat reacts to changes in the steering wheel within a split second.

- Take-off is where we use the most energy, so equipping a foiling boat with a really good planing hull actually makes sense. I think we have pushed the hull performance as far as is possible, says Gustav Hasselskog.

The Candela engineering team has also spent considerable effort on optimizing the C-8’s hull. Using advanced CFD, the C-8’s stepped hull is designed to use very little energy from standstill up until 16 knots, which is when the boat becomes foilborne.

Fully integrated experience

The Swedish tech company employs 25+ engineers from various fields, such as mechanical engineering, control systems, machine learning, software, electronic engineering and hydrodynamic design.

All sub-systems and software in C-8 are developed in house, making for a seamless human-machine interaction.

All settings – from turning on the cooler to navigation – are controlled from the 15,4” inch screen running Candela’s proprietary user interface. The Candela app lets the owner control the boat’s various systems from ashore.

"Making an integrated user experience was really important for us. We don’t rely on third party suppliers for software and we make most hardware ourselves. This may be the iPhone moment for boats," says Gustav Hasselskog.

Boosted by large investments from the TED foundation’s Chris Anderson among others, Candela has been able to scale up R&D at an exponential rate over the past two years. The C-8 project was initiated to finally bring electric boats to the masses.

Combining a price that is on par with fossil fuel boats with the benefits of electric hydrofoiling - superior seakeeping, total silence, very low operating costs, zero maintenance and a seamless user experience – Candela is expecting C-8 to be the first electric boat that will outsell fossil fuel competitors by a wide margin.

"We believe we will make several thousand Candela C-8’s over the coming years", says Gustav Hasselskog. Once you have tried it, you realise that this is the way boats must look like in the future.

Candela C-8 production starts this autumn at the company’s Stockholm factory, and the first customers will take delivery during spring 2022.

C-8 Facts

• Length 8,5 meters
• Beam 2,5 meters
• Speed 22-24 knots cruising, 30 knots max
• Battery 44 kWh lithium ion
• Range 50+ nautical miles
• Motor Candela C-POD, 55 kW
• Max take-off load 815 kg
• Draft 0,5 m in shallow mode (foils retracted)
• 0,8 m while foiling
• Charging time 2 hours, with 3-phase charging
• Accommodation Sleeps 2 adults, 2 children, seats for 6+2 people
• Selected options
• Cooler
• Fresh Water shower
• Marine toilet with septic tank
• Underwater LED lights for foil illumination

American Father and son team David and Alex Borton have completed what they believe to be the first-ever solar-electric voyage from Bellingham, Washington, to Juneau, Alaska.

The duo undertook the journey in their 27ft wooden hull solar-powered boat, Wayward Sun.

Wayward Sun, built by Devlin Boat in Olympia, WA, is propelled by a Torqeedo Cruise 4.0 electric pod drive with six Torqeedo Power 24-3500 lithium batteries.

The electric boat is powered 100 per cent by solar energy with no fossil-fuel combustion engine at all on board. “People always ask us if we have any gas or diesel back up,” said Alex Borton, “but the sun rises every day. If our batteries get too low, we just wait.”

There is a separate 12-volt system for lights, electronics and other DC-powered systems and an inverter for occasional AC loads, like making waffles. The batteries are charged from a 1700-Watt array of solar cells on the boat’s rooftop.

“Most electric boats on the market today are limited by their battery capacity, which means they have to return to shore power to charge,” explained Borton. “Until recently, solar panels and batteries were just not capable of severing the tie to shore power, so it was only functional for extending range or for partial charging. But now, thanks to advances in solar cells and Torqeedo’s efficient electric drives and high-capacity batteries, it’s possible to produce a solar boat with reasonable speeds and accommodation that can continuously cruise without ever charging from the shore. If I had more time I would keep going for another 1,000 miles.”

The duo departed on Tuesday, 25 May, in their 27ft wooden hull solar boat Wayward Sun and made landfall at Ketchikan, Alaska, 13 June, then continued up the coast at a more leisurely pace to Glacier Bay and Juneau, concluding the voyage on 8 July. The team documented their preparations and voyage in their blog. 

“The solar-electric system has more than exceeded our expectations,” said Alex Borton. “During the 45-day passage from Bellingham to Glacier Bay to Juneau, we were underway for 38 days. We averaged 32 nautical miles per day at an average speed of 3.7 knots. While some days we stopped early or left late because of weather, there were only two full days we didn’t travel at all due to high winds or dense fog.

The flying Candela C-7 has won the most prestigious electric speedboat race in Monaco. By beating conventional electric boats that pack ten times more power, the ultra-efficient C-7 showed why future boats will be foiling, its makers claim.

Candela C-7 is the first hydrofoiling electric boat in serial production. It is also the best-selling electric premium boat in Europe and has since its introduction in 2019 won several awards for the innovative technology that allows it to fly above the surface, using 80% less energy than conventional boats.

Competing in Friday's YCM International Speed Record race during the Monaco Energy Challenge, the world’s biggest competition for electric and new energy boats hosted by the Monaco Yacht Club, the Swedish-made C-7 beat 14 other electric boats in the 1/8 nautical mile sprint race. Averaging 27, 055 knots, the Candela C-7 flew past the finishing line at a speed exceeding 31 knots, despite rough weather and big waves.

The C-7 has more in common with an aircraft than a boat. The control system resembles that of a modern jet fighter, like the F-16. As a driver, you just steer and control the speed, everything else is handled by the computer

Even more impressive, the ultra-efficient C-7 beat conventional hulled electric powerboats equipped with ten times bigger motors - showing why hydrofoiling is the future for powerboats.

The 25-foot Candela C-7 needs only 25 hp to cruise at a speed of 20 knots. Maxing out at 87 hp during take-off, its electric motor is tiny compared to the engines fitted to conventional, planing powerboats of the same size. Due to high hydrodynamic drag, planing craft usually need several hundred horsepowers to reach high speeds.

• This is a big day for electric boating. We wanted to show that instead of just fitting bigger motors and more batteries into conventional, inefficient hulls, hydrofoils allow you to use less power to reach higher speeds and get long range. That’s how we can make boating truly sustainable, said Candela's Mikael Mahlberg after the race.
• By flying above the water, you also get a smoother ride in choppy weather, Mahlberg added.
• The C-7 has more in common with an aircraft than a boat. The control system resembles that of a modern jet fighter, like the F-16. As a driver, you just steer and control the speed, everything else is handled by the computer, said Mahlberg.

The C-7 is equipped with Candela’s sophisticated on-board computer, the Flight controller, which automatically adjusts the hydrofoil 100 times per second to account for side wind, waves and different loads. Receiving input from several different sensors, the Flight controller computes the foil’s optimum angle of attack to ensure a smooth ride.

Candela’s hydrofoil system – with two underwater wings that can be retracted for easy storage when trailing the boat or entering shallow ports – is now being leveraged for bigger electric boats. Next year, Candela will launch the P-30 electric foiling ferry for the city of Stockholm, as well as a 12-person water taxi, called the Candela P-12