America’s Cup foiling helps new electric boat

Silicon Valley start-up Navier has announced it will build an all-electric hydrofoil performance craft with more than 75 nautical miles range at a 20-knot cruising speed.

The Navier team is working with experts involved in America’s Cup foil vessel development to ensure a smooth ride over chop and reduced drag, the Navier 27 announced at the 2021 Palm Beach International Boat Show (March 25-28).

The craft is also outfitted with a highly advanced autopilot which has features seen in modern self-driving land vehicles, including both speed and course control, as well as an aerospace-grade foil control system, assistive docking, and hazard alert.

The technology aims to radically increase efficiency of small power boats by 90% while ensuring zero emissions and a superior ride experience.

The Navier team is led by two Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) engineers who are avid boaters with extensive experience in ocean robotics, aerospace flight controls and autonomous systems.

At speeds reaching about 18 knots, the boat glides on foils similar in design to high performance America’s Cup sailing vessels – the Navier team including experts in the development of America’s Cup foiling race boats.

Sampriti Bhattacharyya is the co-founder and chief executive of the new US-based company that will design and build electrically propelled foiling powerboats, initially just for the recreational market in cabin and open versions.

Navier’s other co-founder and chief technology officer is Reo Baird who has experience in advanced autonomous systems.

The Navier 27 (which stands for its length of 27 feet or 8.2 metres) can carry up to 10 passengers and is able to retract its foils for beaching and shallow-water operation.

A smartphone app allows the customer to check in on their boat from anywhere in the world.