Candela’s e-speedboats in NZ from April

Candela’s hydrofoiling electric boats are coming to New Zealand through a partnership with Wanaka-based Next Generation Boats.

The first Candela C-7 speedboat is expected to arrive in early April, followed by the bigger C-8 at the end of 2022.

New Zealand has one of the highest levels of recreational boating activity per capita in the world, but this doesn’t always mix well with the country’s marine habitats due to increasing negative impacts from emissions, wake and noise pollution from conventional engines in power boats.

Swedish tech company Candela has been working on its revolutionary, hydrofoiling electric speedboats.

Using computer-stabilised underwater wings, Candela’s day cruiser Candela C-8 and sports boat Candela C-7 use a fraction of the energy conventional motorboats need at speeds of 30 knots, the company says.

Once foilborne, Candela’s boats can travel for up to 2.5 hours at 20 knots and cover 50 nautical miles of range.

The active hydrofoil system allows the boat to fly over waves without causing discomfort to its passengers with an on-board computer automatically adjusting pitch, roll and height to account for side winds, waves and people moving around in the boat, the company explains.

Since the hull flies above the water, a Candela boat uses 80% less energy than conventional boats, which translates not only into longer range but also to an almost non-existent wake behind the boat. At 25 knots, a Candela craft creates a tiny 5cm wave and therefore causes minimal disturbance to shorelines and marine habitats, the company adds.

The Candela C-Pod submerged pod drive is whisper quiet and have led to the C-8 to becoming one of Europe’s best-selling electric craft, with more than 100 orders for the 300,000 euro (NZ$520,000), all-carbon fibre daycruiser since its launch last year.

“New Zealand is at the forefront of sustainability in so many ways,” Candela founder and chief executive Gustav Hasselskog says, adding that renewables account for much of the energy generation.

“So it feels great that Candela can contribute to the great work New Zealand is doing to keep its pristine waters clean,” he says.

Next Generation Boats founder and chief executive Kostya Marchenko says electric boats are ideal for the New Zealand market.

“More than 80% of our electricity generation comes from renewable sources and there are many pristine lakes, harbours and estuaries to be enjoyed aboard an eco-friendly, low impact boat.

“With 50 nautical miles of range you can easily do a lap around Waiheke island in the Hauraki Gulf and explore its many fine vineyards and beautiful sandy beaches.

“At 22 knots of cruising speed you will get there faster and in more comfort than on a ferry. In fact, with such an amazing range you can easily cover most spots in the Bay of Islands, go from Queenstown to Glenorchy and back or travel the whole length of Lake Wanaka, twice. With Candela boats range anxiety is a thing of the past.”

Foiling isn’t new to New Zealand’s boaters. The AC72 catamarans and AC75 monohulls of America’s Cup Teams have been flying here for years, while all sorts of foiling water sports such as kite/wing/wind foiling are rapidly gaining popularity.

“Electric vehicles are becoming a common sight on New Zealand roads, now it’s time to tackle the waterways and speed up decarbonisation of the marine sector,” Marchenko says.

You can book a test drive on https://ng-boats.com and learn more about Next Generation Boats.