Electromobility on the water faces a particular challenge: physics. Unlike cars, boats have to constantly fight against high water resistance. The faster they travel, the more energy they need - which has severely limited the range of electric boats to date. The Swedish company Candela has tackled precisely this issue and developed the C-8, a boat that almost completely eliminates this resistance - by simply flying over it.
The Candela C-8 is no ordinary electric boat. Its speciality lies not in its engine power or size, but in its technology, efficiency and completely new way of driving. It is the first series-produced electric boat with hydrofoil technology that combines a practical range with a unique driving experience.
The C-8 looks different from classic motorboats right from the jetty. The design is clear and minimalist, without any playful details - typically Scandinavian. The cockpit is also more reminiscent of the interior of a modern electric car than a boat. Everything looks tidy and digitally controlled, and the battery and management system actually comes from Polestar. However, the car manufacturer, a subsidiary of Volvo Cars, does not build boats. However, they do supply key components for the Candela's electric drive. Similar to the Frauscher x Porsche Boat.
The Candela C-8 is a sports car on the water
Speaking of sports cars: The Candela is made of Prepeg carbon fibre. No boat can be built more modern, lighter and of higher quality at the moment. The seats for the driver and front passenger are also made of carbon fibre and look like the sports seats in super sports cars. At first glance, they don't look particularly comfortable, as only foam is glued on - but when you sit down, the comfort is surprising. At the rear, there is a bench for three people and a reclining area for two adults measuring 1.40 x 1.65 metres. There is plenty of storage space, including in the side panelling. The large number of grab handles is a particularly positive feature. Although the boat is generally more stable than conventional motorboats, it is still essential to have handholds on board. But more on this later.
Minimalism below deck
The uncluttered concept also continues below deck. White GRP surfaces, light-coloured upholstery and grey carpet create a modern, friendly ambience. The hull walls are clad in fabric - a small but effective detail that visually lightens up the interior. There are no windows or other views to the outside, only a small hatch in the foredeck, which provides sufficient ventilation for the interior. Two people can spend the night here - the sleeping area measures an impressive 1.58 x 2.70 metres at shoulder height. There is also a small toilet below deck.
The pod drive
However, the real highlight is hidden underwater: the C-8 does not have a classic outboard motor or sterndrive, but a so-called pod motor - a proven technology in the electric sector. The key difference is that the motor is not mounted directly under the stern, but sits at the end of a hydrofoil, which is about 1.50 metres deep in the water at slow speed. In this phase, the boat behaves similarly to a conventional displacement boat. Due to the greater draught, it offers slightly less drift in windy conditions. However, this is not necessarily noticeable in light winds.
It gets really exciting as soon as you accelerate: From around 16 knots, the T-shaped wings generate enough lift to lift the boat completely out of the water. First the bow section lifts, then the stern - comparable to an animal standing up. What follows is an almost silent hovering above the water. The spray stops, the waves no longer beat against the hull - the C-8 flies.
The technology of the Candela C-8
To better understand the technology, let's take a brief excursion into the world of Candela: the basis for this new kind of driving experience is the so-called Foil Control System, an in-house development from Candela. It automatically keeps the boat in balance while sailing - similar to an aircraft stabiliser. Sensors continuously record movements, wind, waves and steering commands. An on-board computer uses this data to calculate the optimum position of the wings in real time, which adjust up to one hundred times per second. During flight, the adjustments are easily noticed. The C-8 is powered by the specially developed Candela C-POD, an electric motor with 45 kW continuous power (around 60 hp) integrated directly into the foil section. Two counter-rotating propellers provide the propulsion. The direct drive without gearbox means there are no mechanical components - and therefore no maintenance work. The motor unit is fully encapsulated, maintenance-free and, according to the manufacturer, designed for over 3,000 operating hours - enough for 15 to 30 years of normal use.
Thanks to the foil technology, energy consumption in hovering flight is reduced by up to 80 per cent compared to conventional planing boats. The C-8 thus achieves a range of up to 50 nautical miles at a speed of 22 knots. The energy comes from a 69 kWh lithium-ion battery based on Polestar technology. Charging is either via three-phase current or direct current (DC Fast Charging). A full charge takes around five hours at a 3-phase socket and less than two hours at the fast charging station. This makes the boat suitable for day trips as well as for medium distances on inland or coastal waters - for example from Stralsund to Hiddensee or from Palma to Ibiza, completely without fossil fuels. Finished with the technical details: now comes the exciting part - the driving.
Flying instead of driving: The driving experience with the Candela C-8
In the air, the riding experience becomes surreal. Waves are barely noticeable, the boat glides stably and whisper-quietly. The usual wave problems, especially with light hulls, are completely eliminated. Even in heavy seas, the boat remains stable - no pitching, no rolling. The subjective feeling of speed is more like flying in a light aeroplane than boating. During our test drive, we had a wave of around 40 centimetres. That's not a lot, but you don't notice it at all when foiling. Even higher waves from passing motorboats are not noticeable, the handling is so smooth.
The manoeuvrability is also impressive: thanks to the computer-controlled foils and the precise drive, the C-8 can be manoeuvred in a controlled manner even at low speeds. However, circles cannot be flown quite as tightly as a normal hull might be able to. If you need to make a tighter turn, the boat automatically reduces speed to land and then makes normal circles at around 8 knots. The best of both worlds, so to speak.
A pleasant side effect
The futuristic foil design attracts attention. Sailors and other boaters were enthusiastic during the test - some even applauded appreciatively. Back in the harbour, the C-8 behaves inconspicuously and is easy to park. Only the slightly wider foils require a little more distance from the dolphin when mooring. For shallow waters, the wings can be raised electrically - they then protrude from the stern and the windscreen.
The C-8 is available in three versions: as an open version, with a fixed hardtop or - as in the test - with a T-top. The large windscreen offers good protection from the wind. The only point of criticism: the gap between the T-top and windscreen lets water through when it rains. The dealer Sealectric from Altenholz near Kiel, who provided the test boat, is already working on a suitable tarpaulin to solve this problem. Apart from that, there are hardly any negatives to report - on the contrary: the list of plus points is long.
Low maintenance
One particular advantage of the C-8 is its extremely low maintenance requirements. No gearbox, no shafts, no impellers, no oil changes - the entire technology is designed for a long service life. The battery is guaranteed for eight years, with an expected service life of at least 3,000 charging cycles. Energy consumption is around 0.9 kWh per nautical mile. Depending on the electricity tariff, this results in costs of less than 30 cents per mile. By comparison, a classic boat such as the Axopar 29 consumes around 1.7 litres per nautical mile at 29 knots. At 1.80 euros per litre, this results in fuel costs of around 3.06 euros per nautical mile. This demonstrates the enormous savings potential of the C-8 - not only financially, but also ecologically: no CO₂ emissions, no exhaust fumes. In addition, the boat hardly causes any waves in flight mode and thus protects sensitive shore areas.
