At first glance, the wings of the Edorado 8S appear somewhat truncated. At second glance, you can see the self-confident understatement on display. The maximum flying height of around 90 centimetres is due to the design and is related to the fully retractable foil system. When retracted, the draught is reduced from 125 to just 45 centimetres, which should make it easy to transport on a trailer. This would also qualify the 8-metre-long and 2.55-metre-wide E-Boat for shallow waters and enable problem-free harbour manoeuvres.
Edorado design conceals the foils
Secondly, Ivo van Hulten's design emphasises the lines of the 8S and not the foils. Visually, he literally conceals the masts with the striking step in the underwater hull (behind which the front wing disappears) and the fairly straight hull side with an almost horizontal trailing edge. The hull, deck and superstructure look as if they have been cast from a single mould; aft, thick cheeks arch inwards - in which the masts of the foils disappear together with the engines mounted on them - and form a well-protected berth. Van Hulten pays homage to sports cars with the windscreen. Among other things, the Dutch designer created the interior of the 911 (8th generation) and is currently head of Porsche's User Experience (UX) department.
Folding sash increases convenience and safety
A team led by founder and CEO Godert van Hardenbroek collected over 500 operating hours with a prototype of the 8S, with the concept having been worked on since 2015. Van Hardenbroek raised capital at the Dutch start-up battle "Get in the Ring". The company deliberately took its time with development and market launch, as the aim was to test a new system in which the front mast swivels aft - and not just when mooring or in shallow bays. Even in the event of a collision with an object, the single foil in the bow should give way and give the 8S the softest possible landing instead of a rough touchdown. The Dutch call this patented safety system CISS.
Edorado 8S runs up to 40 knots
The T-foil at the front regulates the flight altitude, while the approximately two metre wide wing at the rear can also be adjusted in its angle of attack and counteracts rolling movements. Pods hang from the edges of the U-foil, which are also responsible for steering. The propeller nacelles rotate 360 degrees at the bottom and receive up to 55 kilowatts each from Torqeedo's electric motors at the top. In hover mode, this should result in a maximum speed of 40 knots.
The carbon construction takes off from a speed of 17 knots, with the batteries making up a large proportion of the take-off weight of 2.3 tonnes (empty). The Deep Blue system from Torqeedo consists of two batteries (BMW i3) with a total capacity of 80 kilowatt hours, which can currently be charged with 3.7 kilowatts. A fast-charging option is being planned. According to Edorado, the 8S has a range of around 40 nautical miles at 25 knots. Other consumers include the cooling compartment in the transition from the sunbathing area to the cockpit as well as the anchor arm, which moves electrically out of the forepeak, and the bathing platform.
Complete system from Edorado
The company from Dordrecht in the Netherlands is making the 8S available to interested customers for test drives. In the future, the "Hydrofoil Electric System" could also enable other boats or tenders for superyachts to fly. Edorado is marketing the foil technology of the 8S and is examining its feasibility as part of an integration study. In the second phase, the necessary steps for integration will be determined.
Technical data
- Length: 8,00 m
- Width: 2,55 m
- Weight (empty): 2,3 t
- Payload: 600 kg
- Draught folded in: 45 cm
- Draught unfolded: 125 cm
- E-motors: 2 x 55 kW (Torqeedo)
- Maximum speed: 40 knots
- Range @ 25 kn: 40 nautical miles
- Battery capacity: 80 kWh (BMW i3)
- Further information: www.edorado.com
Sören Gehlhaus
Stellvertretender Chefredakteur BOOTE EXCLUSIV
