Boat Test: 2024 Candela C-8 Open Daycruiser

Overview

Clever wolves have long worn sheep’s clothing, and ­Candela’s all-electric foiling C-8 follows this tradition. From afar, the boat looks relatively normal—save, perhaps, for its open transom and the seat belts that cross its three sculpted helm seats. However, closer examination reveals a glimpse of a hydrofoil wing protruding from below the hull’s midship, plus bow strakes and hull steps for ­conventional running.

The C-8 leverages two ­hydrofoils. One set extends outward from the motor box and is trimmed by a dedicated actuator. The amidships-fitted C-Foil employs two vertically mounted carbon-fiber struts that are attached to actuators on their inboard ends, while their outboard ends attach to a 9-foot horizontal hydrofoil. The boat employs sensors that measure its ride height, rate of turn, acceleration, and ­position; this data is fed into Candela’s UAV-inspired flight-control system, which adjusts (via the actuators) the C-Foil’s angle of attack and twist 100 times per second.

Takeoffs are so smooth, ­stable, and subtle that the absence of slap—not an ­adrenaline rush—is the only tell that the hull’s undercarriage is drying off. Speed too is redefined as distant objects quickly draw close, sans hull vibration.

Motors and Battery

Candela likes building things in-house, and this includes the 50-kilowatt C-Pod that powers the C-8. This quiet and ultra-efficient electric motor is potted inside a narrow, torpedo-shaped housing that’s fitted to the rudder’s outboard end. A set of contra-­rotating propellers, which are spun by dedicated inline motors and powered by the boat’s ­Polestar-built 69 kWh ­lithium-­ion battery, are fitted to the C-Pod’s aft end.

The C-8 delivers 65.6 miles of range at 25 mph, plus 3.5 ­additional miles in a 5 mph “limp-home” mode. The boat lifts off at 18 mph. Candela claims that its Polestar-­built ­battery charges from 10 ­percent to 80 percent in 35 minutes when connected to 135 kW of DC juice on its 400-volt fast charger. It takes 6.5 hours to charge from zero percent to 100 percent on 11 kW of AC power from a 220-volt charger.

Seeing as weight is lift’s nemesis, the C-8’s cabin and cockpit accommodations are minimal to help it lift on the foils, but, come liftoff, you ­realize that these are worthy trade-offs.

Read Next: Things to Consider When Repowering With Electric Motors

How We Tested

• Engine: Candela 50-kilowatt C-Pod
• Props: Candela-built contra-rotating propellers
• Battery Capacity: Polestar 69-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery with DC fast charging Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 550 lb.

High Points

• The transition from displacement mode to foiling mode is smooth and subtle.
• Driving is fun and intuitive; riding is a pleasure.
• Foiling eliminates hull slap, and the efficient, submerged C-Pod generates almost no noise.
• Crossing other vessels’ wakes feels like running a hot knife through butter.

Low Points

• The boat’s computer will allow you to go no faster than 31 mph (top speed), even though the boat can physically foil faster.
• The flight-control system automatically moderates speed if you attempt a rate of turn exceeding 12 degrees. This, of course, is to prevent the C-Foil from aerating and stalling.

Toughest Competitor

Navier recently released its N30, which is also available in three configurations, and which employs two 90 kW motors to deliver 86 miles of range at 23 mph. Top speed is 35 mph. Pricing starts at $375,000.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Running Time, Range

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Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/2024-candela-c-8-open-daycruiser-boat-test/