Candela C-8 carbon-fibre electric cruiser travelling on hydrofoils

Overview

Long-range electric cruising on active hydrofoils

The Candela C-8 is an 8.5-metre electric hydrofoil cruiser rated for 57 nautical miles at its 22-knot cruising speed.

Year

2024

Boat Type

Cruiser

Propulsion

Electric Pod Drive

Location

Sweden

About the Candela C-8

The Candela C-8 is a six-person carbon-fibre day cruiser that raises its hull above the water on computer-controlled foils. Reducing wetted area lets the boat cruise at 22 knots while drawing far less power than a conventional planing hull. The current Polestar-powered specification uses a 69 kWh battery and a submerged 45/50 kW C-Pod drive, with a published 27-knot top speed and 57-nautical-mile estimate at cruise. The forward cabin can sleep two adults and two children and includes storage and a marine head, while deck arrangements include day-cruiser, T-top and hardtop treatments. The foils retract for shallow operation, storage and planing mode. Hydrofoiling improves efficiency and ride comfort, but it also introduces operating-depth, impact-awareness and specialist-service considerations that buyers should understand before choosing it over a conventional boat.

Best For

Day cruising and overnight trips for a small family
Owners with routes suited to sustained 22-knot foiling
Buyers with access to Candela service and suitable charging

Performance in Context

Candela estimates 57 nautical miles at 22 knots, plus about three nautical miles in a 4-knot limp-home mode. At top speed, range is lower. Estimates depend on passenger load, wind, waves, water state and temperature. Foiling is intended for moderate conditions; when conditions exceed the control system's foiling envelope, the C-8 can operate in planing mode with higher energy use.

Battery and Charging

The 69 kWh battery supports 11 kW AC charging, listed at 6.5 hours from empty, and DC charging up to 135 kW. Candela quotes less than 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent on a suitable DC charger. Actual fast-charge power tapers with state of charge and depends on charger availability, battery temperature and local electrical infrastructure.

Availability and Pricing

Candela offers test drives and direct sales consultation but does not show a current standard C-8 base price on the product page. Earlier launch and special-edition prices are not reliable proxies for a configured 2026 boat, so the directory's conflicting dollar and euro figures have been removed. Buyers should request a quotation for the chosen deck, cabin, charging and delivery package.