An electrically-powered watercraft that zips across the surface of the water on four hydrofoils is set to launch commercially in March 2015; hoping to bring cheap, eco-friendly water transport to the masses.
The Slovenian-built Quadrofoil uses buoyancy force to lift it above the surface of the water when the boat is moving forward, where it then glides across the water on a wing-like hydrofoil structure on the hull. This results in a great reduction in drag which increases speed and energy efficiency, delivering a range of up to 100 km (54 nautical miles) on a single charge.
In addition, the electrically powered two seats produces no emissions and is virtually noise-free, and since the passengers are lifted above water, thus avoiding the impact of waves, the ride is much more comfortable compared to traditional jet skis.
“The Quadrofoil is a revolutionary watercraft, because it uses a reduced water drag system for maritime transport. After reaching a speed of 10 km/h, the watercraft is lifted above the water surface and floats on its fins. This allows a very comfortable vibration-free means of traveling, with waves up to 0.5 meter high. It is also an Eco-friendly product, because it creates no noise and has zero emissions, and it does not pollute by releasing any motor oil into the water. It is also cost-effective, with affordable purchasing price as well as maintenance costs. It is one of the most energy-efficient vehicles out there, and the running cost is about 1 euro per hour,” said Marjan Rozman, CEO of Quadrofoil.
According to Rozman, the vehicle has exceptional driving performance, and can reach speeds up to 40 kilometers per hour.
“The patented steering system enables this watercraft to be driven in a special way, providing an experience similar to driving a go-cart. But since the passengers are riding through air, lifted on foils, the feeling is comparable to flying in an aircraft. The vehicle has a turning radius of less than 7 meters, at speeds of 30-40 km/h, which is an exceptionally good performance in the world of watercraft, and it manages to pull it off with practically no under steer or over steer,” Rozman added.
Although the company has plans to develop several different versions of the vehicle, including a racing single-seat and a transport-focused model seating several people, they hope the best-seller would be the smaller two seats with a 3.7 kW or 5 horsepower motor.
In most countries watercraft shorter than 3 meters, and with less than 5 horsepower engines do not require registration, and since the vehicle has zero emissions and causes no noise pollution, it could access areas normally off limits to jet skis or motorboats.
“We have two different electric motors on offer, the 3.7 kW, and the more powerful 5.5 kW which is installed in our limited edition model and which can reach speeds up to 40 km/h. But it all depends on the weight of the watercraft and water conditions,” Rozman said.
Rozman said that the biggest challenge during Quadrofoil’s five-year development was designing an efficient and user-friendly steering system.
The designers solved the problem by using a fine-tuned electronics system, similar to that employed in advanced race cars.
“We are probably the first company in the world which managed to integrate the complete electronic steering system into a touch screen steering wheel, similar to the way these are made in Formula 1 race cars. We also included a security feature consisting of software encryption of data exchanged between the motor and the touch screen, which prevents the detachable steering wheel to be used on another watercraft. We wanted to make things as simple as possible for the end user, and all the information needed to drive the vehicle is provided via touch screen. The steering wheel has only four buttons, used to control speed, direction – that is, going forward or backwards – and for timely lowering of rising of foils, if water depth allows it,” Rozman said.
Starting in March, the company plans to deliver some 300 Quadrofoils by the end of 2015 from its production line in the town of Slovenska, Bistrica. The vehicles will retail from 15,000 Euros (approx. 17,000 USD) for their basic model, with the limited edition costing 22,500 Euros (approx. 25,000 USD).
(Reuters)
