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• RC Boat Marina

Hydroplane Boats

Inspired by fire-breathing, jet engine based 1:1 racing boats, Pro Boat hydroplane RC boats grab the spotlight on any lake with their foam-flinging fury.

Hydroplane RC Boats

When you have the need for speed on the water and you ask what radio controlled boat is right for you, the answer will undoubtably be an RC. Frequently propelled by high-power engines originally designed for aviation use, with their sleek hulls and aggressive lines, full-size hydroplanes are the fighter jets of the water. When you want to go fast and cover a lot of water in a hurry, a thrilling RC hydroplane from Pro Boat is the best way to go.

Unlike deep-V boats that plow through the water, hydroplanes skim across the top of the water at blazing speeds with the majority of the hull completely out of the water. Small portions of the hull barely make contact as the hydroplane races across the surface with a dramatic spray of water blasting off as its trail. With over a hundred years on the water, hydroplanes have been the kings of boat racing for decades. Hydroplanes are designed for nothing other than going faster than the competition.

Pro Boat RC hydroplanes are built just like the full-size counterparts they’re modelled after and often use many of the same materials such as fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber, and marine-grade plywood.

Hydroplanes are well known for being massively overpowered so no weak engines can be found in Pro Boat hydroplanes. You can expect state-of-the-art technology such as brushless motors that are water-cooled for maximum performance and longevity.

High levels of speed require reliable control and Pro Boat delivers with 2.4GHz radio systems that mean signal losing inference is no longer a worry. You can pilot your race boat with confidence knowing Pro Boat outfitted your boat with the latest RC technology available.

Pro Boat’s engineers make sure its RC hydroplane boats are easy to work on with quick release hatches and well thought out designs and component layouts.

Because they are as cool looking as they are fast, Pro Boat includes display stands with its hydroplanes. These stands allow you to not only admire your RC boat but make working on the vessel easier and safer. And knowing these RC hydroplanes are true showpieces, Pro Boat takes great effort in ensuring each of its boats have beautiful finishes and trim schemes. Details are included to capture the beauty and look of the real thing. The colors are vibrant and true and the decals are accurate. There is no mistaking a Pro Boat hydroplane.

Built to last, Pro Boat RC hydroplanes feature stainless hardware and fitments. The skid fin functions just like the real boats’ and helps the Pro Boat remote control hydroplane aggressively carve turns and race down straights. Twin sponsons flank a sealed cockpit just like the full-size hydroplanes they replicate. Vertical wings with stabilizers help keep it under control, but no matter what, you are in for a wild and exciting ride when your boat of choice is a Pro Boat RC hydroplane.

If you love speed, you need a Pro Boat hydroplane in your collection, and the only thing more fun than one Pro Boat hydroplane is two racing side by side.

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E1 RaceBird Lite

E1 RaceBird RC Hydrofoil Boat 2.4GHz RTR

E1 RaceBird  RC  Hydrofoil  Boat  2.4GHz RTR

Specifications:, what's included:, packaging :, requirements:   all included, ready to run, measurement :, packaging box dimension: 59.1x27.2x17.8cm one carton: 4pcs carton box dimension: 60x28.3x73.2cm 20gp container: 900pcs 40hq container:2320pcs     about the uim e1 world championship: e1 is the world’s first and only all-electric raceboat championship sanctioned by the union internationale motonautique (uim), which is the international governing body for all powerboating activities. the uim e1 world championship will see up to 10 teams racing on the water in iconic cities around the world. season 1 will feature seven thrilling races around the world.   e1’s teams are owned by some of the biggest names in their fields from tom brady, rafael nadal, virat kohli, didier drogba and sergio pérez in sport to steve aoki and marc anthony in the world of music and entertainment. more celebrities are expecting to join in.   for more details of e1, pls visit  www.e1series.com  and follow their social media platforms.   about the racebird: the world’s first all-electric raceboat, combining a sleek and futuristic design with innovative hydrofoil technology.   about the racebird 1:14 scale rc raceboat: the uim e1 world championship has granted joysway the exclusive global licence to produce 1:14 scale remote control racebird models.    the model produced for e1 is joysway’s first foiling electric model and behaves and foils exactly like the full size racebird thanks to joysway’s extensive development. e1 team and rodi basso, ceo of e1, highly recognize the quality and foiling performance.    e1 racebird  rc  hydrofoil  boat  instagram video:   the first e1 jeddah gp was a successful race, check below photos and highlights:.

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• Electric Boats

UL-19 30" Hydroplane Brushless RTR

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You asked for it and now it's here, the ready-to-run Pro Boat ® UL-19 30-inch Brushless Hydroplane. Its design is ultra sleek, with no turbine housing or rear spoiler. You can cruise up to speeds of 50+ mph on 6S power thanks to the 6-pole water-cooled motor and 120A ESC. A waterproof Spektrum ™ 3kg servo lets you take corners at full speed without fear! On top of that, the UL-19, which is built to NAMBA race specifications, comes equipped with all the aluminum running gear you need and a stainless steel turn fin. This is adrenaline-pumping, heart-pounding action you won't soon forget!

• Fiberglass Hull with Matching Canopy and Removable Vertical Fins
• Powerful Waterproof Electronics

Stainless Steel Two-blade Propeller

Aluminum adjustable propeller strut, aluminum break-away rudder.

• Fiberglass hull with matching canopy and removable vertical fins
• Powerful waterproof electronics
• Dynamite ® 2000Kv brushless motor
• Spektrum ™ SLT3 2.4GHz Transmitter
• Stainless steel two-blade propeller
• Interference-free connection
• Aluminum adjustable propeller strut
• Aluminum break-away rudder
• Stainless steel turn fin

Lightweight, Durable Fiberglass Hull With Matching Canopy And Removable Vertical Fins

Because the hull is lightweight and durable, you can push this hydroplane to max speeds in race condition waters. The canopy, like the hull, is constructed of hand-laid fiberglass. The vertical fins are removable and replaceable. In case of a bad crash, they will simply break away without damaging the hull.

An aggressive boat like the UL-19 deserves an equally aggressive two-blade propeller. The UL-19's propeller lets you take full advantage of the hull's performance. It features a high-pitch, high rake stainless steel propeller that produces a tight thrust cone that results in better propulsion and higher speeds that won't overload the electronics. You'll be able to reach speeds on 4S that could only be reached on 6S by other boats.

Spektrum ™ SLT3 2.4GHz Radio

Extreme Power From Waterproof Electronics

The UL-19 uses a Dynamite ® water-cooled 120A, 2-6S ESC that can handle more amperage than needed to run the boat with authority and speed. The new 2000Kv 6-pole motor features a large rotor that greatly increases motor torque.

Use the aluminum adjustable propeller strut to tune the boat to various water conditions, from glass smooth to windy and choppy. The square-bottom propeller strut allows more precise adjustments by acting similar to a trim tab usually found on Deep-V boats.

The aluminum rudder features a break-away design that will safeguard the transom if the hydroplane hits an immovable object on the water or runs ashore.

Stainless Steel Turn Fin

The stainless steel turn fin will keep the boat glued to the water whether you're going straight or full throttle through a turn.

Product Specs

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Manuals & Support

Instruction manual, get info from communities, product details.

• (1) UL-19 30" Hydroplane Brushless RTR Boat
• (1) Dynamite® 120A Brushless Marine ESC 2-6S (installed)
• (1) Dynamite® 2000Kv 6-Pole 3650 Marine Motor (installed)
• (1) Spektrum™ SLT3 2.4GHz Transmitter
• (1) Spektrum™ SR315 3-CH DSMR® Receiver (installed)
• (1) Spektrum 3kg Servo (installed)
• (1) User Manual

Needed to Complete

• (2) 2S-3S 5000mah, 100C LiPo Battery with EC5™ or IC5™ connector
• (1) Compatible Battery Charger
• (4) AA Batteries for Transmitter

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7.4V 5000mAh 2S 100C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC5

SPMX50002S100H5

11.1V 5000mAh 3S 100C Smart Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC5

SPMX50003S100H5

7.4V 5000mAh 2S 100C Smart G2 Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC5

SPMX52S100H5

Pilots and drivers enjoy more Smart benefits with Spektrum™ Smart G2 100C LiPos. Not only are charging parameters and performance data stored and uploaded automatically to Smart chargers, but no balance lead is needed — just one easy IC® connection!

Key Features

• Powerful 100C continuous discharge rating to deliver maximum performance and longevity
• 100C battery packs are available in a variety of capacities and cell counts that are perfect for almost any application
• Balance charge through the IC3® or IC5® connector data wire — with only one connection, no balance lead required
• Thicker internal metal side plates protect cells and improve heat dissipation
• Integrated microchip stores unique parameters for each battery
• Spektrum Smart Charger Required

11.1V 5000mAh 3S 100C Smart G2 Hardcase LiPo Battery: IC5

SPMX53S100H5

S2200 G2 AC 2x200W Smart Charger

With 2 channels and up to 200W per channel, the Spektrum™ S2200 Smart G2 AC Charger offers fast, easy charging, especially for modelers using Smart batteries — with Auto Charge simplicity, one-connection balancing, IC3® or IC5® output ports, and more.

• Up to 200W power per channel or 380W on one channel for fast charging
• Charges AND balances Smart G2 batteries with one simple IC3® or IC5® connection — no separate balance lead needed
• Auto Charge recognizes Smart battery charging parameters and begins safe, accurate charging automatically when connected
• Smart software tracks and stores numerous smart battery data
• Includes IC3® and IC5® charging output ports — eliminating the need for a separate IC3® or IC5® adapter to charge Spektrum Smart batteries

Adapter: IC5 Device / 4mm Male Bullets with 6" Wires: 13 AWG

Tech Notes: Please note that Spektrum ™ Smart Technology is not compatible with this product.

Adapter: IC3 Battery / IC5 Device

• This adapter connects a battery with IC5 connector to a device with IC3 connector.

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Speed across the water with your NEW High Performance RC HYDROPLANE BOAT! This extreme 49" boat is powered by a top class 2 stroke 26cc engine. It also has cylinder head sockets for heater plugs, and full throttle indicator to regulate fuel intake. Water cooling systems are implemented into the boat to keep the boat engine cool when running in extreme conditions.

This boat has a huge amazing factor.  Everybody who sees this 49" monster is literally blown away by the sheer size of this boat, as well as the quality of its amazing paint work. Just wait till you take the lid off to reveal the monster of a motor! Everything about this boat is simply stunning before you even put it in the water. It is constructed by light weight and super strong epoxy resin Fiberglass to increase speed and improve handling, then factory painted to the highest standard. 

Hydro X1 comes complete with a strong plywood stand to make starting easy. Having a 2 stroke motor, starting is as simple as pulling the cord. No wonder it has been a huge success in competitions all over the world. The boat is 90% ready to race right out of the box; all you need are your own transmitter, receiver, and batteries for the transmitter.

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“iFLY15 is the unique combination of high performance with easy accessibility – for maximum performance and maximum fun.”

Cec catamarans -ifly15 team, “we love speed while keeping control – high speed needs to be controllable. the flying boat of the future, is a stable foiling sport catamaran.”, cec catamarans – ifly15 team, „ foiling: one of the things you have to experience to really feel it. “, jimmy spithill, skipper oracle team usa, “stable flight is the key to high performance sailing”, “ifly15 – get the balance right between a nice sporting challenge and a reasonable and controllable level – enjoy the exhilaration, the speed and the adrenaline in your veins, but always stay master of the situation “, “stable flight attitude is the most important prerequisite for high performance sailing.”, victor diaz de leon, sailgp team usa, “stable flight attitude is key for easy foiling. ifly15 with superior flight stability delivers immediate flying fun within the first minutes. advantage through high-tech.”, “the ifly15 is the quickest boat around the course, … “, arno terra – sailor, ifly 15 one design and ifly razzor pro, the  performance  foiling  catamaran, for maximum speed and maximum control.

• Easy access to a high HIGH PERFORMANCE FOILING CATAMARAN
• Automated DYNAMIC FLIGHT Assistance SYSTEM – FLYSAFE® FOIL CONTROL
• highest quality standards – High-tech full carbon sailboat
• completely modular – fully customizable
• adjustable rake – MAIN FOIL DIFFERENTIAL during sailing for even more performance in the version IFLY Razzor Pro
• Foiling Versatility and Speed …

The quality and performance have been proven for 8 years and further developed to maximum perfection in every detail

IFLY HYDROFOIL SAILING – EXCELLENCE, FIELD PROVEN TO PERFECTION

Racing     and     more   …..

 Have a high performance racing machine on regattas

  single handed or double Foiling

  crew weight up to 180 kg

  Racing and fun:

  Sail with Family & friends

in any sailing condition:

  Full foiling – upwind and downwind

  Waves and Flat waters

  Light and strong winds

  early take off

  Foiling maneuvers

Transport and Facilities

  Easily transportable on a road trailer

  Slipped with a conventional beach trolley

  ready to sail in 20 minutes

  iFLY15 is designed to sail on the sea and lakes

Stay tuned for foiling events and specials!

Flysafe® Flight assistance

Main foil differential technology – mdt, innovative, sophisticated foil control for unbeaten performance, high speeds and easy access, ifly15 and ifly razzor pro, ifly main foil differential – mdt, ifly razzor pro.

early take off in lightest breeze

F oiling maneuvers are heavily supported, superior flight attitude through active foil control, dynamic control of f light high , pitch and role, non-linear control and feedback control system for best flight stability, even in waves, the foils do not need to be manually manipulated, optimized performance: advanced sailors can adjust rake and gearing, more about flysafe®>>>, active flight assistance, the foil can be trimmed actively while sailing, the key to maximum performance , mdt for performance-orientated pro sailor, mdt extends the flysafe® foil control, to sail large xxl rigs, more about main foil differential ->>>, performance downwind: staying on the foils, full foiling, in 5-6kts tws, reaching max. boat speeds of up to 2.5*tws, performance upwind: full foiling from 8kts. tws, taking off from 7kts tws, video youtube channel, ifly15 foiling catamaran.

The most innovative development in foiling technology

About ifly15, stable flight  is  key for both: first for highest performance and foiling in a wide wind range, including rough and wavy conditions, but also easy access into foiling…...

iFLY stands for uniqueness in design and function. Its superior Flysafe ® active foil control system autonomously supports the stable horizontal flight position in the longitudinal and lateral direction. The 4 T-Foils do not have to be operated by the sailor during sailing.

Average skilled dinghy or catamaran sailors with some trapeze experience can safely foil with the iFLY15 after only a few hours. Quick access – the immediate sensation of success – steep learning curve. In the hand of an experienced sailor, iFLY15 offers a whole new sailing experience with previously not experienced speeds and agile maneuverability.

The flight control system, combined with numerous fine-tuned innovations , ensures safe foiling even in strong winds and rough seas.. Stable flight attitude allows pushing hard, so in good conditions, iFLY reaches high boat speed beyond 30 knots in a controllable way.

IFLY15 offers freedom to fly alone or in pairs. Due to the exclusive use of high-tech materials , iFLY15 is extremely rigid and weighs less than 90 kilos ready to sail. With its low weight and its state-of-the-art hydrofoils, it is airborne in winds as low as 2Bft. / 6 Knots.

iFLY15 has a length of only 15 feet, is easy to transport, quick to get ready to sail, and can be easily slipped from the beach using a conventional beach trolley.

Its sophisticated design reflects the highest demands on quality and function.

iFLY15 – customer reviews

 « LESS CRASHING IS MORE FUN »

MARCUS LYNCH, PROFESSIONAL SAILOR AND OLYMPIC COACH, GC32 OMAN, NACRA17

« I WAS INITIALLY AMAZED AT HOW EASY TO HANDLE THE IFLY IS AND AT HOW IDLE THE BOAT IS EVEN IN STRONG WINDS. »

ANTOINE, IFLY OWNER FROM GENEVA

VERY STABLE, EXTRAORDINARY STABLE. IT IS EXTREMELY INTERESTING, BECAUSE YOU IMMEDIATELY SEE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE BOAT.

FRANÇOIS GABART

« GREAT BOAT, LIKE A MOTH ON STEROIDS ! »

VICTOR DIAZ DE LEON, MIAMI, PROFESSIONAL SAILOR. US TEAM SAILGP, INTERNATIONAL MOTH, MATCHRACING MELGES 32, J70

WHAT A GREAT BOAT THIS IS, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT”

PHILIP WALKER

« THE DYNAMIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWS LONG AND STABLE FLIGHTS »

GERHARD FLORIN, IFLY OWNER FROM GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

TO FELLOW SAILORS WHO LOVE THE THRILL OF SAILING WITH SPEED WHILE MAINTAINING CONTROL”

ROY BALLENTINE

« WELL BALANCED AND RAKE DIFFERENTIAL ALLOWING FOR GREAT PERFORMANCE UPWIND! »

CARLOS ROBLES,PROFESSIONAL SAILOR 49ER, PALMA DE MALLORCA

« A SENSATIONAL FOILING EXPERIENCE. THE SPEED IS IMPRESSIVE »

INGMAR WARNICKE: COMMODORE OF YCSO, YACHT CLUB SCHARBEUTZ, BALTIC SEA

⭐ ⭐   ⭐   ⭐   ⭐

IFLY RAZZOR PRO – THE NEW IFLY FOR EXPERIENCED SAILORS

THE SINCE 7 YEARS PROVEN IFLY15 WITH FLYSAFE® DYNMAMIC FOIL CONTROL has now a pur Racing fellow: THE iFLY RAZZOR Pro. THE iFLY racing VERSION ENABLES EVEN HIGHER PERFORMANCE, to sail in extremely tough conditions and allows sailing with XXL rigs. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IFLY15 ONE DESIGN AND THE IFLY RAZZOR PRO IS A BIGGER RACING RIG, SPECIAL FOILS AND THE MAIN FOIL DIFFERENTIAL (MDT), WHICH IS MANUALLY TRIMMED BY THE SAILOR. THE MDT IS WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE FLYSAFE® DYNAMIC FOIL CONTROL SYSTEM.

flying – sailing – Blog

ROUND TEXEL RACE 2024

“We’re taking off! Foiling is THE Watersports Trend! – „Boot International 2024“ in Düsseldorf / Germany once again showcases: Foiling is THE trend in watersports.

Performance Sailing – Sail GP News: Racing on the Edge – T-Foil proves to be the winning design

Regatta and foiling News: Long distance Race – Duc d’Albe 2023 – Club Multicoques Hyères – sailing Race @iFLY Razzor Pro

iFLY Main Foil Differential Technology – MDT Foil Control – high Performance sailing

IFLY FOILING Adventure

FOILING – REGATTA – EVENTS

Long distance Race – Duc d’Albe 2021 – Club Multicoques Hyères – sailing Race @iFLY Razzor Pro

INTERNATIONAL IFLY foiling FLEET RACE 2021

Catamaran europe central, the iflysail team, is looking forward to your message.

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Best hydrofoil boats: 6 of the most spectacular foiling motorboats money can buy

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Foiling technology has really taken off in the past few years. We pick out 6 of the best hydrofoil boats you can buy right now…

With its roots in the 19th century, foiling technology is as old as the hills, but in the past five years we’ve noticed an explosion of hydrofoil boats coming onto the market.

In part inspired by the foiling raceboats of the America’s Cup , the popularity of foiling is easy to understand – fuel efficiency gains are substantial, noise is almost eliminated (particularly if your foiling boat also happens to be an electric boat ) and they look as cool as a snowman in a freezer!

To help you understand the dizzying array of foiling boats available right now, we’ve put together the following guide to what we think are the most promising designs out there.

6 of the best hydrofoil boats

SEAir foiling RIB

Founded in 2016, French yard SEAir builds foiling RIBs, having been inspired by the speed of foiling racing yachts.

We tested their 5.5m model back in 2018 and since then they have expanded their range to cover superyacht chase boats, commercial and military vessels.

Our tester recorded a top speed of 32 knots, with the foils doing their best work at around 20 knots, but SEAir claims that 42 knots is possible in the right conditions.

Read more about the SEAir foiling RIB

Article continues below…

Spirit Yachts launches spectacular long-range electric flying boat

BMW launches new ICON electric boat at Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival has seen the launch of the new ICON electric boat. Created by BMW in collaboration with

A dual helm set-up allows the boat to be piloted from the bow or the cockpit. Photo: Guillaume Plisson

Enata Foiler

Dubai-based Enata Marine added a healthy dose of glamour to the world of foiling boats in 2018 with the launch of its Foiler.

In addition to a superyacht tender-worthy exterior, this 32fter includes a bow window for spectacular views while underway.

A 40-knot top speed and a 190nm range makes this a very appealing option, although the premium price tag of $938,000 may put some off.

Read more about the Enata Foiler

Princess R35

When British boatbuilding giant Princess Yachts got in on the foiling boat game in 2019 with a 35ft carbon-fibre dayboat, we knew that things had really taken off.

While the foil-assisted R35 may not have the spectacular cruising-above-the-waves appeal of some other foiling boats, it is highly efficient, beautifully designed (in collaboration with Pininfarina) and handles like nothing else we’ve ever driven.

In our review, we praised its rare combination of agility, refinement and stability, with spray kept in check impressively at high speeds.

Read more about the Princess R35

The foiling Candela C-8 is the first boat to use Candela’s proprietary C-POD, but bigger craft will follow later

Candela C-8

Swedish firm Candela burst onto the scene in 2021 with its debut, the Candela C-7 , which was billed as the world’s first electric foiling boat, but it was the 2022 launch of the Candela C-8 that really moved the game on.

Available with a 69kWh battery, adapted from the Polestar 2 electric car, owners can expect a range of 57nm at 22 knots, more than enough for dayboat use.

The consumption figures are truly staggering, with Candela’s figures suggesting that the C-8 is more than 12x more efficient than an equivalent 300hp outboard powered sportsboat.

Read more about the Candela C-8

The electric Iguana is capable of three knots on the land and 30 knots at sea

Iguana Foiler

Not content with being at the forefront of the amphibious boats market with its caterpillar-track offering, French yard Iguana has set its sights on the world of foiling too.

Announced last year, the Iguana Foiler will be powered by the world’s most powerful electric outboard engine, the 300hp Evoy Storm .

Having tested both the engine and the boat separately, we can’t wait to see the result when they come together with the added advantages of foiling technology. Watch this space…

Read more about the Iguana Foiler

The foils lift up at slow speeds to reduce the draft

Mantaray M24

Another exciting model in the hydrofoil boats pipeline, this 24ft runabout is particularly interesting is its simplicity. Unlike its main foiling rival, the Candela C-7, the Mantaray M24 requires no complicated electronics to ‘fly’.

Instead it uses the builder’s patented mechanical hydrofoil system, which it has trademarked as Dynamic Wing Technology or DWT. The technology is said to be the result of ten years’ development work and uses a retractable T-foil in the bow and H-foil amidships that self-stabilise mechanically.

This allows it to lean naturally into corners and ride serenely over waves without relying on a network of sensors and algorithms to monitor and adjust the foils. If it proves effective this could drastically reduce the cost and complexity of foiling boats, while simultaneously increasing reliability.

Read more about the Mantaray M24

It doesn’t end here, with fascinating one-off projects from Spirit Yachts and BMW on the water, it’s clear that foiling has a huge potential for transforming the world of boating.

Read more about hydrofoil technology

New boats at Southampton Boat Show: Saxdor 400 GTC

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Classic look hydrofoiling electric boat debuts in Moscow

A team in Russia has developed this sleek hydrofoiling electric boat with a retro-tech classic runabout look, both inside and out.

The boat is called the Molniya – Russian for ‘lightning’ – and uses fixed surface piercing (SP) foils rather than the retractable inverted-T fully submerged (FS) type on boats like the Candela 7 .

The Molniya prototype was built by Artem Markov and a small team he assembled in Moscow. Markov is a graduate of the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction Institute, where he was part of their Formula MADI electric car racing team that competed against other universities from around the world.

Hydrofoiling electric boat idea started in 2016

Like many other electric boat developers he is also a long time sailor and says “ I have never been able to understand what is the beauty of going on motor boats with a lot of vibration and noise. So, I decided I wanted to find a way to transfer the silence and comfort of a sailing yacht to a boat. The idea came to me in 2016, and from that moment I started working on the project .”

He is a big fan of the work that the team at Candela has been doing, and is well versed in their reasonings of why hydrofoiling is the way to reduce drag and increase efficiency and comfort. So he knew foiling was the way to go and began to design his dream boat.

It is one thing to know exactly what one wants, but b udget realities quite often make inventors adapt. So he found a classic fibreglass-and-aluminum hull and went to work redesigning and converting it. The team had to strengthen and reinforce the hull to handle the stresses from the front foils. At the stern of the boat they designed  protruding half-wings that would help lift the boat onto those front SP foils as it accelerated.

80kW motor mounted to stern drive unit 

That gives the 8.9 m • 29 ft boat a cruising speed of about 20 kts • 37 km/h and maximum speed of 36 kts • 66km/h. As for range, the Molniya can go for 135 Nautical miles at 5 kts, 17 Nm at 25 kts and 20 Nm at the top speed. 

For the battery, they have taken stock lithium-ion cells and developed the modules themselves. The size is 160kW and there are some creative and useful ideas incorporated into the charging and battery management systems. One is the ability to connect a warning system to a GPS route so if you are driving at a speed that is taking yo u beyond range of getting back to shore the motor will automatically slow down. When you do get back, a full 0-100% charge takes 3.5 hours and you can check status through SMS.

One of the intriguing things about the Molniya is that all of the electric boat technology has been incorporated into a striking overall retro look. The dashboard looks like it might have been taken from a 1950s luxury car catalogue, but of course the actual meters are all digital. The interior of the entire boat harkens back to an earlier day, appearing ready to whisk 6 passengers off to a swing era supper club.

From prototype to production

Having built and tested the prototype from an existing hull, the goal of Markov and the team is to move to production mode and use the materials he always envisioned in his dream boat. While the aluminum and fibreglass of the original have been useful for testing, speed and range will benefit from materials like much lighter carbon-kevlar.

The adapted stern drive was useful for proving the hydrofoiling electric boat concept, but all of the designers and engineers are keen to see the improved efficiency they will get from a motor, drive and battery system they have designed from scratch for the Molniya. As for the foils themselves, the production model will use lighter, thinner composites instead of stainless steel.

Obviously the spring and summer of 2020 has not provided the best opportunities to introduce the prototype at boat shows and stir up interest with consumers, the trade or investors. It seems, though that the Molniya is the type of boat that should appeal to peopl looking for the same thing Artem wanted for himself: a classic motor boat experience but one that is quiet, odour free…and smooth sailing.

You can find out more on the Molniya website, lightning-foil.com .

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For Sale "sailboats" in South Florida

• 2018 BOAT GLASTRON GTD18 $23,500 Fort Lauderdale
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• 1979 J24 Sailboat $10,500 Fort Lauderdale
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• Cheoy Lee 36' Sailboat 1966 $9,000 West Palm Beach
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• 41.1 Bristol 1989 CB Ted Hood design $69,900 Coconut Grove, Florida
• 1997 38' I ETAP SLOOP $69,000 Indiantown
• 1990 37' HUNTER LEGEND SLOOP $49,900 Pompano Beach
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• Boat Detailing $450 Hollywood
• 1981Capri 25 Sailboat $3,500 Vero Beach
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• Bruce Roberts 38' Steel Cutter performance cruiser $32,500 Okeechobee
• 44ft steel sailboat $75,000 St George's, Grenada
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• Corsair F28 Center Cockpit Sport Cruiser Trimaran Sailboat $53,500 Homestead, Fl
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Winged ships: Soviet hydrofoils forgotten and reborn

Meteor 120R, 2021.

The ‘Raketa’ (“Rocket”) was the first prototype of Soviet hydrofoil ships. It made its maiden voyage on August 25, 1957, and went from Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod, 400 kilometers north-east of Moscow) to Kazan (720 kilometers east of Moscow) down the Volga River. The ‘Raketa’ covered these 420 kilometers in seven hours - reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h, which was very fast for a river ship. The ships of this type have special foils underneath and this type of design significantly reduces the water resistance. It gives the hydrofoils their main advantage - very high speed. Also, it vastly reduces bumpiness (oscillation) for passengers.

The 'Raketa' on the Moscow channel in 1967.

The foils can be constructed in different ways: For example, ‘Raketa’ had U-shaped shallow-submerged ones. On its first voyage, the 27-meter-long hydrofoil had 30 passengers, even though its capacity was for 64 people. And the ‘Raketa’ was a success: 300 ships were made in total and it was so popular that even the next hydrofoil models were often commonly called ‘Raketa’.

‘Meteor’, the most widespread Soviet hydrofoil, 1968.

New Soviet hydrofoil models appeared thanks to a team of engineers headed by a ship constructor and innovator named Rostislav Alexeyev. Soon after the triumph of ‘Raketa’, they designed a hydrofoil called ‘Meteor’. It was bigger than ‘Raketa’, had a higher max speed of 77 km/h and could carry up to 123 people. The ‘Meteor’ was the most widespread Soviet hydrofoil - 400 ships were produced in total. They were exported to Germany, Egypt, Greece and other countries. Some ‘Meteors’ are still in use in Siberia, in the Far East and in St. Petersburg, where they are used for touristic cruises to Peterhof (23 kilometers south-west of St. Petersburg) and Kronshtadt (30 kilometers north-west of St. Petersburg). 

Strela-1 ship.

Some Soviet hydrofoils were designed to operate in sea waters. One of them was the ‘Strela’ (“Arrow”). Two ships of this modification appeared in 1961 and were used in the Black Sea. ‘Strela’ had two V-shaped semi-submerged foils - a special construction for the sea. It helped these ships travel up to 70 km/h even in rough seas (with waves up to two meters high). The ‘Strela’ could carry up to 90 passengers on board.

Volga ship, 1972.

The ‘Volga’ hydrofoil holiday cruiser was universal: it could be used both in shallow-sea waters and on rivers and lakes. The ‘Volga’ was created in the early 1960s. At just 8.5 meters in length, the cruiser was really small and could only carry 6 people, including the captain. It also had a removable awning instead of a roof. The ‘Volga’ had T-shaped semi-submerged foils and a max speed of 60 km/h. Later, the cruiser was remodified with V-shaped foils that helped it withstand stronger waves.

‘Burevestnik’ river ship, 1968.

Rostislav Alexeyev always wanted his ships to be faster. The diesel engines limited the speed, so he decided to try to equip a hydrofoil with a gas-turbine motor taken from a plane. This type of engine is lighter and gives more power than a diesel one. One of the results of this experiment was the ‘Burevestnik’ (“Petrel”) river ship. It also had two water jets instead of a propeller. These construction changes helped the hydrofoil reach a speed of 95 km/h. The ‘Burevestnik’ was 43 meters long and could carry 150 passengers.

‘Tayfun’ hydrofoil, 1969.

The ‘Tayfun’ (“Typhoon”) hydrofoil wasn’t just a usual passenger boat. It was created in St. Petersburg as a part of a military hydrofoil project to set up some experiments. ‘Tayfun’ was finished in 1969 and was used both in river and sea waters in the 1970s. It had innovative T-formed fully-submerged foils with autopilot controlled flaps. ‘Tayfun’ could reach speeds of up to 83 km/h and withstand rough seas. It had a maximum capacity of 98 passengers and was 31 meters long. It turned out to be efficient, but never went into mass production, because its designers didn't consider it to be a self-sufficient project: it had been initially created for experiments in the development of a military hydrofoil called ‘Uragan’ (“Hurricane”). 

There were several types of military hydrofoils like coast guard motor boats and a missile-carrying ship with the code name 1240 ‘Uragan’ (“Hurricane”). The military ship was built between 1972-1976 and was in service in Crimea between 1979-1990. It had a length of 56.6 meters and a standard weight of 342 tons (while the ‘Meteor’ weighed just 36.6 tons). The foils of the ‘Uragan’ were fully-submerged and autopilot controlled. It was possible to raise the foils up, so they didn’t touch water. In this mode, the ‘Uragan’ could travel in high seas with waves up to six meters high. In calm seas, the hydrofoil ship could reach a max speed of 111 km/h. It was operated by a crew of 34 people and armed with anti-ship cruise missiles and a guided missile defence installation. Unfortunately, only one was ever made, as it turned out to be a very complicated and costly project.

Project 23160 SEC "Comet 120M".

After the fall of the USSR, hydrofoil construction was halted, but recently, the development of these ships has, once again, resumed. In 2013, the construction of a modern Russian hydrofoil called ‘Kometa 120M’ (“Comet 120M”) began in Rybinsk (260 kilometres north-east of Moscow). It was finished and sent for testing to Crimea in 2017. The ‘Kometa 120M’ is constructed for sea voyages, where it can travel at speeds of up to 65 km/h. The hydrofoil looks more like a spaceship and has an autopilot system for its foils. The new ship is 35.2 meters long and has a maximum capacity of 120 passengers.

Hydrofoil vessel "Valdai".

Next, a hydrofoil modification called ‘Valdai 45R’ was built in 2017. It was designed for full-flowing rivers. It may become very helpful in the northern regions with a lack of roads. This new hydrofoil isn’t very big: it’s just 21.3 meters long, needs only two crew members and a maximum capacity of 45 people. It can travel at speeds of up to 65 km/h. Several ‘Valdai 45R’ ships are already in operation on the Ob, Irtysh and Volga rivers.

‘Tsiklon 250M’.

There’s also a huge sea hydrofoil called ‘Tsiklon 250M’ (“Cyclone 250M”) in the project stage. It’s a double-decker ship equipped with airliner-type seats. It has a gas-turbine motor and an unusual system of small foils. The design allows the ‘Tsiklon 250M’ to gain speeds of up to 101 km/h. The ship is 46 meters long and has a maximum capacity of 300 passengers - more than any other Russian or Soviet hydrofoil ship.

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