For those who like the idea of getting up on the waves with a foil electronic board, but would rather sit back, Finland’s Foil.One has launched the Pegasus. Pegasus is a sporty one-person electric hydrofoil boat inspired by vintage F1 racing cars.
Even though hydrofoil technology is more than 100 years old, there’s still something sci-fi and futuristic about boats rising out of the water and “flying” over the waves. This type of watercraft is now being manufactured more and more, as the new wave of electric transportation is reducing carbon emissions.
The configuration of the foils mounted under Pegasus’ hull is a little different than most multi-passenger boats and ferries currently in production. According to Foil.One’s Eric Smits, the singletrack design was inspired by the work of Japanese pioneer Kotaro Horiuchi, and allows the boat to be “controlled like a bicycle.” It is said that there is
FoilOne Pegasus – 100% electric hydrofoil
The company has developed a novel steering mechanism that reproduces the “intuitive operating feel of a high-performance motorcycle.” Featuring a left-right split handle, it is a system designed to enable electric foiling by beginners and veterans alike.
“What really sets Foil.One apart is how incredibly easy it is to fly,” said company CEO Mathias Heinnonen. “With our intuitive steering system, you don’t need any special skills or prior experience – if you can ride a bike, you can steer this boat – a seamless blend of innovation and accessibility. ”
This one-person watercraft is constructed using carbon fiber for lightweight strength. Molded in an aero form reminiscent of a 1950s Formula 1 race car or vintage aircraft, it offers a “fusion of historic elegance and modern boldness.”
An 18.8 kW electric propulsion system at the rear gives the boat a top speed of 30 knots (approximately 34.5 mph), while cruising speed is 18 to 22 knots. Plus, it benefits from two 5 kWh (48 V) Torqeedo battery packs, which Foil-One reports give users more than two hours of electric thrills on a single charge. The Pegasus weighs 200 kg (441 lb) with batteries, 128 kg without batteries.
foil one
“The height of the boat is automatically controlled, and it’s basically a mechanical system that uses water level sensors to move the flaps,” Smits explained. “The flap is on the front foil, which is also the steering foil. The pilot doesn’t have to steer the boat; it’s fully automatic. So you only have to worry about steering the boat.”
The boat is considered highly maneuverable, capable of tight turns, hard carving, and even banking more than 45 degrees. As the vessel is an electric foiler, it will likely be able to be used in locations where internal combustion engine boats are not allowed, leaving little wake and allowing for relatively quiet operation.
After four years in development, Foil.One Pegasus was unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival last month and is now available for pre-order. The boat itself costs 139,900 euros (not sure about its availability on the pond, but that translates to about 150,000 USD).
Each handcrafted e-foiler is made to order, allowing for a degree of customization and personalization. However, the above ticket prices do not seem to include the cost of the Torqeedo battery and charger. There’s more in the video below.
Foilone Explained: Designing and Operating Our Electric Hydrofoils
Source: Foil.One
