The Quadrofoil Hopes To Be The Boat Of The Future

If Teslas are the cars of the future, the Quadrofoil hopes to be the boat of the future.

The electric personal watercraft looks like something James Bond would drive over Lake Como in a high-speed chase. Sleek and futuristic looking, the watercraft uses hydrofoil technology to “fly” above the surface of the water, making it virtually emission-free.

Hydrofoil technology is not new, but according to Quadrofoil's president and CEO, Marjan Rožman, "What is new on Quadrofoil are electric drive and patented steering technology that enable stability and agility at the same time."

As the boat reaches a speed of 6 knots (about 7 mph), its hydrofoil wings create lift and raise the boat out of the water, which, Rožman told The Huffington Post, enables it to be driven through most environmentally protected sanctuaries. Its nearly silent, all-electric motor also means there's no oil or exhaust to muck up the marine ecosystem. The design's hollow hull and composite, lightweight construction also makes the vessel "almost unsinkable," as the website puts it.

Rožman boasts that the state-of-the art, touchscreen steering wheel is the only control mechanism on board. It displays how much battery power is left, as well as the boat’s speed and range. The Quadrofoil can travel more than 60 miles on a single charge, according to designers.

The smooth ride, however, comes at a cost. The boat comes with a $18,700 price tag, has virtually no onboard storage, and reaches a top speed of only 21 knots (about 24 mph). Rožman recognizes the challenges, but told HuffPost his goal is for "Quadrofoil to become a synonym for electrical personal watercrafts," with future models offering more.

Quadrofoils are due to ship out in March next year, and available for pre-ordering on Quadrofoil’s website.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/28/quadrofoil-boat-personal-watercraft_n_6111188.html?utm_hp_ref=travel&ir=Travel and provided by entertainment-movie-news.com