Majority of the watercraft are powered by gasoline engines which are not only noisy but they also pollute the water. We have electric cars and electric bikes which are not popular enough yet but at least they are getting a chance in the marketplace. So why not electric watercraft? A person purchasing a watercraft will not consider an all-electric boat much like your average car shopper will not consider an electric car but electric watercraft do exist. And the Quadrofoil Q2S Electric is the perfect example of a hyrofoiling personal craft that runs on electric power only.
The Quadrofoil Q2S is very quiet, is emission-free, and probably one of the coolest looking “boats” around with its very alien-like design and its insect-like legs (the four aluminum hydrofoils). This seafaring Quadrofoil Q2S watercraft can seat two adults and is constructed out of a hollow fiberglass hull which the company claims is “unsinkable”. The Titanic was also said to be ‘the unsinkable’ but let’s just go with it and hope for the best.
The Quadrofoil features two faux-leather seats, a steering wheel, touchscreen display, and four spindly legs (the foils) which emerge from the sides and curving down into the water. The touchscreen display is integrated into the steering wheel which keeps the ‘captain’ informed about battery power, remaining range, speed and electricity consumption. The steering wheel also functions as a detachable key.
The hydrofoils uses buoyancy force to life the craft above the surface and travel in the water with minimum resistance. The Quadrofoil Q2S watercraft uses standard industry batteries and allowing the craft a range of up to 100km and is capable of reaching speeds as high as 25mph. The batteries can be charged in two hours. Once the craft reaches speeds of 7mph, it rises above the water, giving it the appearance of floating over the water with only the tips of the foils in the water. Although the craft is “unsinkable”, it will come with two life jackets, a collapsible paddle, and a safety whistle. Perhaps a radio and some sort of an emergency beacon would be a good idea.
The Quadrofoil Q2S Electric measures in at 9.8-ft in length and 220 pounds. The craft is designed to be operated in water that is at least 3.3 feet deep with maximum wave swells of 1.6 feet. The craft is available for pre-order at the Quadrofoil website and should be available in March of 2015. The Q2S is available for $28,000 and there is also a Q2A model available for $18,500. Hopefully advances in battery technology allow for future models to extend the range to a few hundred miles which would get the attention of the people.
Oh my goodness – this looks so funny. I haven’t seen any of these on the lake yet!!