A ferry on Stockholm’s 14X route demonstrates how modern electric hydrofoil boats can transform travel on the water. After accelerating to 16 knots—just under 30 kilometers per hour—the vessel rises above the surface and continues toward its destination at up to 25 knots, or roughly 46 kilometers per hour.
The transition is noticeable to passengers. Initial waves can cause some shaking, depending on weather conditions, but the ride becomes markedly calmer once the boat lifts off. The hull then moves with the water passing about one meter below the bow.
An electronic control system keeps the vessel balanced while its electric motor produces a quiet hum. Unlike conventional diesel ferries, the boat does not generate a visible exhaust plume or the same level of engine noise and rocking described during the journey.
The renewed interest in hydrofoil boats combines electric propulsion with advanced control technology and lightweight design. Startups are using these elements to revisit a type of vessel that can travel above the water rather than pushing its entire hull through it, aiming to improve comfort while reducing emissions.
Sources: t3n.