This Stunning New Candela Boat Has Gold Foils That Lift It Above the Water

Foiling boats are having a moment, perhaps none more so than the Candela C-8 Polestar. Candela’s limited-edition design, in collaboration with electric performance car brand Polestar, marries the two Swedish companies’ expertise in design and tech. Flashy gold hydrofoils, a 27-knot top speed, and a record-breaking range of 420 nautical miles (with DC charging) are all part of the $450,000 package.
The use of foils was first popularized by the America’s Cup where it showcased unprecedented speeds. Since then, SailGP raceboats, foiling boards and kitesurfing have reaped the lion’s share of benefits. Canova, the world’s first foil-assisted sailing superyacht, was built by Baltic Yachts in 2021. For Candela, the design goal was to make an electric boat with long range, high speed, and the amenities of a top-tier superyacht tender. Having ticked all those boxes, along with low noise and zero emissions, the C-8 is also 95 percent cheaper to operate than a comparable diesel-powered vessel.

“Marine DC charging coupled with our hydrofoil technology’s long electric range will introduce new ways to explore on coastlines and archipelagos,” Niklas Nordin, chief product officer at Candela, told Robb Report. “Whereas cruising many nautical miles in a day in a petrol-powered boat is challenging due to noise and slamming, it’s not only doable but very enjoyable in a C-8.”

More than 150 C-8s have sold since the boat launched in 2022, making it the best-selling electric premium vessel on the market. Robb Report stepped aboard the Candela C-8 Polestar for a sea trial in July. Here are eight of our favorite features.

The gold-colored retractable hydrofoils that lift the hull above the water are certainly eye-catching, but it’s the software controlling performance that creates the magic. Candela’s Flight Controller computer combines with sensors that adjust the angle of the hydrofoils in microseconds to keep the boat steady, even when the wind, current and waves shift. The hydrofoils also retract back into the hull in shallow water or at slower speeds.

Candela’s engineering team developed its 50kW electric direct drive pod motor, named the C-POD. It’s described by the boatbuilder as being four times more efficient than the best electric outboards on the market. Two ultra-compact electric motors (for a total of 100kW) are mounted under the water in a torpedo-like socket, directly driving the contra-rotating propellers. The lack of mechanical transmission means no slamming from gearboxes, no energy losses, and minimal noise. Splitting the thrust between two propellers allows for both smaller diameters and higher RPM, and the motors are compact enough to minimize drag. The cooling flow of seawater eliminates the risk of overheating.