Ready, Set, Vessev: A Fresh Spin on Electric Hydrofoil Boating! 🌊☘️✨
High-Performance Hydrofoil Vessel VS-9 by Electric Vessev Outperforms Conventional Watercraft, Boasting a Staggering 5X Increased Efficiency
Forget about the limelight on ground-based electric vehicles - it's high time to focus on watery jackpots! New Zealand-based innovation powerhouse Vessev is making splashes with their game-changing VS-9 - a hydrofoil-electric hybrid boat that's designed to revolutionize small crafts. To learn more about this breakthrough, we chatted with CEO Eric Laakmann, while an on-location team put the VS-9 through its paces in none other than the radiant city of Auckland. 🌄🌞
The VS-9: A Swish Mix of Hydrofoiling and Electrification ⚡🌊
It's hard not to gape at the VS-9 at first glance. With a sleek, modern aesthetic that's somewhat reminiscent of a tech gadget, Laakmann's extensive experience developing cutting-edge products at Apple (including generations of iPods, iPads, and the original Apple Watch) definitely shows! During a sailing sabbatical in New Zealand, the birthplace of modern hydrofoiling following the 2013 America's Cup, he found his calling.
"The founder of the company, Max, thought this technology could be commercialized," says Laakmann. "When I joined the team, I brought my product management expertise to create a winning strategy and zero in on target markets - harbor ferry operators and eco-conscious tourism operators, for starters."
A Power Couple: Hydrofoiling and Battery Electrification 💪💥
The VS-9 brings two innovative elements together in harmony - hydrofoiling and battery electrification. This power couple results in a much more energy-efficient ride compared to previous watercrafts. "This combination increases efficiency three to five times over old-school boats, making it a real innovation in the marine sphere," shares Laakmann. "It's like a holy grail for automotive and aviation if you said a new technology would make cars or planes 3 to 5 times more efficient."
The reduced drag provided by hydrofoiling makes electrification possible, and it's all about optimizing efficiency. "It's a synergistic marriage between hydrofoiling and electrification," says Laakmann, adding that the VS-9's heavy-duty 98.6kWh batteries are approximately the same as those used in Tesla Cybertrucks or Rivian R1Ts.
The VS-9: Super Practical 🛢️⚡️
With batteries that are about the same size as those in electric cars, the VS-9 can be charged at any standard marina using Type 2 chargers. The test team in the heart of Auckland witnessed this firsthand, as the VS-9 charged up after a 30-minute spin in the harbor, burning less than $5 of electricity compared to $83 worth of fossil fuel for traditional boats. The VS-9 cruises at a range of around 50 miles with one passenger, but drops to 40 miles with 10.
Seamless Vessev Transition: Foiling Made Easy! 🌊😌
When cruising, the VS-9 transitions from regular boating to hydrofoiling effortlessly. The transition is automatic and relies on actuators and sensors monitoring boat height and speed. "The VS-9 takes off at 19 knots, then cruises at speeds between 20-25 knots for optimal efficiency before topping out at around 30 knots," explains Laakmann.
The test team in Auckland reported that while there was no obvious transition to foiling, the ride was significantly smoother once the VS-9 was airborne, with less wake in the water.
Up Next: Propulsion Upgrades, Whisper-Quiet Engines, and Even Bigger Boats! 🌒🚀
Currently, the VS-9's motor is a bit noisy. However, Laakmann assures us that a new propulsion system will hit the waves on July 1, featuring custom motors with lower energy loss and decreased noise levels.
Until then, embrace the future of electric hydrofoil boating! 🌊⚡️🛢️🌟
- Vessev's game-changing VS-9, with a design resembling a tech gadget, is set to revolutionize small crafts in the boats and vessev industry.
- The VS-9, a hydrofoil-electric hybrid boat, brings together hydrofoiling and battery electrification, leading to a more energy-efficient ride compared to traditional watercrafts.
- With batteries about the same size as those in electric cars, the VS-9 can be charged at any standard marina, making it more practical and cost-effective than conventional boats.
- During a 30-minute spin in the harbor, the VS-9 burns less than $5 of electricity compared to $83 worth of fossil fuel for traditional boats, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize transportation, finance, and lifestyle.
- The VS-9's transition from regular boating to hydrofoiling is automatic, resulting in a smoother ride with less wake in the water and optimizing efficiency.
- Furthermore, the VS-9's motor will be upgraded on July 1, featuring custom motors with lower energy loss and decreased noise levels, a step towards silent, efficient electric hydrofoil boating.
- The VS-9, like electric vehicles, has the potential to revolutionize industries such as transportation, finance, and lifestyle, just as innovations in technology, gadgets, cars, and even aviation have done in the past.