Foils are really taking off in the marine industry, with all manner of watercraft spreading their literal wings to soar across the seas. The latest design to take flight is a bonkers Jet Ski from the folks at Boundary Layer Technologies.
Christened the Valo Hyperfoil, the new personal watercraft (PWC) takes design cues from the foiling vessels currently cruising the air, land, and sea. Crafted from a mix of carbon, titanium, and stainless steel, the newcomer looks just like a conventional Jet Ski but can “fly” effortlessly above the waves with zero noise, emissions, and wake, according to the San Fransisco startup.
“The idea behind the Valo was to take the next step forward for marine mobility and to do it with a craft that both draws on a clean, all-electric powertrain while offering riders the thrill of high-speed foil flight,” Boundary Layer Technologies CEO Ed Kearney said in a statement.
The Valo is crafted from a mix of carbon, titanium, and stainless steel.
Boundary Layer Technologies
The Valo features carbon-fiber hydrofoils on the front and rear, with the rear set mated to a high-performance 45 kW electric drive system. The craft can reach speeds of up to 35 knots, offering impressive acceleration and dynamic cornering. At the same time, the company’s proprietary Skyride flight control software micro-adjusts the foils hundreds of times a second to maintain safe, level flight above the waves in all conditions. Active ride control also ensures seafarers of all levels feel confident (and comfy) in the vegan leather seat.
The driver’s seat is made from vegan leather.
Boundary Layer Technologies
You can cruise for a decent amount of time, too. The Valo can run for more than two hours on a single charge, enabling a range of more than 60 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 27 knots. Furthermore, the craft can be easily transported on a standard trailer.
“Everyone on the team knew a foiling personal watercraft like this would be exciting to ride, but we really had no idea it would be this fun,” CTO Reo Baird added. “The experience is really hard to describe—perhaps the closest analogy would be skiing in deep powder snow. More than that, though, is the pure sensation of speed combined with almost no noise—it really does feel like the future has arrived.”
The carbon-fiber foils are adjusted hundreds of times a second to ensure a smooth ride.
Boundary Layer Technologies
The company says it has already received $3.3 million in advanced orders, with the first units expected to be delivered in early 2024. The Valo will also be displayed at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) from October 25 to 29.