ENVGO Builds Cutting-edge Hydrofoil Electric Boat for Canadian Boaters
Dec 19, 2024
By Mathew Channer
Canadian Company ENVGO based in Waterloo, ON, is revolutionizing electric boating in North America with the ENVGO NV1, a cutting-edge electric hydrofoil cruiser that is scheduled for release in 2026.
NV1 utilizes state-of-the-art hydrofoil technology to significantly increase the power and range of its electric motor by reducing drag through the water. While electric boating technology is advancing, electric boats typically have either very short range or very low speeds. ENVGO Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer Paul Masojc believes that the electric boating market is ready for new innovation.
“It takes 10 times as much energy to move a boat through the water as it does a car,” he said. “So we lift the hull out of the water, and when you do that you’re no longer creating drag and you improve performance by approximately 4 times. So now you have the performance of an electric boat that gives you all the sustainability benefits.”
And sustainability is just the beginning. ENVGO Co-Founder and VP of Business Development and Partnerships Pete Keller says that as well as reducing emissions NV1 transforms the boating experience.
“NV1 provides boaters with the highly exhilarating experience of flying over water, versus pounding through it. No wake, low noise, and no emissions. These attributes also minimize disruptions to others on the water and shoreline, allowing the tranquility of cottage country to be restored. It’s the best of both worlds,” he said.
With a 25” LOA and 8’6” beam, a swim platform and seating for six people, NV1 is definitively a lake boat. At peak power (245 KW), it will reach 43kt (50mph) and has a range of up to 74 miles. ENVGO is currently developing safety features including collision detection & avoidance, automated range control to prevent stranding, and docking assist.
“It looks and feels like a sports car, but it was also really important for us to have practical design elements that make sense for boaters,” Masojc said.
While NV1 is the company’s first marine vessel, ENVGO’s staff are experienced in engineering and design in the aerospace market. Before ENVGO, company founder Mike Peasgood founded and operated Aeryon Labs, which successfully designed and built early-model drones for government and military clients. Now, ENVGO is implementing and adapting aerospace technologies for NV1.
“We started with a 3-foot remote-control prototype, and we’ve now built a commercial prototype, which we’ve actively testing on-water,” Masojc said. “We’re planning by next spring to be testing in market, doing customer demonstrations and taking people out for boat rides so they can also experience smooth flight over water.”
ENVGO is currently taking Founder Edition reservations for NV1 with a refundable US$1,000 deposit. And according to Keller, spaces are filling up.
“We wanted to build something that looked as good as it performed. We’ve had great reactions and feedback from everybody that we show it to,” he said. “They absolutely love it.”
Read about ENVGO’s recent Gussies win here
For more information, visit https://www.envgo.com/
