Electric Ferry Glides Over Water Like a Sports Car

The boat was already flying, and nobody noticed. That's exactly what makes Vessev's new electric ferry so remarkable.

When CEO Eric Laakmann took reporters onto the VS-9 in Brooklyn's harbor, the transition from regular sailing to hydrofoil mode was so smooth that passengers barely felt the change. Most boats this size bounce and slap the water as they speed up, but the VS-9 just glides.

The secret sits underwater. Two wing-like structures called hydrofoils lift the entire 30-foot boat above the waves as it moves forward. Computer-controlled flaps keep everything stable and smooth, like a sports car hugging the road.

The ride feels less like flying and more like cruising in a high-performance vehicle. The wake behind the boat shrinks to almost nothing once it's in full hydrofoil mode.

This isn't just about comfort. By lifting the hull clear of the water, hydrofoils slash energy use dramatically. For electric boats running on batteries, that efficiency means the difference between a novelty and a real transportation option.

Vessev builds almost everything in-house, including the electric motor mounted on the rear foil. Laakmann explains they kept production internal to control costs from the start. The only parts they don't make are the batteries, which are now commodity items.

The VS-9 can travel 46 miles on a full charge carrying passengers, and it plugs into standard EV chargers. The foils even retract to access shallower docks.

There are limits. The design works best when waves stay under two and a half feet. Anything higher starts hitting the hull and ruins the smooth ride. That rules out open ocean travel but makes hydrofoils perfect for rivers, bays, and lakes.

The Ripple Effect

Vessev raised $19 million in August and is now targeting city transit systems. Laakmann believes electric hydrofoils could give cities like New York an affordable way to move people across waterways without building expensive new infrastructure.

Hotels and tour operators are already showing interest. The public demonstration in Brooklyn even attracted wealthy buyers looking for luxury toys, though Vessev's real goal is public transportation.

Right now, the VS-9 that glided through New York harbor is one of a kind. Vessev plans to build more complete boats soon, but eventually wants to sell hydrofoil kits so other boat builders can create their own designs around the technology.

The company is betting that century-old hydrofoil technology combined with modern electric power and computer controls can finally make water transit as smooth, efficient, and practical as riding above the waves.