Vessev built an electric ferry that almost flies

Vessev has begun demonstrating its VS-9 electric ferry, a hydrofoil vessel that lifts most of its hull out of the water as it gains speed. Co-founder and CEO Eric Laakmann told a reporter aboard the craft that the boat is already achieving the flight-like effect the design promises. The ferry carried a passenger from the Brooklyn Marina toward Governors Island on New York’s East River.

The 30-foot VS-9 resembles other catamarans on the surface, but two wing-like foils sit beneath the hull. Computer-controlled underwater flaps keep the ride stable as the foils slice through the water, and the front foil provides most of the lift while the rear handles about 20%. The rear foil also houses an electric motor that Vessev builds in-house. Laakmann said keeping production internal early helps control costs, and he described batteries as commoditized, which is why the company does not make them.

Lifting the hull clear of the water reduces drag and improves efficiency, a key advantage for electric boats where every kilowatt-hour matters. Hydrofoil designs have been tested by shipbuilders for more than a century, and the VS-9’s transition from conventional sailing to foil-borne travel was subtle during the ride. The design has limits: it works best in waters the boat can clear on its foils, roughly 2.5 feet, or 0.75 meters, for the VS-9. Larger waves strike the hull and reduce both comfort and efficiency, making hydrofoils a poor fit for the open ocean but a reasonable option for lakes, rivers and bays.

Vessev raised a $19 million Series A in August and is initially targeting transit operations. Laakmann said the combination of electric propulsion and hydrofoils could lower operating costs for smaller vessels and make them comfortable enough to supplement urban mass transit. In a city like New York City, the boats could carry passengers to Brooklyn or Queens without major new infrastructure. Hotels and tour operators are also early targets, and public demonstrations have drawn interest from wealthy buyers seeking another toy, according to Laakmann.

The VS-9 that carried the reporter is currently one of a kind, but Laakmann said Vessev plans to build more. The company may eventually produce electric hydrofoil kits so other boatbuilders can design vessels around the technology, he said.

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