Frequently Asked Questions

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results: boat basics

How is a hydrofoil boat different from a regular boat?

Navier’s N30 has three actively controlled hydrofoils that lift the hull above the water’s surface. The foils generate lift at high speeds like an airplane’s wings. At low speeds, Navier operates as a normal boat, displacing water with its hull. With the hull riding above the waves, Navier boats offer a smooth and controlled ride regardless of sea state. Our proprietary flight control system and sensor suite update the hydrofoils 50 times per second to ensure maximum control and stability.

How many hours do the batteries last on a charge?

The boat can foil for 3-4 hours on a full charge - which should be easily enough for a full day’s boating.

How many people can the boat take?

Maximum capacity is 6-9 people, depending on the configuration of your N30.

How heavy is the boat?

5000 - 5500 lb, depending on configuration. This is much lighter than an average boat because our hulls and foils are made from Carbon Fiber - an extremely strong but light composite material.

What is the takeoff speed?

The boat experiences “lift-off” at approximately 16 knots. The takeoff speed can vary by a few knots depending on the payload and operating conditions, such as wind or wave direction.

What is the range?

The N30 is the longest-range production electric boat in the world, with up to 75 nautical miles on a single charge. Like with any vehicle, configuration, payload, and cruising conditions can affect the range. Cruising and slow speeds also offer the most efficiency and, thus, the longest range of operation.

What is the maximum speed?

Navier vessels are currently computer-limited to 30 knots.

Can you waterski or wakeboard behind the boat?

With no wake generated at high speeds, Navier is an excellent water skiing boat. Because the hull is designed to minimize wake, Navier does not offer optimal conditions for wakeboarding or wake surfing, although it has been done!

What is the draft of the boat?

Navier’s hydrofoils are fully retractable and stowable. This allows a variable draft, allowing you to foil at maximum height or explore shallow waters, all with the click of a button. Navier can draw between 6 feet (foils fully deployed) and 18 inches (shallow mode) with different operating modes. When not operating, foils can fully retract above the waterline or stow into the boat for dry storage or trailering.

What is the foil configuration?

Navier features a canard configuration with two aft foils to control stability and direction and one for foil to control pitch or height off the water. Each foil has an Alerion flap (like that on the back of an airplane wing) updated by our flight control system 50 times per second.

How loud are Navier’s boats?

Navier’s N30 is fully electric and far quieter than equivalent internal combustion engines. You can comfortably have a conversation while running at full speed in the boat’s stern.

What are the maintenance requirements?

Electric boats require significantly lower maintenance requirements than gas boats because of the reduced number of parts. Navier boats need substantially less maintenance than internal combustion engine-powered vessels. Washing down metal components after a day on the ocean is always recommended. Our fully electric propulsion system is cooled by a closed-circuit onboard system, eliminating the complexity of a normal boat engine. So, there’s no need to look over the side and make sure there’s coolant water coming out with the exhaust (and also no exhaust).

results: Technology

What software do you use on the boat?

Navier’s flight control system is fully automated, so driving the boat is as easy as driving a car. The driver uses a throttle and a steering wheel just like a normal boat, and the Navier will “lift off” automatically once enough lift is generated. HIRO is Navier’s proprietary user software, allowing you full control of the cabin temperature, speed, pitch, lights, and more!

Does the boat need internet or cell service?

Navier’s electronics are fully contained. There is no connectivity requirement to operate the boat. All software upgrades will be deployed via the cloud.

What batteries do you use?

We use the latest high-energy density batteries, with 85 - 114KWh depending on configuration. All of our battery cells have built-in protection against thermal runaway and are fully certified for the marine environment.

How long does it take to charge?

Navier’s N30 can be charged on shore power at most marinas. On a 220v, 50AMP charger, it takes 8 hours to charge. On a DC Fast Charger, it takes 45 minutes to fully charge.

What is the propulsion system?

The boats have twin 90 kW peak motors. This equates to roughly 240hp of traditional outboard engines.

Where are boats built?

Assembly and integration is in San Francisco Bay, Alameda, California.

What batteries does Navier use?

We use marine-grade batteries with an expected lifetime of over 10 years. The batteries are designed to retain 90% of their capacity even after 5,000 charge-recharge cycles.

results: Safety

How is Navier built for safety?

Navier’s team comes from marine and aerospace. Our design philosophy mimics that of aerospace-grade redundancies. This means there is no single point of failure, and each propulsion system is independent of the other. The boat is designed to land on any two foils safely should you experience a malfunction.

What happens if you run out of battery?

Running out of battery is no different than running out of fuel. The boat has an intelligent range calculator and warnings for low battery levels based on location and distance from power sources. The beauty of electric power is that although there are relatively few fuel docks in the world, there are marinas with shore power everywhere that Navier’s boats can plug into.

What happens if I hit a submerged object?

Hitting anything in a boat is not recommended - but the foil and boat structure is designed to handle and sustain the impact of smaller floating debris. The shape of the foils has a slight “V” in design to help push any floating debris out of the way as the foils cut through the water. Additionally, the boat up on foil has significantly better visibility and maneuverability than a standard boat. In the event of a major impact, the foils have a shear pin designed to break safely, ensuring propulsion is maintained, and displacement mode operation is still possible.

You hear about fires from Li battery cars - how does the N30 mitigate this risk?

The N30’s batteries are IP68 certified, tailored to the marine environment, and have a modern cell design that intelligently mitigates the risk of thermal runaway.

What happens in higher sea states?

The N30 is designed to foil in up to 4-foot chop fully. In the event of occasional waves higher than that, the flight control system will keep the boat foiling, but waves might hit the bottom of the hull. The hull’s bow is designed to displace water without slowing down, so should you encounter a large wave, passengers do not experience a sudden jolt of a displacement boat.

results: Purchasing

How do I buy a boat?

Navier’s N30 Pioneer Edition is by invitation only. If you are interested in joining the Pioneers Club, please apply. A member of our sales team will contact you to schedule an introductory call, configuration call, and sea trial.

Can I customize my N30?

Navier offers many configuration and design options. For more details, please apply, and a sales team member will reach out to discuss customization options.

Is heating or cooling available?

Navier offers a climate-controlled cabin option. This is wonderful for all-season utility and comfortable boating in the harshest conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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