Foiling or planing: how far do electric boats really go? Candela and X Shore compared
Candela's C-8 claims 57 nautical miles at 22 knots, the X Shore 1 22 nautical miles at 20 knots. Range, charging, price and dealers in Europe compared.
At cruising speed the foiling boat goes much further. According to the manufacturer, the Candela C-8 covers 57 nautical miles at 22 knots on a 69 kWh battery. The X Shore 1, a conventional planing boat, quotes 22 nautical miles at 20 knots on 63 kWh, and the larger Eelex 8000 with twice the battery 32 nautical miles. In return, the X Shore boats have more powerful motors and charge twice as fast on 22 kW AC.
What is the difference between a foiling and a planing boat?
A planing boat like the X Shore models rides on top of the water at higher speeds. Candela's foiling boat lifts its hull clear of the water on underwater wings. According to Candela, the C-7 briefly needs 70 kW to take off, but only 16 kW once foiling at 23 knots (Candela FAQ).
The models at a glance
| Candela C-8 | X Shore 1 | X Shore Eelex 8000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 8.50 m | 6.50 m | 8.00 m |
| People | 5 + driver | 5 | 10 |
| Weight | 1,950 kg | 1,600–1,670 kg | 2,600 kg |
| Motor | 45/50 kW | 120 kW | 170 kW |
| Battery | 69 kWh (Polestar) | 63 kWh | 126 kWh (2 × 63) |
| Top speed | 27 kn | 30 kn | 30 kn |
| Range at cruising speed | 57 nm at 22 kn | 22 nm at 20 kn | 32 nm at 20 kn |
| Range at low speed | 3 nm at 4 kn in limp-home mode | 50 nm at 5 kn | 100 nm at 5 kn |
| AC charging | 11 kW, 0–100 % in 6.5 h | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| DC charging | 135 kW, 10–80 % in under 30 min | 45 kW (option), 20–80 % in 30 min | 80 kW, 20–80 % in 1 h |
| Price | €330,000 excl. VAT | on request | €249,000 or €278,000 in the configurator, tax unclear |
Sources: Candela C-8, X Shore 1, X Shore 1 details, Eelex 8000, Eelex details, prices: Candela, X Shore 1, Eelex.
Neither manufacturer says whether the motor output is continuous or peak power. Candela's FAQ gives the C-8's range as 57 nautical miles at 20 rather than 22 knots (Candela FAQ), and X Shore quotes the Eelex's fast-charging power as 80 kW in one place and 75 kW in another. The Eelex price in the configurator varied with the preselected equipment when we checked, with no note on tax. Candela no longer builds the C-7; it is only available used (Candela).
Where can I buy them in the UK and Europe?
- In the UK: SE Yachts in Hamble shows the C-8; the page does not say whether it is an official dealer (SE Yachts). X Shore lists no dealer for the UK (X Shore).
- Candela also sells and delivers worldwide directly (Candela). Dealers include Sealectric in Altenholz and Ultramarin on Lake Constance in Germany (Sealectric, Ultramarin), Bootswerft Scholl and W.A.R. in Switzerland (Scholl, W.A.R.) and Boote Schmalzl on Lake Wörthersee in Austria (Schmalzl).
- X Shore: the exclusive dealer for Germany, Austria and Switzerland is M Yachts in Munich (X Shore).
What does a Candela foiling boat cost?
Candela quotes €330,000 excluding VAT for the C-8 (Candela). German dealers list the same net price, which comes to €392,700 with German VAT (Ultramarin, Sealectric price list).
Warranty
X Shore gives the X Shore 1 a general 3-year warranty, 5 years on the battery, 3 on the drive and 10 on the hull (X Shore). For the Eelex 8000 it is 3 years on battery, motor, hull and deck and 1 year on other parts (X Shore). We did not find a warranty statement from Candela.
Can I use them anywhere?
In the UK you need no licence for a private pleasure craft (RYA). On the Continent you need one for all three boats: they are far above the limits of 7.5 kW in Germany and 4.4 kW on Lake Constance and in Austria (§ 5 SpFV, BSO). On many Alpine lakes a boat with this much power cannot be permitted at all, see electric-only lakes. Foiling boats face an extra hurdle: on Lake Hallwil and Lake Sempach in Switzerland, motorised foiling boats are expressly not allowed (SRL Lucerne).
Sources and image rights
- Images
- Christer Lässman / Unsplash (conditions)
- Checked
- 24 October 2026 by Andreas Lakeberg
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Legal notice. This article is a general summary of regulations and is not legal advice. Only the linked laws and regulations in their current version and the responsible authority are binding, for example the navigation authority, the local council or the lake operator. Information checked: 24 October 2026.
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