High-Tech Boat Building Startup Navier Aims High With The U.S's First Foiling Electric Powerboat

Published
03/27/2021 by

At the 2021 Palm Beach International Boat Show, Navier—a Silicon Valley startup—is proud to announce the first product for the new brand, a 27-foot foiling performance-craft that is capable of a range exceeding 75 nautical miles all under electric propulsion, with exceptionally advanced autonomy features. The foils will ensure a smooth ride over chop and the minimal wetted surface reduces drag, resulting in the most efficient operation possible. 

High-tech features of the vessel include a highly advanced autopilot capable of both speed and course control, as well as an aerospace-grade foil control system and assistive docking technology, making the Navier 27 the most technologically advanced recreational boat on—or above—the water. 

At speeds reaching or exceeding 18 knots, the boat flies on foils that are similar in design to high-performance America’s Cup sailing vessels. In fact, the Navier team includes world-renowned experts involved in the development of America’s Cup foiling race boats. 

Sampriti Bhattacharyya is the co-founder and CEO of this new U.S.-based company that will design and build electrically propelled foiling powerboats, initially just for the recreational market. She is an MIT PhD in mechanical engineering with original contributions in the field of hydrodynamic design. With extensive experience in ocean technology as well as prior experience as an aerospace engineer building flight control systems at NASA, Sampriti brings an impressive wealth of knowledge to Navier. 

Navier’s other co-founder and CTO is Reo Baird. Reo holds degrees in aerospace, electrical and computer engineering and specializes in autonomous systems. Baird has extensive professional experience in the marine industry, and he is a lifelong boater who has logged over 10,000 ocean miles. His experience and knowledge of advanced autonomous systems will play a key role in the design of the Navier 27. 

Navier is no ordinary boat company. It is trying to reinvent the boat as we know it and define the future of waterborne transportation.