PHOTO COURTESY OF BOUNDARY LAYER TECHNOLOGIES
Boundary Layer Technologies, a San Francisco-based startup, unveiled its new Valo Hyperfoil at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2023. While the Valo looks similar to conventional jet skis, it is entirely reimagined, combining wing and foil solutions in a personal watercraft for two that operates with zero noise, zero emissions and zero wake.
“The idea behind the Valo was to take the next step forward for marine mobility and to do it with a craft that both draws on a clean, all-electric powertrain while offering riders the thrill of high-speed foil flight,” says Ed Kearney, Boundary Layer Technologies CEO. “The incredible design we have developed for the foils, actuators and control surfaces is matched by the magic contained within the Skyride software, which gives the Valo active ride control and which makes it a breeze for riders of all levels to enjoy hyperformance cruising and handling even when the sea gets choppy.”
The design utilizes front and rear carbon fiber hydrofoil assembly with a high performance 45kW electric drive system included in the rear. All controlled by Boundary Layer Technologies’ proprietary Skyride flight control software which micro-adjusts the foils and surfaces hundreds of times a second to maintain safe, level flight above the waves no matter the sea conditions, the Valo delivers ‘hyperformance’ speeds close to 35 knots with exciting acceleration and dynamic cornering while remaining easily controlled, comfortable and safe.
The Valo heralds the future of watercraft, designed with a commitment to sustainability while delivering performance and speed. Constructed in high modulus carbon, titanium and ultra-high strength stainless steel, it can operate silently and with zero polluting emissions for more than two hours on a single charge, giving a range of more than 60 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 27 knots. The Valo is easily transported on a standard trailer, as the foil and drive legs all lift.
“Everyone on the team knew a foiling personal watercraft like this would be exciting to ride, but we really had no idea it would be this fun,” adds Reo Baird, CTO at Boundary Layer Technologies.“The experience is really hard to describe – perhaps the closest analogy would be skiing in deep powder snow. More than that, though, is the pure sensation of speed combined with almost no noise – it really does feel like the future has arrived.”
To learn more, visit boundarylayer.tech.
