Hydrofoiler XE-1 Water E-Bike

Like other hydrofoil watercraft, the XE-1 relies on submerged wings that create lift in the water and raise the hull out of the water. This decreases drag and increases speed, which for a pedal-powered watercraft are both good things. According to Manta5, the XE-1 tops out at 13 mph, and cruises between 7-8 mph.

Manta5 claims that their ability to perform a submerged launch is a “first of its kind for any hydrofoiling watercraft.” That’s important in case you want to stop somewhere along the ride, or you lose your balance and fall off in deep water.

Essentially an e-bike for the water, the XE-1 offers three levels of assist to either go faster or allow you to get more of a workout. Manta5 claims up to an hour of assisted run time on maximum assist from the 460w motor. The battery system is fully submersible with an IP68 rating, and recharges in 5 hours.

To provide lift, the XE-1 uses a 4′ front wing with a 6.5′ rear wing, and the modular design allows it to be disassembled and transported inside your vehicle. Built with a 6061-T6 aluminum frame with vacuum formed ASA plastic buoyancy modules, the hydrofoils are crafted from carbon fiber. Claimed weight is 64lbs including the battery and the motor. Suitable for fresh or salt water, the XE-1 can be used on rivers, lakes, or the open ocean with the ability to handle moderate chop and swell. The XE-1 can travel in water as shallow as 3′, but submerged launches require 7′ depths.

Constructed of carbon fiber and aluminum, the 64-pound bike is both easy to carry and buoyant enough for a 220-pound rider to remain afloat when stopped in deep water. The main rear hydrofoil wing measures 6.5 feet wide, while the steerable front one is 4.0 feet wide. The foils come off for easy transportation.

The XE-1 is driven by a forward-facing propeller mounted low on the upright that supports the seat. That propeller is turned by both the pedals and a 460-watt electric motor and 22-Ah lithium-ion battery good for about one hour of maximum assist (depending on water conditions, weight of rider, etc. ). The battery can be quickly swapped out and charges in five hours on household current. Naturally, the whole works is watertight.

Speaking of weight, Manta5 rates the Hydrofoiler XE-1 for use by confident swimmers weighing between 130 and 220 pounds (who are strongly recommended to wear a life jacket). When up on plane, the XE-1 needs a minimum of 3 feet of water depth, but riders (Manta5 wants you to call them "foilers") can also push off a dock or boat deck to get going. If the water is 7 feet deep or more, the rider can learn to swivel the XE-1 down from its horizontal floating position, straddle the saddle and simply start pedaling. Manta5 claims that it should get up on plane within 15 pedal strokes. Top speed is 13 mph, or about as fast as a traditional sailboat in normal conditions, but 7 to 8 mph is a comfortable cruising speed. A display indicates battery state of charge and speed.