Electric Boats: Navier and Stripe Set Sail for a Commute Revolution

Ahoy there, landlubbers! Today, I've got a nautical tale that might just float your boat – pun intended. It's a story of innovation, electric tech, and a quest to rid the world of soul-sucking commutes. So grab your life jackets, folks, and let's embark on this electrifying adventure!

Picture this: You're stuck in the never-ending traffic of the Bay Area, contemplating the meaning of life as your car's exhaust fumes merge with the smoggy skyline. Well, fret not, for Navier, a San Francisco startup, has a solution that's fresher than the salty sea breeze – an electric foiling boat that promises to whisk you away from the daily grind.

Now, before you start picturing a quaint little rowboat with an electric trolling motor, let me assure you, Navier is aiming for something grander. They've partnered with Stripe, a financial services juggernaut, to shuttle their employees to work in style, comfort, and eco-friendly splendor. And no, this isn't just any boat; it's the N30 – Navier's flagship foiling electric vessel.

Navier, which made its grand entrance at the 2021 Palm Beach International Boat Show, is about to make waves (literally) by ferrying Stripe employees on this electrifying marvel starting March. You see, Navier is all about cutting-edge technology and sustainability. They've thrown tradition overboard and set sail towards a greener, faster future.

The N30 is no slouch when it comes to performance. With dual 90-kW motors at the rear, this beauty can reach a take-off speed of 16 knots, gracefully gliding above the waves on its foils. It's like floating on a cloud, but without the risk of sudden rain showers. And when it's in the mood for some fun, it can hit a maximum speed of 30 knots – that's faster than most of us can utter the word "electricity."

For those of you who might wonder about range anxiety, fear not, dear readers. The N30 boasts enough battery capacity to cover up to 100 miles (that's about 160 kilometers for our metric friends) on a single charge at cruising speed. That's more than enough to keep those commutes smooth sailing.

Navier has sprinkled a bit of magic into the mix. They've got an "advanced assistive autopilot" baked into the boat. While it may not be quite ready to take the wheel and tell you jokes, it's a step in the right direction. Full autonomy is expected to come in future software updates, so someday, you might just have an electronic captain at your service.

What about the price? We all know, the fancier the boat, the fancier the price tag. The N30 in use for this pilot program comes in at a cool $550,000. But hey, for the Silicon Valley elite, that's mere pocket change. And don't worry, they're not stopping at one boat. Navier plans to add five to seven more vessels to the fleet. They're plotting a course to expand their ferry service to areas like Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, and Sausalito. It's like Uber, but on water. Well, above water actually.

Oh, and they're already working on a 30-passenger model – something akin to Candela's P-12, maybe with a dash of James Bond's charm? – for those high-traffic routes. Navier envisions a future where marinas become transportation hubs, connecting cities by transforming waterways into highways. A utopia where your daily commute feels more like a pleasure cruise than a grind.

So there you have it, ladies and gents. Navier and Stripe are teaming up to change the way we view our daily commutes. With electric boats that fly above the waves, they're promising to make your journey to work not just bearable, but downright enjoyable. No more traffic jams, no more pollution – just smooth sailing and a hint of electric excitement in the air.