Awake’s New E-Foil Looks More Like a Bike Than a Board
Awake Boards is ready to try something new.
The company, which is best known for its jetboards and e-foils, just unveiled a new model called the Navi at this year’s Boot Düsseldorf convention. The Danish company’s latest creation is basically an electric motorcycle designed and engineered to ride just over the water.
Awake’s marketing states the Navi is not an e-foil, but that’s not entirely true. Sure, it looks nothing like the company’s other entries in the category—you ride it by sitting on a saddle, rather than standing on board—but it is still propelled forward by a submerged hydrofoil. When engaged, this piece of hardware lifts the craft up as it moves, giving riders the sensation that they are almost flying, or hovering, above the water.
Awake Boards Navi
Awake Boards/Instagram
It’s the Navi’s unique design that sets it apart from its peers in the Awake lineup. The craft looks more like a sleek motorcycle than a surfboard, in that it has a rigid hull, handlebars, and a saddle with room for two. It also comes equipped with two inflatable float tubes, designed to give the rider and their passenger more stability while on the water. The elements can also be removed when the rider wants to go solo and is looking for a more challenging (but also more exhilarating) experience.
The craft doesn’t just look like a motorcycle; it also handles like one. It features a twist throttle, reverse gear, and kill switch, according to New Atlas. We’ll have to wait for performance numbers—the brand’s current range-topping e-foil, the Vinga Ultimate, can reach a speed of 35 mph—but we know that the Navi can run for up to three hours thanks to two XR4 batteries. Those who care about keeping weight down can opt for LR4 packs, though they drop the maximum run time down to around one-and-a-half hours.
The Navi handles similarly to a motorcycle
Awake Boards/Instagram
Already dreaming of what it will be like to ride the Navi? The order books aren’t open just yet, but Awake plans to start delivering the vehicle in August of this year. The watercraft will be priced at of €39,990, or around $47,000, which is more than double the price of the Vinga Ultimate.
Click here for more photos of the Awake Boards Navi.
Awake Boards/Instagram
