The Future of Foiling

A must for any self-respecting superyacht owner that values speed and precision, the Pegasus is a sleek, fully electric single-seater hydrofoiling boat from the Finnish company Foil.One, designed to deliver a thrilling yet silent ride that blends timeless, minimalist aesthetics with cutting-edge carbon fiber construction. Foil.one CEO Mathias Heinonen tells us more. 

The Pegasus is a hydrofoil platform inspired by 1950s F1 air intakes. What sparked the vision for this design, and how did you balance aesthetic innovation with functional performance?

The inspiration for Pegasus was drawn from a rich and diverse pool of influences. While the bow design nods to the air intakes of 1950s Formula 1 cars, the overall silhouette combines elements from early F1, WWI-era aircraft and modern luxury automobiles.

The vision for such a broad range of inspiration came from a key realisation: hydrofoils aren’t bound by the same hydrodynamic constraints as traditional hulls, giving us freedom to treat Pegasus as a true design object.

The early and mid-1900s were eras when design and function were beautifully intertwined, and every curve served a purpose. That ethos guided us. The challenge was to ensure every line of the Pegasus was either functional or aesthetic, most often both. The foiling platform beneath guarantees that form and function don’t just coexist. They elevate each other.

The hydrofoil system elevates the boat, reducing drag and enabling silent operation. What were the biggest technical hurdles in developing this system, and how did your team overcome them?

 We focused first on validating a working hydrofoil platform before designing the final product around it. This approach allowed us to build confidence in the fundamentals before moving into design. The concept of two in-line struts was originally introduced by Kotaro Horiuchi in the 1980s, but it had not been realised in a way that was easy and intuitive to use. We refined the foil layout extensively to create a platform that makes foiling feel natural and accessible for first-time users.

The Pegasus is fully electric, powered by an 18.8 kW motor and 2×5 kWh batteries by Torqeedo. How does Foil.One prioritise sustainability in its design and production processes, and what role does the electric propulsion play in its market appeal?

 The decision to go fully electric was driven by the broader trend of electrification, but also by what makes foiling special: the silence. While the platform could have been built with a combustion engine, it would have completely disrupted the peaceful and quiet experience that foiling offers. It would have been counterintuitive to introduce noise and emissions into something designed to feel effortless and serene.

Electric propulsion enhances the appeal of Pegasus by delivering performance without compromising the environment or the on-water experience. It complements our focus on creating a new, more mindful way of enjoying the water.

With a cruising speed of 18-22 knots and a top speed of 30 knots, the Pegasus offers impressive performance for a 200 kg vessel. How does its lightweight carbon-fibre construction enhance its speed and range, and what feedback have you received from early users?

The choice to use lightweight, exotic materials like carbon fibre is directly tied to the demands of electrification. In order to fly efficiently, weight needs to be kept to an absolute minimum, especially when carrying batteries onboard. Carbon fibre allows us to achieve the structural strength we need without compromising on weight, which directly translates into higher speeds, longer range and more agile handling.

The Pegasus, priced at US$127,980, targets a luxury market. Who is the ideal customer, and how does Foil.One position the boat against competitors in the premium marine sector?

Ideal customers are mega yacht owners and waterfront property owners. Currently, we are not facing any competition in our specific niche market. There are, of course, alternatives on the market, such as eFoil boards and bigger foiling boats. The boards require the owner to acquire a new skill, and on bigger foiling boats, there is a computer doing the “flying” for you. Our boat offers an easy to learn and intuitive approach to foiling, where the pilot is in full control of the flying of the boat. 

The choice of British Racing Green for the Pegasus, tied to the “Legend of the Green Baron,” evokes a rich racing heritage. How does this branding strategy resonate with your target audience, and are other colour options planned?

The British Racing Green resonates deeply with those who appreciate classic motorsport heritage. It tells a story of performance and tradition. The “Legend of the Green Baron” was a made-up narrative to give depth to the choice of colour and a fun marketing exercise. We offer our boats in any colour the customer wants; they are not tied to pre-determined colours. 

You compare operating the Pegasus to riding a motorcycle, emphasising its intuitive controls. How did you ensure accessibility for novice users while maintaining the boat’s high-performance capabilities?

The goal from the outset was to develop a system that is easy and intuitive to learn, but deep enough to master. Steering and controlling the Pegasus is based on the same physical principles as riding a bicycle, balance through steering input.

To make the experience even more intuitive, we designed the cockpit with steering handles, helping users quickly connect the sensation to a skill they already have: riding a bike. The key difference is that now the “bike” has a third dimension, height over water. Height control is automatic as long as the pilot maintains cruising speed.

Speed is managed with the pilot’s right foot via a pressure-sensitive throttle, similar to a car, ensuring that the learning curve is gentle while leaving plenty of room for mastering the ride over time.

The Pegasus sets a new standard with its single-track, low-wake design and compact 4.88m length. What’s next for Foil.One in terms of new models, technologies or market expansion to build on this success?

Summer 2025 is spent working on the European markets. Next in line is a two-seater version of the boat.

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