Seagliders Soar into the Future: Electric Boats That Fly at 180 MPH

Imagine a boat that skims the ocean at 180 miles per hour, powered entirely by electricity, revolutionizing coastal travel. That’s the bold vision of Regent, a Rhode Island-based company, whose electric seagliders are set to redefine transportation. By blending boat and aircraft technology, founders Billy Thalheimer and Mike Klinker are bypassing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) costly certification process—typically a decade and $1 billion—by certifying their craft as a boat through the U.S. Coast Guard, as detailed in this Inc. article.

A Clever Workaround for Faster Market Entry

Regent’s seaglider, a “wing-in-ground craft,” operates by cruising just above the water, using the cushion of air to glide efficiently. The full-size prototype, currently in sea trials, stretches 65 feet wide and is equipped with a dozen propellers. It’s all-electric, boasting a range of 180 miles on a single charge—perfect for coastal routes like New York City to the Hamptons. By classifying it as a boat, Regent avoids the FAA’s rigorous aircraft certification, which Kali M. Hague, COO of aviation law firm Jetlaw, notes can be daunting: “If you don’t have a billion dollars, then don’t try.” The Coast Guard’s process, while still complex, is more open to varied designs, allowing Regent to aim for passenger trips as early as 2027.

Technical Innovation Meets Practical Design

The seaglider’s design is ingenious. It rises out of the water on hydrofoils—similar to America’s Cup boats—before transitioning to glide mode, a process Thalheimer describes as “float, foil, fly.” This hybrid approach ensures stability and efficiency, harnessing the ground effect for a smooth ride, much like the gentle descent you feel before a plane lands. With a top speed of 180 mph, it outpaces traditional ferries like Zweden‘s Candela P-12, which maxes out at 30 mph. Regent’s craft can carry 12 passengers, and a video shared by the company shows it slicing through waves with ease, hinting at its potential to transform coastal commuting.

Economic and Environmental Impacts

At $80 for a New York-to-Hamptons trip, the seaglider offers an affordable alternative to pricey helicopter rides or lengthy drives. Regent plans to sell these vessels to transport companies for $200 to $300 million each, a fraction of the $1 billion cost to certify a new aircraft. With $100 million raised from investors like Mark Cuban—who calls it “a revolutionary product that can change transportation for so many cities”—Regent has secured $10 billion in orders from airlines, ferry operators, and energy companies. Environmentally, its all-electric system cuts emissions, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable transport. John Gutoff, a maritime law expert at Roger Williams Law School, highlights the ocean’s potential: “You can go in relatively straight lines, as long as it’s over water.”

EVXL’s Take: A Game-Changer We Can Feel

Here at EVXL, we’re thrilled by the seaglider’s potential to bring electric vehicle innovation to the seas. Picture this: a quiet, emission-free ride across the waves, fast enough to maken weekend getaways a breeze, and affordable enough to ditch the car. It’s not just tech—it’s a lifestyle shift, blending the thrill of flight with the calm of the ocean. While the 180-mile range might limit longer journeys, the ability to recharge and glide over water opens up a new frontier for EV enthusiasts. Regent’s clever regulatory sidestep is a reminder that sometimes, the smartest path forward isn’t the most obvious one. We’re rooting for these “flying boats” to take off—literally.

Photos courtesy of Regent.