Local startup FlyTahoe, spear-headed by founder and CEO Ryan Meinzer, partnered with Candela, a tech company based in Stockholm, Sweden, with plans to bring a revolutionary, zero-emission hydrofoil passenger ferry fleet to Lake Tahoe — the first in the U.S.
FlyTahoe is anticipating to start operating the first ferry in 2026. Its ultimate goal is to have frequently running ferries that service various sections of the lake to take cars off the road, cut travel times, and alleviate parking issues.
The vessel, called the P-12, holds 30 passengers and cuts travel time roughly in half with its high speeds and long range. It would take about 30 minutes to go from the North to the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.
The extremely energy efficient hydrofoil technology elevates the vessel above the water surface and thus allows it to glide through rough waters with minimal disturbance to passengers while creating no wake itself. It can transition from foiling to docking and back to foiling in just 2 minutes.
The boat’s battery can be recharged in under an hour at any standard DC fast charger (currently, there are two at Lake Tahoe), but regular power outlets work as well. The battery provides a range of 40 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 25 knots.
This new technology greatly reduces operating expenses in comparison to diesel boats, and because Tahoe never freezes over, the ferry can operate year-round. It’s enclosed and has room for ski gear and bicycles. The vessels do not require any new infrastructure, everything they need is already in place, including public and private piers.
“We have the opportunity to utilize underutilized waterways, which is essentially free infrastructure,” Sofia Lem of Candela said.
Because the foils can be retracted, shallow water depth is sufficient for docking, and the nimble P-12 can adapt to pier heights ranging from 12 to 75 inches using bow docking.
In order for a ferry service to be viable, it would need to integrate with land transport. Meinzer has been in talks with public bus and microtransit agencies to form partnerships.
“There’s room for many more ferries. So, we envision a fleet system of even up 10, for example, to truly make an impact here in the region,” Meinzer said.
He was not at liberty to talk about funding, but said, “We partner with investors who want to do well by doing good. That’s the whole thing here. This is a really perfect marriage of purpose and profit for me.”
According to the Candela team, a pilot project is currently underway with great success in Stockholm, where the ferry is seamlessly integrated into public transport.
Candela and FlyTahoe showcased a smaller, privately-owned recreational boat, the C-8, July 31 to Aug. 6 and made it available for private demonstrations. For more information about the planned ferry service, go to flytahoe.com, and candela.com to learn about the boats and technology.
~ NM
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