Awake unveils NAVI foiler: near-silent electric hydrofoil with retractable mast

Swedish manufacturer Awake unveiled the NAVI on January 19, introducing a new electric hydrofoil the company calls a 'Foiler' rather than a jetboard or eFoil. NAVI uses a submerged hydrofoil to lift a rigid carbon-composite hull clear of the water, cutting drag and producing a quiet, efficient glide that changes the feel and footprint of powered foiling.

Key user-facing features focus on transportability and flexible use. NAVI has a retractable flex mast that lowers for easier loading and for shallow-water operation. Detachable flotation tubes convert the platform for single- or two-person rides and raise the craft's load capacity to 250 kg when fitted; without tubes, single-rider capacity is about 120 kg. Controls include a motorcycle-style twist throttle with reverse gear and a built-in display running Awake’s interface.

Awake published performance figures that matter for daily use: up to about 3 hours of ride time with two XR4 batteries, or roughly 1.5 hours with two LR4 batteries. The company priced NAVI at €39,990, excluding VAT and shipping, and said deliveries are slated to begin in August 2026.

For the foiling community, NAVI's combination of near-silent operation and modular buoyancy opens new possibilities. Quiet propulsion keeps shoreline disturbance and wildlife impact low, which helps with early-morning sessions and operations near sensitive waters. The retractable mast and removable tubes make NAVI easier to trailer, lift aboard a support boat, or store in compact garages, while the higher 250 kg capacity with tubes supports tandem rides, instruction, or use as a small tender.

NAVI positions Awake in a growing segment where products blur the line between personal e-foils and small electric foiling watercraft for recreation and tender use. The price point and battery options suggest NAVI is aimed at experienced riders, rental fleets, charter operators, and owners who want a multi-role foiler that can carry an extra passenger or payload when needed.

Practical next steps for riders and operators include checking weight limits, planning battery choices around session length and payload, and factoring transport clearance for the flex mast. Expect dealers and demo events to appear ahead of August deliveries; plan to test handling at foil-up speeds and evaluate how quickly the craft transitions from displacement to foil-borne running.

NAVI adds a quiet, adaptable tool to the foiling toolbox and signals where electric foiling is headed: more modularity, more real-world utility, and a smoother, less noisy glide for both play and work on the water.