A Flying Boat

Singapore-based company Wigetworks has built a boat prototype that maximizes ground effect to create a fuel-efficient vehicle that sails just above the water. It can travel to speeds of up to 115 mph and might eventually be used for rescue operations in addition to ferrying passengers from island to island. Look out for that Airfish! What’s an Airfish? It’s technically a boat but it works like a plane that glides above the water using something called “wing in ground” effect.

Ground-effect is an increased lift created when a wing flies just above a fixed surface like a flat body of water. This means the Airfish uses less fuel and travels much faster than conventional ships or ferries. The Airfish 8 can carry 8 passengers up to 300 miles at speeds of 115 mph! It uses unleaded gasoline and can travel in shallow water, docking at simple piers or pontoons. These traits make the Airfish and ideal way to island hop, especially to more remote islands. And because they never get more than 60 feet above the water, they are relatively safe versus an aircraft. Widgetworks hopes to transform travel around South East Asia. So get ready to skim the surface, because Widgetworks plans for even larger Airfish in the future.