While FlyTahoe may sound like the name of a boutique airline, it is instead the company that announced plans to launch a hydrofoil electric ferry service between the north and south ends of Lake Tahoe.
FlyTahoe plans to transport passengers from shore to shore in a vessel called the Candela P-12 in 30 minutes, with zero emissions while hovering above the water’s surface.
“The high-tech vessel’s computer flight controller uses sensors and software to balance the craft above the waves and amidst the winds, adjusting the foil’s angle of attack 100 times per second to provide a silent and smooth ride,” according to the press release.
The vessel reportedly does not leave a wake that would affect paddleboarders or kayakers. The trips cause minimal impact on marine wildlife, and do not cause seasickness for passengers, FlyTahoe said.
The first Candela P-12 began operating in Stockholm, Sweden, in October, and this would be the first one in the U.S.
Ryan Meinzer, FlyTahoe’s founder and CEO, described himself in a phone interview as a lifelong entrepreneur. Among other pursuits, he developed language-learning software that he later sold to Babbel, the major language-learning app, in 2013. He’s also an avid snowboarder who’s made countless car trips from San Francisco to Tahoe and has spent his fair share of hours in Tahoe traffic, which he hopes his company can help alleviate.
The ferry seats 30 people and allows riders to bring bikes or ski gear. Meinzer said FlyTahoe plans to offer five round trips daily, year-round. He said that the vessel can readily handle winds up to 15-20 mph and high waves. A one-way ticket will cost $50. He hopes to eventually add additional ferries.
Meinzer said that FlyTahoe is in the process of getting into compliance with local regulators, and he predicts the service will start in late 2025 or in 2026.
FlyTahoe has announced plans to launch a quiet, zero-emissions ferry service across Lake Tahoe in 2025 or 2026 using the Swedish-developed Candela P-12 as a craft.