Today we announced a new partnership with Auckland-based sustainable boating designers, Seachange, to bring a premium 10-seater zero-emission hydrofoiling F8 vessel to the Hauraki Gulf from September 2023. A collaboration demonstrating a significant milestone in Fullers360’s decarbonisation journey and marks a new era in high-end tourism for New Zealand.
Designed to deliver high-value sustainable tourism experiences to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the partnership will see Fullers360 become the first operator to commercialise a vessel of this kind globally.
The F8 vessel provides travel like Kiwis have never seen before. Customers will be able to glide across the Hauraki Gulf with quiet electric engines in pure comfort while enjoying the beauty of the marine environment. Intimate groups who board the F8 vessel will immediately feel a sense of premium travel as they cruise to their destination.
This partnership is a sign of our commitment to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vessels right across our business. This has previously been signaled for public transport services, and now we’re pleased to announce a new high-end tourism experience to the Hauraki Gulf.
The F8 will be eight metres in length, seat up to 10 passengers, and be able to reach a top speed of 30 knots (around 55 km) per hour. Construction of the F8 vessel is already underway and it will be available to book from September 2023 onwards, in time for next summer.
Editors note:
Seachange is on track, to bring a premium 10-seater zero-emission hydrofoiling F8 vessel to the Hauraki Gulf near the end of 2023. From there the vessel will enter testing and a sea trial phase and be ready for Fullers360 from approximately February 2024.
Editors note November 2023:
Seachange is well into the build and testing phase for our hydrofoiling F8 vessel which we are looking forward to seeing on the Hauraki Gulf in 2024 when sea trialling and testing on the water begins. Initially a launch date of December 2023 was anticipated, this has now been extended to enable sufficient testing.
