Revolutionary ground-effect electric seaglider gets passengers flying

A bold new chapter in coastal transportation is unfolding as Regent Craft, a Rhode Island-based startup, has successfully tested its full-size electric seaglider with passengers onboard. This groundbreaking vessel, which combines elements of boats, planes, and hydrofoils, has the potential to revolutionize high-speed maritime travel.

A new kind of flying boat

Regent’s seaglider operates using the wing-in-ground (WIG) effect, a phenomenon in which an aircraft flying close to a surface—such as water—experiences reduced aerodynamic drag and increased efficiency. This allows the seaglider to skim just above the waves at high speeds, combining the smoothness of an aircraft with the practicality of a watercraft.

After receiving approval from the U.S. Coast Guard last September, Regent put its full-size prototype, the Viceroy, to the test. The results? A successful first passenger-carrying flight, proving that this futuristic mode of transportation isn’t just theoretical—it works.

Watch the full-size prototype in action:

Meet the Viceroy: a glimpse into the future of coastal transport

The Viceroy seaglider is a full-scale model of Regent’s upcoming production vehicle, measuring 55 feet (16.75 meters) long with a 65-foot (19.8-meter) wingspan. Its unique design allows it to:

• Float on its hull when stationary
• Glide on hydrofoils to minimize drag in rough waters
• Fly just above the water’s surface using the ground effect, enabling efficient high-speed travel

This versatility means the seaglider can adapt to different conditions, making it ideal for both passenger and cargo transport.

Years in the making, ready to change the game

Regent Craft was founded in 2020 with the ambitious goal of developing a new class of electric, high-speed coastal vessels. The journey to this full-scale test was no small feat:

• In 2022, the company successfully built and flew a quarter-scale prototype, laying the groundwork for full-size operations.
• Engineers then spent months fine-tuning critical onboard systems, including the motors, batteries, and advanced vehicle control software, ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Now, with the full-size Viceroy taking flight over water, Regent is proving that its vision is ready to take off—literally.

Big investors, bigger future

Regent has already secured a staggering $90 million in investment funding, with orders exceeding $9 billion from customers worldwide. The potential applications for this technology are vast:

Island-hopping tourism – offering breathtaking, eco-friendly travel between tropical destinations
High-speed cargo transport – enabling quick and efficient logistics over coastal routes
Emergency response operations – providing fast and adaptable rescue and relief efforts
Maritime defense – working with the U.S. Marine Corps to enhance naval logistics and coastal security

With this level of demand and investment, the company is poised to redefine ocean-faring travel as we know it.

Coming soon: a seaglider near you?

To meet growing interest, Regent is ramping up production with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Rhode Island, slated to open next year. This means we may soon see fleets of these low-flying, all-electric boat-plane hybrids skimming across the waves, offering a thrilling new way to travel.

With the success of this passenger flight, Regent has taken a major step toward making seagliders a commercial reality. And if things go according to plan, the age of high-speed, low-emission coastal travel is just around the corner.

Would you take a ride on one of these futuristic seagliders?