World Speed Record for Electric Powered Boat

[Paul Pless]

Is currently 70.5 mph, set in 1995 by this boat:

http://www.solarnavigator.net/images/cloud_electric_1.jpg

that certainly seems easily breakable, the previous record was 40 mph set in 1978. This gentleman's boat weighs 250 lbs without the batteries. The Batteries weigh 600 pounds and he uses an electric motor mounted atop an outboard motor lower unit.

Wonder if fuel cells are allowed in record breaking attempts?

[BadgerBoater]

Paul -

Interesting piece - where did you get the info and the pic? I'm very interested in electric propulsion and electric powered boats, but I missed this one. Thanx!

[paladin]

Using more modern lithium ion batteries and a newer motor design it seems easy enough to do....

[George Roberts]

I heard that DeWalt is having some now Lithium batteries made. They have a very short recharge time (5 minutes to 90%) and allow a much larger drain rate.

[Paul Pless]

This is a British team's effort. They claim a udget of 25,000 pounds.

http://www.solarnavigator.net/images/lightning_strike.jpg

Google Electric Boat Speed Records for lots of info. The APBA even has a class of electric powered oval racers.

[Rick Tyler]

Originally posted by George Roberts:
I heard that DeWalt is having some now Lithium batteries made. They have a very short recharge time (5 minutes to 90%) and allow a much larger drain rate.And DeWalt is building a line of handheld power tools around this new 36-volt(!) battery: http://www.technologyreview.com/NanoTech-Devices/wtr_15913,303,p1.html