UPDATE Aug 29/23- Vision Marine has set a new electric speed record of 116 mph. You can watch a video of the historic run at the bottom:
Few companies have pushed the boundaries of electric boating as quickly, or as successfully, as Quebec's Vision Marine Technologies.
The Canadian company has made huge leaps in the sustainable boating movement over the last two years. From bringing the world's first 100% recyclable boat to market, to setting the electric boating distance record by driving down the Eastern Seaboard, the company has been anything but idle.
After just setting the electric boating speed record in 2022 with a 109 mph run, Vision Marine will be attempting to break their own record at the upcoming Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in Missouri.
The attempt will take place Aug 27th to set an absolute world speed record for an electric-powered boat at a UIM-sanctioned one kilometer course. It will take place at Sunrise Beach, Mo and will be conducted with the American Powerboat Association (APBA), the U.S. governing body for power boat racing as authorized by the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique).
The UIM rules package for electric boats is significantly different than their gas-powered counterparts. The 2023 attempt by Vision Marine will be under the "multi-engine electric boat" category.
Last year's record setting run was done aboard 32-foot Hellkatts catamaran using a pair of modified Vision Marine E-Motion 180 outboards. The 109 mph (175 km/h) run marked the first time an electric boat had ever exceeded 100 mph (160 km/h). Over 100,000 spectators attended the record-breaking run.
According to a press release, Vision Marine will be bringing a entirely new setup to the LOTA Shootout, however, if the new modifications don't prove effective enough, they will attempt yet another run with the 32 Hellkatt.
Despite its growing reputation among the high-performance crowd, the E-Motion 180 platform is also gaining traction in the recreational market. With no other 180 horsepower electric motor on the market, the E-Motion 180 offers the highest performance available. Four Winns, owned by Groupe Beneteau, recently launched their first electric boat, the H2e bowrider, with an E-Motion 180 on the transom.
The 'speed runs' done at the Shootout use a one kilometer (3/4 mile) course where boats are allowed to enter the course at a speed of 40 mph or less (64 km/h). The boat's speed is measured from the finish line using multiple radar guns. While the LOTA Shootout is the world's largest 'unsanctioned' event, it attracts boaters and manufacturers from around the world to test their latest designs at high speeds.
The current record for fastest gas-powered boat us held by American Ethanol, owned by Dan Onken and piloted by Slug Hefner and Jon Cosker, who reached a top speed of 217 mph during the Shootout in 2016.
UPDATE Aug 29/23- Vision Marine has set a new electric speed record of 116 mph. Watch the historic run below:
