Seattle Outboard Association first branched out into Electric Boat Racing when it was the APBA-affiliated sanctioning body for a World Kilometer Record Trial, Sponsored by an Everett WA electric utility in 1992. The kilometer record at that time was 50.8 mph, held by Britain's Fiona, Countess of Arran. At the utility-sponsored event, the fastest boat was a canoe powered by a DC motor mounted as a powerhead on an Evinrude lower unit. Two months later the driver, Burton Gabriel of Port Ludlow WA, took his motor to a second kilo event to power a 12 foot aluminum skiff through the traps at 25 mph, more than doubling his first effort. In 1993, Gabriel returned with a Darrell Sorensen-designed runabout and a better motor to raise his electric runabout record again, besting three other competitors with an average of 41 mph.
In 1994, SOA and APBA established closed course electric boat racing at selected race sites. The hope was that head to head competition would be the best and quickest way to push E-boats over the record. Whether E-boats could finish a closed course event was anybody's guess. Batteries were a huge weight penalty and power output varied wildly. The boats had to run at least 1-1/2 miles per charge. Despite the challenges, a field of four to five electric boats participated in 5 events, and at the end of the season the boats again returned to Lincoln City Oregon for the Rocky Stone Memorial Kilos, where Norm Boddy drove his runabout to a new world straightaway speed record of 55.913 mph. From that first season, E-boats have run in scheduled outboard events as a special event class.
Since 1994, E-boats have seen a changeover toward hydroplanes, and the addition of an "E-Lite" class of 48 volt racers, They've seen records for runabouts and hydros set at 48v and 72v, and seen the all-out E-boat record raised to 70.597 mph.
E-boat races are flag-started heats of two laps. The focus is on fast starts and using all available power within those two laps. currently, a 144v hydro can accelerate from start to 70 mph in approximately 300 feet, and E-boats can race flat out for distances up to 3 miles per charge. Close racing is common within classes. As an example, the 1996 championship for 144v was decided by a mere 113 points.
To describe the boats: 144s run 12 automotive starter batteries to provide 144v at up to 800 amps. Motors are 36 to 48 volt industrial DC or aircraft starter motors used as powerheads on outboard lower units. When powered as noted, the higher current "hot-rods" these motors to nearly 155 horsepower. 48s use only 4 batteries, and these pump 12 to 30 volt motors to about 20 horsepower. Hulls for both classes are usually converted existing raceboats, though larger (up to 14 ft.) custom hydroplanes prevail in the 144v class providing extra lift for battery weight.
If you're interested in getting involved in E-Boats, we have available raceboats and we'd welcome your company. For more information on electric boats, write or call:
John Paramore
914 210th PL SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone/Fax: 206/672-2757
E-mail:wizprodj@eskimo.com