Episode 30 - Powerboat Talk with Nathan Yates and Andrew Robbins from Princeton University Speedboating Team
I recently had the privilege of chatting with Nathan Yates, the founder and Head Graduate Adviser of the Princeton University Electric Speedboating (PES) Team, and Andrew Robbins, the CEO of PES, about their recent groundbreaking achievement.
On October 26, 2023, accomplished tunnel boat racer John Peeters steered a 14 ft. Pro-Outboard hydro, powered by electric outboard engine, to a new world Kilo record at an impressive speed of 114.20 mph. The boat and engine were meticulously crafted and prepared by the 44 graduate and undergraduate members of the PES Team.
Initially conceived as a project for the American Society of Naval Engineer’s Promote Electric Propulsion (PEP) Competition, PES witnessed a remarkable progression, elevating their entry from a 27 mph top speed in the 2021 contest to an outstanding 120 mph within two years.
The official APBA/UIM approved kilo record involved a first pass at 111.08 mph, followed by a return pass at 117.50 mph, resulting in an impressive average speed of 117.50. The team's boat, affectionately nicknamed Big Bird, not only broke the previous official electric kilo record of 88.61 mph set in 2018 by Jaguar Vector Racing but also surpassed the unofficial single run record established by Shaun Torrente in his Vision Marine Technologies' powered S2 catamaran, reaching 116 mph at this year’s Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.
Yates and Robbins attribute a significant portion of the team's success to the expertise and racing experience generously shared by John Peeters and JW Myers, the owner of Black Sheep Racing. Recognition is also extended to John Ruiz and Cigarette Racing, as well as Ben Sorkin and Jonathan Lord, the owners of Flux Marine Electric Outboards, for their invaluable support.
Discover the remarkable journey of the PES Team and their record-setting electric speedboat!
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