In October 2023, a group of students from Princeton University’s Electric Speedboating team shattered the electric water speed record. The world’s fastest electric boat is now powered by Flux Marine technology.

Prior to this, Jaguar Vector Racing held the record at 88.61 mph. When they set this record in 2018, it captured headlines and inspired continued innovation in the industry. For Flux Marine, however, breaking records took a backseat to a larger mission: delivering scalable, reliable, and enjoyable electric boating experiences.

Still, the company’s ties to Princeton and its commitment to advancing electric propulsion created a unique opportunity. Co-founders Ben Sorkin and Jon Lord both graduated from Princeton’s engineering program, and over the years, Flux has hired many interns from the same program, some of whom have since joined Flux Marine as full-time employees. Among those interns are members of the Princeton Electric Speedboating team, who were eager to combine their academic expertise with what they’d learned at Flux Marine to take on the challenge of breaking the electric water speed record.

Engineering the Future of Speed

The Princeton Electric Speedboating team, supported by mentorship from Flux Marine engineers, optimized the company’s FM100 powertrain—a 100HP (75kW) electric motor—for lightweight, high-performance racing. Over the summer and into early fall, the team fine-tuned their boat, nicknamed Big Bird, at Flux Marine’s Bristol, RI headquarters. With enhancements to the hydrodynamic design and motor tuning, the boat achieved a peak output of 180HP, generating the power needed to break records.

In a sanctioned two-way speed run on Lake Townsend in Greensboro, NC, their efforts paid off. Professional driver John Peeters piloted Big Bird through two consecutive one-kilometer runs, with speeds averaged to establish the new record. The results were impressive: an official speed of 114.2 mph, with the boat reaching 121 mph at its peak.

A Shared Achievement

This accomplishment is more than just a win for the Princeton Electric Speedboating team—it’s a milestone for electric boating. Flux Marine is honored to have supported the team with the technology and guidance that helped make their success possible.

As the industry continues to evolve, feats like this showcase the potential of electric propulsion, inspiring a future where sustainability and performance go hand in hand.