The 16th annual Wye Island Challenge Electric Boat Marathon took place on October 1 (postponed from September 30 due to weather) at the Miles River Yacht Club (MRYC) in St. Michaels, MD. The 24-mile race begins and ends at MRYC and is put on by the Electric Boat Association of America. Stay tuned for a full racing recap in the December issue of PropTalk. John Todd took home the win in his new boat, Wye Flyer, and set a record of just over an hour and a half, averaging over 15 mph. https://youtu.be/QdbKUEvsPfA In the Electric Boat marathon, there are five classes of racing; three for single hulls and two for multihulls. In the single hull division:
  • Class 1, Lead/Acid Batteries: Any single hull boat with a length to beam ratio less than 6 to 1, and utilizing lead/acid batteries. Entrants in this class will be handicapped by waterline length (1.34 times the square root of the waterline).  This will allow smaller boats to compete with larger ones. (note, motor/s must be rated less than 8kw)
  • Class 2, Advance Batteries: Any single hull with a length to beam ratio less that 6 to 1 and utilizing non-lead/acid batteries, or running off a fuel cell. Because of the likelihood of these boats running the entire course at planing speeds, this class will not be handicapped by waterline length.  (note, motor/s must be rated less than 8kw)
  • Class 3, Extreme Class: Any single hull boat with a length to beam ratio greater than 6 to 1, or a motor kilowatt rating greater that 8kw.   Any type of battery or fuel cell is allowed.  No handicaps.
Part of the course map In the Multihull division: (Any form whose intended purpose is to contribute buoyancy to the boat while it is at rest is considered a hull.  There are no handicaps in the multi hull classes.)
  • Class 4, Lead/Acid Batteries: Any boat with two or more hulls utilizing lead/acid batteries.
  • Class 5, Advanced Batteries: Any boat with two or more hulls utilizing non-lead/acid batteries, or running off a fuel cell.
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