Fast electric

Fast Electric is a term used in the model boat community to refer to a model powerboat powered by a battery instead of a glowfuel burning 2-stroke engine.

The international body "Naviga" defines racing classes for Fast Electrics outside of the USA, these classes being broadly divided by drive system (and hence racing format) and number of cells used in the drive battery. Racing bodies in the USA have their own racing classes based on the concept of "sprint" racing over a fixed number of laps, as opposed to Naviga's classes which are based on a fixed time.

Surface Drive classes race in a clockwise direction around a simple oval course, Submerged Drive classes race on an "M" shaped course in an anti-clockwise direction. Surface Drive classes are further sub-divided by hull type, ie., hydroplane and monohull.

Fast Electric powerboats regularly race at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour, with the current (16-01-07) world speed record for a Fast Electric model powerboat standing at approximately 140 miles per hour.