IMPBA FE Racing in the late 60s - early 80s.

[Doug Smock]

From the Rulebook at the time.

4. Electric powered classes

Electrically powered boats are classed by the total weight of the boat in running condition including all power sources.

Class J - 0# thru 10# 0 oz.
Class K - 10#1 oz. thru 20# 0 oz.
Class L - 20#1 oz. thru 30# 0 oz.
Class M - 30# 1 oz. thru 50# 0 oz.


Can you imagine launching a "M" class boat?
What do you think the top speeds were?

[egneg]

Did they use car batteries?

[Doug Smock]

I assume they were using lead acid batteries. Information from that era is hard to find.
I'm still digging.

[Doug Smock]

Well I just got off the phone with a gentleman whose boats were outfitted with WWII surplus wet cell NiCds and machine gun feeder motors. The motors were 24v and just under 1hp.
Back then there were only 6 citizen ban channels so they raced one at a time and recorded lap times.

Cool stuff!

[sjslhill]

Ed Hughey and Gary Prussey (spelling) messed with electric at the very beginning at the IMPBA

[Doug Smock]

Ed Hughey and Gary Prussey (spelling) messed with electric at the very beginning at the IMPBA

Yes sir. I spoke with both of them. Waiting on a little history from Ed.
Gary was the one that told me about the surplus WWII equipment.

[sjslhill]

Both Ed and Gary are amazing, I saw both of them set many records at Yorkville, Flint and Huntsville. Gary with Nitro and Ed with electric.