Flux Marine Adds Center Console Scout 215 XSF to its Electric Boat Line Up
By Jeff Butler
Rhode Island electric boat motor developer and manufacturer Flux Marine has added another model to its growing line of curated electric boat packages – the 215 XSF with hull by award-winning Scout Boats.
Flux already offers their motors teamed with a dual console Scout Dorado 215 and the Highfield SP660 RIB. They are working with Highfield to bring electric propulsion to another two hull sizes and in February announced a collaboration with the Wave e550 model from Spanish boatyard Magonis.
The 215 XSF brings the Flux Outboard and the advantages of electric boating to the large market for Centre Consoles.
When using an internal combustion engine, the Scout model is usually paired with a 150 hp motor. The Flux 100 delivers equivalent power and performance, but without the noise, carbon emissions, smell, maintenance and costly fill ups that come with burning fossil fuel. It has acceleration power of 112 kW (≈150hp), giving a top speed of 30 mph / 50 kmh and a range of 30 miles / 50 km at 25 mph / 40 khm. At lower speeds it can travel close to 100 miles / 240 km.
Plenty of range for cruising and fishing
The stylishly outfitted Scout, with a comfortable beam of 8′ 6″ (2.6 m) and an overall length of 21′ 6″ (6.5m), is designed for general family recreation, but it also includes accessories for recreational fishing like built-in rod holders and a live well. With the Flux 100, fishers can get out to their favourite spots quickly, then get the same silence and smooth operation of a trolling motor without having to do anything except throttle down.
Charging can be done through standard power outlets and marina pedestals or with DC fast chargers that enable a charge from 20% to 80% in under 90 minutes.
Flux Marine is led by CEO Ben Sorkin, who started out as a kid in electric propulsion by piloting remote control boats around New York’s Lake George during summer vacations.
When studying at Princeton in 2017 he proposed a hydrogen propulsion project to a professor who suggested battery electric instead. This was music to Sorkin’s ears. He was joined by fellow Princetonian Jonathan Lord and Daylin Frantin of Boston University (BU) in founding Flux in in 2018.
The young start-up was selected for many accelerator programs and received important grants from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including a $50,000 voucher that sent them on their way to setting a course record in the Electric Boat Association of America’s Wye River Challenge.
They won two awards at the Newport International Boat show in 2021 and powered the chase boat for the Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP) competition of the American Society of Naval Engineers at the Naval Yard in Baltimore, Maryland.
Outboard, battery installed at Flux Marine
In 2022 they were successful in completing a $15.5 M (€13.75) financing round led by Ocean Zero LLC, a fund created by TED Conferences head Chris Anderson and technology editor Stephen Petranek. Also joining in were tech investors Boost VC and Winklevoss Capital, along with a majority of the seed and angel investors who had invested in Flux at its beginning.
Flux offers their motors for refitting and repowering existing boats, but have always had the parallel strategy of working with established boat builders on curated packages. This allows them to leverage the expertise of hull manufacturers such as Scout so Flux can concentrate on its core competencies in electric propulsion, enhanced thermal management and power electronics.
The Scout 215 XSF is built by Scout Boats in Summerville, South Carolina, while the outboard and battery pack installation takes place at Flux Marine’s assembly facility in Rhode Island. The boat package includes the electric outboard, battery pack, throttle, Flux UI, and a mobile companion app.
“The idea behind Flux Marine is to provide a better, more efficient method of boat propulsion” said Flux CEO Sorkin. “Our 100 HP outboard hits the sweet spot, capable of propelling a 22 ft boat like the Scout XSF for almost any activity on the water. Our goal is to evoke excitement and innovation while ensuring users feel comfortable with what’s powering their boat.”
The Electric Scout 215 XSF enters the market at a price point of $120,000. The first production deliveries began in July and can be ordered via Flux Marine’s website.
