Frequently Asked Questions
(Updated 11/6/26)
Q: Can we switch divisions?
A: Please feel free to email education@navalengineers.org as you need to switch
your division. Ideally, we have this locked down by the time white papers are due so the judges
can compare apples to apples. That said, we have had teams switch the week before.
Q: Can we exceed 55.5 Volts? How is this
measured?
A: No, this is a safety regulation. We want the primary propulsion system to be
capped at nominally and operationally at 55.5 volts or less. We know that the system could be
overcharged from the nominal rating on the batteries and will have a multimeter onsite to test
systems to make sure they are safe. This regulation includes any step-up power components; no
part of a system within the craft should exceed 55.5 volts at any point.
Please note that a secondary system (usually 12 volts) that is used to run communications,
start-up systems, pumps, etc. is allowable. The white paper should explain how judges can verify
that the two systems are not connected.
Q: What is the course for PEP East racing?
A: Similar to last year. We have a main channel course that is a half-mile long
for racing Manned – Displacement, Manned – Planing, Over-the-Horizon, Budget Warriors, and
Uncrewed – Open. There is a quarter-mile long course that is closer to shore for Autonomous
racing. As the schedule requires, we may put uncrewed boats on the autonomy course to maximize
everyone’s time on water.
Q: What is the schedule for PEP East and PEP
West?
A: I hope to lock in the PEP East schedule on November 11. We have suggested a
three-day schedule with qualification/racing on each day with a reverse job fair on Wednesday.
For PEP West, we are planning to qualify in the morning of Friday, April 2, and race Friday
afternoon. As we lock down the exact details, we will upload the PEP East and West pages of
PEPworkforce.com. Lots of details to come soon and please email education@navalengineers.org
with questions.
Q: Can we have the GPS points for the autonomy
course?
A: There are coordinates on the PEP East and West maps, but please expect them
to change slightly. For PEP West, we are setting up the course for the first time, so our Navy
support may adjust the schedule event though we expect to race in Lake Kitsap. For PEP East, the
tide is coming in each day, so we do not foresee having to shift the course, but we are
coordinating with the Navy to have a seamless plan for setting the buoys and communicating the
coordinates on Tuesday, April 13.
Please note that these coordinates almost certainly will change and we will keep updating this
page and onsite signage with the most current coordinates:
- PEP West (4/2): Buoy 1 - & Buoy 2 -
- PEP East (4/13-15): Buoy 1 - & Buoy 2 -
Q: Can we have the GPS points for the Over-the-Horizon
course?
A: No. Our goal for the Over-the-Horizon competition is to have a more open
communication system that allows the operator to actively navigate the craft. If your system
requires GPS, please consider the Autonomy division as a better fit.
Q: Can a single craft participate in multiple events
provided that it has the capability to do so?
A: No. This year we will be trying to get as many unique boats on the water.
Q: Could a manned craft be configured to participate in
the autonomous or Over-the-Horizon events?
A: You can certainly demo this locally or at a regional event, but it will not
be permitted at a national competition.
Q: Are there any size limitations on crafts for any
divisions?
A: There are no size limitations, just remember that the ONR judges are the ones
that appreciate the payload so bigger boats will match the judges’ expectations. Also, lighter
boats have historically sat too high above the water and been pushed by winds on the water.
Boats are heavier (and use ballast tanks) so they sit deep enough in the water.
But, there is no requirement beyond carrying the payloads: uncrewed boats carry 60 pounds,
autonomous, Over-the-Horizon, & Budget Warriors carry 30 pounds of nonfunctioning weight.
Q: How much important is speed vs.
reliability?
A: It still is a reliability race. There are 60 points for on-water performance,
and the winners tend to be the craft that have tested extensively and can reliably operate over
the 2 miles for uncrewed craft and 5 miles for crewed craft.
Q: What is a downflooding point?
A: The judges want to make sure teams understand the lowest point above the
water line where water could enter the craft. They will be measuring the distance from this
point to the water line to ensure craft are safe to race. There is a rule, that craft must have
reserve buoyancy so that they continue to float even if they are swamped with water. You can see
in some of the videos from PEP25 how craft operated differently when they took on some water as
they ride lower and move slower.
Q: What regulations/resources should we
consider?
A: There are some national regulations to keep in mind and use as a resource to
make sure you are abidding by best practices. We are not adding requirements to the competition,
but encourage teams to consult the resources we use to help inform professionals in this space.
Specifically,
- IEEE's Recommended Practice for Electrical Installations on Shipboard--Electrical
Testing (IEEE Std. 45.6™)
- NEC's Standard for Selecting, Installing, and Maintaining Electric Motors and Motor
Controllers (ANSI) (NECA 230)
In addition, if you have specific questions about your designs, test results, or simulation data,
please send us an email (education@navalengineers.org and we can
connect you with some professional engineers familiar with this issue.
Q: What makes a motor or kit unacceptable?
A: If a propulsion system comes with a controller, connection, motor, shaft and
propeller, then it is a kit. There are lots of great electric outboard trolling motors; these
are kits and not allowable. Thrusters, like those from BlueRobotics, do not have a controller or
intrinsic capability to turn left as needed on the course so thrusters are not a kit. Pairing a
motor with a motor controller or electronic speed controller is very common and also not a kit.
Remember that the design decisions and documentation is also reflected in the white paper/video
scores. The more that you design, the higher your score. The better you can describe the choices
you may and the affordances created by these choices, the better your score. Explaining how you
chose and integrated each part of the propulsion system is at the heart of this competition.
Q: Are we really wearing shoes and lifejackets on
docks?
A: Yes. Please consider the race as a day in the lab (not a day at the beach).
The Navy has requirements for getting on their ships. In addition, we are trying to limit the
number of people on the docks only to those that have to be out there with the boats coming out.
In addition, boat ramps are notorious for dropped equipment and you will want to wear old shoes
if you need to wade in the water with your boat during launch and recovery. Please note that we
expect boats to launch and recover in 5 minutes still. We will have the floating dock at PEP
East again to let you hold your boat closer to the end of the docks.
Q: Who are the best-looking engineers?
A: The students and judges competing in PEP.
Q: What should race conditions should we
expect?
A: We hope it will be calm, but please be prepared!
You can see the PEP East water conditions in the videos on the PEP26 Celebration page. Winds have gotten up to
15-20 miles per hour during some PEP competitions. Please emphasize safety, reliability, and
endurance when designing and building your craft.
Q: What types of turns are involved in the
race?
A: The race will be counterclockwise requiring 2 left turns each lap.
Q: Can we raise outside funding?
A: 100% and we are here to help. We have marketing meetings that are managed
through the PEP Discord (discord.gg/ZsXtgw6SDT) and we actively share donations through Discord
and LinkedIn to share the in-kind support we gather for teams.
Q: How can a new team join PEP28?
A: Email education@navalengineers.org with a Point of Contact and short
description of your plan.
Q: How can a current team race two boats in
PEP28?
A: We need to see that this is viable at your school. This usually requires
teams to self-fund a second boat to show that they can manage both builds. (Budget warriors is a
good choice for growing initially.) We look to see the size of the club, the ability to raise
funds externally, and the types of jobs/internships being secured by the team. We also have
regular marketing meetings and one-on-one discussions because many teams have competed in PEP
without being funded by PEP; it just takes a lot of hustle and commitment.
Send us your PEP questions to us at education@navalengineers.org and we will
publicize your success!