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Exciting news is brewing in our jet boat racing community for the 2025 World Championships! Seven mechanical engineering students from the University of Sherbrooke, aged 22 to 25, are on a mission to conceptualize and build a brand-new hull design from scratch. Designed for the 525 HP CX class, they’ll tow their creation across the country to compete in the 2025 World Jet Boat Championships.
Their professor, Jean-Sebastien Plante, proudly notes that the university has a strong tradition of groundbreaking final-year projects. Previous projects include a modified SAE formula car, an electric racing motorcycle, and even a successfully launched rocket.
Leading the team is Félix Beaudoin, the only member from Sherbrooke. Growing up near Lac Brompton, Félix’s early transportation was a small outboard boat, which he began operating at the age of seven. Now, he’s guiding the team, overseeing both hull design and motorization.
The team hails from various Quebec towns including Rimouski, Shawinigan, Trois-Rivières, Boucherville, and Brossard. Their knack for building and dismantling things since their Lego days has evolved into expertise with road and off-road vehicles. Among the diverse potential drivers are an endurocross racer and a downhill skier, but Félix’s marine experience makes him the frontrunner to pilot the boat at the 2025 Worlds.
The team has secured major sponsorships from Bombardier, Thibault GM, and Bulls Eye Enterprises. With all necessary materials now sourced and fabrication underway, they’re balancing this ambitious project with their summer internships.
One major challenge has been the 21-foot boat’s size, which is too large for the university’s new lab. As a result, they are working out of Félix’s mom’s garage. Despite this, they team has managed to complete the project. The boat was showcased at the university’s mega engineering expo, but the ultimate test will come at the 2025 World Jet Boat Championships.