Blogs & Articles
As Brand Lead at Flux Marine I wrote several blogs for the website as well as additional articles, grant proposals (confidential) and other communications.
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I wrote an article published 6/20/2023 highlighing the partnership between Flux Marine and Autodesk, the incubator that helped it with technical machinery and expertise. See the text below. You can also see it here as long as it is up on their site.
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Two other blogs are listed below as well as examples.
Flux Marine and Autodesk Celebrate Accomplishments from Collaboration
As a company in its infancy with three founding employees, Flux Marine participated in the 2018 Mass Challenge, a showcase event in which they premiered their prototype of an electric outboard motor. Built in a garage as an extension of a school project and a hopeful invention, the concept proved effective and caught the eyes of Autodesk’s shop staff. After initial conversations about electrification and the alignment of passions, Autodesk invited Flux Marine to join its Outsight Network.
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Working in the Autodesk Boston Technology Center proved useful right away as it transitioned from Flux’s everyday office space to so much more: CNC machines, design programs, and 3D printers were crucial in the early tests. As the Flux technology improved, so did Autodesk’s ability to assist them, as Flux leaned on the shop team for best-practice expertise and trainings for various machines and programs covering areas ranging from manufacturing and assembly design to woodwork, powder coating, waterjet cutting, and laser cutting; all were incredibly beneficial to Flux Marine and would not have been accessible to the small company on its own.
Jon Lord, one of the three Flux founders and an engineering lead, put it succinctly: “We were able to prototype freely and test our proof-of-concepts without the costly burdens of private manufacturing space,” Lord said of their time at Autodesk.
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Autodesk offered more than just office space and a machine shop. Relationships were built and nurtured throughout Flux’s innovation and several other companies located at the Technology Center proved invaluable as colleagues and mentors. While these relationships were handy to Flux’s development, they worked both ways. Flux provided Autodesk with feedback on their workflows and software architecture and became an exciting and promising presence within the fast-paced and collaborative startup culture. Flux continued to grow and succeed through prototype iterations and employee hiring and funding rounds, eventually outgrowing their space at Autodesk and moving to Rhode Island. They did, however, keep a space at Autodesk to continue to utilize the talented network, engineering resources, and prominent presence in Boston.
“Having a front-row seat to the evolution of Flux Marine has been a privilege. From a small contingent of driven individuals diligently developing their prototypes at Autodesk’s Technology Center, to the successful enterprise that it is today, Jon Lord and his colleagues have succeeded where many others have fallen short,” said Taylor Tobin, Shop Manager at the Boston Technology Center. “They have developed novel technologies and successfully implemented them to realize a market sector with great potential. We greatly value working with companies that bring fresh, unique approaches to improve upon traditional solutions while embracing environmentally friendly technology and innovative design and manufacturing methodology. I’m thrilled to have been a part of Flux Marine’s journey and I look forward to what I am sure will be a bright future as they continue to expand.”
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Recently, some Autodesk team members visited the new Flux Marine 40,000 square foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Bristol, RI, and its showcase at the Ocean Race providing a fleet of working electric boats to Sail Newport and the 11th Hour Racing Team for sustainable race marshaling and commuting. The Flux team took the Autodesk team out on two of these boats, illustrating the progress of their motors to give speedy, thrilling rides with safe and reliable machinery.
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“We are very grateful for our time at Autodesk,” says Lord, “and its role in helping us reach where we are today.” Lord hopes to remain involved with Autodesk as Flux Marine continues to thrive and grow.
A Full Day of Boating
Soothing Range Anxiety With the Convenience of Electric Boating
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Whether you are taking a leisurely ride, working on the water, commuting to your yacht, or coaching your crew team, one thing about boating is always true: the day is long and unpredictable.
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We all know the inconvenience and danger of running low on fuel while out on the water, and though a gas station is often within reach, the time, effort, and money needed for this pit-stop can be a drain on the day. Naturally, the first question we receive about the state of electric boating is, “How long can a charge last?”
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Flux Marine’s answer is simple: a full day of boating.
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The recreational boater averages 7-8 miles per outing. At over 30 nautical miles, a Flux Marine outboard has more than enough range for any trip around the lake, shuttle to and from your mooring, cocktail cruise, or work near the shore. You can simply plug your motor into a power source overnight and be ready for the next day.
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Duration isn’t the only thing boaters are curious about. Availability of charging opportunities, strength and quality of performance, reliability, and safety are also common concerns we encounter. Flux Marine’s goal is to be transparent about our responses to these questions. We don’t want to just sell you on electric propulsion but show you how it is superior to combustion engines entirely.
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Water is about one thousand times denser than air, requiring far more horsepower to move over a short distance than a car. Few off-the-shelf or automotive powertrain options can handle the continuous demands of boating; plug-and-play from existing combustion engines is not a viable option at scale. This required specialized development of powertrain components like the motor, inverter, and battery pack.
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Unlike a full day’s charge, the design and innovation behind the Flux Marine outboard could not be completed overnight. We have put years of research, testing, and iterating into our design, hiring the best engineers and technicians to ensure we tackle common boating problems and supply a wholly better experience. That’s why two of our earliest and most rigorously tested innovations are our custom battery pack and powertrain design.
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Flux Marine has built a powertrain optimized for the marine environment while ensuring we don’t compromise on performance and safety. Our outboards match the range and top speed of their similarly sized gas counterparts and use modern technology to enhance safety precautions. We make our custom battery packs to IP-67 waterproofing standards, and our state-of-the-art Battery Management System (BMS) ensures safety protocols are followed in case of any emergencies. The motor is also Internet-of-Things (IoT) connected, allowing for remote aid, alerts, and updates over the air.
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Like the electrifying automotive industry, a large electric infrastructure is needed to scale electric boating. Thankfully, progress is already underway. Electricity on a boat is nothing new, with almost every boat on the market requiring some form of battery power to operate onboard appliances. Most docks today have electric connectivity (120V), while many have upgraded to power pedestals (up to 240V), and an emerging number of EV DC Fast Charging stations are also available. Flux outboards can accommodate any of these options so you can charge overnight and be ready for a full day of boating.
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Flux Marine is truly building something new and revolutionary: a clean slate for marine industry standards. Not so long ago the crowning claim in boating was that an outboard would “start every time.” Unsurprisingly, Flux Marine’s outboards will not only start every time but continue to provide superior performance throughout the day with less noise, faster acceleration, and zero emissions.
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Reach out to Flux Marine with any other questions you may have or place a pre-order to begin your marine electrification journey with us.
A Full Day of Boating
Soothing Range Anxiety With the Convenience of Electric Boating
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The switch to electric power is becoming more and more feasible and widespread, and boating is just one of the many industries with such an opportunity. But this is no easy or quick decision to make. The comfort and experience most people have with combustion engines (combined with the lack of knowledge about electric propulsion) can make this decision difficult and lengthy, and understandably so. It’s your boat we’re talking about!
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As a leader in the marine electrification space, Flux Marine’s goal is to assist in the education of electric boating so that you can make an informed and confident decision. We’re confident in the superiority and efficiency of our technology, but what use is that confidence if you don’t understand the basics of how it works? This article will help identify the differences between an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (ICE), as well as differentiate the several approaches that companies have taken in building electric motors for marine applications.
Let’s first discuss some of the common pain points of boating today: fuel dock visits, oil changes, noise and emissions, and the various small parts that need replacing (impellors, spark plugs, flywheels, etc.). Electric platforms inherently don’t have some of these issues. Every electric motor will eliminate the fuel dock visits, an expensive inconvenience: you can charge using shore power or any other electricity source. Electric motors have a simpler powertrain system, and so require fewer parts to maintain.
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One of the largest benefits of electric boating is the noticeable decrease in the amount of time and money you’ll need to spend refueling your boat. As mentioned, fuel dock visits immediately become a thing of the past. Plug your boat in at your home dock between uses and each boating day you’ll be able to just get in and go. No runarounds to fuel up, no waiting in lines or paying extravagant prices per gallon of gas.
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Another major benefit of electric boating is maintenance, though this differs by manufacturer. Many electric outboard manufacturers today still repurpose the mechanical drivetrain and outboard design of ICE motors and thus carry over that design’s maintenance, part replacement, and corrosion issues. Flux Marine outboards have expanded on the differences with ICE outboards, redesigning the motor from the ground up with user experience in mind. Not only are there fewer parts in the powerhead, but an entirely new mechanical drivetrain eliminates even more legacy parts and rethinks how a motor should work. With fewer parts, of course, comes fewer visits to the mechanic for oil changes, fixes, and replacements. But you’ll also no longer have to flush the water from your outboard between bodies of water or between seasons. Flux motors use an internal cooling system to avoid water intake, eliminating both flushing and internal corrosion. That’s significantly less time and money maintaining a boat year-round.
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The more obvious benefits of electric boating are worth noting as well. Flux outboards tangibly improve your boat ride: there are no exhaust fumes or excessive noise, allowing for conversation with family and friends, and enjoyment of the nature around you.
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Electric propulsion is the key to elevating your boating experience, but it isn’t limited to the cost, maintenance, and ambiance. At Flux Marine we believe that performance is paramount and cannot be compromised. A better boating experience with Flux Marine encompasses all of the aforementioned benefits, but also a more thrilling ride with all the capabilities you cherish in your ICE outboards. With the jolt of instant torque and the range for a full day of boating, you can enjoy your days on the water to the fullest and spend more time doing what you love.
Zach Shapiro