Outerlimits HPR 233: The Giant 2.33 m Electric RC Offshore Boat
The name “Outerlimits HPR 233” is best known in RC as a giant electric scale offshore powerboat modelled on Outerlimits’ full-size performance boats. Reports describe it as 2.33 m long, powered by twin Lehner 3080/8 brushless motors on 14S LiPo, and filmed at around 130 km/h (80 mph), which made it one of the biggest brushless RC boats of its time. Outerlimits itself builds full-size offshore race-style boats; smaller fibreglass Outerlimits-style RC hulls (such as an 870 mm version) are also sold.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20263 min read
Reported specs
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 2.33 m |
| Motors | Twin Lehner 3080/8 brushless |
| Battery | 14S LiPo |
| Top speed | about 130 km/h (80 mph) in published runs |
| Type | Scale offshore V-hull |
From forum posts and articles about the build; it’s a custom model, not a mass-produced kit.
What makes a boat this big work
A 2.33 m electric boat needs enormous power and careful engineering. Twin high-power brushless motors drive separate shafts and props, cooled by water through jackets on the motors and ESCs. The 14S battery layout delivers high voltage to keep current manageable, but the packs are heavy and must sit where they balance the hull. The hull itself is fibreglass and reinforced to handle the forces at speed. Every component, from the stuffing tubes to the rudder, has to be sized up from ordinary RC boats.
Smaller Outerlimits-style RC boats
If you like the look but not the size, fibreglass offshore hulls in the Outerlimits style are sold around 870 mm long with a brushless motor. They’re far easier to transport and launch, run on common LiPo setups, and still look like a scale offshore racer. Bigger hulls are listed in large-scale RC boats for sale.
Running a giant RC boat
- Find water large enough for high speed and wide turns, with permission for large models.
- Use a launching ramp or two helpers; the boat is heavy.
- Have a retrieval boat ready, since a stalled 2 m boat is hard to recover.
- Check cooling flow before every run.
- Monitor battery temperature and voltage with telemetry.
- Keep well clear of people, other boats and wildlife.
Safety
At 130 km/h, a 2 m boat is dangerous: it can seriously injure a person and damage property. Big LiPo packs also carry fire risk during charging and after crashes. Charge in fireproof containers, carry an extinguisher suitable for lithium batteries, and never run near swimmers. Many lakes ban boats of this size and speed, so check rules first. The biggest RC boats ever built are covered in the world’s largest RC boat.
The full-size boats
Outerlimits builds large offshore performance boats, the kind seen at poker runs and offshore races, with high-horsepower engines and top speeds well beyond 100 mph. That reputation for speed is what makes their shapes popular with RC scale builders.
If you want to build a big scale boat
- Start with a 1–1.3 m scale offshore hull.
- Learn water cooling, drive line alignment and balancing.
- Plan transport and launch before buying a large hull.
- Budget for batteries: high-voltage packs are a big share of the cost.
- Join a club that runs large boats.
FAQ
How fast is the Outerlimits HPR 233 RC boat?
It was filmed at around 130 km/h (80 mph).
How big is it?
About 2.33 m long.
Can I buy one?
It’s a custom build; smaller Outerlimits-style hulls are sold.
What powers it?
Twin Lehner brushless motors on 14S LiPo.
More on this topic: the complete RC Boats guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
