PEP 2026 Competition Information

We will race in Portsmouth, Virginia from April 14-16. We have full support from the city and we're excited to use the boat ramps at the Portsmouth City Park.

Teams should fill out this form (Word) with the best information available now. We know that the budget and even the division may adjust over the next few months, but give us the best information you have. If necessary, there's also an extra page for signing up additional teammates. All sign-up forms must be submitted before September 30, 2025.

We are excited to see you this fall! These meetings will give you special access to job and internship opportunities. It will also provide you with in-person mentorship (and likely in-kind donations) that will speed you down your Gantt Chart to successful testing and iterative improvement. Get this on your calendar and email us if there are troubles. Please don't worry if the whole team cannot participate, but send who is available and we'll have impactful meetups!

1. San Diego, CA: September 23-25 (Fleet Maintenance & Modernization)
2. Philadelphia, PA: October 9-13 (Homecoming 250 with support from Hanwha)
3. Pascagoula, MS: October 24-25 (with support from Austal, Bollinger, & Ingalls)
4. Portsmouth, VA: October 28-29
5. Mystic, CT: TBD – Late September
6. Independence, OH: TBD – Late October
7. Other – more events will be scheduled through August 2025.

	Uncrewed - Autonomy: New for PEP26! Design an autonomous craft that can race for 2-miles around our course given GPS waypoints. Go through the levels of autonomy to earn the maximum number of points in the documentation for your autonomous craft. Sign Up Today! (Word)
Uncrewed - Over-The-Horizon: New for PEP26! Operate the craft from the shore, and ensure you can control your craft from about 1 mile distance. You will need to send information from the craft back to the operator to navigate our oval course. Sign Up Today! (Word)
	Uncrewed - Budget Warriors: Want to show off how efficient your team can be? Compete with other craft on a $1,500 budget. Note that we will supplement your budget with funding to ensure you can travel to and from Portsmouth, VA using money outside this budget. Sign Up Today! (Word)
Uncrewed - Open: Similar to PEP25, but teams must carry 60 pounds of ballast through the two-mile course. Use 55.5 volts or less. We will again have the great support craft from Little Creek, so you can follow your boat as close as you choose. Sign Up Today! (Word)
	Crewed - Planing: Man your boat! Race for five miles of glory! The challenge is the same as PEP25: Maximize the efficiency from your 55.5 volts or less. Worry about the straightaways, there are only 9 turns. Race safely and efficiently with a hull that can get on top of the water at your speed. Sign Up Today! (Word)
Crewed - Displacement: Displacement craft are manned boats that do not get up on plane. Use your 55.5 volts of battery power to navigate through 5 one-mile laps. Only 9 turns and 5 total miles to PEP glory. Sign Up Today! (Word)