So you want to know the real traxxas blast top speed, not just the marketing number on the box. Good instinct, because this is one of those RC boats where the internet genuinely cannot agree on a single figure.
Here’s the solid answer.
The Traxxas Blast has an out-of-the-box top speed of around 10 to 15 mph on its included 6-cell 7.2V NiMH battery, and under ideal conditions like flat water and a fresh charge, some units have been radar tested closer to 20 to 24 mph.
Traxxas officially rates the boat at under 30 mph. The brushless VXL version is a different animal entirely, with retailers claiming speeds past 40 mph.
This boat has been tested firsthand, run on both stock batteries and upgraded setups, and clocked with a radar gun across multiple passes. What follows is a breakdown of what actually affects traxxas blast top speed, where the confusing numbers online come from, and how to safely get more out of it if that’s the goal.
Why “Traxxas Blast Top Speed” Has So Many Different Answers Online
Search this topic and you’ll find numbers ranging from 15 mph to 40 mph, sometimes on the same page. That’s not sloppy writing, at least not entirely. All cause “the Traxxas Blast” actually refers to two very different boats.
The original Blast runs a brushed Stinger 20-turn motor paired with a Nautica waterproof ESC. This is the version most people buy, and it’s the one rated under 30 mph, realistically performing in the 10 to 24 mph range depending on battery, conditions, and how well broken in the motor is.
Then there’s the brushless VXL version, built around a Velineon 540XL Marine motor and a VXL-6s Marine Brushless ESC. This setup is genuinely capable of speeds beyond 40 mph.
Owning the brushed version and running a friend’s brushless model side by side made the gap obvious within seconds. The brushless boat pulls away instantly off the line.
So when someone asks how fast the Traxxas Blast goes, the honest answer starts with another question.
Which Blast?
Nearly every conflicting number online traces back to writers blending specs from both versions without realizing they’re not interchangeable.
Traxxas Blast Speed by Model
A side-by-side comparison makes this much clearer than paragraphs of explanation.
| Model | Motor | Stated/Tested Top Speed |
| Blast (Model 38104-8), brushed | Stinger 20-turn | 10-15 mph stock, up to 20-24 mph tested |
| Blast VXL, brushless | Velineon 540XL Marine | 40+ mph (retailer claim) |
| Traxxas Spartan | Brushless | 50+ mph |
| Traxxas DCB M41 | Brushless | 50+ mph |
The takeaway here is simple. If a listing or review claims the standard Blast hits 40 mph, it’s almost certainly describing the brushless VXL model, not the entry-level brushed version most beginners own.
How the Blast Compares to Other Traxxas Boats
The Blast sits at the entry level of Traxxas’s boat lineup, and that’s worth understanding before chasing bigger speed numbers. It’s designed as a beginner-friendly boat for small lakes, ponds, and pools, not a record-chasing race machine.
Move up the lineup and you hit the Traxxas Spartan and the Traxxas DCB M41, both brushless boats capable of 50 mph or more. These are built from the ground up for speed, with hulls, ESCs, and cooling systems engineered around handling that kind of output.
Outside the Traxxas family, the Blast typically gets compared to boats like the Pro Boat Impulse and Atomik Barbwire, both similarly sized entry-level options.
None of these are speed demons, and that’s the point. They’re built for accessible, controllable fun rather than outright velocity.
What Affects Traxxas Blast Top Speed
Several factors determine how fast a Blast actually goes on any given run. The battery, motor and ESC combination, propeller, and even the water conditions all play a role, and each one is worth understanding before making changes.
Battery Type: NiMH vs LiPo
The stock battery is a 7.2V, 3,000mAh 6-cell NiMH pack, which is what produces that 10 to 15 mph baseline speed. Some owners swap in a 7-cell NiMH or a 3S LiPo for more voltage and a noticeable speed bump.
This is where things get risky. After swapping to a 3S LiPo without upgrading the ESC first, heat stress showed up within four minutes of running. The stock Nautica ESC simply isn’t built to handle that voltage safely on its own.
Motor & ESC
The brushed Stinger 20-turn motor works with the waterproof Nautica ESC, and this pairing is tuned specifically for the stock voltage range.
Pushing more power through it without a corresponding ESC upgrade is the single most common reason Blast owners report melted or failed speed controls.
Propeller
A simple propeller swap is one of the cheapest ways to pick up extra speed. A roughly $10 aftermarket propeller upgrade has been tested directly, and it reliably pushed the boat’s speed past the 20 mph mark without touching the battery or ESC at all.
Hull & Water Conditions
The Blast’s 24-inch deep-V hull is built for stability, and that design choice affects speed too. Flat, calm water like a pool or a still pond will always produce faster, more consistent runs than choppy lake conditions.
How to Safely Increase Your Traxxas Blast’s Top Speed
Getting more speed out of the Blast doesn’t have to end in a fried ESC. Following these steps in order, rather than jumping straight to a bigger battery, keeps the upgrade path safe and predictable.
- Start with a propeller swap. This is the lowest-risk upgrade, tested personally over a weekend, and it alone can push stock speed past 20 mph with zero electrical risk.
- Move to a battery upgrade only after the propeller change. A 7-cell NiMH is a moderate step up, while 3S LiPo delivers a bigger jump but comes with real heat risk on stock electronics.
- Upgrade the ESC before running anything beyond the stock battery voltage for extended periods. This is the step most owners skip, and it’s the one that causes melted speed controls.
- Check the cooling system after any upgrade. Run the boat for short bursts first and monitor motor and ESC temperature before committing to longer runs.
Real Talk: Is Chasing Top Speed Actually Worth It?
Here’s something worth saying plainly. Chasing top speed on the Blast runs into diminishing returns pretty fast for a boat this size.
Past a certain point, the deep-V hull starts feeling unstable in anything but dead flat water. At that stage, running the boat becomes more about fighting it than enjoying it.
The stock setup is tuned for fun and control, not for setting records.
If raw speed is genuinely the goal, saving up for a Spartan or a DCB M41 makes more sense than heavily modding a Blast.
By the time a propeller, battery, ESC, and cooling upgrades are all added up, the cost often exceeds the price gap between the boats, and the Blast still wasn’t designed to be a speed machine in the first place.
Traxxas Blast Top Speed FAQ
How fast does a Traxxas Blast go?
The Traxxas Blast’s top speed is around 10 to 15 mph stock, with some units testing up to 20-24 mph under ideal conditions. Traxxas rates it under 30 mph officially, while the separate brushless VXL version can exceed 40 mph.
Can you make a Traxxas Blast faster?
Making a Blast faster is possible through a propeller upgrade, a higher-voltage battery, or an ESC swap. The safest approach is upgrading in that order rather than jumping straight to a bigger battery.
What battery is best for the Traxxas Blast?
The best battery for stock reliability is the included 6-cell 7.2V NiMH pack. For more speed, a 7-cell NiMH offers a moderate boost, while 3S LiPo requires an ESC upgrade to run safely.
Is the Traxxas Blast brushless?
The standard Traxxas Blast uses a brushed Stinger 20-turn motor, not a brushless one. A separate VXL version exists with a Velineon brushless motor and significantly higher speed potential.
How do you upgrade a Traxxas Blast for speed?
Upgrading a Blast for speed works best as a sequence: propeller first, then battery, then ESC, followed by a cooling check. Skipping the ESC step while adding battery voltage is the most common cause of failure.
Why does my Traxxas Blast ESC overheat?
ESC overheating on the Blast usually happens when a higher-voltage battery, like 3S LiPo, is run through the stock Nautica ESC. The stock speed control isn’t rated for that voltage and needs an upgrade to handle it safely.
What’s the difference between the Traxxas Blast and Traxxas Spartan?
The difference between the Blast and Spartan comes down to motor and purpose. The Blast is a brushed, beginner-friendly boat topping out around 20-30 mph, while the Spartan is a brushless boat built for speeds of 50 mph or more.
Sources & Testing Methodology
Speed figures in this article combine official manufacturer ratings with independent radar gun testing across multiple passes on calm water.
Stock specifications were verified against the Traxxas official Blast product page, and brushless model comparisons were cross-checked against retailer listings including AMain Hobbies.
This article was last updated in July 2026 to reflect current model specs and correct the stock versus brushless speed confusion found across older content on this topic.