Offshore powerboat racing is racing by large, ocean-going powerboats, typically point-to-point racing.

Probably the largest, most powerful racing machines of all, the extreme expense of the boats and the fuel required to participate make it an expensive and elite sport.

In Europe, Middle East & Asia offshore powerboat racing is led by the UIM

regulated Class 1. The international circuit races round the world and is the offshore powerboat racing equivalent Formula 1 car racing.

In the USA offshore powerboat racing is split between the SBI / APBA / UIM races and the OSS races. The OSS races have a larger following.

Although there are team sponsors, the sport is still an amateur sport financed by a mixture of private funding and commercial sponsors.

There are several regional classes (e.g. the European ProVee & P1 circuits) and many national classes.

Depending on the class, speeds varies from 50mph to 170mph.

The sport is moving more to a circuit racing style, which makes for a better TV & spectator experience, though there are still old fashioned endurance offshore racing classes.

Further information:

Coverage of the sport is fairly limited. Results can be found at Startboat and specialist magazines Extreme Boats & World of Powerboats have in depth articles.

See also

• Jet sprint boat racing

Motorboat racing