Motorboat racing is an exciting, competitive sport that tests the performance of motorboats and the skill of drivers. Every year, thousands of people compete in a variety of motorboat races. Racing categories are based on such factors as the size of the boat, the shape of its hull, and the location and power of its engine.
Motorboat races are held throughout the year on lakes, rivers, and oceans in many parts of the world. In the United States, most events are sanctioned and approved by the American Power Boat Association (APBA). Founded in 1903, the APBA sanctions races, establishes rules of competition, and conducts speed trials. It also jointly sanctions races with the Canadian Boating Federation. The APBA is the national authority for the Union of International Motorboating (UIM). As the world governing body for powerboat racing, the UIM governs international competition and is the official authority for world speed records.
Racing boat designs
Racing boats differ from recreational boats in design and equipment. Most recreational boats use standard marine engines designed for safe, dependable performance. The hull may vary in length from 9 to 100 feet (2.7 to 30 meters). Racing engines and hulls are specially designed for speed, endurance, and handling. Racing boat lengths range from 9 to 50 feet (2.7 to 15 meters).
Hull designs.
Racing boats have two basic hull designs–displacement and planing. Motorboats with displacement hulls ride in the water. Those with planing hulls skim over the water’s surface on a cushion of air.
Most motorboats with displacement hulls are known as flatbottoms. These boats have flat bottoms with gently sloped sides and range from 9 to 17 feet (2.7 to 5.2 meters) long. Flatbottoms may have inboard or outboard engines. Inboard engines are inside the hull. Outboard engines are outside, usually at the rear of the boat. Flatbottoms with outboard engines are called runabouts. The driver of a flatbottom is in front of the engine. The driver sits in inboards or kneels in most outboards.
Hydroplanes are the most common planing boats. They have flat or only slightly curved bottoms and hulls. This design allows the pressure of the water to lift the boat and keep it on the surface of the water as long as the boat moves rapidly. A short float called a sponson on each side of the hull helps lift the boat’s front end as it increases speed. Some hydroplanes can reach speeds up to 200 miles (320 kilometers) per hour. However, they require much room to make turns. The driver usually sits in front of the engine. However, in some inboards the driver sits behind the engine. Hydroplanes range from 11 to 28 feet (3.4 to 8.5 meters) long.
Other racing boats may have a V-bottom hull or a tunnel hull. A V-bottom hull has steeply slanted sides and a pointed bottom. Motorboats with this hull perform well in rough water. They range from 17 to 50 feet (5.2 to 15 meters) long. Tunnel-hulled boats are similar to hydroplanes in that they ride on a cushion of air. But a tunnel hull has sponsons that extend the length of the boat, creating a “tunnel” down the middle of the boat.
Engine designs.
Racing motorboats are powered by gasoline, diesel, jet, or turbine engines. Most boats operate with a single engine. However, some oceangoing boats may have as many as four engines.
Some racing categories require stock engines, which are made in a factory and are not allowed to be modified (changed). Other racing classes allow modification of the motor.
In most races, inboard racing boats must use standard automobile engines. But large inboard hydroplanes may also use aircraft engines. Outboard motorboats use only marine engines. Many manufacturers produce marine models designed for high performance.
The propeller is one of the most important pieces of equipment on a racing boat. Propellers are designed to increase the boat’s speed and to provide efficient handling. They may have two, three, or four blades.
Safety equipment
is required for all motorboat racing. All drivers must wear approved helmets and life jackets. Some life jackets are fitted with special collars to prevent neck injuries. In addition, most boats have a “kill switch” that is designed to protect drivers who get thrown from their boats. The switch attaches to the driver’s life jacket. The engine automatically shuts off if the switch becomes detached from the jacket while the motor is running. This precaution protects drivers from being injured by their boats if they fall into the water. Oceangoing boats must have fire extinguishers and first-aid kits. Some hydroplanes carry an oxygen supply for the driver as an added safety precaution.
Types of racing
The APBA formulates rules and conducts races in 10 categories: (1) stock, (2) modified, (3) professional, (4) outboard performance craft, (5) inboard, (6) inboard endurance, (7) unlimited, (8) offshore, (9) drag, and (10) R/C model. Each racing category is divided into classes based on engine and hull specifications.
There are four basic kinds of motorboat races: (1) circle, or closed course, (2) endurance, (3) drag, and (4) offshore. Circle racing is open to most classes of motorboats and takes place on circular or oval courses of varying lengths. Endurance races also cover oval courses. In many endurance races, drivers complete as many laps of the course as possible within a specific amount of time. Time limits range from 10 minutes to more than 7 hours. Boats that are designed for drag racing compete on short, straight courses. This type of race emphasizes the boat’s ability to accelerate quickly. Most offshore races are held in ocean waters. Some of the larger offshore boats may race distances of more than 200 miles (320 kilometers). Hydroplanes are generally raced in circle competition, while flatbottoms compete both in circle and drag racing. Boats with V-bottom hulls are used primarily in offshore and endurance races.
Thousands of drivers compete in hundreds of APBA events each year. Many members also serve as referees, inspectors, and scorers. The Gold Cup, the APBA’s most important hydroplane race, was first held on the Hudson River in 1904. It is raced by unlimited hydroplanes over a 2- or 21/2-mile (3.2- or 4-kilometer) circular course.
