Jul 4

Jul 4 - Jul 5

4th of July Boat Races

SE

Zimovia Strait

Wrangell, AK

Jul 5

Jul 5 - Jul 6

2025 Madison Regatta

INB-UNL

Ohio River

Madison, IN

Jul 11

Jul 11 - Jul 13

Les Régates de Valleyfield

SE-INB

St-Laurence River

Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, CN

Jul 12

Jul 12 - Jul 13

Black Lake Regatta Inboard Summe...

VINTAGE-INB

Black Lake

Olympia, WA

Jul 12 - Jul 13

Rock Falls River Chase

MOD-SO-J CLSES

Rock River

Rock Falls, IL

Jul 12 - Jul 13

Leo Fry Memorial

OB RR

Rogue River

Agness, OR

Jul 12 - Jul 13

Wild Ones Regatta

SO;D-J CLSES

Grass Lake

Grass Lake, MI

Jul 12 - Jul 13

Fulton Championships

MOD-SO-J CLSES

Lake Neatahwanta

Fulton, NY

Jul 12 - Jul 13

Midsummer Race at Salt Spring

INB-PRO-KPH-MOD-SO-OPC-J CLSES

Salt Spring Reservoir

Copperopolis, CA

Jul 17

Jul 17 - Jul 20

Ocean Cup - Pompano Beach, FL ar...

OS

Atlantic Ocean

Pompano Beach, FL

Jul 19

Jul 19 - Jul 20

2024 ALTON MIDWEST NATIONALS

OPC

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Alton, IL

Jul 19 - Jul 20

Thunder on the Choptank

INB

Choptank River

Cambridge, MD

Jul 19 - Jul 20

Northland Mardi Gras Gran Prix

OPC

Flambeau River

Ladysmith, WI

Jul 23

Jul 23 - Jul 27

2025 APBA/ USTS PRO National Cha...

PRO-KPH;N

Lake DePue

DePue, IL, IL

Jul 25

Jul 25 - Jul 27

Leonardtown Bash on the Bay

VINTAGE

Breton Bay

Leonardtown, MD

Jul 25 - Jul 27

APOLLO APBA GOLD CUP

SE-VINTAGE-INB-UNL

McNary Pool, Columbia River

Kennewick, WA

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Inboard Menu

Inboard

Inboard

When you hear the roar of automotive engines and catch a glimpse of giant roostertails, chances are pretty good that inboards are on the water. As the largest category in the APBA, Inboard racing classes include both runabouts and hydroplanes that are fast, fun and LOUD. Classes span from wild Jersey Speed Skiffs (70mph) to supercharged 1,500 horsepower Grand Prix Hydroplanes (170 MPH). The minimum age for racing in this exciting category ranges from 14 to 21.

Inboard racing requires an unmatched level of teamwork and professionalism, as well as a family atmosphere with life long bonds between owners, drivers and crew members; and that is exactly what powerboat racing is all about.

Inboard racing classes consist of both Runabout and Hydroplane classes. You can tell a boat's class by the letter(s) next to the boat number. All inboard drivers are required to wear a racing helmet and life jacket as well as other protective gear such as fire-resistant Nomex and cut resistant Kevlar. Drivers who race inboards with an enclosed cockpit (capsule) are required to pass APBA capsule training and certification every two years. Nobody plans to flip, but it does happen from time to time... and when it does happen, the training pays off.

Inboard Runabouts, or flatbottoms, come in both the open cockpit and capsule variety. Flatbottoms are known for their long lean shape, which allows the boat to slice through water as they move at speeds of 100+ MPH. Got a friend? Some runabouts run with two racers on board - a driver and a mechanic.

Hydroplanes glide over the water on a cushion of air, with only the propeller and sponsons on each side touching the water while air rushes under the hull, giving the boat the "lift" it needs to skim across the water. These bad boys are fast, with some classes running at speeds in excess of 150mph - Inboard hydroplane classes range from 1 liters (T-Boats) to the 1500hp supercharged Big Block Chevrolet V8 Grand Prix (GP). All inboard hydros utilize a capsule safety cell as well as racing lap and shoulder belts. Controls are similar to those of an automobile - steering wheel, accelerator pedal, rear view mirrors - but no brakes!

WATCH OUT for roostertails! If an inboard hydro is in front of you, chances are you're about to get blasted with a wall of water from the giant roostertail of the boat in front of you. Racing into a turn favors the leader, with those behind having to deal with roostertail fallout!

Inboard Resources

Inboard Classes