Jun 14

Jun 14 - Jun 15

Richland Regatta

VINTAGE-INB

Columbia River

Richland , WA

Jun 14 - Jun 15

2025 Joe Whetstone Memorial Grea...

MOD-SO-J CLSES

Saint Joseph River

Constantine, MI

Jun 20

Jun 20 - Jun 21

Shootout Offshore

OS

Lake of the Ozarks

Lake Ozark, MO

Jun 20 - Jun 22

COA Annual Thompson Regatta

PRO-MOD-SO-J CLSES

West Thompson Lake

Thompson, CT

Jun 21

Jun 21 - Jun 22

Celina Governors Cup

VINTAGE-INB

Grand Lake St. Marys

Celina, Ohio , OH

Jun 21 - Jun 22

SYRACUSE VINTAGE RACEBOAT REGATT...

VINTAGE;N

ONONDAGA LAKE - WILLOW BAY

LIVERPOOL, NY

Jun 21 - Jun 22

Entiat Vintage Raceboat Regatta

VINTAGE-INB

Lake Entiat

Entiat, WA

Jun 21 - Jun 22

2025 APBA Modified Central Divis...

MOD;R-MOD;D-PRO-KPH-SO-J CLSES

St. Joesph River

Constantine, MI, MI

Jun 21 - Jun 22

APBA PRO EASTERN DIVISIONALS

PRO-KPH

Wisconsin River

Wausau, WI

Jun 21

Webbs Slough Jet Sprint Boat Ra...

JET SPRI

Webbs Slough

Saint John, WA

Jun 21 - Jun 22

Sherri Hathaway Memorial Regatta

SO;D-PRO-KPH-MOD-J CLSES

Cullaby Lake

Warrenton, OR

Jun 25

Jun 25 - Jun 29

Louisiana Offshore Grand Prix

OS;N

Lake Pontchartrain

Metairie, LA

Jun 28

Jun 28 - Jun 29

LAKE VERMILION THUNDER HOSTED BY...

MOD-SO-J CLSES

Lake Vermilion

Danville, IL

Jun 28 - Jun 29

50th Annual Idaho Regatta

INB-SO-OPC-J CLSES

Snake River

Burley, ID

Jul 4

Jul 4 - Jul 3

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

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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