Oct 10

Oct 10 - Oct 12

Englewood Beach Waterfest

OS;R

Gulf of Mexico

Englewood, FL

Oct 11

Oct 11 - Oct 12

BATTLE ON THE SAN JACINTO

OPC

San Jacinto River

HIGHLANDS, TX

Oct 11 - Oct 12

Rockey Stone Memorial Kilos & Bu...

SE-PRO-KPH-MOD-SO-OPC;N-OB RR-J CLSES

Devils Lake

Lincoln City Oregon, OR

Oct 18

Oct 18 - Oct 19

2025 Fall Fling

PRO-KPH-MOD-SO-J CLSES

Lake Minden

Nicolaus, CA

Oct 18 - Oct 19

Orange Cup Regatta

INB

Lake Hollingsworth

Lakeland, FL, FL

Oct 25

Oct 25 - Oct 26

Blue Water Resort & Casino Bit P...

SE-INB-OPC

Colorado River

Parker, AZ

Oct 25 - Oct 26

Tabor City Halloween Regatta

MOD;R-PRO-SO-J CLSES

Lake Tabor

Tabor City, NC , NC

Nov 22

Nov 22 - Nov 23

University of Michigan Electric ...

SE

Lake Townsend

Browns Summit/Greensboro, NC

Nov 28

Nov 28 - Nov 29

Blue Water Resort & Casino 79th ...

INB-MOD-SO-OPC-J CLSES

Colorado River

Parker, AZ

Mar 13

Mar 13 - Mar 15

Spring Thunder Tavares Fl.

VINTAGE

Lake Dora

Tavares, FL

May 9

May 9 - May 17

2026 World Jet Boat Marathon Cha...

JRR;W

Payett,Salmon.Clearwater,Snake,St.Joe rivers

Emmet, Idaho , ID

May 15

May 15 - May 17

Thunder on Cocoa Beach

OS;N

Atlantic

Cocoa Beach FL, FL

Jun 5

Jun 5 - Jun 7

Rumble on the River

VINTAGE

Piney Point, Md.

City, ST

Jun 5 - Jun 7

Piney Point Rumble on the River

VINTAGE

St. George\'s Creek

St. George’s Creek, MD

Jun 6

Jun 6 - Jun 7

Hardys Race for the Lake

INB;N

Lake Decatur

Decatur, IL, IL

Jun 20

Jun 20 - Jun 21

Governors Cup Regatta

INB;D

Grand Lake St Marys

Celina, OH

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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