Jul 26

Jul 26 - Jul 27

Rumble in the Hills

VINTAGE-INB

Rocky Fork State Park

Hillsboro, OH

Jul 26 - Jul 27

Franks Race

OB RR

Klamath River

Klamath, CA

Jul 26 - Jul 27

Serpent Lake Powerboat Races

OPC

Serpent Lake

Crosby, MN

Jul 28

Jul 28 - Aug 2

2025 Stock, MOD, & J Outboard Na...

MOD-SO;N-J CLSES

Champions Park Lake

Springfield, OH , OH

Aug 2

Aug 2 - Aug 3

Great Lakes Grand Prix

OS

Lake Michigan

Michigan City Indiana, IN

Aug 2 - Aug 3

BATTLE ON THE COLORADO

OPC

LAKE MARBLE FALLS

MARBLE FALLS, TX

Aug 2 - Aug 3

Thunder on the Niagara

SE-VINTAGE-INB

Niagara River

North Tonawanda, NY

Aug 2 - Aug 3

Seafair Hydroplane Race

VINTAGE-INB-UNL-J CLSES

Lake Washington

Seattle, WA

Aug 8

Aug 8 - Aug 10

Sheboygan MidWest Challenge

OS;N

Lake Michigan

Sheboygan, WI

Aug 9

Aug 9 - Aug 10

Mott Lake Regatta

VINTAGE-INB

C.S. Mott Lake

Genesee Township, MI

Aug 9 - Aug 10

Powerboats at the Park Vintage R...

VINTAGE

Elizabeth River

Portsmouth , VA

Aug 9 - Aug 10

TCPBA Chetek Watermania VI

OPC

Lake Chetek

Chetek, WI

Aug 9 - Aug 10

Top O Michigan Marathon National...

SO;N-J CLSES

Inland Waterway

Indian River, MI

Aug 16

Aug 16 - Aug 17

Liqui-Moly Pro Watercross Triple...

PWR;N

Lake Verona

Avon Park, FL

Aug 16 - Aug 17

Ron Baker Sr. Regatta

OPC

Forest lake

Forest Lake, MN

Aug 16 - Aug 17

Clash at Cougar Lane

OB RR

Rogue River

Agness, OR

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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