Offshore powerboat racing is racing by large, ocean-going powerboats, typically point-to-point racing.
Probably the largest, most powerful racing machines of all, the extreme expense of the boats and the fuel required to participate make it an expensive and elite sport.
In Europe, Middle East & Asia, offshore powerboat racing was led by the UIM regulated Class 1 but this category is no longer recognized by the sports governing body. It has re-organised itself and is instead regulated by the Dubai based WPPA, which now allows the sport to have a bigger variety in engines and props.
In the USA, offshore powerboat racing is split between the OPA Races, SBI / APBA / UIM races and the OSS races.
Although there are team sponsors, the sport is still an amateur sport financed by a mixture of private funding and commercial sponsors.
Depending on the class, speeds varies from 65mph to 190mph.
The sport is moving more to a circuit racing style also known as 'run what you brung', which makes for a better TV & spectator experience, though there are still old fashioned endurance offshore racing classes.
