What is Offshore Racing?

Offshore boat racing has been around for decades, originally organized for boats capable of running “offshore” – away from shore, normally in ocean waters that could contain huge swells and wave conditions.  This form of boat racing became popularized in the 1960’s with the refinement of deep-vee mono-hulls from fibreglass and aluminum and a bit later, specialized catamaran hulls, capable of handling the wave and water conditions of “offshore.”  “Inland” race boats, even though they may be overall faster than “offshore” boats, because of their bottom designs, would generally not be capable of running in “offshore” water conditions.

Offshore racing today is mostly held on “closed courses” in venues closer to shore where spectators have more opportunities to “catch the action.”  Because of being closer to shore, the wave and water conditions are not generally as potentially rough, and with the increased specialization, design, and power systems of both vee-bottom and catamaran hi-performance offshore boats, speeds around a given course have increased dramatically over the years.

Today in North America alone, there are many different race organizing and sanctioning bodies and even more racing classes within each organization.  Some of these racing organizations are national in scope, and some are regional.  In general terms, offshore race boats fit into various racing classes starting at about twenty-four feet up to over fifty feet in length in vee-bottom classes or catamaran (cat) classes.  They may have either single or twin (or more) outboard or sterndrive or inboard power, with specific horsepower, size, weight, and/or configuration rules for each class.  Often an unlimited class is included which allows almost any size, number and horsepower and type of engines.  Just in the past few years, turbine-powered and multi-engine piston-powered catamarans over fifty feet in length have attained speeds approaching and exceeding two hundred miles per hour on the straight portions of a race course.

This “Racing Events” tab on Everythingoffshore.com is a listing by month of many of the offshore races being held around the country.  Find a race near you and become part of the excitement this sport offers.  If the opportunity arises, obtain entry to both the “dry pits” (situated on land where the race teams prepare and repair the boats) and “wet pits” (where the boats sit in the water for testing purposes or to await the start of a race).  Don’t hesitate to talk to the race teams and ask questions as they are generally very excited and open to talk about their passion.