| Only the boats that conform to a particular class | | | | OSS. The American Power Boat Association |
| can participate in off shore power boat racing. | | | | (APBA) has the sole authority to hold UIM events |
| These boats are usually the expensive and large | | | | and this includes the Divisionals, North American |
| models that are specially built for durability and | | | | Championship, the worlds and the nationals. |
| speed and under the pounding ocean waves which | | | | A powerboat championship is more or less like |
| can be quite unpredictable. | | | | Formula1 car racing. Powerboat racing in its grand |
| Taking part in off shore power boat racing | | | | prix style has increased its scope since its |
| involves expending large amounts of money on | | | | inauguration in the year 1981. The season held in |
| fuel. It burns fuel up very fast taking into account | | | | 2006 had 27 drivers competing in 12 teams. At a |
| the speed of the boat and the distance covered. | | | | time, there were 24 boats competing in a race. |
| Power boats are expensive and the cost of the | | | | As is in Formula1 racing, championship points are |
| competition is high. People who participate in | | | | supposed to be earned on the way. |
| power boat racing are participating in what is | | | | The offshore boat racing has a race course with |
| called an elite sport. Power racing is a team sport | | | | a 350 meter circuit, typically marked out on a |
| and is usually sponsored. It is supported and | | | | river, lake or a sheltered bay and has multiple |
| funded by both commercial sponsors and private | | | | turns. Speeds can range up to 170kmph |
| funding. However, it is still considered to be an | | | | depending on the power boat class. In this kind of |
| amateur sport. | | | | racing, usually the speeds are around 140kmph. |
| Off shore boat racing is actually a regulated sport. | | | | The longest power boat races usually last up to |
| Initially, its focus was on endurance racing but | | | | 45 minutes. |
| now it has moved nearer to circuit type of racing | | | | It is a little difficult to find out about the |
| format. This is sport played on an international | | | | occurrences of racing events. On-line magazines |
| level with races being held all around world before | | | | and periodicals are now trying to address issues |
| crowning the season winner. This way, this sport | | | | related to offshore boat racing. H2O Full Throttle, |
| is very similar to formula one racing. The Union | | | | one of the latest magazines along with other |
| International Motonautique, its governing body is in | | | | special publications like World of Powerboats and |
| Monaco. In Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the | | | | Extreme Boats and television channels on |
| UIM regulated class 1leads the offshore | | | | extreme sports are constantly providing |
| powerboat racing while in the United States the | | | | information regarding this sport. |
| racing is split between the UIM/APBA/SBI and the | | | | |