Racers Converge on Key West for the 30th Offshore Powerboat World Championships
Racers Converge on Key West for the 30th Offshore Powerboat World Championships
Walking through the dry pits at Truman Annex in Key West some years ago ,looking atthe equipment these guys were running I was very impressed. From the unlimited Catsdown to theproduction classes everything was professional and the teams worked together to put on a great show.
Offshore racing has 14 classes that have to fit into athree race format.The unlimited class,cat or vee hull,is wide open with some of the cats running helicoptor turbines,producing 2000 horsepower each orthey run apiston drivensupercharged big block that can pull 1500 horse .These boats are up to46 feet so they run two engines.
The super cat,superboat 750 and 850 classes are probably the most conpetitive running a dependable 500 to 900 horsepower per motor with dual engines.The production(P5) is the most affordable class, starting at 24 foot and running a singleengine, with the manufacturers base configuration.
The Key West race course is the best on the circuit.Theboatsstart outside Key West harbor andrunby Sunset islandstraight out into open ocean.Wow! its quit an adrenalin rush when they unleash all that horsepower to start the race.
The first left turn in open ocean is usuallyrough, the racers refer to it as the wall,it gets hairy out there making that turn at 140 miles an hour,a straightaway and then another left turn iswhere they head back towards the harbor running along the shore, where they are so close you can feel the spray from the boats.
The course is 6.5 miles with two leftwide turns and a hair pin turn in the harbor,good spots to watch the races are Mallory Square,Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, the Truman Annex dry pits or the Ocean Key House has a good race view.
The early days featured long distance races,Miami to Bahamas,it was hard to see the race.The race courses today are closer to the spectator,only afew miles out and more enjoyable to view.
The event consists of three race days,Wednesday,Friday,and Sunday with a parade of boats down Duval Street Friday Night,this is where thefans can view the awesome machines up close and talk to crews and drivers.
Boats+Horsepower+Key West's laid back atmosphere...Can't beat that...so next time your in Key West in November....go ahead....hit the races....walk through the pits.... and you'll probably be hooked like me and become a..... Offshore Powerboat Racing fan forever Steamboat Springs Hotel Deals Phuket Speedboat Charter - Thailand A Place For World Famous Diving And Sea Foods! Buy Cheap Boats From The Most Trusted Source How To Build A Boat Ramp-Plans 4 Boats Download Can I Buy A Used Boat Motor Myboatplans Review : Complete Guide For Beginner Boatbuilder Choose The Best Now And Boat Later A Fishing Report On How To Sell A Boat: Few Basics Global Leisure Boat Market Report - Market Research Reports On Aarkstore Enterprise Acclaim Safety and Strength with Boat Davit Learn How To Sail A Sailboat Boat loans: Arrange funds to buy best boat of your choice What Is Commercial Marine Insurance?