Racing is not restricted to the roads or racetrack as there is plenty of action to be found out on the water. Powerboat racing is a type of racing on the ocean using super fast boats. The sport goes back surprisingly far with it’s origins being in 1903 when the Automobile Club of Great Britain and it’s sister club, the Marine Motor Association decided to organise a race of auto-boats. The sport was officially recognised the following year when a race took place from the English coast to Calais, France. The United States soon followed suit with their first race occurring in 1911.
The sport grew in popularity until it was disrupted by the outbreak of two world wars. It soon picked up during the 1950’s and 1960’s with some epic races like the Bahamas 500 mile race. The navigator had an extremely important role in finding checkpoints over hundreds of miles of open water.
During the 1980’s catamarans and superboats were entered into the contests also. Restrictions for boats over 45 feet long were lifted and this meant that the superboats could start sporting fighter plane type canopies with three or four engines. These machines needed some serious power behind them and cost a great deal of money so you can be sure the teams will use a CCTV Installation Bristol company or one near to their location to protect their boats.
Races these days are short with much improved viewing for spectators and there are many more categories now than there were originally. One of the most impressive races of the past was the Round Britain Powerboat Race of 1969. It covered 1459 miles in ten racing stages and one slow cruise. The trip encountered all manner of weather conditions including sunny spells and thick fog and featured 42 different vessels from 100 – 1000 hp. Timo Makinen won in his boat, Avenger Too in a race that took him 39 hours to complete.
Offshore Powerboat Racing is probably one of the best examples of extreme watersports that is very competitive and challenging. There are different levels of competition to welcome newcomers and satisfy old hands of the sport too. You need a real sense of adventure and a need for speed. If you fancy a taster then why not consider booking an experience day where you can get the adrenaline flowing with a trip out on a powerboat. You can reach speeds of up to 125 mph as you fly over the waves in one of these turbo-charged vessels. There are many locations that offer such trips around the country.
The first successful motor boat was designed by the Priestman Brothers in Hull and the company began their trials in 1888. The engine was powered with kerosene and due to it’s success, they began mass producing the boat. Two years later, the boat was being used to tow goods along canals. Another early example was created by Mr J.D Roots in 1891 who fitted a launch with an internal combustion engine and operated a ferry service between Richmond and Wandsworth along the River Thames.