The Offshore boats are grouped into six (6) classes of racers, based on a fairly scientific combination of size and horsepower; with just a smidge of hull design thrown into the pot. No matter how many boats you may see on the race course at any one time, the boats are ONLY competing against boats in there own classification; which are quite fairly matched. In essence, you could be witnessing up to six separate races going on at the same time.

Probably the easiest difference to understand is that between a catamaran (multi-hulled) and a vee bottom, often referred to as a "Cigarette" boat. Cigarette is actually the brand name of one of the first successful ocean racers; which has, over the years, become generically applied - such as Kleenex is for tissues. A catamaran (cat) is simply two (or more) vee-bottoms joined by a aerodynamic wing between them. Cats are more adept and generally faster on the flatter waters, while Vee's are much more successful in rougher waters.

Moving on to class distinction, OPEN Class is the largest and most powerful class allowed to compete in the U.S. Offshore Racing Association. Open boats must be greater than 35 feet long (regardless of cat or vee), and are limited to two inboard or inboard/outboard (I/O) type motors, not to exceed 1200 cubic inches displacement for each motor. I hope I'm not getting to technical on you? Open class boats are easily identified by their numbers, which carry no letter prefix (as will be explained later). These boats will run between 100 and 140 m.p.h., and typically price out in the 1/4 million dollar range up.

MOFIFIED Class is clearly identified by the 'M' preceding their numerical identification. These boats have a minimum length of 30 feet for the cats and 35 feet for the vees. Modified racers may be powered by outboard motors or by I/O's. Are you still keeping up with the lingo? Depending on the type of motors.; thus allowing them to reach speeds in excess of 100 m.p.h. The cost for competing in this class easily ranges from $150,000 to $200,000.

PRO-STOCK ('P') Class racers must be cats, and are most usually powered by triple 2.5 liter outboards. In exceptional cases, twin small block motors may be employed (without gear success). Pro-stockers easily expend $100,000 to $200,000 on equipment, and run up to 110 m.p.h.

SUPER-STOCK Class is composed entirely of catamarans, and there identifying number is preceded by the letter 'C'. These boats must be a minimum of 24 feet long, and are limited to twin 2.5 liter outboard motors; or they may employ a single I/O, not to exceed 510 C.I. I can see you're starting to get the hang of this Offshore talk. Super-Stock race boats will easily perform in the 95 - 110 m.p.h. range, and generally cost $85,000 to $150,000.

SPORT Class racers are all vee-bottoms and are easily identified by the letter 'B' in front of their numbers. The Sport Class boats may employ twin I/O's, not to exceed 750 C.I; or they may choose up to triple outboard motors. These boats generally run in the 85 m.p.h. range, but have been recorded at over 100 m.p.h. under exceptional conditions. It is easy to say a Sport boat costs up to $150,000.

The smallest boats, PRODUCTION ('A') class are all vee-bottoms, like their big brother. Idealistically speaking, this is the entry level class of Offshore. These racers may be powered by a single I/O, not to exceed 510 C.I.; or they may use up to two outboards of 366 C.I. each. 'A' class racers reach speeds up to 85 m.p.h., and easily tip the cost scale at $85,000.

Got it all? I though you would. Now let's complicate things and in its simplest sense, I'll explain what you are witnessing on the course. Again, please bear in mind that you could be seeing up to six races going on at the very same time - each class racing only against its own similar boats.

First the boats will depart the "wet pits" behind the pace boat(s) flying a yellow (caution) flag. All proceed to the 'milling area' where the boats will form up in groups according to there starting position; which could be as few as one, or as many as six (governed by the numbers and safety requirements).

When the Chief Starter is satisfied all of the boats are in there respective milling circles (moving in a counter-clockwise direction) and receives course clearance from Race Control, he (or she) will bring each starting flight onto plane (trimmed out for maximum performance) and head for the starting line (generally a 2 or 3-mile run).

When the starter is satisfied all the boats are safely planed and as close to evenly abrest as possible, he will release them by hoisting the green flag; although the race doesn't officially start until they cross the starting line. From that point on, it's pedal-to-the-metal (or coining the vernacular, sticks to the pins). If there are to be multiple starts, the procedure is repeated for each successive flight.

The race is declared officially over when a first place finisher has been established in each of the competing classes. From that point on, the runners-up are scored on a 'modified Indy finish' system (what distance has actually been completed). After the Chief Scorer has verified all of the results from all of the checkpoints, a Finish Listing is posted. If there are no technical infractions found in the post-race inspection and no protests are filed within one hour, the results are declared final - and awards may be presented.

So there you have it, my fellow Offshore racing fans. In a few short moments, I have taught you the simplest long and short of Offshore racing, which took me years to learn. If you learned your lessons well, you may now call yourself an aficionado of the sport. Now, YOU can be walking about the pits looking knowledgeable; and when someone asks you, Who won the race? You can smugly answer, In which class?

NOTE*** Capt. Bill Novitch is Editor-in-Chief of "The Racers Edge", a worldwide monthly powerboat racing news/magazine, and is also media director for the U.S. Offshore Racing Association. Capt. Bill has been associated in and with all facets of Offshore Powerboat Racing for 35 years, including having raced.