Picture yourself traveling at 60 MPH, not sitting in your 3,000 lb. Chevy, but crouching mere inches above the water, braced in a 125 lb. wooden boat, the wind whistling by your your helmet. Your left hand squeezes the throttle; your right hand is glued to the steering wheel. As the boat skims over the surface, your slightest movement affects your ride over the ever-changing contour of the water. Now picture yourself surrounded by 11 other boats, just inches apart. Rough water jolts you and the other boats’ spray drenches you; you wait anxiously for your shot to pass your closest opponent, pushing your mind, will and body to the limit.
Stock Outboard runabouts and hydroplanes are built with lightweight marine plywood and mahogany, carbon fiber or fiberglass. The classes range from the smaller A Class to the bigger, more powerful D Class boats. Each class mandates specific engines that are legal, and there are requirements for propellers, boat design etc. Read the rules and technical manual to get the full picture. Hydroplanes have a three-point design-only the two front sponsons and the propeller touch the water. Air is trapped underneath, causing the boat to lift and ride on this cushion of air, skimming across the surface of the water. There are virtually no restrictions on design or dimensions. Runabouts slice through the water rather than skim over the surface. Runabouts tend to be a bit slower than hydroplanes and can be more challenging to handle. Turning is an art, and it can be work just to keep the boat level-similar to driving a motocross dirt bike. Runabouts have certain length, width and weight restrictions.
The 300 Super Stock Hydroplane class is perfect for the new racer! You do not need to be an outboard mechanic and you can successfully compete in this class since all of the engines and propellers are identical. The power is supplied by a 24 Cubic Inch Yamato racing engine. These engines are factory sealed by the American Power Boat Association to ensure parity and any repairs or rebuilds are done through regionalized service centers at a very low cost. In addition to ensuring racing parity through the sealed engine, a stock factory propeller is provided with the engine. All of the propellers are created from the same mold and are swapped among the drivers prior to each and every race. This class requires no racing experience and most clubs around the country provide driving schools to ensure that you will be properly prepared to take the green flag. Now may just be the opportune time to fulfill that racing desire!
| Minimum Length: | 9′ 6″ |
| Minimum Weight: | 420 lbs. |
| Engine: | Yamato 302 and 321 |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 60mph |
The 20 Super Stock Hydro (20SSH) class attracted 38 racers in 2019, pushing for National titles and High Points. Jump in, squeeze the throttle and GO! This is a fun and highly competitive class, all around great for rookies and those new to the sport!
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 400 lbs. |
| Engine: | Yamato 80/102/302, Sidewinder |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 60-65mph |
25 Super Stock Runabout (25SSR) is enjoyed by enthusiastic racers throughout the USA. A variety of engine and hull configurations makes this class accessible to those crossing over from other classes. Try this adaptable 50-60 MPH class in a challenging circle race, or in the long haul of a marathon course. You’ll love it! Your success is limited only by your imagination and drive.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 395, 405, or 430 lbs based on motor. |
| Engine: | Mercury, Yamato, Hot Rod, Sidewinder |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 50-60mph |
A Stock Hydro (ASH) is where many racers transition from Junior classes to Stock Outboard. This class is very popular, so full fields make for terrific, exciting competition in the 50- to 55-MPH range.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 345 lbs. |
| Engine: | Johnson and Evinrude A, Mercury and Mariner A or Sidewinder 15s |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 50-55 mph |
A Stock Runabout (ASR) is the natural next step for a racer graduating from Junior Runabout, or for AX Runabout drivers wanting more water time and a little more speed (around 48 MPH). If you like Runabout racing, this is a wonderful, lightweight, quick class. You can also run grueling marathons like Top O’ Michigan that challenge your navigation and rough-water skills as well as the down-and-dirty competition chops needed for circle racing.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 350 lbs. |
| Engine: | OMC, Mercury, Sidewinder |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 50-55mph |
Ready to ramp it up? Stock Outboard B Stock Hydro (BSH) takes you to the 50/60 MPH range and surrounds you with tough competition at every race. Do you have what it takes?
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 365 lbs. |
| Engine: | Hot Rod, Sidewinder |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 50-60 mph |
B Stock Runabout (BSR) runs in the 50-65 MPH range (69 MPH is the top speed on record) on both oval tracks and marathon courses. Handling a runabout is a challenge, and each step up in Stock Outboard pits you against a more serious group of competitors. BSR is always a crown favorite and is always the most competitive runabout class.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 360 lbs. |
| Engine: | Hot Rod, Sidewinder |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 50-65 mph |
C Stock Hydro, or CSH, is one of APBA’s biggest classes. Fast and fun, CSH gets up to 60-70 MPH in full fields of very determined racers. Double your fun: cross over to the PRO OSY-400 class for more water time on a weekend. CSH is where many racers keep honing their skills. The challenge never ends.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 440 lbs. |
| Engine: | Yamato 102/302 |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 60-70 mph |
C Stock Runabout (CSR) is a popular class in the 55-65 MPH range. If you have a CSR, east or west, you will always be able to find a race. As with the other Stock Runabout classes, you can participate in challenging marathons as well as circle races. Hitting the start, beating everyone else to the turns, and battling rough water are all required skills. It just becomes more fun the more you race.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 475 lbs. |
| Engine: | Yamato 102/302 |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 55-65 mph |
D Stock Hydro (DSH) is Stock Outboard’s biggest, most powerful Hydro class. This is heavy-duty racing for experienced competitors. Big boats, big engines, faster speed (70-89 MPH) mean you have to know your way around and be able to handle a lot of power.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 470 lbs. |
| Engine: | Mariner/Mercury, Bass/Tohatsu |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 70-89 mph |
Ready for the biggest, baddest Stock Runabout class? Then you’ve come to the right place. The D Stock Runabout (DSR) class offers big excitement for experienced competitors at about 70-89 MPH. In marathon races, D Stocks have an advantage in rough water due to their greater weight.
| Minimum Length: | |
| Minimum Weight: | 515 lbs. |
| Engine: | Mariner/Mercury, Bass/Tohatsu |
| Fuel: | |
| Approximate Speed: | 70-89mph |
The 15 Super Stock Runabout class.
| Minimum Length: | 9′ 5 |
| Minimum Weight: | 360 lbs. without side fin or 375 lbs. without side fin |
| Engine: | Hot Rod 15ci, Sidewinder 15 HP, Sidewinder 20 HP |
| Fuel: | Gasoline |
| Approximate Speed: |
