The American Power Boat Association (APBA) is the national governing body for powerboat racing in the United States and one of the oldest motorsport organisations in the world. Founded in 1903, it sanctions more than 150 events annually across 13 racing categories, from Unlimited Hydroplanes at 200 mph to Junior classes for competitors from age nine.

What Is the APBA?

The American Power Boat Association is a membership-owned corporation that sanctions powerboat racing events, establishes technical and safety rules, maintains national records and high-point standings, and oversees national championships across all classes of powerboat racing in the United States. It is the sole recognised US authority for the sport and the official representative of the United States to the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body for powerboating.

The APBA was founded in 1903 when New York’s Columbia Yacht Club formulated its constitution, making it one of the oldest motorsport governing bodies in the world — predating even the founding of the FIA. The APBA Gold Cup, which the APBA has overseen since 1904, is the oldest active motorsport trophy in the world.

History

The APBA has sanctioned powerboat racing in the United States continuously since 1903, through the development of the sport from its earliest planing hull designs through the piston-engine hydroplane era, the introduction of offshore racing in the 1960s, and the turbine-powered Unlimited Hydroplane era from the 1970s onward. The APBA Hall of Champions, established as an annual recognition programme, honours the sport’s top competitors. The APBA Historical Society, established in 2014, maintains a museum and archives preserving racing artefacts and competitor profiles.

The organisation relocated its headquarters in 2025 to Springfield, Ohio, at the Clark County Fairgrounds, from its prior base in the Detroit/Eastpointe, Michigan area. In a recent international milestone, the APBA was awarded hosting rights for the 2027 UIM Jet Sprint World Championship, to be held in Washington State.

Racing Classes and Disciplines

The APBA sanctions 13 main racing categories plus several special event disciplines, covering inboard and outboard engines, hydroplanes, runabouts, offshore boats and newer electric and jet-powered classes.

Relationship with the UIM

The APBA is the official United States sanctioning authority for the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the IOC-recognised world governing body for powerboating headquartered in Monaco. This relationship means American competitors racing under APBA sanction are eligible for UIM world championship titles, and records set at APBA-sanctioned events can be ratified as world records by the UIM.

The APBA also works closely with H1 Unlimited, the sanctioning body for Unlimited Hydroplane Racing, which operates as a member organisation within the APBA framework. H1 Unlimited events carry both APBA and UIM sanction.

Governance Structure

The APBA is governed by an elected Board of Directors with staggered terms. Kurt Romberg serves as President for the 2025-2028 term. Day-to-day operations are managed by Director of Operations Dana Potts, supported by coordinators for sanctions and high points, membership, accounting and communications. Category Chairpersons oversee each racing discipline, and Region Chairpersons represent geographic areas across the United States.

National Championships

The APBA administers National High Point Championships across all categories, with annual standings updated after each sanctioned event. National Championship Regattas crown class champions across inboard, outboard, offshore, unlimited and junior disciplines. The APBA Hall of Champions inducts the sport’s outstanding competitors annually.