OPC, the Outboard Performance Category of APBA, was the outgrowth of boat racing enthusiasts' desire in the 50's and early 60's to compete in their family boats with standard mass produced outboard motors larger than the 40 cubic inch motors racing in the APBA Stock Outboard Category. This desire led in 1961 to the hugely successful race on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Florida, run under APBA's Special Events, and organized by E. C. Kiekhaefer, the legendary head of Mercury Outboards, under rules prepared by Charlie Strang, his right hand man at Mercury, and Jimmy Jost. This 6-hour marathon had 62 entries and was won by Jon Culver and co-driver Chuck Merserau. In 1962 Jon Culver was appointed Chairman of the newly formed OPC Category, with Edgar Rose as Chairman of the Technical Committee in charge of the rapidly evolving rules. Though OPC was initially called "Outboard Pleasure Craft" the name was changed a number of years later to "Outboard Performance Craft".

The first OPC National Championships were held in 1963 at Lake George, NY and consisted of Closed Course Nationals, Marathon Nationals, and Kilo Trials. National Championships have been held annually ever since, with more than 200 entries at some of them.

Initially, the boats were true pleasure craft but as some of the drivers wanted more speed, OPC gradually evolved new classes allowing flat bottom boats, and subsequently tunnel boats. These boats were pioneered by Dieter Schulze of Austria and Angelo Molinari of Italy. Angelo's son Renato went on to perfect his father's designs. The size and power of outboard motors continually increased, hitting a peak in the 1980's when the Outboard Marine Corporation headed by Charlie Strang funded for several years the U.S. Formula One circuit in which the tunnel boats were powered by V-8 400 horsepower Johnsons and Evinrudes. Mercurys were almost as powerful. At one of the OPC National Championships during the 80's two of the greatest OPC drivers, Billy Seeboldt, Jr. for Mercury and Jimbo McConnel for Evinrude diced it out, each winning one heat and the contest had to be decided on total time, McConnel winning by a razor thin margin of one-hundredths of a second. The highest OPC speed record of 143.7 mph is held by Todd Bowden who drove a Mercury powered tunnel boat.

Races are held throughout the USA and through the year. Both clock starts and modified Le Mans starts are used as announced in the Race Circular. National records for each class are kept for the top straightaway speeds over a one-kilometer distance, and for the top speeds achieved during competition. OPC has always been in the forefront of accommodating technological developments in outboard motors and provides for level field competition not only for older motors but also the newest outboard motors available in marine dealerships.

Now picture yourself surrounded by 11 other boats separated by only a few inches. All boats and motors the same weight and horse power. Your speeds are so close that one small error puts a competitor past you. Rougher water and the spray of the other boats wet you down, as you wait anxiously for your shot to make up time on your closest opponent. Pushing your mind, your will and your body to the limit. Three laps of flawless manipulation - timing your start - staying out of trouble - and outsmarting your 11 competitors, leads you to a top finish. Just a flavor of the exhilaration pulsing through you, every heat of racing. The heart pounding excitement last under five minutes per heat, but stock outboard is guaranteed to leave you thirsting for more.

Stock Outboard boat racing began almost as early as the first production outboard motor was manufactured. Yacht Clubs, Towns and even Colleges had race teams in the 1930's.

The boats in use are almost exclusively kneel down boats, with the exception of 45ss, which is a capsule style tunnel boat, a miniature Formula 1 boat. There are two other classes of boat.

Runabouts - make use of a flat bottom running surface. Runabouts have strict length and design restrictions. Runabouts turn on the inside chine (rolling it up on the chine) and require the skilled movement of the drivers weight to control turns. The crafts are very stable enabling drivers to run very close together increasing the drivers and spectators excitement.

Hydroplanes- have fewer design restrictions but are typically built to trap air under the hull. This trapping of air causes the boat to actually run above the waters surface at top speed (hydroplaning). The Hydro makes use of a side fin for turning the boat in a level position. Turning in a group of boats is a different story. The side fins on a group of boats can produce a spray worse than riding through a car wash. Hydros are very tricky to run close together because of the delicate cushion of air they ride on. Too much air and you're over backwards, a sudden change to no air under the boat can cause the bow to dive (and you stuff it!)

Races normally run two(2) heats of three(3) laps in a counter clockwise direction. The consistent course rules allow drivers to design and rig their boats to turn left effectively.

Starts are traditionally clock starts. Drivers are given three minutes to get their boats on the course and in position for the start under a green flag. After the three minutes have expired the clock ticks down from one minute under a white flag. The object is to get to the start finish line when the clock strikes zero. Too early, you jump the gun and your disqualified. Too late and you have given the advantage to your competitors. There are no lanes assigned to drivers. You fight to get your lane and have to clearly establish it 500 feet before the start line. This can often be the most exciting part of the race for the spectator. Once the boats start, it is on to the first turn with boats still battling for their lanes through the turn. The inside lane is the shortest route and the toughest to obtain. Everyone wants to be there.

One of the unique things about boat racing is, the outline of the course remains the same, but the water is constantly changing, forcing drivers to stay sharp watching the waves as well as the other boats.

Marathons are primarily for runabouts and the courses are at least 30 miles, in any configuration. Its the LeMans of stock outboard, an endurance race that leaves drivers sore and exhausted. To finish is a great accomplishment in some cases.

As you can see from the following list the boats are short and light. The relative speed can be exhilarating. Stock Outboard brags APBA's greatest number of veterans. Stockers are the fiercest of all competitors. Racers range in a age from 14 to 99 years and include some 3rd and 4th generation racers. Rivalries develop between drivers, classes and different regions, but when the racing is done for the day it is all put aside. You will never find a sport with more camaraderie, half the fun is the people you race with and against week after week.

Get to a race near you and talk to the drivers. Catch the fever!!

Previously known as Performance Inflatables, these Superlight Tunnel Boats are one of the up and comming classes of boats to enter APBA. Originally from South Africa, this group of classes offers affordable, tight competition with a boat that is truly multi purpose. They a broken down into the Bandits, Outlaws, and P 750. The Bandit uses the smallest motor with the Outlaws using a slightly larger motor. The P 750 class is more in keeping with the UIM rules to attract foreign competition.

The Inflatables also known as Ducks, run closed course heats on very small courses right in front of the spectating crowd. Part of their popularity is their versatility which allows them to surf race as well! Check out the Gallery page for some surf racing shots from South Africa!