Ended Speed

While many changes rumbled through the 1960s, it was offshore powerboat racing that really made a splash for motorsport enthusiasts. The '60s saw not only the blossoming of the powerboat industry but the granddaddy of ocean racing events: the 1967 Bahamas 500, a 570-mile open water race pitting 63 thrill-seekers in a grueling mad dash around the islands, coral reefs, and sandbars of the Bahamas. The competition began and ended - with only 16 boats making it to the finish line - in Freeport, Bahamas after 11 hours of constant speed and, more importantly, excellent navigation skill.

Speed was important because a first place finish meant the quickest maneuvering boat. Powerboats were able to reach 90 mph at the time. It may not sound like much considering some powerboats today can easily fly past that and go up to 200 mph, but speed alone was not enough to win the Bahamas 500. There were checkpoints about 100 miles apart showing where a powerboat would need to turn. If you were to go off course or miss a turn, it would be the end of the race.

Two people manned the boat, a driver and a navigator. The key role of the navigator was to look at the mapped routes to make sure they stayed on course while keeping an eye out for the check points and buoys. This was an especially important job as the '60s was a decade before GPS. The two had to properly navigate the islands and ensure they would not miss any checkpoints for refueling or go off course and get disqualified - and they had to do so faster than the competition.

In powerboat racing history, the Bahamas 500 was the longest race and perhaps the most enduring. The boats may have been smaller and less powerful than today but the race was no less epic - 11 hours full-throttle around the Bahamas is no joke. Speed, navigation and excellent maneuvering skills were all needed to be number one. While spectators today prefer races that are closer to shore that they can see, the excitement and skill seen in the Bahamas 500 will never be forgotten.

Doug Pierce enjoys watching older races like the Bahamas 500 and Benihana Grand Prix as well as today's Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. Whatever the time period, powerboat racing is always an entertaining sport to watch.

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