world's fastest offshore powerboat

Luxury Born From Competition

At mystic powerboats we are the proud creators of the finest and fastest offshore boats in the world. our powerboats balance speed and luxury and are fully customizable for your desires., overall length, dry weight 6,800 lbs, fuel capacity 200 gal.

This easy to operate catamaran is ideal for a day of adventure on the water.

We test the C4000 in the Atlantic Ocean and are confident it has the most comfortable rough water ride of any outboard catamaran on the market.

Mystics are built on performance and combine their racing heritage with the reliability and power of Mercury engines.

Able to run over 100mph with just two outboard engines, the C4000 gives you the reliability and longevity of an outboard power with the pin you in your seat kind of speed.

Riding Fast and Free.

We have built our company throughout the years on a foundation of speed, technology, and luxury. It is with this dedication that every day we pursue building our heritage one boat at a time.

John cosker, president & founder, mystic powerboats, the mystic story.

“We have built our company throughout the years on a foundation of speed, technology, and luxury. It is with this dedication that every day we pursue building our heritage one boat at a time.”

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World Record Holder Fastest V-Bottom Boat Kilo @ 180.47 MPH Learn More →

Build your boat with the best..

Meticulously finished by hand – each boat is high performance artistry. With our in-house design team, each boat reflects the owners’ taste, color preference and attitude. From the lush spacious cabins and color-coordinated custom upholstered cockpits, to the high-tech instrumentation, these boats are as luxurious as they are powerful. Outerlimits is the only performance powerboat manufacturer in the world exclusively using carbon fiber post-cured epoxy in all their vessels, resulting in stronger and lighter boats which maintain their integrity despite extreme use and intense conditions. This advanced technology results in an ultra strong flawless finish designed for ultimate performance.

The unprecedented union of customer support, safety and client satisfaction is number one. Outerlimits stands behind every boat it builds and its service is second-to-none. Our client satisfaction rate has been and continues to be the finest in the industry. In addition to their premium support, and to ensure the safety of its customers, Outerlimits includes an operator certification course through a top performance school.

When it comes to racing, Outerlimits has been a proven winner in many of the racing circuits, both in the USA and abroad.  Whether you plan on racing, running the poker run circuit or just having a family day, Outerlimits is the only choice.  

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Fastest boat: The current holder and contenders for the world water-speed record

Attempting the world water-speed record takes years of preparation, massive amounts of horsepower, a huge budget, some astonishing engineering, the aerodynamics of a fighter jet and cojones the size of Milford Haven. Despite all this there are currently four active contenders for the title of the world’s fastest boat...

What is the world’s fastest boat?

The current title of world’s fastest boat belongs to Spirit of Australia , which recorded a two-way average top speed of 317.6mph (551.1 km/h) on Blowering Dam, NSW in 1978.

Piloted by the late great Ken Warby, this homebuilt wooden speed machine was the first boat to break the 300mph and 500km/h barriers.

Warby, who passed away in early 2023, was the first Australian to hold a world speed record and the first person to design, build and pilot a water speed record boat.

Who is trying to break the fastest boat record?

Quicksilver.

Nigel Macknight is both the driving force and the driver of Quicksilver , Britain’s long-standing-challenger for the title of world’s fastest boat.

But despite having worked on the project for the best part of 30 years and surrounding himself with experts from previous land and water-speed record attempts, the team is still some way off staging an attempt on the record itself.

Working with Ken Norris (chief designer of Donald Campbell’s Bluebird K7 , which set the water-speed record in 1964) construction of the craft’s steel spaceframe chassis was completed in 2002 and the team installed and fired up a 25,000hp Rolls-Royce Spey jet engine.

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How Donald Campbell broke both land and waterspeed records in the same year

However, neither the bodywork nor the complex control systems were finalised and the first iteration of the design was shelved following wind tunnel testing that suggested major stability issues.

Since then the team has gone through two further designs before landing on the current twin-cockpit version (pictured above). Concept 4, as it is currently known, sees the engine mounted towards the front of the central hull.

The 25,000hp Rolls-Royce Spey jet engine has since been replaced by a 10,000hp Mk 101 version from a Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer bomber.

This will be mounted into an all-new hull that is being built from kevlar and Baltek, a highly-engineered balsawood material produced by 3A Composites SA of Switzerland.

Once complete, this will be coated in a thin layer of fibreglass before being mounted to the pre-existing steel spaceframe.

Ken Norris is no longer chief designer, but his ideas are being taken forward by Ron Ayers, Lorne Campbell, Mike Green and Roland Snell.

The Quicksilver team say that they will reuse almost all of the hardware acquired for previous iterations of the design, thus speeding up the construction process, but no launch date has yet been set.

Find out more on the official Quicksilver water-speed record website .

Spirit of Australia II

Of the four teams currently challenging for the title of world’s fastest boat, team Warby is the only one to have a working boat.

Spirit of Australia II is an updated version of the hydroplane design Ken used to set the original record in 1978, with better aerodynamics and a 9,000hp Westinghouse J-34 jet engine.

It hit the water in December 2004 and in 2007 Ken handed over the reins to his son David, who hit 314kmh (218mph) on a testing run on Blowering Lake in 2018. However, floating debris caused damage to one of the fins and in the subsequent years, the tailplane has also been replaced as well as the engines, which are now Bristol Siddeley Orpheus units.

“The old boat was never flat out even when I broke the record last time, so the new one will go a whole lot faster,” Warby Sr claims. “The driving is the easy bit. You just sit in it and put your foot down. The trouble is that you’ve only got a 50/50 chance of still being alive at the other end.”

Spirit of Australia II’s most recent test run in November 2022 was hampered by crosswinds. Further speed runs were due to take place in February 2023, before the news of Ken’s passing. It’s not yet clear how this will affect the project, but further delays seem likely.

Find out more on the official Warby Motorsport website .

Photo: facebook.com/jethydroplaneuk

Another British challenger, Jet Hydroplane UK is headed up by David Aldred, who supplied the Orpheus engines for K777 , an experimental Bluebird K7 replica that was launched in 2011 and was retired in 2014.

His new project, Longbow is powered by twin Rolls Royce Viper turbojet engines and will be piloted by David-John Gibbs, a Formula 4 powerboat racer and flight examiner at RAF Cranwell.

Far from being threatened by this challenge, David Warby offered his technical support to the Longbow project.

In the latest update on the Jet Hydroplane UK website, Aldred revealed that the jet engine cradle is currently being fitted.

Find out more on the official Jet Hydroplane UK website .

Construction of Dartagnan SP600 was completed in October 2016 Photo: Facebook.com/DartagnanSp600

Dartagnan SP600

As if this wasn’t enough, there is a fourth project vying to become the world’s fastest boat. Dartagnan SP600 was built by Belgian offshore racer Daniel Dehaemers, who passed away in June 2018.

The project is reportedly due to be revived by his former teammates, so watch this space…

Find out more on Dartagnan SP600’s official Facebook page .

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7 Fastest Speedboats of 2023

By Emily Duane

If you crave the adrenaline rush of high cruising speeds on the open water, a speedboat is the marine craft for you. According to a variety of boating authorities, the average top speed of a powerboat is 70 miles per hour (mph), with high-performance competition boats well into the 100s. The Guinness World Record holder for the fastest boat in the world is the jet-powered hydroplane Spirit of Australia, which reached an eye-watering speed of approximately 317 mph.

The speed-boat market offers multiple categories of boats designed to go fast, including V-bottom, catamaran and center-console body styles . They’re equipped with two to four motors—inboard or outboard—to provide all that power that pushes the limits on the water.

To find the best new powerboat for you, do some research and compare the specs and features of different brands and models, understanding that different engine packages and other add-ons affect the price. To start you off, here’s a list of the fastest speed boats on the market for 2023.

1. Nor-Tech 390 Sport

The 390 Sport from Nor-Tech easily lets you flirt with 80-mph speeds. This center-console boat offers stability on the water and is comfortable for everything from speedy rides to fishing and diving. The 390 Sport comes with triple or quad Mercury motors. Enthusiasts have topped 100 mph powered by quad Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboards on jack plates.

Style: Center console

Price: Starting at $700,000

Length: 39 feet

Beam: 10 feet

Weight: 12,500 pounds

Top speed: ~80 mph

Nor-Tech 390 Sport Full Specs

2. Baja Marine 36 Outlaw

To achieve high speeds without fully liquefying your insides, Baja Marine’s 36 Outlaw is an excellent option. Whether you’re taking your chances at a poker run , cruising to sand bars or treating friends to wild tubing rides, the Outlaw is here for it. Enthusiasts have hit top speeds of around 84 mph with Mercury Racing 565 engines.

Style: V-bottom

Price: Starting at $307,000

Length: 37 feet, 1 inch

Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches

Weight: 9,300 pounds

Top speed: ~84 mph

Baja Marine 36 Outlaw Full Specs

3. Mystic C4000

The dual-hull Mystic C4000 balances comfort and speed, offering a day of adventure on the water that can effortlessly go from leisurely to thrilling in seconds. Enthusiasts claim this boat is something straight out of a James Bond movie. Easy to drive and powered by just two outboard engines, the C4000 can top 100 mph, making it a shoo-in for offshore racing.

Style: Catamaran

Price: Starting at $785,000

Length: 43 feet, 10 inches

Beam: 10 feet, 11 inches

Weight: 6,800 pounds

Top speed: ~120 mph

Mystic Powerboats C4000 Full Specs

4. Donzi Marine 38 ZRC

Fast, fun and attractive, the Donzi Marine 38 ZRC experienced a revival in 2020 with its unique fighter jet windscreens and a V-bottom hull designed for speed. Buyers can choose between Mercury Racing 565 HP Bravos or staggered 860s with #6 drives to power this model. Enthusiasts have reported exceeding 120 mph in this powerboat.

Price: Starting at $560,000

Length: 38 feet, 1 inch

Beam: 8 feet, 1 inch

Weight: 11,500 pounds

Donzi Marine 38 ZRC Full Specs

5. Outerlimits SV-50

If you’re looking for the marine equivalent of a race car, the Outerlimits SV-50 is the ticket. This sleek and luxurious powerboat has room for up to five passengers and is designed for speedy thrills on the open water. Powered with Mercury Racing 1350/1100 engines, the SV-50 hit a top speed of 145 mph during a test ride in early 2023 on a mid-30-degree day in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay.

Price: Starting at $1.5 million

Length: 50 feet, 1 inch

Beam: 9 feet

Weight: 10,900 pounds

Top speed: ~145 mph

Outerlimits SV-50 Full Specs

6. Fountain Powerboats 42 Lightning

If you’re looking for a powerboat that offers a smooth yet forceful push to top speeds and a comfortable and stable ride once you’re there, you’ll get it in Fountain’s 42 Lightning. It goes from 0 to 30 mph in 9.5 seconds, and the only limit to top speeds is your nerve—this boat can hit 160 mph with 1,350/1,550 packages.

Price: Starting at $685,000

Length: 42 feet

Beam: 8 feet, 4 inches

Weight: 13,400 pounds

Top speed: 160+ mph

Fountain Powerboats 42 Lightning Full Specs

7. Eliminator 28 Speedster

With a name that includes the words “eliminator” and “speedster,” it should be no surprise that this catamaran zips to the top of this list with max speeds of 170 mph. Available with inboard and outboard options and a variety of deck and bow configurations, the Eliminator 28 Speedster can be customized for however you want to spend your time on the water.

Price: Starting at $300,000

Length: 28 feet, 10 inches

Weight: 4,000 pounds

Top speed: ~170 mph

Eliminator 28 Speedster Full Specs

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12 Fastest Speed Boats in The World in 2023

Fastest speed boat in the world – Spirit of Australia set the Guinness World Record for achieving a maximum speed on the water of 317.59 MPH. The boat is equipped with a 3000 hp Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine. But there are other incredibly fast boats – learn more about them in this article.

Since the appearance of the first boats equipped with an engine, the question has arisen – how fast can boats be? As a consequence, many people have expressed a desire to compete with their boats to find out which are the fastest. Since then, speed records on the water have skyrocketed.

In this article, we will not focus on the history of the development of speed boats and how speed records were set. Trust me, you could write a whole book about it. We will tell you about the fastest speed boats in the world in 2023, what characteristics they have and what top speeds have been achieved.

Secret of Fastest Boats

Modern speed boats have long crossed the speed limit of 200 MPH. How is it possible to achieve such incredible speeds on the water? The fact is that the density of water is higher than the density of air and the friction force that occurs between the hull of the boat and the water is a serious problem that engineers around the world are trying to solve.

For comparison, the fastest trains in the world achieve incredible speeds thanks to the magnetic cushion. Due to the absence of friction between wheels and rails. But the boat cannot be torn off the water, otherwise it will no longer be a boat but an airplane. The maximum that you can go for is special boats – hydroplanes.

For boats, the solution to achieving super speeds is easier than it sounds. These are jet and turbojet engines mounted on a strong hull that cuts through the water like a razor. The two fastest boats in the world, the Spirit of Australia and the Bluebird K7, have exactly this design. So it’s no surprise that the Guinness World Record for the fastest boat in the world is held by the jet-powered hydroplane Spirit of Australia which reached an estimated speed of 317.59 MPH.

Features of World’s Fastest Boats in 2023

12. Outerlimits SV-52, max speed – 100 mph

Outerlimits power boats are offering a wide range of speed power boats. Their faster boat category includes the SV-50, SV-52, SL-44, SL-52 and even catamarans like the 43CAT and 48CAT. The SV-52 is one of their fastest speed boats. It has been designed especially for superior high-speed performances and is known for its steady ride and soft landing even in rough and choppy waters.

The cockpit boasts of dual helm controls, a standard GPS chart plotter. They even offer both open as well as swim platform models. Most models also have a half cabin for easy storage of extra equipment or much-needed protection from the sun and the sea. At 52 feet, this long beauty is known to easily record 100 MPH plus speeds in even adverse conditions. It has a fuel capacity of 250 gallons and can easily accommodate up to four people in it.

11. South Bay 925CR, max speed – 114 mph

The South Bay 925 CR is unbelievable the worlds’ fastest pontoon. If a pontoon can travel at speeds of more than 110 MPH, its only the South Bay 925 CR. In fact, when Brad Rowland’s South Bay 925 CR recorded a speed of 114 MPH, it was a new world record! It is fitted with superior Garmin GPS navigation. With a length of 27 feet and a beam of 8 feet, it is perfect for someone who doesn’t want a very large speed boat.

The standard equipment found on the South Bay 925CR are Manual Sport Arch, 4-speaker Bluetooth stereo, interior, and exterior LED light. If you are in the mood to create a perfect party ambiance you can even choose to opt for underwater LED lights.

10. Fountain 47 Lightning, max speed – 115 mph

As the name suggests the Fountain 47 Lightning, is definitely lightning fast. The Fountain 47 Lightning is able to go as fast as 115 MPH. It’s decently sized at 47 feet and has a seating capacity of four to six people depending on the model you choose. It owes it’s super-fast speed to the twin Mercury Racing 1,075 HP engines. It is known as the cruiser boat that can go anyplace at any time.

The fuel tank capacity is 340 gallons and it also has a Fuel Vapour Detection system. The standard features on the Fountain 47 Lightning include a Garmin GPS, LED push-button switches on the navigation dashboard, and Vessel view instrumentation. The cockpit is equipped with LED cockpit lights, motorized hatches and bolster seats with electric drop-downmechanism. What more can you ask for?

9. Cigarette Racing Team 50 AMG GTS, max speed – 135 mph

The cigarette racing team’s 50 AMG GTS slim and long cigarette shaped 50 AMG GTS is an incredibly powerful speedboat. It is considered to be one of the fastest electric speed boats in the world. It is powered by a 2200 HP AMG electric engine which also drives the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive – the world’s most powerful and fastest electric car. Check out 15 Fastest Cars in the World to find out just how fast cars can be.

This super fast electric speed boat is fitted with a lithium-ion battery containing 3,456 lithium-ion cells. The efficient battery pack can store power at 400 volts offering maximum driving current of about 6,000 amperes. This dashing speedboat has two chargers providing a total charging rate of 44 kW and just takes a meager seven hours for a full charge.

8. Nor-Tech 5200 Roadster, max speed – 150 mph

The Nor-Tech 5200 Roadster is a large boat with seating capacity for up to 10 people. Depending on the type of engine fitted, the 5200 Roadster can clock speeds of over 150 MPH. With a 400-gallon fuel tank, the 5200 Roadster has 5400 HP engines, making it one of the most powerful boats in the water. Along with offering unmatchable speeds, the Roadster is also the ultimate in luxury boating.

It features a padded sun lounge, swimming platform with boarding ladder and also video monitors. The Roadster is also equipped with a state-of-the-art music system and aft facing seats with coolers. Nor-Tech can also offer a wide range of configurations to suit our engine requirements.

7. Skater 46 Pleasure, max speed – 175 mph

The Skater 46 Pleasure is a high speed and power boat. As believed by the company Skater, it is truly the “Rolls Royce of power boats.” The Skater 46 Pleasure is fitted with twin Teague Custom engines of 1500 HP each giving a total power of 3000 HP. The Skater comes with dual fuel tanks with a maximum capacity of 1,000 gallons. It is can easily cruise at more than 100 MPh for long hours and is designed for soft landings in rough waters.

With maximum speeds of approximately 175 MPH, the Skater 46 Pleasure is one of the fastest motor boats available today. Most boats also feature a complete stereo system and air-conditioning. Its spacious design can seat even five people. Its unique design lets you enjoy the speed thrill and also lets you sit back and enjoy the joy-ride.

6. Lamborghini Aventador Super Veloce, max speed – 180 mph

Lamborghini’s Aventador Super Veloce is an incredible 52-ft, custom-built speedboat that runs on a 1550 hp engine and can reach up to an impressive 180 mph. Designed as a companion piece to the carmaker’s Aventador supercar, the boat is decked out in the same lime green (or ‘Verde Singh’) paint job.

The speedboat includes a cockpit that fits six people, outfitted with custom buttons and dials inspired by the car’s interiors, including a “Race” and “Pleasure” key that alternates between the boat’s top speed and a more relaxed pace. More information, photos and video you can find in our article about Lamborghini Aventador Super Veloce .

5. Spirit of Qatar, max speed – 244 mph

This is the fastest catamaran out there and fifth on the all-time speed list. The Spirit of Qatar uses twin Lycoming turbines to make a total of 9,000 Hp allowing this catamaran to reach ludicrous speed of 244 Mph (212 Knots). 50 feet long and full of turbine power, the Spirit of Qatar is a real eye catcher.

4. Mystic Powerboats C5000 Turbine, max speed – 250 mph

The Mystic Powerboats C5000 Turbine is manufactured by Florida based Mystic Powerboats. Powered by two 1850 HP engines it has a total engine power of 3700 HP and can easily reach cruising speeds of 150 MPH. The C5000 is considered to be one of the most powerful speedboats in the world today. The highest recorded speed of the C5000 is 250 MPH. The powerful C5000 beast runs on diesel. With a fuel tank capacity of 600 gallons, it has even recorded 15 engine hours.

The C5000 is almost 50 feet long. It comes equipped with electronic equipment like Log-speedometer, Plotter, Navigation center and GPS. Some of the extra features for enjoying your joy-ride are radio, CD player, and cockpit speakers. It also has a road trailer and launching trailer for ease of movement on land. This super-fast catamaran also offers cockpit air-conditioning. The Mystic Powerboats also offers C4400 and C3800 models.

3. Problem Child, max speed – 262 mph

The Problem Child is the world’s fastest nitro drag boat. Ironically it gets its name due to its super-fast speed capacity. With a super-powerful 8000 HP engine Eddie Knox’s Problem Child is the fastest drag boat in the world. How fast can the fastest boat in the world run? It can reach speeds up to 262 MPH in just 3.5 seconds. Incredible, isn’t it? The Problem Child is the ultimate speed machine on water. This amazing speed monster literally seems to fly over water. With a speed crossing over 250 MPH, this incredibly fast drag boat is known to leave behind a wall of water as it speeds through it.

2. Bluebird K7, max speed – 276 mph

One of the oldest and fastest hydroplanes of the 20th century, the Bluebird K7 is considered to be one of the pioneers in the field of speedboats. Donald Campbell held the records of the fastest water speeds in the 1950s and 1960s in this amazing hydroplane. He set seven-speed records between July 1955 and December 1964. Unbelievably, the Bluebird K7 managed to record 276 MPH way back in 1964. Unfortunately, Campbell lost his life in 1967 while attempting to record a speed of 300 MPH. The wreckage of the Bluebird was recovered between October’2000 and May’2001. Campbell’s daughter has formally gifted the Bluebird’s recovered wreckage to the Ruskin Museum. It is believed that the Bluebird Project is undertaking trials for the return of Bluebird K7 to Scottish waters once again.

1. Spirit of Australia, max speed – 317 mph

Would you believe that the Spirit of Australia which holds the World Record of clocking a speed of 317.6 MPH in was designed and built by Ken Warby in his backyard? The wooden speed boat ran on Westinghouse J34 jet engines which are also used for aircraft and fighter jets. The Spirit of Australia is on permanent display at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Though several people have tried to break Warby’s world water speed record, none have succeeded. Warby also went on to build the Aussie Spirit as a successor to the Spirit of Australia.

With so many awesome speed machines available, it is becoming increasingly easy to indulge in the ultimate adrenaline overdrive by sailing over waters. Cross the 100 MPH mark and enjoy the fastest boats in the world!

David Gover

David Gover is a connoisseur of rare cars and an auto expert. He is a passionate fan of old pre-war classic cars. For more than 17 years, he has been writing about cars in popular media. For the last 8 years, he has been leading the Automotive section on BeautifulLife, where he talks about new developments in the automotive industry, car concepts, vintage collectible cars, and car tuning. He also enjoys writing about motorcycles, luxury yachts, and speedboats. You can follow David on Facebook .

10 comments

Few people know that the pilot and inventor Donald Campbell, who created the Bluebird K7 (number 2 on your list), tragically died while setting a new speed record in the Bluebird K7 in 1967…

Bluebird K7, designed with a revolutionary three-point configuration that allowed it to skim across the water with minimal resistance, was equipped with a powerful turbojet engine. This jet-powered hydroplane set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1967, making it an icon in the world of speed records.

Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, Campbell continuously upgraded the K7, achieving incredible speeds and setting multiple records. One of his most notable accomplishments was in 1964 when he became the first person to hold both the world land speed record and the water speed record in the same year​​.

Unfortunately, Campbell’s quest for speed ended tragically on January 4, 1967, when the Bluebird K7 flipped and crashed on Coniston Water during an attempt to break the 300 mph barrier, resulting in his death. The wreckage of the Bluebird lay at the bottom of the lake until it was recovered in 2001. A dedicated team led by Bill Smith spent years meticulously restoring the hydroplane, preserving as much of the original material as possible. In recent years, the Bluebird K7 has undergone water trials, bringing this legendary boat back to life and honoring Campbell’s legacy​​.

I ABSOUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THESE FRIGGIN HIGH SPEED BOAT DEMONS!!! I JUST CANT GET ENOUGH! KEEP IT COMING…….. MTI, DCB, DONZI, CIGARETTE,SKATER AMONG MANY MANY OTHERS! ROCK MY WORLD OF BOATS!! MY CHAPARRAL WILL DO BOUT 55. It’s a 24′ cuddy. I thought we were killin it. Well mines just as loud!! Hahaha Thanks for the vid. Peace………

I built a 72foot pontoon boat with a Volkswagen beetle 1300cc engine that did well over 300mph… On the salt flats outside our Vegas after a major rain. Do your research fools. Ours called the “turtle slug 1300+” crazy fast boat, especially on a lake!

There is an old Soviet ship called the Caspian Sea Monster that reached a max speed of 404 mph.

That was a plane,,,, it rode on Aa layer of air, not on water!!

There is an old soviet military ship (although it looks like a plane) that cruises at a speed of 220 to 340 mph and reached a max speed of 404 mph. It’s called the Caspian Sea Monster.

What about DCB?

Don’t forget the great Lee Taylor and Hustler. Held the record for 10 years between Blue bird and Spirit

Just letting you know that the images for #1 are actually of Spirit of Australia 2 (SoA2), not Spirit of Australia, the current record holder. SOA2 is a new boat made by the son of Ken Warby, who is aiming for 550km/h.

Y’all missed 2 boats. The Lamborghini aventador speed boat hits 180. And idk what the Corvette speedboat hit but it has 2700 hp.

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What’s the Fastest Power Boat in the World?

Robertsf2012 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Across many walks of life, human beings are obsessed with speed. Some people love the thrill of watching motor vehicle racing. Others try to max out their speed on a bicycle. Still others prefer watching the Olympic games, witnessing races on foot and in a variety of other sports.

But for those of us who love being on the water, there’s nothing better than a super-fast power boat.

Power boats have been around as early as the internal combustion engine, which rose to prominence in the 19th Century. But as you can imagine, countless innovations have transformed not only how power boats look and function, but also how fast they can go when unimpeded.

Whether you’re in the market for a new power boat of your own, hoping to reach new speeds on the water, or are just fascinated by the thrill of seeking speed on open ocean, you’ll want to know: what’s the fastest power boat in the world?

How Fast Is Normal?

First, let’s establish a metric for how fast a “normal” boat can go. Top cruising speed for a yacht is something like 21 to 23 knots, or around 24 to 26 mph, while most yachts go much slower when actually “cruising.” If you look at some of the most powerful and popular power boats available to the public today, many of them can achieve a top speed close to, or even exceeding 100 mph—four times as fast as top cruising speed for a yacht—but even that speed pales in comparison to what some of the fastest power boats in the world have been able to achieve.

The Spirit of Australia: Fastest Power Boat in the World

The Guinness World Record for the top speed achieved on water is officially 275.97 knots, or over 317 mph, set by a craft called the Spirit of Australia back on October 8, 1978. It remains the record to this day, more than 40 years later. The record-setting run was at Blowering Dam Lake, in New South Wales, Australia. On a similar run in November 20, it is claimed that the craft was able to reach a better top speed at the same location, at nearly 345 mph. However, this is considered an “unofficial” speed.

As you might imagine, the Spirit of Australia was specifically engineered to set a water speed record, and was not commercially available for people to use when casually cruising on the ocean. It was designed (and operated) by a man named Ken Warby, who was able to engineer the vessel in his own backward.

The secret to the Spirit of Australia’s power was a set of Westinghouse J34 jet engines, which as the name suggests, were also used for aircraft and fighter jets. Together, they were able to generate 3,000 horsepower. Currently, the Spirit of Australia is retired, on permanent display at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

In the years (and decades) following Warby’s world record, there have been many world record attempts by other boating manufacturers and speed enthusiasts. However, none have been able to break the record set back in 1978.

Other Top Speed Contenders

It’s also worth noting some of the other power boats that have either come close to approaching the Spirit of Australia’s record, or have established a reputation of their own.

Sheppane at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

For example, there’s the Bluebird K7, one of the oldest pioneers in the history of speedboats. Helmed by Donald Campbell, the Bluebird set 7 separate speed run records between July 1955 and December 1964. Even back in 1964, this vessel was able to set a record by traveling 276 mph on the water. The story has a sad ending, however, as Campbell lost his life while attempting to set an even faster record, at 300 mph, back in 1967. The wreckage of the Bluebird was not recovered until a period between 2000 and 2001. Those remnants are currently preserved at the Ruskin Museum in Northern England.

There’s also the humorously named Problem Child, a more modern power boat that is currently the world’s fastest nitro drag boat. Sporting an incredibly powerful 8,000 horsepower engine, the Problem Child can reach a top speed of 262 mph in a matter of 3.5 seconds—which exceeds the performance of even speed-oriented land vehicles. The Problem Child is widely regarded as the fastest machine on water today, with consistent speeds of more than 250 mph.

Not far behind it is the Mystic Powerboats C5000 Turbine, powered by twin 1850 horsepower engines for a total power of 3,700 HP. Cruising speeds of 150 mph are easy for this boat, but its highest record speed is 250 mph. Even more impressive, the Mystic Powerboats C5000 Turbine can host up to 6 passengers—though it may not be able to reach those record-approaching top speeds with extra passengers on board.

Buying a Power Boat of Your Own

Unfortunately, most of the record-setting vessels in this article aren’t available for purchase; instead, they were designed as individual crafts with a singular purpose. However, there are hundreds of power boats available to quench your thirst for speed on the water—and many of them are capable of reaching speeds close to, or even exceeding 100 mph.

If you’re interested in getting a power boat for speed performance, make sure you get to know the variables that can affect your speed in the open water, including the brand of the manufacturer, the type of engine, the shape of the craft, and the carrying capacity.

Are you interested in getting a super-fast power boat of your own? Check out our selection of power boats and yachts for sale , from dozens of different manufacturers. Buy new or used, from individuals and manufacturers all over the world to find your best possible fit!

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Powerboat World Championships in Key West 2021

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Every November, the world’s biggest and fastest offshore racing series comes to Key West. Race World Offshore , or Powerboat, is a week-long powerboating series that features races, shows, and parties, culminating in the grand-daddy of the super boat season: the world championships. That means the world’s fastest boats going full throttle, speeding through Key West waters in pursuit of the world championship title. Engines roaring, these boats practically fly across the water, reaching speeds well over 100 miles per hour, all making the annual Powerboat Championships in Key West a must-see, racing fanatic or not.

Powerboat festivities last a week (November 7 - 14, 2021), with the races spread out over three days: Truman Waterfront Cup (Nov. 10), Southernmost Continental Champion (Nov. 12), and the UIM World Champion (Nov. 14).

[Tips for Offshore Powerboat Races in Key West]

Although there are good spots to watch the races from the mainland, we recommend the view from the sea. Our partners Fury Watersports camp out every year at the end of the race course in their catamaran. Not only do you see the speedboats powering toward you, but you also get to see them turn in the race to the finish. It’s the best seat in all Powerboat Races.

If tickets are already sold out, other good spots for seeing the races are the Outer Mole and Fort Zach. The Outer Mole pier is probably the closest you’ll get to the boats outside of Fury’s catamaran, but if you want to spend the day on the beach after the races, Fort Zach is especially appealing.

[Visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park]

Coinciding with the Powerboat World Championships is the Florida Powerboat Club’s annual Offshore Poker Run. Starting in Miami and running through the backwaters of the Keys, the offshore poker run island-hops between Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and Bahia Honda. The offshore poker run lasts from November 10-15, 2021. However, participants must register beforehand on the Florida Powerboat Club website .

The hub of all Powerboat activities is at the Truman Waterfront Park, located at the tip of Southard Street in Key West. Don’t miss the opening and awards ceremony, Thursday and Saturday concerts, Build-a-Boat contest near the USCGC Ingham, and the Truman Waterfront Race Village, occurring daily throughout the week-long event. Other events around the island include the World’s Fastest Boat Parade down Duval Street (Nov. 7, 4 p.m.) and the Duval Powerboat Street Party (Nov. 12, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.).

Sound like your type of vacation? We’ll see you in November.

24 North Hotel in New Town has a low-key vibe with hourly shuttle service to Mallory Square. An onsite Starbucks, awesome pool, and other amenities makes 24 North Hotel your best choice. Read more .

Find your own excitement in Key West waters with a guided jet ski tour . Now for a limited time, 24 North Hotel is offering a 90-minute tour for two on a tandem jet ski, in addition to an arrival gift bag with beach vacation necessities, and more. Find out more, here .

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