This weekend’s races are paired with a seafood festival.

CLEARWATER BEACH – Thousands are expected to turn out next weekend for the Clearwater Super Boat National Championship and Seafood Festival.

Organizers say the boats, which are equipped with F-16 jet canopies, are some of the fastest and largest offshore power boats in the world that reach speeds up to 180 mph. The speed and rough waters make it impossible for a single person to steer and operate the throttles so a two-person team operates the boat. One team member is a driver who controls the boat’s steering. The other is a throttleman responsible for operating up to four engines capable of producing more than 6,000 horsepower. The best race teams have the partnership between driver and throttleman down to a science, and incorporate the most advanced technology into their machines to generate optimum speed.

Events kick off at noon Friday (Sept. 30) and run through Sunday (Oct. 2). Click here for a full schedule of events.

Events benefit local marine charities.

For information about the Super Boat National Championships and Seafood Festival, go to clearwatersuperboat.com.

Clearwater Beach | Super Boat | Seafood Festival | Super Boat Championship | TB Reporter

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