Olds'Cool Offshore Powerboating

Bob Kaiser was one of the most respected and fearless names in offshore powerboat racing during the 1980s and 1990s. As owner and driver of the legendary Systems Offshore Racing Team, Kaiser became known for running hard, fast, and aggressively in some of the roughest offshore conditions in the world. His black 38’ Cougar catamaran, commonly known simply as the “Systems” boat, became one of the most recognized race boats of the era and helped define the golden age of offshore racing.

The 38’ Cougar Systems race boat was a lightweight British-built catamaran designed by Cougar Marine and powered for extreme offshore competition. The boat gained fame for its speed, rough-water capability, and aggressive handling. Paired with legendary throttleman Errol Lanier, Kaiser and the Systems team captured national championships, world titles, and set offshore speed records, including an average speed record exceeding 108 mph during the late 1980s.

Don Johnson became one of the biggest celebrity names in offshore powerboat racing during the late 1980s. After winning the 1988 APBA Superboat World Championship driving the famous Gentry Turbo Eagle Wellcraft Scarab, Johnson decided to build his own purpose-built offshore race boat called “Team USA.”

The result was the legendary Team USA 50—a 50-foot offshore racing catamaran. At the time, catamarans were dominating offshore racing because of their speed and stability, and Johnson wanted to compete at the highest level possible. The boat was extremely advanced for its era, reportedly using carbon fiber construction long before it became common in offshore racing.

Although the boat was extremely fast, engine failures and the dangerous nature of offshore racing eventually slowed the program down. Johnson later explained that his wife, actress Melanie Griffith, pushed him to leave the sport because of the injuries and fatalities common in offshore racing during that era.

Today, Team USA remains one of the most iconic celebrity-owned offshore race boats ever built and represents the wild “golden era” of offshore powerboat racing—when Hollywood stars, massive horsepower, fighter-jet styling, and 120+ MPH catamarans defined the sport.

George Morales was one of the biggest names in offshore racing during the early-to-mid 1980s, especially in Miami’s high-performance powerboat scene. He ran the legendary “Maggie’s MerCruiser Special,” a 46 ft Cougar offshore race boat that became famous for speed, controversy, and winning major races. It reportedly hit 100+ mph at the time and became one of the most talked-about boats of that era.

The Bertram 38 Competition Offshore Race Boat known as “Copper Kettle” is a legendary machine from the golden era of big-water powerboat competition in the 1970s.

The 38-foot Bertram “Copper Kettle” was built during a time when ocean racing pushed both boats and crews to the absolute limit. Known for its rugged hull and heavy-duty construction, the boat earned a reputation for being able to run hard in rough offshore conditions when many lighter designs struggled. 

The Bertram Competition 38 series itself was rare, with only a small number produced, and these boats became icons of the early offshore racing circuit where strength, stability, and rough-water performance were critical to finishing races. 

The Fayva Shoes Offshore Racing Catamaran was one of those offshore race boats that looked fast even sitting still.

Built from wood back in the early days of offshore racing, the boat carried the bold Fayva Shoes sponsorship and ran the rough courses like a runaway freight train. It wasn’t polished corporate racing back then. It was raw horsepower, guts, and throttle.

Maggie’s MerCruiser Special was a hard-charging offshore raceboat that made serious noise on the circuit back in the day. Campaigned by Miami racer George Morales, the Cougar-built cat was known for its blistering speed, aggressive presence, and ability to run with the front pack.
Named after Morales’s wife, the boat was raw, loud, and wildly competitive.

Offshore racing fans know the name Pete The Prince — and they definitely remember the sight of Miami’s Best flying across the water in that wicked-fast 34’ Coyote.

Pete didn’t just show up… he showed up ready to rumble. The Miami’s Best Coyote was all business — slicing through the waves, running hard, and turning heads every time it hit the course.

Back in the day, when offshore racing was raw, loud, and all about bragging rights, one name made waves everywhere it ran — the 38 Bertram.

What a shot... 36' Cigarette.

American Eagle World Champion Cigarette 35