
The world's fastest boat is the Spirit of Australia, which recorded a top speed of 317.6mph (551.1 km/h) on Blowering Dam, NSW in 1978. The boat is equipped with a 3000 hp Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine. But how fast can boats go? And are there any other incredibly fast boats out there?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Spirit of Australia |
| Speed | 317.6 mph (551.1 km/h) |
| Engine | Jet-powered |
| Hull | 5 steps |
| Engines | Staggered twin 2,000hp |
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What You'll Learn

The Spirit of Australia is the fastest boat in the world
The Spirit of Australia is a 50ft 1in LOA rocket ship with a pure raceboat design. It has five steps in the hull and staggered engines to keep the driver as close to the centreline as possible. The boat set the Guinness World Record for achieving a maximum speed on the water of 317.59 MPH.
The current title of world’s fastest boat belongs to Spirit of Australia, which was piloted by the late great Ken Warby. 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 courage. Despite all this, there are currently four active contenders for the title of the world’s fastest boat.
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The South Bay 925 CR is the fastest pontoon in the world
The Spirit of Australia is the fastest boat in the world, reaching a speed of 317.6mph (551.1 km/h). However, the South Bay 925 CR is the fastest pontoon in the world. When Brad Rowland's South Bay 925 CR recorded a speed of 114mph, it was a new world record for a pontoon. The boat is 27 feet long and has a beam of 8 feet, making it perfect for those who don't want a very large speedboat. It is fitted with superior Garmin GPS navigation, and standard equipment includes a Manual Sport Arch, a 4-speaker Bluetooth stereo, and interior and exterior LED lights.
The South Bay 925 CR is an impressive vessel, capable of speeds that rival those of much larger speedboats. Its compact size and powerful performance make it a unique offering in the world of high-speed watercraft. For those seeking the thrill of speed boating without the bulk of a traditional speedboat, the South Bay 925 CR is an ideal choice.
The boat's GPS navigation system, provided by Garmin, is a key feature that enhances its performance and safety. This technology ensures precise positioning and navigation, even at high speeds. Additionally, the standard equipment package of the South Bay 925 CR adds to its appeal. The Manual Sport Arch provides structural support and an elevated platform for various activities, while the Bluetooth stereo system delivers crisp audio for an immersive on-water experience. The interior and exterior LED lights not only enhance visibility but also contribute to the boat's overall aesthetic appeal.
The South Bay 925 CR's speed record of 114mph sets it apart from other pontoons and even challenges the speeds of larger speedboats. This record-breaking achievement underscores the boat's exceptional engineering and design, showcasing the pinnacle of pontoon performance. While the Spirit of Australia may hold the overall title for the fastest boat, the South Bay 925 CR reigns supreme in the world of pontoons, offering a unique blend of speed, agility, and comfort.
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The Goldfish is one of the fastest boats you can buy
The Spirit of Australia is the fastest boat in the world, reaching a speed of 317.6mph (551.1 km/h). However, if you're looking for a boat that's available to buy, the Goldfish is one of the fastest options.
Goldfish Boats are built by one of the most revered names in the world of performance RIBs, Norwegian yard. They are the fastest rigid inflatable boats on the market today and are capable of cruising for hours in excess of 60 knots in challenging conditions. They can hold their own in rough water against almost any offshore powerboat challenger.
The Goldfish is a pure raceboat in design, with five steps in the hull and staggered engines to keep the driver as close to the centreline as possible. At 50ft 1in LOA and only 9ft in the beam, this boat is a rocket ship. At the 2023 Lake of the Ozarks shootout, an SV50 with an enclosed cockpit and twin 2,000hp engines ran 180.47 mph on a 1km run, making it the fastest production monohull on the water.
If you're looking for something a little smaller, the South Bay 925 CR is the world's fastest pontoon, capable of travelling at speeds of more than 110 mph. It's just 27 feet long with a beam of 8 feet, but don't let its size fool you – it's still a speed demon on the water.
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The SV50 is the fastest production monohull on the water
The SV50 is an impressive feat of engineering, capable of cruising for hours at speeds exceeding 60 knots in challenging conditions. Its design is pure raceboat, with five steps in the hull and staggered engines to keep the driver as close to the centreline as possible.
The SV50 is not, however, the fastest boat in the world. That title is currently held by the Spirit of Australia, which recorded a two-way average top speed of 317.6mph (551.1 km/h) on Blowering Dam, NSW in 1978. This homebuilt wooden speed machine was the first boat to break the 300mph and 500km/h barriers.
There are other incredibly fast boats out there, too. For example, the South Bay 925 CR is the world's fastest pontoon, capable of travelling at speeds of more than 110 mph. And some of the fastest boats on the market today are capable of exceeding 180 mph with specialist engines.
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Boats in Class 1 Offshore racing are limited to twin 1,100hp
The Spirit of Australia currently holds the record for the world's fastest boat, reaching a speed of 317.6 mph (551.1 km/h). This speed record was set in 1978 on Blowering Dam, NSW, and the boat was piloted by Ken Warby. The boat is equipped with a 3000 hp Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine.
While the Spirit of Australia is the fastest boat in the world, there are other boats that are capable of reaching incredibly high speeds. For example, the South Bay 925 CR is the world's fastest pontoon, reaching a speed of 114 mph.
In Class 1 Offshore racing, boats are limited to twin 1,100hp engines. This means that the boats in this class are not able to reach the same speeds as the Spirit of Australia or the South Bay 925 CR. However, it is important to note that the boats in Class 1 Offshore racing are still very fast and are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 180 mph. This is an impressive feat, especially when considering that these boats are competing against other offshore powerboat challengers.
The Goldfish, for example, is a boat that is capable of holding its own in rough water against almost any offshore powerboat challenger. It is able to cruise for hours in excess of 60 knots in challenging conditions. This demonstrates that while the boats in Class 1 Offshore racing may be limited in terms of horsepower, they are still incredibly fast and capable vessels.
In conclusion, while the Spirit of Australia may hold the record for the world's fastest boat, there are other boats that are also capable of reaching incredibly high speeds. The boats in Class 1 Offshore racing, while limited to twin 1,100hp engines, are still very fast and are able to compete against other offshore powerboats.
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Frequently asked questions
The Spirit of Australia holds the Guinness World Record for achieving a maximum speed of 317.6 mph (551.1 km/h).
The Spirit of Australia is equipped with a 3000 hp Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine.
The South Bay 925 CR is the world's fastest pontoon, capable of travelling at speeds of more than 110 mph.











































