I finally went to the Key West boat races last November. If you want the extended play-by-play, my honest first-hand diary covers every splash and throttle blip. I can still hear it. The boats felt like thunder rolling across water. My chest shook. My hat almost flew off. Wild, right? It was loud, fast, and kind of beautiful.
For anyone mapping out their own trip, the official 2025 schedule lays out every heat, parade, and pit window—you’ll want it when you’re stitching together flights and hotel dates.
And also a bit chaotic. Let me explain.
First things first: what it felt like
Day one, I watched from Truman Waterfront Park. I grabbed a cafecito from Cuban Coffee Queen and found a spot near the seawall. The water looked calm at first. Then the pace boat rolled by, and the big boys—Class 1 and Super Cat—lined up. When they hit the start, the spray shot up like white curtains. You know what? I forgot to breathe for a second.
In the Super Stock heat, a red cat spun at Turn 2 and kicked up a tall rooster tail. Safety boats were there in seconds—yellow shirts, tight moves, no panic. Later, a Mod Vee boat named Jacks hammered through chop like it was chewing gravel. I loved that class. It’s gritty and human.
Sunday, I splurged and watched from a Fury spectator catamaran out near Turn 1. That was worth it. On water, you’re closer to the lines, and you can feel the speed rise and fall. M CON’s Super Cat looked planted—smooth in the corners, no drama. Another team, WHM, had this deep, mean sound that made people turn their heads without even trying. I caught part of Class 1 too, with those huge canopies and big power. It’s like planes that forgot to fly. That same chest-thumping sensation hit me a few months back when I went to an XCAT powerboat race—the buzz is identical, just on a different shoreline.
Want to dive deeper into the world of twin-hull rockets? Check out XCAT Racing for global race coverage, specs, and jaw-dropping videos.
The Duval Street boat parade
Before the races, there’s the boat parade down Duval. I stood near Sloppy Joe’s with a limeade and watched crews ride the trailers like rock stars. Folks cheered, kids waved, and a mechanic handed me a free decal after I asked about a cracked hatch latch. Tiny thing, but it made me grin. I love that you can ask “What do those tabs do?” and someone actually answers. If you’re filing your own itinerary, the Key West Historic Seaport keeps an up-to-date event listing for the powerboat races that includes parade times and pit-tour details.
The spectator mix runs the gamut from college kids to tattooed retirees, and there’s a surprising number of confident single moms soaking up the sun between heats—if the idea of meeting fun, adventurous women in that same age bracket sounds appealing, swing by this MILF-focused dating hub where you can connect with like-minded locals and set up post-race drinks without the guesswork.
Gear I actually used (and needed)
- Loop earplugs for the heats. I swapped to over-ear muffs for Class 1. Was it loud? Oh yes.
- Supergoop PLAY SPF 50 lotion. Reef-safe and no sting in the eyes.
- Costa polarized sunglasses. The glare on the inside turn is no joke.
- YETI Rambler bottle. Refill stations helped, but I still ran out once.
- A cheap folding chair for Truman Waterfront. Security checked my soft cooler (no glass) and waved me in.
- GoPro Hero 11 with a PolarPro ND filter. The spray made the footage look like a movie, not mush.
- Scooter rental for getting around. Parking was rough, and the street closures made driving a headache.
Three days of hoisting that GoPro rig and craning my neck at 100-mph rooster tails left my back feeling like rebar. If your post-race road trip sends you up through Georgia and you need a deep-tissue reset, bookmark Rubmaps Hinesville—the directory sorts local massage spots by real user reviews, hours, and service quality, so you can land a skilled therapist and dodge the duds.
Food, because you’ll get hungry
I ate conch fritters from a pop-up by the amphitheater—hot, peppery, gone in two minutes. Later I had a Cuban mix from a little stand by the park gate. And, yes, I got Key lime pie on a stick from Kermit’s after the parade. Sticky fingers, big smile. Totally worth it.
Stuff nobody tells you
- The sun sneaks up on you. Cloudy start, toasted nose by noon.
- Wind shifts change everything. On Friday, the chop stirred up, and lap times swung a lot. I first learned that lesson watching boats dice the rollers during the San Diego races; Key West was no different.
- Cell service crawled during the main heats. I couldn’t upload a single clip till night.
- Restrooms had lines between races. Go early. Bring patience.
- If you’re on land, boats can vanish behind spray at the apex. It’s cool, but you might miss passes if you aren’t near a turn.
My favorite spots and moments
- Truman Waterfront Park near Turn 2: great view of the figure-eight cross. I saw a Super Stock pair trade lanes like they were on rails.
- Fort Zachary Taylor rocks: more breeze, fewer crowds, but bring grippy shoes.
- On-water with Fury: closest to the speed. When Class 1 blasted past, it felt like the ocean hiccupped.
One small scare: during a Mod Vee start, two boats came in tight and bumped wakes. No damage, but my heart dropped. Safety teams stayed sharp all weekend. That gave me peace of mind.
What I liked
- Real speed, real skill. You can see throttle work and trim changes by the boat’s nose.
- Friendly crews and fans. People share shade, snacks, and stories.
- Easy access to the parade and pits. Ask a question; you’ll learn something fast.
What bugged me
- Prices stack up—tickets, food, and rides add up quick. Lakefront stops like the Lake Havasu Classic hit your wallet the same way, so plan for sticker shock wherever you chase the noise.
- Heat and glare drain you by mid-day.
- Parking is a pain. Scooters or bicycles win.
Tips I wish I had on day one
- Bring ear protection for everyone. Even tough guys flinch at Class 1.
- Polarized shades and a hat with a strap. The wind will try to steal it.
- Freeze a water bottle the night before. It’s ice by noon.
- Get there early for a turn view. Passes happen there.
- Book lodging months ahead. I stayed near Eaton Street, and even that was pricey.
- If you want photos, shoot burst mode as boats exit the turn. The spray frames the hull just right.
Final verdict
Would I go again? Yep. I’m already planning it. I’d do one day on land for the parade vibe and close-up talk. Then one day on a spectator boat for the sweet angles and the speed you can feel in your ribs.
It’s loud, hot, and a bit messy. But it’s also pure joy—engines, salt air, happy strangers, and a town that knows how to cheer. I’ll call it 4.5 out of 5. Bring sunscreen, bring patience, and bring your sense of wonder. The rest takes care of itself.