The American Power Boat Association (APBA) is a sanctioning body like NASCAR. The organization licenses drivers, sanctions races, and provides racing, technical, and safety regulations. Headquartered in Detroit Michigan, the APBA annually sanctions nearly 300 events throughout the United States for its 7000 plus members in nine categories. The true backbone of the APBA is the local boating clubs who actually conduct the sanctioned races. Dozens of Inboard racing clubs host events nationwide, Spring to Fall.

The APBA offers a variety of memberships to accommodate every interest. Many APBA members participate as race team owners, crew, referees, scorers, and rescue personnel. Competitors are more like family as they travel from race to race.

APBA members wishing to race beyond the US borders may take advantage of the APBA's joint sanction agreements with organizations such as the Canadian Boating Federation (CBF) and the Federacion Mexicana de Motonautica (FMM).