WORLD CHAMPION – OFFSHORE SPEED BOAT RACER

Thomas Gentry

For almost three decades, Tom Gentry won an incredible number of World and U.S. National championships and shattered numerous world speed records in offshore speedboat racing. Between 1976 and 1990, Gentry won five World Championships and four U.S. National Championships in different boat and engine categories, size and distances. He won his first World Championship, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) World Championship in 1976.

In winning his second World Championship in 1987, Gentry shattered the World Offshore Speed Record, entering a new mark of 148.238 mph. In 1994, Gentry broke the UIM Class I World Speed Record at 157.482 mph. He became the first man to ever hold three concurrent ocean speed records which earned him the title of “The Fastest Man in Offshore”. His 1989 Transatlantic Crossing in 62 hours and 7 minutes destroyed the record held by Richard Branson and brought the honor back to the United States.

Gentry designed and manufactured the Gentry Turbo that dominated the racing circuit for a period of seven years. In 1993, Gentry was awarded the prestigious UIM Gold Medal of Honor in recognition of his accomplishments and contribution to the sport of Offshore Racing.

Gentry’s passing in 1998 left a void in the sport he loved. Beyond his accomplishments offshore, Tom Gentry left a legacy in Hawai’i in home building, philanthropy and community leadership since the 1960s.