The long wait is finally over for powerboat racers Andy Stoneham and Luis Martins, who will take their first test run in their new boat in Clearwater, Florida today.

The local pair recently took possession of their 32-foot twin-engined Doug Wright catamaran, S12 Nuff Said Bermuda, and will be competing in the American Power Boat Association Offshore National Series.

“It’s good to finally get it completed,” throttleman Stoneham told The Royal Gazette.

“It has been a long two-year battle and we plan to run the boat tomorrow for the first time.”

Driver Martins and Stoneham will make their debut in the highly regarded APBA National Series at this weekend’s Insurance Clearwater Offshore Nationals in the Gulf of Mexico, where they hope to perform well in the Super Stock class in their first overseas competition.

“We have never raced overseas before and are super excited to go racing again,” Stoneham added. “We are also excited to enter the ultra competitive Super Stock class.”

Expectations were already running high for the local pair before taking possession of the craft.

“Prepare for the ultimate adrenalin rush with S-12 Nuff Said Bermuda,where driver Luis Martin and throttleman Andy Stoneham create an unstoppable force,” read a report published on the Super Stock website.

“Their synergy epitomises precision and power as they commandeer their cutting-edge vessel through the offshore waters. Both pilots are in search of excellence, showcasing their relentless drive for victory and their quest for performance perfection.”

Among the teams Stoneham and Martins will up against in the Super Stock class are compatriots Steven Bridges and David Selley in their 32-foot twin-engined catamaran, S25 Team Bermuda/GL Construction.

Throttleman Bridges and driver Selley started the season with a bang in May, finishing runner-up in their class at the APBA Offshore National Series season opener in Key West, Florida.

They also impressed on the way to finishing fourth on their debut at the Thunder on Cocoa Beach offshore races in Cape Canaveral, Florida and fifth on their debut at the Michigan City Race in Indiana.