It’s smooth sailing for the Oak Harbor Hydroplane Races Aug. 14-16.

Hydroplanes return to Oak Harbor for the second consecutive summer after a lapse of nearly 40 years.

Last summer’s race was a success and included only a few minor bumps, which can be expected when hosting an event for the first time, according to owner Michelle Curry.

“This year has gone much smoother and I have been ahead of schedule, which is an amazing feeling,” Curry said. “With the first year under our belts, everyone in all areas has a better understanding of what is happening in terms of the actual races and the event portion.

“It allows me to focus more on details and making sure that next level is as solid as the first as we continue to grow.”

That growth should be ample this summer. Last year 42 boats competed; 60-70 are expected this year, Curry said.

New this year will be five Grand Prix boats that will be racing at Seafair. The Oak Harbor races will also include boats from the other end of the race-boat spectrum, the “J” hydros with drivers 9 to 14 years old.

The spurt in participation was predicted by drivers who attended last year’s event.

Steve Whisman, a driver from Seattle, said, “I guarantee you there will be more boats next year once they hear about the course.”

Covington’s Ed Kelson echoed that comment: “Once we brag about this town, others will come.”

Both said the crowd helped create a great atmosphere for racing.

“The racers and crew love Oak Harbor,” Curry said. “(They like) how welcoming the town is, the incredible venue we have and that it is a big event with lots of spectators waving to them from the shore.

“Many have raved about it so much that we have unlimited hydroplane drivers coming up here just to enjoy the races.  For me, that is a big compliment.”

An estimated 12,000 spectators attended last year’s two-day event, Curry said. Most similar events attract 5,000, according to American Power Boat Association.

Problems were few last summer, Curry said, and that “can be accredited to a great staff and the support of the city.”

Changes this year will include a program that can be purchased at the information booth, a larger beer garden, grandstands on Pioneer Way and speakers “so everyone can hear the noise,” Curry said.

After putting down a solid foundation last year, goals for the future are to add more boats, sponsors and spectators and fine tune to make everything “as perfect as it can be,” Curry said.

In addition, she said, the hope is to add more and bigger boats and eventually host a national race.

The early success of the Oak Harbor Hydroplane Race is because of the support of “so many people,” Curry said. More than 200 volunteers helped in 2014.

“It truly is not possible without so many people coming together for a common goal,” Curry said.