FRIENDSHIP – The weather forecast for the weekend was great weather, the first so far this summer for lobster boat racing. No rain, and most importantly, no fog, but that was not true early on Sunday morning. Three of us left Searsport at 0500 and it was a nice sail down West Penobscot Bay till we got off Rockland and the fog closed in. With no radar, I am following Travis Otis’ FIRST TEAM’s stern lights. When the lights got lost in the fog I tried to stay in the middle of his wake and then that failed. We hooked up again and made it down through the Mussel Ridges and it finally cleared off Port Clyde for a beautiful sail across to Friendship.
I got to the dock just after 0900 and was surprised to see Mark Freeman and FOOLISH PLEASURE [30’ Custom Riley Beal; 650-hp 455 Stroker] tied up and ready to race. He had been hoping to get a bigger engine and I am not sure if that happened as he had signed up by the time I got up to the sign-up table. I began sign-ups as soon as I had everything hooked up and they were steady. When we finished, we had 30 boats registered, which was just two less than last year. I was surprised not to see Andrew Taylor’s BLUE EYED GIRL [Morgan Bay 38, 900-hp Scania] from Boothbay. I was also surprised not to see Steve Johnson of Long Island with the LYNN MARIE [Sisu 26]. He has repowered her with a big gasoline engine, but not sure if he has her dailed in yet. And, where was David Noyes and his crew with ZIPPIN’, ZIPPIN’ TOO and JENILY?
In the Gasoline Classes and there were no entrants in Classes B (V8, Up to 383 cid, 24 feet and over), C (V8, 376 to 525 cid, 24 feet and over) and E (V8, Over 525 cid, 28 feet and over, Turbos/superchargers, Alcohol and Nitrous) and there was just one entrant in Class A (Four and Six Cylinder, 24 feet and over), Jon Johansen’s CINDY JEN [34’ Clinton Beal, 1964; 292 Chevrolet] and in Class D (V8, 376 cid and over, 24 feet and over (Non-working racer)), FOOLISH PLEASURE. They were sent down together and it was a race against the hare and the tortoise.
In the Diesel Classes there were no entrants in Classes B (Up to 235 hp, 32 feet to 39 feet 11 inches), C (236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet 11 inches) and O (Non-working boats, any length, any horsepower). There were also several with one entrant and these were combined with another race. With single entrants in Class A (Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet 11 inches) and D (236 to 335 hp, 34 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) they were run together. Frank Guptil IV’s SCREAMIN’ SEAMAN [Duffy 35; 300-hp John Deere] came across the finish line first winning Class D. Just a little further back was Ed Upham’s BLACK MAGIC [Nauset 27; 135-hp Perkins], which won Class A. Next up was Class E (336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet 11 inches) with four boats on the line. The favourite was Randy Durkee’s AUDREY MAY [Holland 32; 425-hp Cummins] and he did not let the crowd down winning easily. There was only one entrant in Class F (336 to 435 hp, 34 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) and Class G (436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet 11 inches) so they were run together. With the drop of the flag, David Osgood’s SPLIT SECOND [Crowley Beal 33; 550-hp D-8 Volvo] flew up the course and crossed the line first winning Class G. A little further back was Ryan Maloney’s MALONEY TRADITION [37 Osmond; 470-hp Caterpillar], who won Class F. There was only one entrant in Class H (436 to 550 hp, 36 feet to 39 feet 11 inches), Travis Otis’ FIRST TEAM [Northern Bay 36; 410-hp Sisu 645] so he ran down with the two entrants in Class I (551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet 11 inches), Gary Genthner’s LIL’ LISA MARIE [Mussel Ridge 28; 600-hp FPT] and Chris Smith’s MISTY [Crowley Beal 33; 650 hp Scania]. LIL’ LISA MARIE got the win in Class I. Classes J (551 to 700 hp, 36 feet to 39 feet 11 inches), K (701 to 900 hp, 28 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) and L (901 hp and over, 28 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) were combined as Sean Clemons’ MEAN KATHLEEN [Wayne Beal 36; 700-hp Scania] was the only entrant in Class J and Jeremy Beal’s MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II [Wayne Beal 32; 1,000-hp Isotta] the only entrant in Class L. Streaking up the course and to no one’s surprise was MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II. The real battle was between Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT] and Nick Wiberg’s WITCHING HOUR [Northern Bay 36; 815-hp] for the top spot in Class K. It was close, but LA BELLA VITA had the advantage at the line for the win. MEAN KATHLEEN got the win in Class J. Three boats were on the line for Class M(A) (40 feet and over, up to 500 hp) and the win went to Chris Pope’s OLD SCHOOL [Holland 41; 380-hp Cummins] followed by Alan Knowlton’s SEA URCHIN [Young Brothers 45, 425-hp John Deere]. There was one entrant in Class M(B) (40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp), Matt Shepard’s ALEXSA ROSE [Morgan Bay 43; 750-hp John Deere] so she ran down with Class N (40 feet and over, 751 hp and over), which had four entrants. With the dropped of the flag it was a great battle between Tom Clemons’ 4 LADIES [Wesmac SW46; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] and ALEXSA ROSE. ALEXSA ROSE crossed first getting the win in Class M(B) and right on her stern was 4 LADIES for the win in Class N.
There was only one boat, CINDY JEN, entered in the Wooden Boat Race and because she was entered in the Gasoline Free-for-All, the race committee decided to combine the two races. The only other boat entered in the Gasoline Free-for-All was FOOLISH PLEASURE and we all know who would win this one.
Six boats were on the line for the Diesel Free-for-All and MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II came over in first followed by LA BELLA VITA.
Next, they decided to run the Fastest Friendship Lobster Boat Race, which pitted two Simmons boats. One could see this was close as ISAAC & COLBY and CARSON & EMMA were bow to bow. At the line the win went to CARSON & EMMA by half a boat length.
Only three boats were on the line for the final race of the day, Fastest Lobster Boat. Again, it was no surprise that MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II led the way up the course for the win. Second went to LA BELLA VITA and third was WITCHING HOUR.
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HARPSWELL: What a day (30 July) for a lobster boat race. When I arrived at Harpswell there was bright sunshine and the only issue was a good cool breeze coming out of the nor’west.
Sign-ups were out on the water off Mitchell Field where the finish line was. Boats arrived steadily for over an hour and when sign-ups were complete we had 36 racers entered. Again, there were several classes with either no one or one boat and they were combined with another class to speed up the event and make it more interesting.
There were no entrants in Work Boat Class A so Work Boat Class B with six boats came to the line. The wind was still going to be a factor and the race committee hoped that no one decided to try and see if their boat could fly. As they came up it was a real bumpy ride and many got air and well in the lead, not letting up at all on the throttle was Andy Correa [Boston Whaler 15; 70-hp Evinrude]. There were only three boats in Work Boat Class C. Coming over in first was Nick Mackmun’s DAVY JONES.
The first races combined were for the wooden boats. In Wooden Boat A was just CINDY JEN, skippered by Al Strout, and two entrants in Wooden Boat B, Mike Lane’s PHYLLIS P. [John’s Bay 41; 350-hp Caterpillar] from Cohasset, MA and Scott Dugas’ SAND DOLLARS III [41’Johns Bay Boat; 700-hp Caterpillar]. SAND DOLLARS III had the advantage with PHYLLIS P. back a couple of boat lengths.
Since there were only three boats in the Gasoline Classes, all in separate classes, they were sent down together. The boat many were looking forward to seeing run, was Steve Johnson’s LYNN MARIE [Sisu 26; 632 Chevrolet]. He got LYNN MARIE back last year and put the big gas motor in, which is the one that had an accident when being offloaded from the ferry a couple of years ago. As they came up the course, first over was Jim Koehling’s BROWN EYED GIRL [Duffy 26; 454-hp Chevrolet] in Class C. LYNN MARIE was close and got the win in Class E. After a few minutes CINDY JEN slipped over for the win in Class A.
There were no entrants in Class A, C and O. The wind was now calming down, but there was still a slight chop and that was flattening as the races went along. There was just one entrant in Class B, Isaac Mitchell’s CAPTAIN LUE [Stanley Greenwood 30; 130-hp GM] and one in Class D, Mark Davis’ WHISKEY GIRL II [Duffy 34; 300-Isuzu], so they came down together, both winning their respective classes. Three boats came to the line for Class E with the early favourite being AUDREY MAY. Class F had two boats so they came down together and it was Scott Merryman’s K. E. II [Northern Bay 38; 405-hp Cummins] jumping right into the lead and never looking back. Second went to Camero Murphy’s BLUE DOLPHIN II [Crowley 36; 402-hp 3406 Caterpillar]. There was just one entrant in Class G, Tucker Johnston’s RIJO [Mussel Ridge 28; 550-hp], so he joined the three boats in Class H. When the flag dropped on the start boat, Nick Martinez’s PRETTY WOMAN [Calvin Beal 36; 510-hp Caterpillar] slid out in front and lead the others to the finish. There was only one entrant in the next four classes, I, J, K and L. They were all sent down together, but who would come over the line first? LA BELLA VITA was the winner of Class K, followed by ALL SET, winner of Class L. LIL’ LISA MARIE won Class I and MEAN KATHLEEN won Class J. Four boats were on the line for Class M(A) and the winner was OLD SHOOL. There were four boats on the line for Class M(B) and it was a close battle for first, which was won by ALEXSA ROSE. Three boats were on the line for the final diesel class, N, and the bets were on Andy Johnson’s WHISTLIN’ DIXIE [Holland 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar]. For years she was the boat to beat in Diesel Class N and today was no different as she showed the way to the finish.
Two boats came to the line for the Gasoline Free-for-All. Missing was LYNN MARIE, which we learned had an issue with her exhaust manifolds and was shooting flames out. CINDY JEN had nothing for BROWN EYED GIRL, who got the easy win.
There were nine boats on the line for the Diesel Free-for-All and this was going to be a good race between LA BELLA VITA and WHISTLIN’ DIXIE for the top spot. As they came up the course it looked close, but LA BELLA VITA had the advantage and they finished one-two with third going to ALL SET.
Next up was the Slowest Boat Race, which means the one that comes in last is the winner. CAPTAIN LUE took the honours of Slowest Boat with a speed of 10 mph. She was also given the win in the Novi Race.
Next came the Fastest Lobster Boat Afloat and it was LA BELLA VITA, followed by WHISTLIN’ DIXIE and BROWN EYED GIRL.
The final race of the day was Fastest Harpswell Diesel Working Lobster Boat with five boats on the line. The winner was WHISTLIN’ DIXIE, followed by MEAN KATHLEEN and 4 LADIES.
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MOOSABEC REACH: The biggest fear in running the lobster boat races on Moosabec Reach between Beals Island and Jonesport is a three-letter word: fog. The fishermen on the coast, especially Downeast, will tell you all they have seen so far this summer is nothing, but the screen of their chart-plotter in hopes of finding their gear.
The Moosabec races were originally scheduled for 1 July. The weather forecast was rain and fog that day, and unfortunately the forecast was correct. However, there was hope it would clear. Two races were run, Work Boat Classes A and B, and as the racers in B made their way down the course the fog closed in and the race committee could not see across the finish line. There was hope the fog would lift again, but after waiting an hour it was still thick as pea soup, so they were canceled. They tried to run them the next day, but the fog was still thick in the Reach and they canceled them again. Looking at the calendar the race committee decided to try and run them on 5 August, hoping the weather pattern would be more cooperative. One the drive to Jonesport the fog was present, but not as thick and in some places visibility was actually pretty good. When we arrived in Jonesport at the Co-op there was some fog, but we could see the bridge and some of Beals Island. Then it lifted and turned into an absolutely beautiful day.
Unfortunately, not everyone that signed up on the 1 July returned, but there was still a good turn out with some incredibly close finishes. Originally, there were 82 boats signed up, with nine additional racers signing up just before the races for a total of 91 boats.
No one was surprised that the big winner of the day was Jeremy Beal’s MARIE’S NIGHTMARE II [Wayne Beal 32; 1,000-hp Isotta] winning Class L, Diesel Free-for-All and World’s Fastest Recreational Lobster Boat. The title for the World’s Fastest Working Lobster Boat went to Eric Beal’s KIMBERLY ANN [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp FPT].
Next up was Work Boat Class C and the winner was Caleb Norton’s WHITE LIGHTNING [Mako 20; 200-hp Evinrude] followed by Richard Alley’s FAMILY TRADITION in second.
For years the Moosabec races used to be dominated by the gasoline powered boats, but today that has dwindled to just two boats, which were run down together. FOOLISH PLEASURE came all the way from York and brought back memories when Galen Alley raced her. She won Gasoline Class D and Troy Alley’s ROCKY ROAD [Sprague 24; 130-hp Mercruiser] got the win in Gasoline Class A.
The Diesel Classes were up next and four boats came to the line in Class A and they were joined by the one in Class B and another in Class C. It was not surprising to see Jacob Kirby’s BARE BOTTOM [BHM 25, 220-hp John Deere] coming over the line first for the win in Class A with a speed of 27.7 mph. The winner of Diesel Class B was Chad Libby’s MYRTLE BELLE [Libby 34, 205-hp John Deere] and Roy Fagonde’s LAST DESIGN [E. Libby, Jr., 31; 300-hp Caterpillar] was the winner of Class C. Class D and E were combined and as they came up the course Dan Sawyer’s HIGH VOLTAGE [AJ-28; 400-hp Yanmar] and AUDREY MAY were bow to bow, but just before the line AUDREY MAY gained separation and the win. The winner of Class D was Ivan Libby’s WRECKING CREW [Libby 38; 305-hp Caterpillar] with a speed of 26.5 mph. In Class F the dominate boat has been Winfred Alley’s FAITH MELLE [Libby 34; 425-hp Cummins], but today she was in a real battle with Winfred’s old boat BOUNTY HUNTER [Calvin Beal 34; 425-hp Cummins], now owned by Mitch White. As they neared the line it was still close, but when they crossed BOUNTY HUNTER got the win by half a boat length. There were no entrants in Class G, but four boats came to the line in Class H. No one was surprised to see Dean Beal’s MISS NORMA [Wayne Beal 36; 500-hp Cummins] leading the way up the left side of the course with Willie Coombs’ MELYNDA M. [Wayne Beal 36; 500-hp FPT] right on her transom and they finished one-two. Heather Thompson’s GOLD DIGGER [Wayne Beal 36; 675-hp Scania] came out for the first time this year and just slid by Nick Lemieux’s ASPIRATION [Young Brothers 35; 450-hp Volvo] in a combined race for a one-one finish. ASPIRATION got the win in Diesel Class I and GOLD DIGGER in Diesel Class J. There were no entrants in Class K and just one in Class K, which was MARIE’S NIGHTMARE II, who flew up the course with a speed of 56.6 mph. Seven boats were on the line for Class M(A) and when the flag dropped Mitchell Beal’s BUKIE AND TUKIE [Wayne Beal 40, 500-hp Deutz] jumped into the lead and never looked back. When the flag dropped on the start boat for Class M(B) no one was surprised to see Eric Beal’s KIMBERLY ANN [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp FPT] leading the pack. Next over was Logan Alley’s JOY FRANCIS [Libby 41, 593-hp FPT], who just edged out Frank Thompson’s LIL’ BROOKS [Wayne Beal 46; 750-hp John Deere]. Ryan Lemieux’s OBSESSION [Young Brothers 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] and Dana Beal’s NATALIE E. [Libby 41; 1,000-hp FPT] have been battling all year in Diesel Class N with the wins going to NATALIE E. As they came up the course it was anybody’s race, but as they neared the finish line OBSESSION had a very slight advantage and that is how they finished, one-two.
At Beals Island-Jonesport one would expect that there would still be some wooden boats around. This was once a wooden boat strong hold, but now there are just a few still fishing. The only one entered in the Wooden Boat Races, was Jon and Ann Johansen’s SARI ANN I [40’ Johns Bay Boat, 375-hp 3208 Caterpillar], skippered by Alonzo Alley, in Wooden Boat B, so she ran down by herself for the win.
Next came the Gasoline Free-for-All, which was easily won by FOOLISH PLEASURE.
Four boats were on the line for the Diesel Free-for-All, but barring a major issues this was MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II’s race to lose, but she streaked up the right side of the course leaving the rest in her wake.
Who would win the title of the World’s Fastest Working Lobster Boat? The rules preclude MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II as you must make your living from the boat. The title went to KIMBERLY ANN with a speed of 38.1 mph. Right on her stern was FAITH MELLE and in third was MISS NORMA.
In the final race of the day, World’s Fastest Recreational Lobster Boat, it was all MARIE’S NIGHTMARE II, who was the only entrant.
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WINTER HARBOR – One of the most popular lobster boat races on the coast of Maine is Winter Harbor. They make an effort to have an unbelievable prize. They have given away hulls, pick-up trucks and oil. This year they were offering ten cruises in the Caribbean this February and that got a lot of interest from the fishermen.
Sign-ups and been brisk and racers were still coming. Finally, the line had disappeared and we had 90 boats registered. We do our best to get off the dock before the start time, but when there is still a line we have no choice but to stay and get them signed in.
It was a great day for the races: sunny with a slight breeze that built as the afternoon went on. The big news was that Alfred Osgood’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS III [Wayne Beal 36; 1400-hp MAN] was there. He had been at the Stonington races, but an incident before the races put her out of action. She was now ready and everyone wanted to see just how fast she was. The big question was how would she fair against MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II.
The first race of the day is for Work Boats under 24 feet and powered with an outboard, inboard outboard or an inboard engine no matter what the horsepower. First over the line was Ned Merchant’s THE LITTLE BOY [18’; 90-hp], followed over by Caleb Norton’s WHITE LIGHTNING [Mako 20; 200-hp Evinrude].
There were three entrants in the Gasoline Classes, each in their own class, so they were sent down together and each would get first. No one was surprised to see FOOLISH PLEASURE out in front with a sizeable lead for the win in Class D. Second over the line was Lindsay Durkee’s BLACK DIAMOND [Holland 32, 454 Chevrolet] who won Class C. Back a few boat lengths was Roy Hadlock’s EMPTY POCKETS [Crowley 28; 350 Chevrolet], the winner of Class B.
There were five boats on the line for the first diesel class race, Class A. The pre-race favourite was BARE BOTTOM and he did not disappoint as he flew up the left side of the course for the win at a speed of 26 mph. In Class B there were four boats entered and Kit Johnson’s MR. LUCKY [Duffy 35; 225-hp John Deere] has been the dominate boat at these races for a number of years. She made her way up the middle of the course for another win, followed by Zachery Chipman’s JENNY KAY [Repco 30; 225-hp Cummins] and Rachel Nelson’s HIGH MAINTENANCE [Webbers Cove 34; 210-hp]. There were only two boats on the line for Class C and the winner was LAST DESIGN. In Class D, WRECKING CREW followed up his win at Moosabec Reach with another victory in Class D. At the Moosabec Reach races the week before, HIGH VOLTAGE was right on the stern of AUDREY MAY for the top spot in Class E. In the rematched it looked real close as they made their way towards the finish line, but it was obvious that AUDREY MAY had the advantage and took the win. The winner of Class F was FAITH MELLE. For a number of years Dana Beal’s RIGHT STUFF [Libby 34; 500 hp Cummins] had been the dominate boat in Diesel Class G. Many were expecting to see her out in front, but there in the lead was Tucker Johnson’s RIJO [Mussel Ridge 28; 550-hp Cummins] getting the win with a speed of 46.4 mph. If this boat looks familiar, she is the former VENOM. Six boats were on the line for Class H and as they came down the course the two top boats, MELYNDA M. and MISS NORMA were battling for the win. As they neared the finish MISS NORMA had a boat length lead followed by MELYNDA M. There were two boats on the line for Class I, ASPIRATION and Steve Carver’s ANOTHER DIRLS [Holland 35, 550-hp John Deere] so this class was combined with the one boat in Class J, B. Kennedy’s SERENITY [Crowley 36; 670-hp Cummins]. SERENITY had a good battle with ASPIRATION, but ASPIRATION just barely had him at the line. They each got the win in their respective classes. LA BELLA VITA has been the dominate boat in Class K and today was no different. The real battle was for second between WITCHING HOUR and David Myrick’s JANICE ELAINE [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT]. As they neared the finish line WITCHING HOUR had the advantage, but JANICE ELAINE was gaining quickly and just slipped ahead for second. Now came the race many of us were waiting for, MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II and Alfred Osgood’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS III [Wayne Beal 36; 1400-hp MAN] in Class L. Right from the start STARLIGHT EXPRESS III had the advantage as they powered their way to the finish. At the line it was STARLIGHT EXPRESS III by three boat lengths with a speed of 46.1 mph on the radar gun and 54.8 mph on the GPS. It was now the races for those boats over 40 feet and there is always a good number of these here to compete. Six boats were on the line for Diesel Class M(A) and the winner was OLD SCHOOL. Twelve boats were entered in Class M(B) and the win went to KIMBERLY ANN followed by ALEXSA ROSE. Now came the last diesel race, Class N and there were 15 entrants so I had already split them into two classes. The top three in each heat would face off in a final race and the overall winner was Todd Pinkham’s TERRIE J. [South Shore 42; 1,000-hp FPT].
There was only one wooden boat entered, SARI ANN I in Wooden Boat B so she ran down the course by herself.
Next up was the Lady Skipper’s Race, which had a little controversy. To enter this race you must have a lobster license and there was a minor argument over this. The win went Michaela Byers’ NAVIGATOR [Duffy 31; 315-hp Isuzu] who just got by Jenna Colby’s OUTNUMBERED [Duffy 35; 300-hp John Deere]. A discussion after the race and the wording will be changed to that of a working lobster boat, which means you must make your living from the boat.
Just two boats were on the line for the Gasoline Free-for-All and that was won by FOOLISH PLEASURE.
Seven boats were on the line for the Diesel Free-for-All, but STARLIGHT EXPRESS III was not one of them. No one was surprised to see MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II streaking up the right side of the course for the win.
For the final race of the day, Fastest Lobster Boat, five boats came to the line and the results were exactly the same.
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PEMAQUID: For a couple of months before the Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races in Pemaquid it was announced that sign-ups would not be at the restaurant at the state park, but across the harbor at the Pemaquid Co-op. I arrived there just before 0800 and found the race committee all set up and ready. Initially, sign-ups were slow, but they certainly picked up and in the end I would have 56 racers entered. Surprisingly, there were several that made the voyage from Winter Harbor to compete here, which is dedication. One boat that we have not seen a lot this year is Andrew Taylor’s BLUE EYED GIRL, but she was here.
It should also be noted that this is the only non-points race on the circuit. They also run different classes, which makes it interesting as many have to race others they do not usually compete with.
We finally had everything ready and headed out to the starting line about 1100. As usual the skiff races were like herding cats, but amazingly the judges were able to get finishes for almost all of them. In the first race, Clamdigger and Lobster Pickers: Outboards 25 hp and under. Skiffs 16-feet and under. Age 18 and under, there were five boats on the line. The win went to Devon Carter’s LITTLE THING [14’ aluminum; 25-hp Yamaha]. There were nine boats on the line for race 2 (Clamdigger and Lobster Pickers: Outboards up to 70 hp. Skiffs over 16-feet) and it was no surprise to see David Noyes’ ZIPPIN [Corson 14; 60-hp Johnson] screaming up the course for a first place finish. Mason Vintinner’s SCREEN TIME [Corson 16; 90-hp Mercury] has been the boat to beat this year, but at Pemaquid he would be in the unlimited class. Well, that did not matter has he flew up the right side of the course for an easy win.
It is a sad state of affairs, but there were no gasoline powered boats entered so we skipped right to Race 7 (Diesel 175 hp and under, 24-feet and over). Three boats were entered and leading the way to the finish was Gregory Carter’s LITTLE R & R [Seaway 26; 140-hp Yanmar]. In the second diesel race (Diesel 176 to 210-hp, 24-feet and over) Bob Poland’s C-GIRL [Flower’s 33, 200-hp John Deere] jumped right into the lead and never looked back. Next up was Diesel 211 to 250-hp, 24-feet and over and this race has been dominated by Don Drisko’s MERGANSER [33’ Calvin Beal Jr.; 230-hp Yanmar] for a number of years and today was no different. It has been a couple of years since we have seen Raymond Carter’s WHO’S BUYN [Flower 33; 300-hp John Deere], but he was here to show everyone his boat was still the one to beat in Diesel 251 to 350-hp, 24 and over. She was facing off against Mariana Feltis’ MATT & PAT [Stanley 36; 300-hp 3116 Caterpillar], which just did not have enough to get by for the win. In Diesel 351 to 450-hp, 28 to 39 feet 11 inch and under it was Jake Dugas’ GUILTY PLEASURE [Mitchell Cove 32; 380-hp Cummins] jumping right into the lead for the win. Five boats were on the line for Diesel 451 to 650-hp, 28 feet and over and the pre-race favorite after their performance at Winter Harbor the previous day would be RIJO, As they came off the line LIL’ LISA MARIE was just leading the way up the course. RIJO seemed to have an issue and finished in fifth. Next up was Diesel, 651 to 800-hp, 28 feet and over and there were two boats on the line MEAN KATHLEEN and Spencer Dyer’s THE CHAIN [Holland 38; 410-hp Sisu]. MEAN KATHLEEN slowly worked out in front and went on for the win. In Diesel 801-hp and over, 28 feet and over would determine who would be the dominate boat of the day as it pitted BLUE EYED GIRL against LA BELLA VITA. It was close as they came up the left side of the course, but then LA BELLA VITA slowed, her engine having thrown a code and she went to idle. In the next race (Diesel up to 650-hp, 40 feet and over) two boats were lined up, but KENNEBEC [Tug 42’; 450-hp], owned by Tucker Phinney, did not have much of a chance against Zach Stotz’s ZELLA SUE [John’s Bay 40; 500-hp Volvo]. Now came those over 40 feet and four boats were on the line for Diesel 651 to 800 hp, 40 feet and over. This should be a battle between ALEXSA ROSE and Chip Johnson’s FIVE STARS [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp Renault-Mack] and it was. Both jumped out in front ALEXSA ROSE in the middle and FIVE STARS to the right. They were bow to bow right to the finish line when FIVE STARS surged ahead for the win. The last diesel race was Diesel 801-hp and over, 40 feet and over, which had just one entry, 4 LADIES.
Three boats came to the line for the wooden boat race, which was won by MERGANSER.
There were no entrants in the Gasoline Free-for-All so it was onto the Diesel Free-for-All. Six boats came to the line and the question was if LA BELLA VITA did not have a repeat issue would she be a threat to BLUE EYED GIRL? With the drop of the flag, BLUE EYED GIRL, running right next to LA BELLA VITA got a slight lead, but did not seem to gain much more the rest of the way down the course with LA BELLA VITA back with bow to transom.
Five boats from the Diesel Free-for-All came to the line for the Fastest Lobster Boat Race and the top three were exactly the same.
