With the conclusion of the 2024 Maine Lobster Boat Racing season, I always try to see if there is anything that we could do better. If it was a down year, why? Most times this has to do with inclement weather (fog or rain) as it did last year. However, it did not affect the turn out from the previous year (2022). The 2023 was almost a mirror image of the 2022 season, but 2024 was much better having almost 175 racers more than the two previous years did. The only thing that may have affected this year was good weather with the exception of Bass Harbor, which had fog and rain. All the venues do their best to make their race successful, but it takes a lot of time going out and getting the prizes and pulling everything together. One way to make a race stand out is to offer a hull and top like Winter Harbor did. This doubled their attendance, but making this happen is not easy.
The first big questions after the season concludes is: Should we make changes to the classes or the rules? Last year we did not make any changes to the rules. In the classes, the members voted to split Class N. So, it was written, Class N(A) 40 feet and over, 751 to 1,000-hp, and Class N(B) 40 feet and over, 1,001 hp and over. This seemed to work, but I do not foresee any changes this year. The only argument could be for making an adjustment in the lower Diesel classes.
As you know we have 11 races a year: Boothbay, Rockland, Bass Harbor, Moosabec, Stonington, Friendship, Harpswell, Winter Harbor, Merritt Bracket (Pemaquid), Long Island and Portland. To qualify for the MLBRA year-end awards you only need to attend three events. We also only count five races, even if you attend more and when scored only your best five races are counted. No one qualified in gasoline classes A and B; and Diesel classes: A, B, C; and wooden boat class A. It is not difficult to see why there is a drop in the Gasoline and the wooden boat classes. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of gasoline powered boats left fishing and the same is true for the lower wooden boat race. The gasoline class got a boost this when Randy Durkee’s BLACK DIAMOND, Jim Koehling’s BROWN EYED GIRL, Mark Freeman’s FOOLISH PLEASURE and Steve Johnson’s LYNN MARIE came out. Shawn Alley and LITTLE GIRL only made the Stonington race, where he had an engine issue that forced him to miss the rest of the season. There is no question that the gas boats turn heads and if they all made it out that would be quite a sight and might spur more people to race in these classes. As for wooden boats, there are some older wooden lobster boats still out there, but most not fishing. They could still compete and be successful depending on the class they choose.
At the Annual Meeting last October I asked for the members to find a new president. I have been the president for 23 years and scorer of the races for 26 years. I just need someone who can organize and host the meetings and get sponsors. Interested, come to the Annual Meeting at Robinson’ Wharf on Southport Island on 19 October. I will remain doing the scoring.
It is not all about racing, there is a social aspect, which many enjoy. Some use the race weekend to cruise the coast and spend the weekend with family and friends. It is really a fun time, some of the parties are legendary, and if you have not gone to several races up and down the coast give it a try!
GAS POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP
Gasoline Class C – V8, 376 to 525 cid, 28 feet and over:
1) Brown Eyed Girl, Jim Koehling
Gasoline Class D – V-8, 376 to 540 cid, 28 feet and over.
1) Foolish Pleasure, Mark Freeman
Gasoline Class E – V-8, Over 525 cid, 28 feet and over, superchargers/Turbos.
1) Black Diamond, Randy Durkee; 2) Lynn Marie, Steve Johnson
DIESEL POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP
Diesel Class D – 236 to 335 hp, 34 feet over:
1) Whiskey Girl II, Mark Davis; 2) Rebounder, Colyn Rich
Diesel Class E – 336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet:
1) Audrey May, Randy Durkee; 2) Guilty Pleasure, Jake Dugas
Diesel Class F – 336 to 435 hp, 34 feet and over:
1) Faith Melle, Winfred Alley; 2) Ms. Rose, Ed Torosian
Diesel Class G – 436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet:
1) My Turn, Mariena Beal; 2) Semper Fi, Ari Meehan
Diesel Class H – 436 to 550 hp, 36 feet and over:
1) Melynda M., William Coombs; 2) First Team, Travis Otis; 3) Fallen Angel, Brodie Eaton
Diesel Class I – 551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet:
1) Lil’ Lisa Marie, Gary Genthner; 2) Misty, Chris Smith
Diesel Class J – 551 to 700 hp, 36 feet and over:
1) Mean Kathleen, Shawn Clemons
Diesel Class K – 701 to 900 hp, 28 feet and over:
1) La Bella Vita, Jeff Eaton; 2) Regency, Zach Donnell; 3) Shootin’ Star, Steven Osgood
Diesel Class L – 901 hp, 28 feet and over:
1) Maria’s Nightmare II, Jeremy Beal
Diesel Class M(A) – 40 feet and over, up to 500 hp:
1) Old School, Chris Pope; 2) Pull ‘n Pray, Justin Papkee; 3) Sea Breeze, Richard Hildings
Diesel Class M(B) – 40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp:
1) Kimberly Ann, Eric Beal; 2) Alexsa Rose, Matt Shepard
Diesel Class N(A) – 40 feet and over; 751 to 1,000 hp:
1) Natalie E., Dana Beal; 1) Obsession, Ryan Lemieux
Diesel Class N(B) – 40 feet and over; 1,001 hp and over:
1) Fifth Generation, Mack Kelley; 1) 4 Ladies, Tom Clemons
Wooden Boats (B) Any hp, 36 feet and over)
1) Sari Ann I, Ann Johansen
