Fred Backman’s ATLANTIC VIKING [Sea Pride 38; 510-hp Volvo] moving a lot of water on her way to a fifth place finish in Diesel Class H at Winter Harbor.
This was a talked about race, between Richard Hildings’ CAP’T EM and Don Drisko’s MERGANSER, both Calvin Beal built boats. It was close but CAP’T EM got the win.
FRIENDSHIP LOBSTER BOAT RACES – 20 July
Travis Otis on FIRST TEAM and I on SARI ANN I had a beautiful cruise from Searsport to Friendship Saturday afternoon for the lobster boat races the next day. As we headed out of the Mussel Ridges Channel, I could see two boats way back and they were coming. Just after passing Port Clyde Dana Beal in NATALIE E. and Winfred Alley in FAITH MELLE flew past us. When we got into Friendship we tied up next to them for the night. Sitting around the dock with a number of other racers is an enjoyable aspect of any of the eleven races.
The big question was the weather and would it keep some racers on the hook. Originally, rain was in the forecast for Sunday morning, but Sunday they now called for a squall to hit about 1400 hrs.
Sign-ups went well and, in the end, we had 37 entrants, two down from the previous year. We were out on the course just after 1000 and I was hoping to have the races finished in a couple of hours to beat the weather. Some race classes only had a boat or two, so we did a lot of combining so the racing was more interesting, and we could get them done quicker. There were some really close races with some surprising finishes, which made for an interesting day.
There was just one boat in Work Boat A (Skiffs 16 feet and under, Outboard up to 30 hp, operators up to 16 years old) and C (Inboard, Outboard or Outdrive, 90 hp and over) with three in Class B (Inboard, Outboard or Outdrive, 31 to 90 hp) so they were all sent down together. It was not a surprise to see Mason Vintinner’s SCREEN TIME [Corson 16; 90-hp Yamaha] leading everyone to the finish for the win in Class B. Placing second in Class B was Reagan Anderson’s TROUBLE [Carolina Skiff 16; 40-hp Tohatsu]. The winner of Work Boat Class A was Blake Feltis’ SKID MARK [12’ Carolina Skiff; 30-hp Yamaha] and the winner of Work Boat Class C was Jocovy McDonald’s [Wellcraft 21; 130-hp Evinrude].
There were no entrants in Gasoline Classes A (Four and Six Cylinder, 24 feet and over), B (V8, Up to 383 cid, 24 feet and over) and E (V8, Over 525 cid, 28 feet and over, Turbos/superchargers, Alcohol and Nitrous). There was one entrant in Class C (V8, 376 to 525 cid, 24 feet and over), Jim Koehling’s BROWN EYED GIRL [Duffy 26; 454-hp Chevrolet] and one in Class D (V8, 376 cid and over, 24 feet and over (Non-working racer)), Mark Freeman’s FOOLISH PLEASURE [30’ Custom Riley Beal; 800-hp 550 Chevy]. With the drop of the flag everyone could hear the big gas engine as they headed for the finish line. FOOLISH PLEASURE led the way up the course with BROWN EYED GIRL back by a few boat lengths, with each winning their respective classes.
Next up were the diesel boats with no entrants in just Class L (901 hp and over, 28 feet to 39 feet 11 inches). There were a number of classes with just one or two boats, and they were combined. There was only one boat (Richard Hildings’ CAP’T EM [Calvin Beal 30; 235-hp Cummins]) in Class A (Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet 11 inches); two (Cole Poland’s C-GIRL [Flower’s 33, 200-hp John Deere] and Jeff Gove’s SHOCKWAVE [Harold Gower 38; 210-hp Cummins]) in Class B (Up to 235 hp, 32 feet to 39 feet 11 inches), one (Mike Gillespie’s LEAH MORGAN [Stanley 28; 265-hp Cummins]) in Class C (236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet 11 inches) and one (Greg Carter’s MAVERICK []) in Class D (236 to 335 hp, 34 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) so they were combined together. The first over the line was LEAH MORGAN, the winner of Class C. She was followed by CAP’T EM, winner of Class A with C-GIRL back about three boat lengths, the winner of Class B. That meant SHOCKWAVE took second in Class B and MAVERICK would get the win in Class D. There were four boats in Class E (336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet 11 inches) and it was a close one between Mason Vintinner’s AMY KATHREN [Osmond 29; 350-hp Cummins] and Randy Durkee’s AUDREY MAY [Holland 32; 425-hp Cummins] as they made their way up the course. It was thought that AUDREY MAY was holding back, but as he neared the finish line he just slipped by for the win by a mere six feet. Third went to Jake Dugas’ GUILTY PLEASURE [Mitchell Cove 32; 380-hp Cummins]. Classes F (336 to 435 hp, 34 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) and G (436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet 11 inches) were combined. There was just one boat in Class F, and it was not surprising seeing Winfred Alley’s FAITH MELLE [Libby 34; 425-hp Cummins] leading the two boats in Class G to the finish line with a speed of 40.6 mph. Not far behind was David Osgood’s SPLIT SECOND [Crowley Beal 33; 550-hp D-8 Volvo] and he would be the winner of Class G with second going to Jacob Watt’s PARADISE [Mitchell Cove 32, 500-hp FPT]. Classes H (436 to 550 hp, 36 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) and I (551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet 11 inches) were combined as they both had two entrants. There is always a battle in Class I between Gary Genthner’s LIL’ LISA MARIE [Mussel Ridge 28; 600-hp FPT] and Chris Smith’s MISTY [Crowley Beal 33; 650 hp Scania] and this day was no different. At about halfway they were still side by side and stayed that way all the way to the finish, but this time MISTY just slipped by for the win with a speed of 41.9 mph. In Class H Travis Otis’ FIRST TEAM [Northern Bay 36; 410-hp Sisu 645] got the win with Myron Wotton’s SINISTER [Holland 38; 500-hp Caterpillar] placing second. The next two classes, Class J (551 to 700 hp, 36 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) and K (701 to 900 hp, 28 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) were combined. Streaking up the left side of the course in Class K was Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT] with his competition, Steven Osgood’s SHOOTIN’ STAR [Northern Bay 36; 750-hp John Deere] on his starboard side back about a boat length back. The only boat in Class J was Sean Clemon’s MEAN KATHLEEN [Wayne Beal 36; 700-hp Scania]. There were two boats in Class M(A) (40 feet and over, up to 500 hp) and three in Class M(B) (40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp). When the flag dropped Matt Shepard’s ALEXSA ROSE [Morgan Bay 43; 750-hp John Deere] of Class M (B) jumped right into the lead. Back a couple of boat lengths was David Vintinner’s MASTER MASON [South Shore 42; 700-hp Volvo] followed by Ryan Maloney’s HANNAH LYNN [Osmond 40; 575-hp Scania] as they finished one-two-three. Following up the three leaders was Alan Knowlton’s SEA URCHIN [Young Brothers 45, 425-hp John Deere], which was battling Richard Curtis’ HARVEST MOON [RP 40; 500-hp Hyundai] for the top spot in Class M(A) and they finished one-two. Over the last couple of years Class N(A) (40 feet and over, 751 to 1000 hp) has been dominated by two boats: Dana Beal’s NATALIE E. [Libby 41; 1,000-hp FPT] and Ryan Lemieux’s OBSESSION [Young Brothers 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar]. It is always close, usually within a boat length and today it was no different. However, as they neared the finish NATALIE E. had a couple of boat length lead and took the win. Up next was Class N(B) (40 feet and over, 1001 hp and over) and there was just two boats on the line and it was Tom Clemons’ 4 LADIES [Wesmac SW46; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] leading the way with Frank Guptill’s TAYLOR NICOLE [Calvin Beal 44; 1001-hp Caterpillar] in the chase. The win went to 4 LADIES.
There were no entrants in Wooden Boat Race A, Any hp., up to 35 feet 11 inches and just two in Wooden Boat Race B, Any hp., 36 feet and over. Douglass Blasius’ TWILIGHT II [John’s Bay 46; 803-hp] sailing over for the win with Ann Johansen’s SARI ANN I [] back by several boat lengths in second.
The two gas boats came to the line, and it was FOOLISH PLEASURE screaming down the course for the win with BROWN EYED GIRL getting second.
Five boats were on the line for the Diesel Free-for-All. NATALIE E. does not usually compete in the free-for-alls, and she did her best to keep up with LA BELLA VITA but just did not have quite enough. Third went to MEAN KATHLEEN.
Four boats were on the line for the Fastest Lobster Boat and FOOLISH PLEASURE slid over for an easy victory with LA BELLA VITA second and MEAN KATHLEEN third.
The final race was the Fastest Friendship Lobster Boat and there were only three boats on the line. The win went to TAYLOR NICOLE with a speed of 29.3 mph. Next came SINISTER followed by HARVEST MOON.
After getting everything squared away, we were off for Searsport about 1230. All was good, but there was this ominous black wall of clouds to the north. As we passed Owl’s Head it looked like fog ahead and the radar showed a huge mass of blue. That turned out to be a wall of rain and for about 30 minutes it poured with strong wind mixed in. The rain slowed after 15 minutes, and visibility was good the rest of the way.
HARPSWELL LOBSTER BOAT RACES – 27 July 2025
First thing Sunday morning I headed for Erica’s Take Out in Pott’s Harbor, Harpswell where I did the signups. We had been doing them out on the race course, which is around the point off Mitchell Field, but it can be challenging and doing it inside makes it so much easier. When signups concluded we had 47 boats entered. I did some combining to make for a quicker and more interesting day of racing.
A question was raised before the start when someone showed me an advertisement saying what some of the boats had for power. If true, that would move a couple of them up a class, so they were told about the ad and were asked what they had for power. It is now very easy to up the horsepower by getting the engine company to come in with a computer and readjust the parameters. The boats in question all stated that the ad was not correct and that they had less hp than the ad stated. In some cases, engines are de-tuned due to the type of permits they carry. Dana Beal, president of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association, was satisfied and the issue was dropped.
It was an overcast day with rain coming mid-afternoon. There was also a good breeze, maybe 12 to 15 with one-to-two-foot waves, which was a concern for the skiffs, but fortunately they would be running with the wind. It did make for some great photos in the skiff classes.
The first race of the day was Fastest Lobster Boat in Casco Bay, and five boats were entered, but just four came to the line. It was not surprising to see Robert Johnson’s MISS AVA ELAINE [Northern Bay 36; 1,200-hp MAN] flying up the left side of the course with a speed of 46 mph. Next over was MEAN KATHLEEN followed by 4 LADIES.
Now came the skiff classes and there were two boats in Class A. For the first time this year JENILY [Corson 14; 30-hp Johnson], skippered by Jennifer, minus her sister Emily, was competing and continued her winning ways. Second went to Quinn Phinney’s SEND IT []. Class B was going to be a battle between Andy Correa [Boston Whaler 15; 90-hp Yamaha] and SCREEN TIME and when the flag dropped the race committee could tell they were having trouble keeping the boats in the water. As the racers neared the finish line, Andy had the lead, but he was coming totally out of the water periodically as was SCREEN TIME, who was back a couple of boat lengths. Unfortunately, there was a problem at the start, and they were asked to re-run the race. This time did not seem so crazy, and Andy remained the top boat. SCREEN TIME did not finish and second went to Ethan Brewer’s FLYING TURD [Corson 15; 90-hp Nissan]. Class C did not have any issues with the conditions, and the winner was Jacob Noyes’ WHITE KNUCKLE [Aquasport 17; 175-hp Johnson]. Eli Lavasseur [Sea Ox 20; 200-hp ETEC] placed second followed by Nick Munn’s IGNORANCE.
There were just two gas powered boats signed up, but just one came to the line, BROWN EYED GIRL. He ran the course and won Class C. Jeremy Saxton had signed up VOOP, but never showed up.
Now came the Diesel classes and there were no entrants in just Class O. With just one in Class A, two in Class B, one in Class C and one in Class D. They were combined and sent down together. Running up on the left side of the course was Mark Davis’ WHISKEY GIRL [Duffy 34; 300-Isuzu] who came across the finish line first for the win in Class D. Next over was Bruce Hamlin’s RUTHLESS [] winner of Class C. C-GIRL followed and was the winner of Class B. Martin Page’s KATHY LYNN [] took first in Class A and second in Class B was Jesse Mitchell’s IT IS WHAT IT IS [Young Brothers 38 (Slippery); 225-hp John Deere]. Class E was next and there were three boats on the line, but AUDREY MAY was a no show, which was surprising. It looked like they were pretty close to each other when they reached the halfway mark. On the right side was Alden Sawyer’s WILBUR [Holland 32; 425-hp Cummins] in the lead by a boat length when she crossed the finish. Next over was AMY KATHREN followed by GUILTY PLEASURE. Another missing racer was FAITH MELLE in Class F, but Harpswell is a long way from Beals Island. Scott Merryman’s K. E. II [Northern Bay 38; 405-hp Cummins] was the only boat in Class F so he raced down with the four boats in Class G. Leading the way was Ari Meehan’s SEMPER FI [Crowley Beal 28; 500-hp Cummins] with SPLIT SECOND back a boat length in second with third going to Tom Cloutier’s BITTERSWEET [Mitchell Cove 32; 500-hp Volvo]. There were two entrants in Class H, one in Class I and two in Class J so they were sent down together. Combining races sometimes creates a great battle and we had one here between MEAN KATHLEEN and MISTY with MEAN KATHLEEN crossing first for the win in Class J followed by MISTY, winner of Class I. Nick Martinez’s PRETTY WOMAN [Calvin Beal 36; 510-hp Caterpillar] would get the win Class H with second going to Broddie Eaton’s FALLEN ANGEL [Calvin Beal 36; 530-hp FPT] in a close finish. Alan Dugas’s DELUSIONAL [38’ John’s Bay Boat, 600-hp Cummins] skippered by his son Andy Dugas, took second in Class J. Alan was out tuna fishing in a tournament and word came that he had landed a good sized one. There were four boats entered in Class K and just one in Class L, so they ran down together. MISS AVA ELAINE in Class L and Andrew Taylor’s BLUE EYED GIRL [] in Class K battled all the way down the course, side by side, but it was BLUE EYED GIRL crossing just ahead of MISS AVA ELAINE with both getting the win in their respective classes. Second in Class K went to LA BELLA VITA followed by SHOOTIN’ STAR in third. Classes M(A) and M(B) were combined. They made a run, but there was a problem with the start, so they were re-run. First over the line was ALEXSA ROSE, the winner of Class M(B). He was followed by Chip Johnson’s FIVE STARS [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp Renault-Mack] and Wayne Clemons’ TEMPTATION [Young Brothers 40; 730-hp MAN] grabbed third. There was just one entrant in both Class N(A) and N(B). The winner of Class N(A), all the way from Beals Island, a six-hour steam, was NATALIE E. The winner of Class N(B) was 4 LADIES.
There were no entrants in Wooden Boat (up to 36 feet) there were two in (36 feet and over). This was a battle between uncle and nephew with DELUSIONAL getting the win by mere feet over Scott Dugas’ SAND DOLLARS III [41’Johns Bay Boat; 700-hp Caterpillar].
BROWN EYED GIRL was the only boat on the line for the Gasoline Free-for-All.
Eleven boats came to the line for the Diesel Free-for-All, and it was another great battle between BLUE EYED GIRL and MISS AVA ELAINE. At the finish line it was BLUE EYED GIRL by a boat length, followed by MISS AVA ELAINE with LA BELLA VITA third.
The last two races of the day, Fastest Working Lobster Boat and Fastest Non-Working Lobster Boat were combined. In the Fastest Working Lobster Boat race the winner was BLUE EYED GIRL with second going to MEAN KATHLEEN and in third was LA BELLA VITA. The top speed was 48.2 mph. The winner of the Fastest Non-Working Lobster Boat went to BROWN EYED GIRL followed by WILBUR.
Seven races down, four to go.
WINTER HARBOR LOBSTER BOAT RACES – 9 August
It was a beautiful sail on FIRST TEAM from Searsport to Winter Harbor on Friday afternoon. SARI ANN I was already there waiting on a mooring. We did early signups on Friday evening, and 69 boats entered when we closed down for the evening. In the morning, we added 41 more for a total of 110 racers, which was a good turnout.
At daybreak on Saturday there was some fog hanging outside the harbor, but that burned off before 0700. The rest of the day was perfect with a nice cool breeze coming in the harbor. The racing was just as good with some surprise winners and close finishes.
Each venue can change the Work Boat Classes as well as the free-for-alls. Winter Harbor prefers to have just one Work Boat Class, and six boats entered. Nathaniel Robinson’s DADDY DIDN’T BUY IT was the winner. Second over the line in the Work Boat Class was Colyn Rich’s APPROACH VELOCITY [Corson 15; 90-hp Honda], but he was disqualified as he did not have a pot hauler, one of the rules imposed by Winter Harbor’s race committee. Ben Capitano’s MINI ME [] then got second with Tom Dunn’s FULL CIRCLE [] placing third.
In the Gasoline Classes there were no entrants in Classes A and C. There were two in Class B and one each in Class D and E, so they were all combined and sent down. BLACK DIAMOND was in Class E, and it was discovered at the Stonington races that they had no oil pressure. A closer examination showed they had done a lot of internal damage. They spent almost a month getting all the parts and putting her back together but had not yet run her. FOOLISH PLEASURE jumped right out into the lead and never looked back and crossed the line well ahead of BLACK DIAMOND. BLACK DIAMOND just before the line added a lot more throttle and sounded good. Everyone was hoping to see her later in the free-for-alls. In Class B Cody Hadlock’s EMPTY POCKETS [Crowley 28; 350 Chevrolet] took the win with Harrison Richardson’s DAD’S DREAM II [T. Jason 28; 200-hp GM] second.
With the completion of the Gas Classes several boats gathered at the starting line to run up the race course in honour of Dana Rice and Keith Young, who passed away over the winter.
Next up were the Diesel classes and every class had at least one entrant, and those would be combined with another class. Seven boats came to the line in Class A and the winner by three boat lengths was Jeremy Tyler JUMPINS! [Holland 30; 210-hp International]. He was followed over by Cassie Floyd’s BRAYDEN’S MUM [Duffy 26; 240-hp Yanmar] and Gavin Hunt’s ABBIE & EMMIE [Osmond 27; 225-hp John Deere]. Five boats were on the line for the start of Class B, and the win went to SHOCKWAVE with a speed of 17 mph. Despite moving half, the bay to the side, sliding over in second was Colyn Rich’s SILVER CHARIOT [BHM 36; 210-hp Caterpillar]. We do not see Roy Fagonde’s LAST DESIGN [E. Libby, Jr., 31; 300-hp Caterpillar] as much as we used to, but he was here at Winter Harbor and would be the boat to beat. With the drop of the flag, he jumped right into the lead and showed the way to the finish line. Second over the line was Jason Tyler’s HOLLY LYNN [Holland 32; 315-hp Cummins] followed by James Hanscom’s RISING SON [Calvin Beal 33; 330-hp John Deere]. The winner of Class D was Chad Libby’s MYRTLE BELLE with a speed of 28 mph. Second went Randall T. Lilly’s DEEP SIX []. One of the closest finishes of the day was between Randy Durkee’s AUDREY MAY and Dan Sawyer’s HIGH VOLTAGE [AJ-28; 400-hp Yanmar] in Diesel Class E. The judges needed to be on the line for this one with the win going to HIGH VOLTAGE by half a boat length with a speed of 33 mph. Joe Sargent’s C. A. V. E. [Crowley-Beal 33; 420-hp Cummins] placed third. FAITH MELLE has been the boat to beat in Class F and today was no different as Brian Strout’s lead SUNSHINE CHALET [Mitchell Cove 35; 425-hp John Deere] as they finished one-two. MY TURN got the win in Diesel Class G with a speed of 38 mph. She was followed over by Scott Young’s MY SHER E [RP 35; 430-hp Cummins] and Todd Knowles’ SCOTT KAYLA [BHM 39; 500-hp Cummins]. MELYNDA M. continued her winning ways in Class H with a speed of 33 mph. Back just a boat length was FIRST TEAM, who got second and Matthew Bernier’s HARD II PHATHOM [] grabbed third. There was just one entrant in Class I, Jackson Lemieux’s ASPIRATION [Young Brothers 35; 450-hp Volvo] so he came down the course with Class J. The winner of Class J was Roy Hadlock’s JACKPOT [Wayne Beal 36; 675-hp Scania, x-GOLD DIGGER] with a speed of 33 mph. Second went to Jett Lindelof’s JETT SET [Calvin Beal 36; 700-hp MAN]. David Myrick’s JANICE ELAINE [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT] and Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT] were ready to face off in Class K. In the past the odds would be that LA BELLA VITA would win in a close race. As they came up the course it was really close and at the line it was JANICE ELAINE by mere feet. The winner of Diesel Class L was Tom West’s ACES AND EIGHTS [RP 35; 610-Cummins]. Ten boats were on the line for Class M(A) and missing was David Merchant’s MISS TONIA [Libby 41; 500-hp Cummins] and Chris Pope’s OLD SCHOOL [Holland 41; 380-hp Cummins]. There were a couple of false starts and the threat of disqualifying someone if it happened again, but finally they had a good started and the winner was Billie Bob Faulkingham in his father’s GRAMP’S BIRD [Osmond 40; 700-hp FPT]. He won the race, but I had him in the wrong class and at the awards ceremony relinquished the win to LeBaron Libby’s GRAMP’S LEGACY the second-place finisher. Second went to Sonny Beal’s NANCY ANNE [Young Brothers 40; 450-hp Cummins] followed by Lewis Bishop’s PROVIDER II [] in third. Twelve boats were on the line for Class M(B) and as they moved up the course, we could see that there was another close battle between ALEXSA ROSE and KIMBERLY ANN. They were still bow-to-bow as they neared the finish, but just before they crossed KIMBERLY ANN gained separation for the win. Third went to MASTER MASON. The biggest race of the day was in Class N(A) with 15 boats on the line. The question was who between Dana Beal’s NATALIE E. [Libby 41; 1,000-hp FPT] and Ryan Lemieux’s OBSESSION [Young Brothers 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] would come out top. With the drop of the flag OBSESSION jumped right into the lead and held it the entire way down the course with NATALIE E. back by three boat lengths. Third went to Mike Faulkingham’s CAPTAIN COLE [South Shore 41; 1,000-hp FPT]. Just three boats were on the line for Class N(B), and the winner was Travis Perry’s ISLA & GRAYSON [Wesmac 50; 1,900-hp Scania] followed over by Michael Hunt’s GAVIN & DAWSON [] and then Ethan Whittaker’s CARPE Diem [Dixon 60; 1,200-hp MAN]. The winner of Class O and Wooden Boat B was Ann Johansen’s SARI ANN I [40’ Johns Bay Boat, 375-hp 3208 Caterpillar]. The only two boats entered in Diesel Class P (Oh my God that is a big boat) was Matt Kelley’s FIFTH GENERATION [Wesmac 46; 1,000-hp FPT] and Dixon Smith’s SIZE MATTERS [Libby 45’ 3”; 1,000-hp FPT] with the win going to FIFTH GENERATION.
Next up was the Lady Skipper’s Race and they have to hold a lobster license to qualify. The winner of this was MY TURN, followed by BRAYDEN’S MUM and Michaela Byers Flubacher’s DOUBLE DOWN [].
The only boat to come to the line for the Gasoline Free-for-All was BLACK DIAMOND so she ran down by herself.
There were a number of boats on the line for the Diesel Free-for-All and there were three battling for the top spot and all within feet of each other’s stems. The win went to OBSESSION, followed by JANICE ELAINE and LA BELLA VITA.
They all headed for the starting area for the last race of the day, Fastest Lobster Boat. They were joined by BLACK DIAMOND, and she saved her best for last. When the flag dropped, she was instantly in the lead and as she neared the finish line, she kept gaining speed coming across with an easy win. Second went to OBSESSION and in third was LA BELLA VITA.
Now it was get ready for the Merritt Bracket Races the next day.
MERRITT BRACKET LOBSTER BOAT RACES, Pemaquid – 10 August
Unfortunately, SARI ANN I was staying on the hook in Searsport. It takes a lot to go from the Winter Harbor races to the Merritt Brackett races in Pemaquid, which is about 100 miles by water. Give credit to Colin Rich in APPROACH VELOCITY (likely on a trailer), but Mason Vintinner AMY KATHREN, Winfred Alley FAITH MELLE, David Vintinner MASTER MASON, and Dana Beal NATALIE E. who did make the run via water.
The turnout seemed slow, but in the end, we had 55 boats signed up when we were done. There were some great races, but there were no gas boats. We need big engine gas boats! Spectators love that sound that echoes across the harbors when they hit the throttle.
The classes at these races are all different and it is not a sanctioned event by the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association. In the first race of the day, Clamdigger and Lobster Pickers: Outboards 25 hp and under. Skiffs 16-feet and under. Age 18 and under, the winner was Jennifer Noyes’ JENILY [Corson 14; 30-hp Johnson]. She was followed over by Owen Harvey who was skippering SKID MARK [12’ Carolina Skiff; 30-hp Yamaha]. First place in Clamdigger and Lobster Pickers: Outboards up to 70 hp. Skiffs over 16-feet was David Noyes’ ZIPPIN [Corson 14; 60-hp Johnson]. Jacob Noyes’ WHITE KNUCKLE [Aquasport 17; 175-hp Johnson] showed the other eight competitors the way to the finish line in Clamdiggers and Lobster Pickers: Inboards or outboards – 71-hp and over, Skiffs 16 feet and over. Second was David Noyes’ ZIPPAH [Corson 16; 150-hp Evinrude] followed by Al Strout’s MAYHEM [Holiday Starcraft 18; 115-hp Mercury].
With no gasoline powered boats, we jumped right into the Diesel races. The winner of Diesel 176 to 210-hp, 24-feet and over was Cole Poland’s C-GIRL [Flower’s 33, 200-hp John Deere]. In Diesel 211 to 250 hp, 24 feet and over, had been a much talked about race, between CAP’T EM and Don Drisko’s MERGANSER [33’ Calvin Beal Jr.; 230-hp Yanmar], both Calvin Beal built boats, and which one would win. It was closer than I thought it would be and at the line it was CAP’T EM by half a boat length. Mike Gillespie’s LEAH MORGAN [Stanley 28; 265-hp Cummins] was the winner of Diesel 251 to 350-hp, 24 and over with a speed of 34 mph. Second was Mark Davis’ WHISKEY GIRL II [Duffy 34; 300-Isuzu] followed by AMY KATHREN. Also in the race was Norman Carter’s PEPA’S DREAM [36’; 300-hp John Deere], which is the former MEMA. She had been sitting on the hard for the last five years but has been resurrected and is back on the water fishing. FAITH MELLE and Josh Harvey’s RUNNING LATE [Repco 37; 435-hp Caterpillar] were running one-two in Diesel 351 to 450-hp, 28 to 39 feet 11 inch and under. FAITH MELLE got the win with RUNNING LATE second. The winner of Diesel 451 to 650-hp, 28 feet and over was LIL’ LISA MARIE followed by SPLIT SECOND. Third place went to Donald Havener’s SEA YA [Duffy 35; 500-hp Cummins]. A great battle between SHOOTIN’ STAR and MEAN KATHLEEN occurred in Diesel, 651 to 800-hp, 28 feet and over with the win going to SHOOTIN’ STAR. Andrew Taylor’s BLUE EYED GIRL [Morgan Bay 38, 900-hp Scania] and LA BELLA VITA squared off in the Diesel 801-hp and over, 28 feet and over. BLUE EYED GIRL won by three boat lengths with a speed of 39 mph. The winner of Diesel 651 to 800 hp, 40 feet and over was Chip Johnson’s FIVE STARS [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp Renault-Mack] with MASTER MASON taking second. Another close race took place between NATALIE E. and ALEXSA ROSE in Diesel 801-hp and over, 40 feet and over. NATALIE E. got the win with ALEXSA ROSE second. Third was Tom Clemons’ 4 LADIES [Wesmac SW46; 1,001-hp Caterpillar].
There was just one Novi boat that entered in the Novi Race, which was Kyle Westhaver’s HIGHLANDER [].
Three boats came to the line for the Wooden Boat Race, which was won by MERGANSER, followed by TWILIGHT II and PEPA’S DREAM.
There was no Gasoline Free-for-All so next up was the Diesel Free-for-All. The winner here was BLUE EYED GIRL with LA BELLA VITA second and MEAN KATHLEEN third.
The same three would finish in the same order in the Fastest Lobster Boat Afloat with a winning speed of 49 mph.
Following the races there were some thoughts bouncing around at the dock about combining this race with maybe Friendship or Harpswell. The thought was that it may get more racers to both venues who chose to combine. They also discussed becoming a points race, but a number of people like the different classes as they get to race different people. These ideas will probably be revisited at the banquet in October.
