In Gasoline Class E the real battle was between Steve Johnson’s LYNN MARIE and Randy Durkee’s BLACK DIAMOND in a real close finish.
Randy Durkee’s AUDREY MAY and Jake Dugas’ GUILTY PLEASURE battling for the top spot in Diesel Class E. The win went to AUDREY MAY with GUILTY PLEASURE second.
LONG ISLAND LOBSTER BOAT RACES – August 16
I had mixed emotions as the last two races of the year, Long Island and Portland, approached on 16 and 17 August. I did not want to see the season come to end, as it had been a very good one. We had great weather for most events, great racing, and great times. I have taken SARI ANN I to the Long Island races the last few years, but this year I was staying on board at a wharf right next to the ferry dock. We arrived Friday afternoon after a nice trip from Searsport to do sign-ups, but just before that happened there was a water rescue when a dinghy rolled over and the young occupant got trapped underneath it by their PFD. Hattie Train of Long Island, a Harbor Master for Portland, ran down the dock, jumped in and was able to get them out.
Saturday morning was another beautiful day with a nice sea breeze. I signed up more entrants and, in the end, I had 62 boats, 14 more than last year.
The first race of the day was Work Boat Class A (Skiffs 16 feet and under, Outboards up to 30 hp, operators up to 18 years old) which had four boats entered. The winner was Walker Linscott of Islesboro in one of Steve Johnson’s boats [16’; 20-hp Mercury] doing 26.9 mph. Next over was Eamon Byers in THE BATHTUB [16’; 30-hp Evinrude] and third went to Cameron Murphy’s NUGGET [Holland 14; 30-hp Honda]. In Work Boat Class B (Inboard, Outboard or Outdrive, 31 to 90 hp) five boats came to the line, but Andy Correa [Boston Whaler 15; 90-hp Yamaha] was not one of them. It was not surprising to see Mason Vintinner’s SCREEN TIME [Corson 16; 90-hp Yamaha] leading the way to the finish line. Next over was Sam Whitener’s April L. [18’ Pointer; 70-hp Yamaha] followed by Nat Neumann’s AMY KATHREN [Eastern; 90-hp]. Six boats were on the line for Work Boat Class C (Inboard, Outboard or Outdrive, 90 hp and over) and it was a bumpy ride up the course with David Johnston’s CASCO MISS [Eastern 22, 250-hp Honda] taking the top honours. He was followed Al Strout’s MAYHEM [Holiday Starcraft 18; 115-hp Mercury] with third going to Nick Munn’s IGNORANCE [Aquasport 23; 150-hp Yamaha].
For the first time this year, we had entrants in all five Gasoline Classes. There was one boat in Class A (Four and Six Cylinder, 24 feet and over), Tim Day’s ALL DAY LONG [Johnson 28; V-6 Gas], one in Class B (V8, Up to 375 ci, 24 feet and over) Jeff Croft’s TILLY [Brownell; 350 260-hp Mercruiser]; one in Class C (V8, 376 to 525 ci, 24 feet and over), Jim Koehling’s BROWN EYED GIRL [Duffy 26; 454-hp Chevrolet]; and one boat in Class D (376 to 540 ci, 24 feet and over (Non-working racer)), Mark Freeman’s FOOLISH PLEASURE [30’ Custom Riley Beal; 800-hp 550 Chevy] and they were sent down together. It was not surprising to see FOOLISH PLEASURE leading the way at a speed of 51.9 mph. BROWN EYED GIRL was next followed by TILLY and ALL DAY LONG. They each got the win in their respective classes. There were four entrants in Class E (V8, Over 525 ci, 28 feet and over, Turbos/superchargers): Mark Davis’ DOWNEAST NIGHTMARE [Mussel Ridge 28; 1,000-hp Chevrolet]; Randy Durkee’s BLACK DIAMOND [Holland 32, 632 Chevrolet], Steve Johnson’s LYNN MARIE [Sisu 26; 632 Chevrolet] and Jeremy Saxton’s VOOP [Duffy 30; 548 1,400-hp Chevrolet]. Mark Davis said before the race that he did not know if he could make it down the course as he was having an oil issue. We also knew that Steve Johnson had not really done sea trials on his boat. This was going to be an interesting race. When the flag dropped on the start boat, we all could hear those loud exhausts screaming all over Casco Bay as they made their way to the finish line. The two lead boats were BLACK DIAMOND and LYNN MARIE with the advantage going to BLACK DIAMOND as they got closer to the finish. LYNN MARIE was gaining, but she ran out of track. Next over was VOOP. DOWNEAST NIGHTMARE was dead halfway up the course, but Mark got her re-fired and finished the race in fourth.
It was onto the Diesel boats. There were no entrants in Classes A (Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet), B (Up to 235 hp, 32 feet to 40 feet) and L (901 hp and over, 28 feet to 40 feet). With just one boat in Class C (236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet) John Clarke’s LUROHA [Calvin Beal 28; 300-hp John Deere] and D (236 to 335 hp, 34 feet to 40 feet) Mark Davis’ WHISKEY GIRL [Duffy 34; 300-Isuzu] they were combined each winning their class. Four boats were on the line for Class E (336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet) and the odds-on favourite was Randy Durkee’s AUDREY MAY [Holland 32; 425-hp Cummins]. However, she has had some close challengers. As the four worked their way up the course AUDREY MAY was in the lead by a boat length so now the battle was for second between Jake Dugas’ GUILTY PLEASURE [Mitchell Cove 32; 380-hp Cummins] and Alden Sawyer’s WILBUR [Holland 32; 425-hp Cummins]. As these two neared the finish line, GUILTY PLEASURE had the advantage and took the second spot. Four boats were on the line for Class F (336 to 435 hp, 34 feet to 40 feet) and it was Winfred Alley’s FAITH MELLE [Libby 34; 425-hp Cummins] leading the others up the course. Coming across in second was Zach Pettit’s JACK-A-ROE [Holland 32; 355-hp Cummins] followed closely by Cameron Murphy’s BLUE DOLPHIN II [Crowley 36; 402-hp 3406 Caterpillar] in third. The dominate boat all year in Class G (436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet) has been Mariena Beal’s MY TURN [Wayne Beal 32; 500-hp Cummins], but this day she was going to have a real challenge from Tucker Johnston’s RIJO [Mussel Ridge 28; 550-hp Cummins]. If she looks familiar, she was originally named VENOM. RIJO jumped right into the lead and never looked back with MY TURN back a couple of boat lengths at the finish. Third went to Tom Cloutier’s BITTERSWEET [Mitchell Cove 32; 500-hp Volvo]. There was just one boat in Class H (436 to 550 hp, 36 feet to 40 feet) and one in Class J (551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet) so they ran down together each getting the win in their respective classes: FIRST TEAM [Northern Bay 36; 410-hp Sisu 645], Travis Otis, Class H and HAPPY HOUR [Mitchell Cove 35; 650-hp Scania], Kyle Drapper, Class I. Unfortunately, when FIRST TEAM crossed the line, it was evident that there was an engine issue. There were two boats in Class J (551 to 700 hp, 36 feet to 40 feet), Sean Clemons’ MEAN KATHLEEN [Wayne Beal 36; 700-hp Scania] and Alan Dugas’ DELUSIONAL [38’ John’s Bay Boat, 600-hp Cummins] and two in Class K (701 to 900 hp, 28 feet to 40 feet), Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT] and Zach Donnell’s REGENCY [Calvin Beal 38; 800-hp Scania] and they were combined into one race. LA BELLA VITA flew up the course for the win in Class K followed by MEAN KATHLEEN, the winner of Class J. REGENCY followed for second in Class K and next was DELUSIONAL for second in Class J. Three boats were entered in Class M(A) (40 feet and over, up to 500 hp) and it was Chris Pope’s OLD SCHOOL [Holland 41; 380-hp Cummins] getting the win with a speed of 27.5 mph. It was a close battle for second, but Alan Knowlton’s SEA URCHIN [Young Brothers 45, 425-hp John Deere] just slid past Justin Papkee’s PULL N’ PRAY [Wayne Beal 40; 500-hp Isuzu] for a two three finish. Matt Shepard’s ALEXSA ROSE [Morgan Bay 43; 750-hp John Deere] jumped into the lead in Class M(B) (40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp) and went on for the win. Second went to Chip Johnson’s FIVE STARS [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp Renault-Mack] followed by David Vintinner’s MASTER MASON [South Shore 42; 700-hp Volvo] in third. Class N(A) (40 feet and over, 751 to 1,000 hp) has been a great battle all year between Ryan Lemieux’s OBESSION [Young Brothers 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] and Dana Beal’s NATALIE E. [Libby 41; 1,000-hp FPT]. They came into the weekend tied, each with four wins, and it was anyone’s guess how it would play out. With the drop of the flag, they looked close as they made their way up the course. However, as they closed in on the finish line OBSESSION began working her way past NATALIE E. and got the win by just half a boat length. Marshall Spear’s JACALWA [Wesmac 46; 1000-hp Caterpillar] took third. The winner of Class N(B) (40 feet and over, 1,001 hp and over) was Tom Clemon’s 4 LADIES [Wesmac SW46; 1,001-hp Caterpillar]. Second went to Kyle Grant’s BATTLE WAGON [Wesmac SW 46; 1,000-hp C-18 Caterpillar] all the way from Gloucester, MA. The winner of Class O (Non-working boats, any length, any horsepower) was Ann Johansen’s SARI ANN I [40’ Johns Bay Boat, 375-hp 3208 Caterpillar].
Next up was the Wooden Boat Races with DELUSIONAL winning the 36 feet and over class and SARI ANN I second.
Next up was Boats Built by Johnson’s Boat Yard, which was won by CASCO MISS with second going to LYNN MARIE followed by LUROHA.
There were 11 boats entered in the Royal River Boat Yard Race, and it ended with quite the finish as three boats neared the finish line. It looked like a battle for first between JACALWA and GUILTY PLEASURE, but sneaking in and upsetting the apple cart was Marshall’s son Jack Spear in CELESTAIL BREEZE getting the win. JACALWA was second and GUILTY PLEASURE third. Now, there is a prize for the last place finisher and Josh Todd’s BIG DIPPER [Novi] and PATRICIA ANN [42’ Novi] were battling for that honour. I am not sure if they started with this race or after the Gasoline Free-for-All, but they finished after the Gasoline Free-for-All.
Next came a re-match of the top gas boats in the Gasoline Free-for-All. BLACK DIAMOND and LYNN MARIE are about equal, so it was anyone’s guess as to who would win. LYNN MARIE looked like she had the lead, but BLACK DIAMOND eked her way by for the closest win of the day. FOOLISH PLEASURE took third.
In the Diesel Free-for-All it was RIJO getting first followed by LA BELLA VITA second and MEAN KATHLEEN third.
The last race of the day was the Fastest Lobster Boat race and right from the start BLACK DIAMOND had the lead with LA BELLA VITA back a couple of boat lengths. BLACK DIAMOND was the first over the line and then came a large ‘pop,’ and we all knew that was not good as smoke poured out into the platform. LA BELLA VITA took second and third went to MEAN KATHLEEN.
Carnage was the word of the day, The biggest was BLACK DIAMOND with a hole in the side of the engine block meaning her weekend was over. FIRST TEAM also developed an engine issue with a valve, but he was hoping to compete the next day. The carnage did not stop there. Following the races there was a fundraiser for cancer off Cow Island and during that event LOADLINE [21’; 90-hp] ended up on the bottom in 75 feet of water. It was also said that DOWNEAST NIGHTMARE developed a serious engine issue that night fooling around off Harpswell. OBSESSION came in after the races and tied up to me with a blown hydraulic hose. A new one was made, but when she backed out, she blew another one. Fortunately, Jake Dugas lent a hand, with assistance from Freeport Diesel, and all was repaired before the Portland races. Then about 2100 hours, just after the sun set, a lobster boat went up on the Long Island breakwater. Other boats came to her rescue and after about 45 minutes she was pulled free.
PORTLAND LOBSTER BOAT RACES – 17 August
It was another great day, sunny, slight breeze, but a little cooler, for the final lobster boat race of the season. I had signed most of the racers up at Long Island and already had them in the computer. We had a few more that morning and when done there were 47 boats registered, 10 more than the previous year.
One aspect of the Portland races that you do not see at other places are the tugboat races. They always put on a great show, but the spectators were warned not to be rafted up as they give off huge wakes which can cause a lot of damage.
There was just one boat in Work Boat Class A, NUGGET, so she ran down by herself. Next up were three boats in Class B, which was easily won by SCREEN TIME with a speed of 39.8 mph, she was followed over by Ron Barrett’s MISS DIANE [Lund 18; 90-hp Honda] in second and NUGGET in third. Four boats were on the line for Class C and Jacob Noyes’ WHITE KNUCKLE [Aquasport 17; 175-hp Johnson] showed the rest the way to the finish line. Second went to CASCO MISS and in third was IGNORANCE.
In the Gasoline Classes there were no entrants in Classes A and B, and just one in Class C, D, and E so they were run down together with each getting the win in their respective classes. BROWN EYED GIRL got the win in Class C, FOOLISH PLEASURE in Class D and LYNN MARIE in Class E. Unfortunately, this was LYNN MARIE’s only race of the day.
Next up was the Diesel classes and there were no entrants in Classes D and L. There was one boat in Class A, Scott Dyer’s RELENTLESS [BHM 28; 200-hp Yanmar], two in Class B, Jesse Mitchell’s IS WHAT IT IS [Young Brothers 38 (Slippery); 225-hp John Deere] and Curt Brown’s LIL’ MORE TAIL [Calvin Beal 33; 225-hp John Deere], and one in Class C, Bruce Hamlin’s RUTHLESS [Mussel Ridge 28; 325-hp Yanmar] so they ran down together. RUTHLESS was the first over the line securing the win in Class C. Second over went to RELENTLESS, winner of Class A, followed closely by IS WHAT IT IS, winner of Class B. Five boats came to the line for Class E, and the favourite was AUDREY MAY, and she did not disappoint winning with a speed of 36 mph. Second over was GUILTY PLEASURE and third went to WILBUR in a very close fight with Aubrey Greenlaw’s NIGHT BITE [Wayne Beal 28; 420-hp FPT], which finished fourth. FAITH MELLE continued her winning ways in Class F with JACK-A-ROE second and BLUE DOLPHIN II third. In Class G RIJO and MY TURN were in a tight race, but RIJO slipped ahead for the win with about a boat length separating them. FIRST TEAM’s engine was not well, but she got to the line. She was not going to challenge Nick Martinez’s PRETTY WOMAN [Calvin Beal 36; 510-hp Caterpillar] for the win, the only other entrant in Class H, and came down the course at about 10 mph. HAPPY HOUR was the only entrant in Class I and she had been combined with Class H winning her class. Two boats were entered in Class J, MEAN KATHLEEN and DELUSIONAL, and two in Class K, LA BELLA VITA and REGENCY so they were combined. When the flag dropped on the start boat LA BELLA VITA jumped right into the lead and never looked back. Next over was MEAN KATHLEEN, then came REGENCY and DELUSIONAL. Just two boats were on the line for Class M(A), and it was a tight battle with SEA URCHIN just getting by PULL N’ PRAY for the win. Three boats were on the line for M(B) with ALEXSA ROSE leading the way to the finish line for an easy victory. Second went to MASTER MASON and third was Scott Dugas’ SAND DOLLARS III [41’Johns Bay Boat; 700-hp Caterpillar]. We also added 4 LADIES as she was the only entrant in Class N(B) to this race. We had decided not to combine any race with Class N(A) as OBSESSION had one more win than NATALIE E. and this could determine a clear winner or a tie. As they came down the course, at halfway it seemed close, but it looked as though NATALIE E. had a slight advantage. She slipped over for the win by just half a boat length, meaning they tied for the year. The winner of Class O was SARI ANN I.
Next up was the Wooden Boat Races. Maggie Stanley’s GAIL LOUISE [James Stanley 25’; 170-hp 3.1 BMW] was the only entrant in Wooden Boat, up to 35 feet 11 inches any horsepower, so she was combined with the four John’s Bay Boats in Wooden Boat, Over 36 feet. DELUSIONAL got the lead early with SAND DOLLARS III just behind her as they finished one-two. The fight was now for third and fourth between the two SARI ANNs. SARI ANN, Vance Bunker’s second John’s Bay Boat just got by Vance’s first John’s Bay Boat in a great finish.
Just two boats showed up for the Gasoline Free-for-All with FOOLISH PLEASURE getting the win and BROWN EYED GIRL placing second.
In the Diesel Free-for-All eight boats were on the line. Surprisingly, RIJO was a no-show, and it came down to a battle between LA BELLA VITA and MY TURN and it was a really close one. As the two neared the finish line the judges stood on the line as they came across bow to bow. The win went to LA BELLA VITA with MY TURN back by just mere feet. MEAN KATHLEEN took the third spot.
For the final race of the day and year, just two boats went to the line, the top two finishers of the Diesel Free-for-All and in another close one the finish ended up the same.
After the races I was back on SARI ANN I and following FIRST TEAM to Brown’s Wharf in Boothbay Harbor for the night. As we entered Boothbay Harbor the skies were threatening and just as I was to dock the skies opened up. I ducked into Atlantic Edge Lobster and when the rain slowed, I went over and docked at Brown’s for the night. We start the season here and Travis and I have been ending it there the last several years. In the morning, we got underway and headed for Searsport. It was a slow run, but I got some great photographs of other boats on the way.
As I said it was a great year as the end of year tally showed. We had 740 racers in the 11 events, just five less than last year. Most of the events had more boats competing and that might be attributed to the good weather. When you figure that Winter Harbor had 73 less boats this year compared to last year, we had an exceptional year. We had 40 members racing for points and that is the most since 2013. Racing for points can be a major commitment as there are 11 races taking up eight weekends of a very short summer. Matt Shepard, ALEXSA ROSE; Winfred Alley, FAITH MELLE; Jeff Eaton, LA BELLE VITA; Dana Beal, NATALIE E., competed in all 11 events. Randy Durkee in AUDREY MAY did nine. I did eight races and want to try and do all of them next year. The problem is running from Winter Harbor to Pemaquid, which is about 100 miles and getting there before the sun sets. The other problem would be if mother nature does not cooperate.
The Year End Winners are:
GAS POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP
Gasoline Class A
4 & 6 cylinder 24 feet and over:
No entrants
Gasoline Class B
V-8 up to 375 cid, 24 feet and up:
No entrants
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, M. Freeman
Gasoline Class E
V-8, Over 525 cid, 28 feet and over, superchargers/Turbos.
1) Black Diamond, J. Linscott
DIESEL POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP
Diesel Class A
Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet:
1) Cap’t Em, Richard Hildings
Diesel Class B
Up to 235 hp, 32 feet and over:
1) Shockwave, Jeff Gove
2) C-Girl, Cole Poland
3) Silver Chariot, Colyn Rich
Diesel Class C
236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet:
1) Leah Morgan, Mike Gillespie
2) Saving Grace, Mike Dassatt
Diesel Class D
236 to 335 hp, 34 feet over:
1) Whiskey Girl II, Mark Davis
1) Myrtle Belle, Chad Libby
Diesel Class E – 336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet:
1) Audrey May, Randy Durkee
2) Amy Kathren, Mason Vintinner
3) 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) Split Second, David Osgood
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) Misty, Chris Smith
2) Lil’ Lisa Marie, Gary Genthner
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) Shootin’ Star, Steven Osgood
3) Regency, Zach Donnell
Diesel Class L
901 hp, 28 feet and over:
1) Miss Ava Elaine, Robert Johnson
Diesel Class M(A)
40 feet and over, up to 500 hp:
1) Gramp’s Legacy, LeBaron Libby
2) Sea Urchin, Alan Knowlton
3) Pull ‘n Pray, Justin Papkee
Diesel Class M(B)
40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp:
) Kimberly Ann, Eric Beal
) Alexsa Rose, Matt Shepard
) Master Mason, David Vintinner
Diesel Class N(A)
40 feet and over; 751hp and over:
1) Natalie E., Dana Beal
1) Obsession, Ryan Lemieux
Diesel Class N(B)
40 feet and over; 751hp and over:
1) 4 Ladies, Tom Clemons
Diesel Class O
Non-working boats, any length, any horsepower
1) Sari Ann I, Ann Johansen
Wooden Boats (A)
Any hp, up to 35 feet 11 inches).
No entrants
Wooden Boats (B)
Any hp, 36 feet and over).
1) Sari Ann I, Ann Johansen
