STONINGTON LOBSTER BOAT RACES – 12 July
The Stonington lobster boat races are always one of the biggest events of the summer. I headed to Stonington by pick-up as SARI ANN I [40’ Johns Bay Boat, 375-hp 3208 Caterpillar] was still on the hard having a rebuilt engine hooked up at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast. At the end of the early sign-ups, I had 36 boats entered and this would save us time on Sunday morning. By the end of sign-ups on Sunday morning, I had a total of 121 boats, just two less than last year.
It was another perfect day for racing, bright sunshine, temps in the low 80s, but a nice sou’westerly breeze. Jeff and Karen Eaton and crew surely know how to put on a great event. It was even televised by Channel 7 in Bangor, and it would be interesting to see how well it worked and how many tuned in.
For the first time this season Josh Linscott of Islesboro in BLACK DIAMOND [Holland 32, 632 Chevrolet] was in attendance. Last year at the Long Island races their engine had hand grenaded and after purchasing another engine and hours of work this spring and summer they had a new one in place. They also did not have any time to do sea trials, so this was one of those hold your breath moments hoping everything worked according to plan.
Another first for this season was Shawn Alley’s LITTLE GIRL [28’ Calvin Beal Jr.; really big Chevy], which missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons and then only raced at Moosabec and Stonington in 2024.
The Stonington race committee made a change in Work Boat Class A (Skiffs 16-feet and under with outboards up to 30 hp, Operator 16 years or younger). They split it into two divisions by ages Race 1 (A) (Skiffs 16-feet and under with outboards up to 30 hp, Operator 7-11 years) and Race 1 (B) (Skiffs 16-feet and under with outboards up to 30 hp, Operator 12-16 years). First over in (A) was Makoa Woolsey [14’; 25-hp Yamaha] with a speed of 24.5 mph. Second went to Lincoln Torrey in MISS ALEXSA [Steury 14; 25-hp Yamaha]. Taking the top spot in (B) went to Haven Ciomei’s ESSIE GRACE [Holland 14; 25-hp Yamaha] followed by Lucas Jones’ RED NECK RACER [Sears 12’; 25-hp Mercury]. In Work Boat Class B (Inboards, outboards or outdrives, 31 to 90 hp) no one was surprised to see Mason Vintinner’s SCREEN TIME [Corson 16; 90-hp Yamaha] leading the other 16 competitors in his class to the finish line with a speed of 42.5 mph. Second went to Aiden Rittenhouse’s QUICK TIDE [Corson 16; 90-hp Honda]. In Work Boat Class C (Inboards, outboards or outdrives, 90-hp and over) Tyler Childer’s BOTTOMS UP [Calvin Beal 16; 200-hp Yamaha] was just able to best Nathaniel Robinson’s DADDY DIDN’T BUY IT [Passamaquoddy 24; 350-hp Yamaha] with a speed of 49.1 mph.
Where were the John’s Bay Boat Co. built boats? There used to be over a dozen in Stonington and at least four to eight would come out and race every year. The only boat on the line this year was John Williams’ KHRISTY MICHELLE [44’ Johns Bay; 500-hp Cummins].
In the Gasoline Classes there were no entrants in Class A (4 & 6 cylinder 24 feet and over) and Class C (V-8, 376 to 525cid, 24 to 29 feet). There were two entrants in Class B (V-8 up to 375 cid, 24 feet and up), Brooklin Boat Yard’s RIPSNOTTER [Custom 28; 350 ci Chevy] and Tom Morris’ SNAPPER [1962 31’; 350 Chevrolet]. RIPSNOTTER took the lead right from the start and went on for the win. In Class D (V-8, 376 and over, 28 feet and over) was Mark Freeman’s FOOLISH PLEASURE [30’ Custom Riley Beal; 800-hp 550 Chevy] and in Class E (Over 525cid, 28 feet and over, superchargers/Turbos) there was BLACK DIAMOND and LITTLE GIRL, which became a combined race. We all knew when the flag dropped as everyone in the Thoroughfare could hear them push down the throttle on those big gas engines. Streaking up the middle of the course was LITTLE GIRL followed by BLACK DIAMOND and FOOLISH PLEASURE. Following this race, it was discovered there was a lot of water in the bilge of BLACK DIAMOND. They called for pumps and almost instantly they were being assisted. The thought was that they had a leak back aft and this meant her day was done.
Next up was the two Wooden Boat Races. In Wooden Boat A (Any hp, up to 35’11”) three boats came to the line and two were signed up for Wooden Boat B (Any hp, 36’ and over), but just one was on the line and they were sent down together. The winner of Wooden Boat A was LITTLE GIRL followed by Kathy Limeburner’s EMMA [31’ Buxton, 355-hp John Deere] and SNAPPER. LITTLE GIRL would also have the fastest speed in this race at 68.7 mph. The winner of Wooden Boat B went to KHRISTY MICHELLE.
Next up was the Diesel Classes and with 121 entrants there was only Class Q (Non-working boats, any length, any horsepower) without an entry. There were six boats on the line for Class A (Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet) and it was not surprising to see Richard Hildings’ CAP’T EM [Calvin Beal 30; 235-hp Cummins] leading them to the finish with a speed of 24.5 mph. Second went to Andrew Reed’s BITTERSWEET [South Shore 30; 210-hp Cummins] and in third was Ed Upham’s BLACK MAGIC [Nauset 27; 135-hp Perkins]. In Class B (Up to 235 hp, 32 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) Brantley Ciomei’s RELENTLESS [Crowley-Beal 33; 225-hp John Deere] was able to get by Jeff Gove’s SHOCKWAVE [Harold Gower 38; 210-hp Cummins] for the top spot with a speed of 21.4 mph. Roy Fagonde’s LAST DESIGN [E. Libby, Jr., 31; 300-hp Caterpillar] has been the dominate boat in Class C (Up to 235 hp, 32 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) and today was no different as he crossed first with Mike Dassatt’s SAVING GRACE [Holland 32; 280-hp Caterpillar] sliding over a couple of boat lengths back. The winner of Class D (236 to 335 hp, 34 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) was Dan Carter’s OUTNUMBERED [Duffy 35; 300-hp John Deere] followed by Robin Dunham’s SAMANTHA ERIN [Duffy 35; 315-hp Cummins]. Randy Durkee’s AUDREY MAY [Holland 32; 425-hp Cummins] has been the boat to beat in Class E (336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet), but Dan Eaton in DESTINY [Crowley 28; 420-hp Yanmar] was hoping for an upset. At halfway they were bow to bow, but at the finish line it was DESTINY in the lead. Six competitors in Class F (336 to 435 hp, 34 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) were hoping to upset Winfred Alley’s FAITH MELLE [Libby 34; 425-hp Cummins], but it did not happen. FAITH MELLE led all to the finish with Royce Fifield’s CALYPSO [Crowley Beal 33; 420-hp Cummins] second and Bennett Gray’s BABA BUOY [South Shore 34; 300-hp Caterpillar] third. In Class G (436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet) Mariena Beal’s MY TURN was a no show, but one that has become her nemesis is Tucker Johnson’s RIJO [Mussel Ridge 28; 550-hp Cummins]. RIJO would get the easy win with Desmond Ashman’s MELLIE [Richard Duffy 35; 450-hp Cummins] in second. Eight boats were entered in Class H (436 to 550 hp, 36 feet to 39 feet 11 inches), which has been dominated by Willie Coombs’ MELYNDA M., but at the halfway point she was in the back of the pack. There was a close battle between Heath Eaton’s OFF THE HOOK [Crowley 36; 500-hp Caterpillar] and Oscar Beals PAPA’S PRIDE [Wayne Beal 36; 500-hp FPT] with Travis Otis’ FIRST TEAM [Northern Bay 36; 410-hp Sisu 645] right on their stern for the top spot. The win went to PAPA’S PRIDE followed by OFF THE HOOK. FIRST TEAM got third, but it came at the price of a bent valve. MELYNDA M.’s issue was with her gear, which needed to be removed and repaired. Class I (551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet) has been dominated by Gary Genthner’s LIL’ LISA MARIE [Mussel Ridge 28; 600-hp FPT] with Chris Smith’s MISTY [Crowley Beal 33; 650 hp Scania] back a boat length or two and today was no different with third going to Jackson Lemieux’s ASPIRATION [Young Brothers 35; 450-hp Volvo]. There were eight boats on the line for Class J (551 to 700 hp, 36 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) and when the flag dropped it was Sean Clemons in MEAN KATHLEEN [Wayne Beal 36; 700-hp Scania] in the lead. The battle now was for second and that went to Kyle Grant’s KOHEN MILES [Northern Bay 38; 800-hp Scania] followed by Scott Keenan’s DEAR ABBIE [Northern Bay 38, 700 hp Volvo]. One of the fastest Diesel boats on the coast of Maine is Andrew Taylor’s BLUE EYED GIRL [Morgan Bay 38, 900-hp Scania], which raced in Diesel Class K (701 to 900 hp, 28 feet to 39 feet 11 inches) winning with a speed of 49.5 mph. She proved her dominance again followed by Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT] and then Steven Osgood’s SHOOTIN’ STAR [Northern Bay 36; 750-hp John Deere]. Also running down with them was James Nelson’s LESS THAN KNOT [Libby 34; 1,000-hp Isotta], which was the only entrant in Class L (901 hp and over, 28 feet to 39 feet 11 inches). The winner of Class M (40 feet and over, up to 500 hp) was Devon Gray’s SARAH CHRISTINA [Libby 34; 425-hp Yamaha] with a speed of 21.3 mph with second going to KHRISTY MICHELLE. Nine boats were on the line for Class N (40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp) and the early favourite was Jason Chipman’s MISS MADELYN [Osmond 42; 700-hp Scania]. At halfway it was still anyone’s race with David Haskell’s HOOLIGAN [Young Brothers 45; 815-hp FPT] and David Vintinner’s MASTER MASON [South Shore 42; 700-hp Volvo] running right next to MISS MADELYN. At the line first over was MISS MADELYN, followed by HOOLIGAN and MASTER MASON. Six boats were on the line for Class O (40 feet and over; 751 to 1,000 hp) and all eyes were on the top two boats Ryan Lemieux’s OBSESSION [Young Brothers 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] and Dana Beal’s NATALIE E. [Libby 41; 1,000-hp FPT]. As they hit midway it was OBSESSION with NATALIE E. back by a boat length and that is how they finished. Third went for Josh Gove’s BRYNN MARIE [Duffy 46; 800-hp Caterpillar]. The final Diesel Class race was Class P (40 feet and over; 1,001 hp and over). The top boat has been Eric Beal’s KIMBERLY ANN [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp FPT], but he was coaching a ball game. This meant the boat to beat was Matt Shepard’s ALEXSA ROSE [Morgan Bay 43; 750-hp John Deere] and at 39 mph he was the first over. Second went to Tom Clemons’ 4 LADIES [Wesmac SW46; 1,001-hp Caterpillar] and Ben Weed’s EMMA & ANDREW [Mussel Ridge 49’ 11”; 700-hp Caterpillar] was third.
LITTLE GIRL was the only boat to come to the line for the Gasoline Free-for-All.
However, 12 boats came to the line for the Diesel Free-for-All, and that was a sight to see. One could guess at the top boats: BLUE EYED GIRL, LA BELLA VITA, NATALIE E. and LESS THAN KNOT. BLUE EYED GIRL got the win, but in second was RIJO followed by LA BELLA VITA.
Next was the Andrew Gove Memorial Cup – Fastest Working Lobster Boat and just three boats came to the line with the win going to BLUE EYED GIRL. In second was LA BELLA VITA followed by David Myrick’s JANICE ELAINE [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT].
The final race of the day was Jimmy Stevens Cup – The Fastest Boat Afloat. Of the five boats on the line, it was not hard to pick the winner: LITTLE GIRL. You could also pick second and third: BLUE EYED GIRL and LA BELLA VITA, which is how the results went.
FRIENDSHIP LOBSTER BOAT RACES – 19 July
The ride down to Friendship on Saturday afternoon was beautiful until FIRST TEAM and I got to the lower end of the Mussel Ridge Channel. I am betting there were several waves that were over 10 feet and at least twice I had green water coming over the bow. With the conditions of Saturday afternoon and the forecast for rain and wind on Sunday, the general consensus was that many would not show up. Sign-ups were steady, and in the end, we had 32 entrants, just five less than last year so not bad considering.
First up were the three work boat classes, Class A, B and C. There were no entrants in Class A, one in Class B and four in Class C. The battle in Class C would be between Caleb Norton’s WHITE LIGHTNING [Mako 20; 200-hp Evinrude] and CASCO MISS. At the line it was WHITE LIGHTNING by two boat lengths. Third went to Gabriel Cooley’s BAND AID [Seaway 23; 115-hp Yamaha]. Reagan Anderson’s TROUBLE [Carolina Skiff 16; 40-hp Tohatsu] would win Class B.
In the Gasoline Classes there was just one entrant, Jim Koehling’s BROWN EYED GIRL [Duffy 26; 454-hp Chevrolet] in Class C. Unfortunately, we knew that FOOLISH PLEASURE had been running the course the night before and going well, but during signups I saw her on the trailer heading up the hill and out of town. The problem was likely the tide was going out and there would not be enough water to launch her until well after the start of the races.
With the number of boats entered there were no entrants in Diesel Class C and L. Many of the others had just one or two boats in them so they were combined. Class A, B and D had just one entrant, so they ran down together all getting the win in their respective classes. The winner of Class A was CAP’T EM, Class B SHOCKWAVE and Class D Frank Guptill’s SCREAMIN’ SEAMAN [Duffy 35; 300-hp John Deere]. Four boats were on the line for Class E, but where was Randy Durkee and AUDREY MAY? Unfortunately, we heard he had an infection in his foot but was on the mend. The win went to Jake Dugas’ GUILTY PLEASURE [Mitchell Cove 32; 380-hp Cummins] and in second was Mason Vintinner’s AMY KATHREN [Osmond 29; 350-hp Cummins] followed by Chris Achorn’s MELODY MARIE II [Young Brothers 33; 420-hp Cummins]. There was one entrant in Class F and G with two in Class H, so they were sent down together. The winner of Class F was FAITH MELLE; winner of Class G was Donald Havener’s SEA YA [Duffy 35; 500-hp Cummins] and in Class H the win went to Myron Wotton’s SINISTER [Holland 38; 500-hp Caterpillar] with FIRST TEAM, nursing that valve issue, second. In Class I just LIL’ LISA MARIE and MISTY were on the line and LIL’ LISA MARIE got the win by two boat lengths. There was just one boat entered in Class J and K, so they ran down together. The win in Class J went to Steven Genthner’s MONICA ELAINE [Osmond 36; 580-hp FPT] and in Class K LA BELLA VITA. Two boats came to the line in Class M, and the winner was Robby Maloneaux’s MISS ADALYN [45, 500-hp Hyundai] with second going to Richard Curtis’ HARVEST MOON [RP 40; 500-hp Hyundai]. There were also two boats entered in Class N. The winner was David Vintinner’s MASTER MASON [South Shore 42; 700-hp Volvo] followed by John Crane’s MOURNING DOVE [Libby 41; 570-hp FPT]. Up next was Class O and the year-long battle between NATALIE E. and OBSESSION. This time it was NATALIE E. by a boat length followed by OBSESSION with Douglass Blasius’ TWILIGHT [John’s Bay 46; 803-hp] crossing in third. In Class P ALEXSA ROSE got the win with Frank Guptill’s TAYLOR NICOLE [Calvin Beal 44; 1001-hp Caterpillar] second. Also running down with them was Ann Johansen’s SARI ANN I, who won Class Q. We also combined this race with Wooden Boat B, which was won by TWILIGHT followed by SARI ANN I.
There was just one boat for the Gasoline Free-for-All BROWN EYED GIRL, so she ran the course by herself for the win.
Just two boats came to the line for the Diesel Free-for-All, and the win went to ALEXSA ROSE followed by LA BELLA VITA.
The schedule called for the Fastest Lobster Boat Race next, but the race committee wanted to give the Diesels time to get back down to the starting area, and with six boats waiting for the Fastest Friendship Lobster Boat Race, which was run next. The winner was SEA YA, followed by TAYLOR NICOLE and SINISTER.
Just two boats came to the line for the Fastest Lobster Boat race, and the winner was LA BELLA VITA with second going to BROWN EYED GIRL.
By 1300 we were done and heading home. We had now reached halfway point.
HARPSWELL LOBSTER BOAT RACES – 26 July 2026
One could not ask for better weather than what we were blessed with this day. There was lots of sunshine, temps in the 70s-80s and a nice breeze off the water.
The Harpswell race committee had signed up about 20 boats Saturday evening and I signed up the rest at Erica’s Sunday morning for a total of 49 racers.
The first race of the day was Fastest Lobster Boat in Casco Bay, which had seven boats entered. The early favourite would have to be Robert Johnson’s MISS AVA ELAINE [Northern Bay 36; 1,200-hp MAN; x-MOTIVATION > x-STARLIGHT EXPRESS] and as she made her way up the course, she was well in the lead. However, just before the finish line the gear slipped, engine died and she went dead in the water allowing the other seven competitors to slip by. The winner was MEAN KATHLEEN, followed by BROWN EYED GIRL and Mark Davis’ WHISKEY GIRL [Duffy 34; 300-hp Sisu].
In the Work Boat Classes four boats were entered in Class A, which was won by Brighten Lewis’ 14 JBM with Walker Linscott in WICKED WALKER [16-foot Aluminum; 15-hp] second. In Class B seven boats came to the line. SCREEN TIME was screaming up the far side and looked like an easy win, but then out of the corner of my eye came Andy Correa in his Boston Whaler fly past me for the win with a speed of 41.9 mph. Eight boats were entered in Class C and running down the opposite side was Mark Olsen’s F755 [AB19VST; 200-hp ETEC]. It looked like it was going to be an easy win for Mark, but as they got nearer to the finish line Jacob Noyes’ WHITE KNUCKLE [Aquasport 17; 175-hp Johnson] slipped across for first as did David Noyes in ZIPPAH [Corson 16; 150-hp Evinrude] leaving F755 third.
This day there were two boats signed up for the Gasoline Classes, one in Class C, BROWN EYED GIRL and one in Class E, Steve Johnson’s LYNN MARIE [Sisu 26; 632 Chevrolet] so they ran together and won their respective classes.
The only Diesel class with no entrants was Class Q, but again there were a number with just one or two and those were combined. Class A had one; Class B one, Class C two and Class D, one. The winner of Class A was Nick Munn’s TIDELY-IDLEY [USCG Launch; 110-hp Hercules]; Class B, Jesse Mitchell’s SHADY LADY [Young Brothers 38(Slippery); 225-hp John Deere]; and Class D WHISKEY GIRL. In Class C the winner was Adam Kimball’s MISS ATTITUDE [Holland 32; 265-hp John Deere] with Bruce Hamlin’s RUTHLESS [Mussel Ridge 28; 325-hp Yanmar] second. Four boats were entered in Class E and with his infection under control AUDREY MAY was present, but missing was AMY KATHREN. When the flag dropped AUDREY MAY was off and won with a speed of 40.3 mph. Second went to C. J. Johnson’s MISS MAIREAD [Duffy 30; 430-hp Cummins], which was the first VOOP [Duffy 30] after a major rebuild by her new owner this past winter. In third was GUILTY PLEASURE. Also racing down with Class E was the only entrant in Class F, Scott Merryman’s K. E. II [Northern Bay 38; 405-hp Cummins]. Next up was the lone racer in Class G, RIJO, and the two racers in Class H: Nick Martinez’s PRETTY WOMAN [Calvin Beal 36; 510-hp Caterpillar] and Henry McVane’s ALLISON EVA. RIJO got the win in Class G and PRETTY WOMAN for Class H. The only entrant in Class I was LIL’ LISA MARIE so she raced down against MEAN KATHLEEN, each getting the win in their respective classes. Class K had four entrants and with just MISS AVA ELAINE in Class K she ran down with them. After her going dead in the track in the first race she came back to the committee boat and they went to work. Would her gear slip again and the engine die? She led the way to the finish line and never looked back. The battle for first in Class K went to BLUE EYED GIRL with a speed of 46.7 mph. Second went to LA BELLA VITA followed by SHOOTIN’ STAR. Classes M and N were combined. The winner of M went to Justin Papkee’s PULL ‘N PRAY [Wayne Beal 40; 500-hp Isuzu] the only boat in the class. Wayne Clemons’ TEMPTATION [Young Brothers 40; 730-hp MAN] took the top spot in Class N with MASTER MASON second. In Class O the judges got lined up on the line as they knew this race could have a very close finish between NATALIE E. and OBSESSION. At halfway NATALIE E. had the advantage and would win by three boat lengths with OBSESSION second. Matt Clemons’ HAYLIE ELIZABETH [Mussel Ridge 46; 1,000-hp FPT] all geared up and still managed a third-place finish. KIMBERLY ANN was a no show for the second time and ALEXSA ROSE took the top spot in Class P, followed by 4 LADIES.
There were no entrants in the Wooden Boat races, so it was onto the Gasoline Free-for-All. Just BROWN EYED GIRL came to the line, and she ran the course by herself.
Nine boats were on the line for the Diesel Free-for-All, and the winner was MISS AVA ELAINE followed by BLUE EYED GIRL and LA BELLA VITA.
In the Fastest Work Lobster Boat Race, it was the same top three.
The final race of the day was Fastest Non-Working Lobster Boat Race MISS AVA ELAINE was again the winner with BROWN EYED GIRL second.
We were hoping to see Tom Clemons’ new boat, the Morgan Bay 43 with an 1,800-hp MAN, but she was not quite ready. Hopefully, Winter Harbor or Pemaquid was the thought for her debut.
