Shawn Alley’s LITTLE GIRL, Calvin Beal, Jr. 28-footer, running last season at Stonington.
Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association’s Annual Meeting
Robinson’s Wharf Restaurant
Southport Island
17 October 2026
Meeting Minutes:
Dana Beal, President of MLBRA, opened the meeting by thanking all the racers for their participation. He then thanked the four sponsors, Gillespie Marine, LLC, Hornblower Marine, Mack Boring, and Xtratuf. His final thank you was for the officers of MLBRA, President Dana Beal, Vice President David Johnston, Treasurer Amy Tierney, and Secretary Jon Johansen.
The first item of business was to vote on the officers for 2027. Dana began by asking for individual officers, but a member made the suggestion that the current slate of officers be re-elected. Dana then asked each officer if they would serve again and all agreed. A motion was made to do this, which was followed by a member seconding the motion. Dana asked for all those in favour, which was agreed to by all the members with no one voting against or abstaining.
This was followed by the Treasurer’s Report. Amy said that the current balance before paying for the banquet was $11,865.61. The trophies cost $1,695.30 and it was thought that the meals, which were the same price as last year, along with the gratuities would be about $4,000. Rooms for the officers would be another $1,300. This would leave about $6,565.00, but she explained that the insurance (GL, E&O, D&O) due in the spring would be about $4,300. This would leave about $2,250 for the start of next year’s racing season. Dana added that they were going make a donation to the scholarship fund at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum and they would also try to add another two sponsors for next year.
Dana then asked if there was anyone that wanted to discuss rule changes. Shawn Alley of LITTLE GIRL had a real problem with the new boat that is currently under construction at Holland Boat Shop in Belfast. He said that he had seen a news story and posts on social media about her. It was explained that she is being built minus most of her keel and powered with a sterndrive with the hope of breaking 100 mph. Shawn said that he had a real problem with her being allowed to race in the gasoline classes. Mark Freeman of FOOLISH PLEASURE also stated his displeasure and said that if she was allowed to race with them, they would not race. Jeremy Beal of MY TURN also said that he had an issue, mainly due to the lack of a keel. Mark then brought up the issue of the record, which is 72.8 mph held by Galen Alley in FOOLISH PLEASURE set at Stonington in 2011, and would she be allowed to race for the record? Dana then decided to bring Jeremy, Mark and Shawn over to a meeting with the officers to see if they could come to some sort of a consensus. It was obvious that there were two issues that needed to be decided: what class could she run in and would she be allowed to compete for the record? After further discussion with as yet no solution, it was asked if they had an issue with her just running with them, like what had been done in the past when Steve Johnson of Long Island showed up with one of his unique ideas like the car-boat, van boat or airplane. They said that it took away from the real racers because most people would not know that she was running for fun and thus, they would refuse to run. In trying to find a solution it was again asked where she should be placed in the races? The Gasoline Classes consist of: Class A, Four and Six Cylinder, 24 feet and over; Class B, V8, Up to 383 ci, 24 feet and over; Class C, V8, 376 to 525 ci, 24 feet and over; Class D, V8, 376 ci and over, 24 feet and over (Non-working racer); and Class E, V8, Over 525 ci, 28 feet and over, Turbos/superchargers, Alcohol and Nitrous. Should there be a new Gasoline Class F, which allowed gasoline powered boats that did not conform to the definition of a Maine lobster boat; or should she race in Work Boat Class C (Inboard, Outboard or Outdrive, 90 hp and over)? This was batted around for several minutes with no real consensus, but leaning to placing her in Work Boat Class C. Then the discussion turned to Galen’s record and a proposal was made that said to be considered for the record a boat must conform to Rules 1 and 2. These rules are: 1) Hull type must be conventional “Lobster boat” design with a full keel. A full keel is defined by a straight line from the base of the stem to the base of the rudder shaft. On a fiberglass hull it will be defined by the mould. 2) All boats must be 24 feet or greater. This is measured from stem to transom. Trap racks or fabricated extensions are not included in the length measurement. Work Boat Classes (Not sanctioned by MLBRA) are racers under 24-feet in length and powered with an outboard, sterndrive or inboard engine and are exempt from having a full keel. This was agreed to. It was noted that FOOLISH PLEASURE does not have a full keel but had been grandfathered when Galen owned the boat years ago. The side meeting broke up, and Dana called the meeting back to order and proposed that a rule be made saying that to break the current record you must conform to Rules 1 and 2 and they were read to the membership. The motion was made, seconded and all agreed with no one voting against. Next, he suggested two options for where the new boat could race, either in the Work Boat Class C or in a new Gasoline Class F. A motion was made to place her in Class F and all voted yes with one dissenting. The no vote was over a concern of safety saying that if she went awry that would be the end of lobster boat racing. That was understood, but it was noted that there are already a number of boats that exceed 50 mph and anyone one of them could have an issue causing a major problem. It was then said that a motion should be made so that she could only race in this race and not in the free-for-alls, but Dana quickly pointed out that this would be up to the venues as the MLBRA does not sanction these races.
David Johnston then proposed a class change in the Work Boat Classes. He said that it was unfair for a boat with a cabin to compete with those that do not have one. He proposed a new class just for boats in the Work Boat Classes with cabins, adding that they must also have a pot hauler. A motion was made, seconded and all agreed. This will be designated Work Boat Class D (Inboard, Outboard or Outdrive, 90 hp and over; with trunk, cabin, and pot hauler).
The calendar was then read:
JUNE
19 Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races
20 Rockland Lobster Boat Races
27 Bass Harbor Lobster Boat Races
JULY
3 Moosabec Reach Lobster Boat Races
11 Stonington Lobster Boat Races
18 Friendship Lobster Boat Races
25 Harpswell Lobster Boat Races
AUGUST
7 Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Races
8 Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races
14 Long Island Lobster Boat Races
15 Portland Lobster Boat Races
OCTOBER
16 Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet
A motion was then made to adjourn the meeting, which all voted for.
* * * * *
Well, that was the wildest meeting that we have had in some time. The biggest contention was over the new Holland 32, which is being built with no keel and a sterndrive in the hopes of hitting 100 mph. Shawn Alley of Jonesport started the discussion, and he was followed by Mark Freeman and then Jeremy Beal. Basically, they did not want the boat to be in any of the current classes and definitely should not be able to race for the record set by Galen Alley. The final decision made by the membership was to add a new class, Gasoline Class F, which was for boats that did not conform to Rules 1 and 2. Years ago Class E had been formed for the same reason. When it was learned that FOOLISH PLEASURE did not have a full keel after running a number of races, she was given a pass by being grandfathered and that Class E was deemed for modified boats and anything went. Removing a portion or all of the keel certainly is an advantage as it lessens drag. This is an advantage that several boats already racing have. The real problem with the new Holland race boat is that she will have a sterndrive and that is the real contention. The question comes down to the advantages between inboard or sterndrive. Going to the internet a quick search did not spell out the advantages or disadvantages as well as I would have liked. The general articles I read really did not give either a significant advantage over the other.
Was a can of worms opened? Sort of. If racers in Class E must conform to Rules 1 and 2, does that mean anyone with an altered hull/keel will now be placed in Class F?
As for the record, where does that stand? This could get really contentious for obvious reasons. If you ask those that have followed lobster boat racing for years, they will tell you that they believe Shawn Alley in LITTLE GIRL should be the record holder. He has an unaltered hull and standard inboard power, whereas FOOLISH PLEASURE has no keel. In the end the record should stand as it is.
Another question raised by someone who has done a lot of offshore racing was in regard to safety. The race committee really needs to make sure that every boat has the proper safety items on board and that they work. For those boats that exceed 50 mph they have to have a kill switch and maybe even go to offshore powerboat racing lifejackets. As you increase a boat’s speed you go from hydrodynamics to aerodynamics and that can be a scary transition. The last thing anyone wants is a boat heading into the spectator fleet or flipping over and someone getting injured. That could be the end of lobster boat racing.
I am betting there will be more discussion on this at the Maine Fisherman’s Forum in March. The problem is that there can be no rule changes as that is unfair to someone who built a boat over the winter. However, that could be waived if all were in agreement.
Will this bring out more racers and spectators? You bet! There are rumours circulating that there are some other boats that may make an appearance this coming season, also with big power. One of these is Glenn Crawford’s WILD WILD WEST, which has been on the sidelines for the last few years. and we know that she has broken 70 mph. There is rumour of another big powered diesel coming and one can bet that Tom Clemons’ MOTIVATION will be faster. The 2027 racing season is really shaping up to be a great year.
