Nick Lemieux’s ASPIRATION [Young Brothers 35; 450-hp Volvo] battling it out with Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT]. ASPIRATION would place second in Diesel Class I and LA BELLA VITA would get the win in Diesel Class K.
The closest race of the day was between Ryan Lemieux’s OBSESSION [Young Brothers 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] and Dana Beal’s NATALIE E. [Libby 41; 1,000-hp FPT] in Diesel Class N(A). The win, by a mere two feet, went to NATALIE E.
Cole Beal’s BUCK WILD [Young Brothers 33; 230-hp Cummins] and Calvin Beal, Jr.’s JEANINE MARIE [Calvin Beal 30; 235-hp Cummins] battling it out in Diesel Class A with the win going to BUCK WILD. There is a problem BUCK WILD should have been in Diesel Class B, but since there were no entrants in Class B, they both became winners.
It was no surprise that the big winner of the day was Jeremy Beal’s MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II [Wayne Beal 32; 1,000-hp Isotta]. She won Diesel Class L, Diesel Free-for-All and World’s Fastest Recreational Lobster Boat. His top speed of the day was 55 mph.
BASS HARBOR: Everyone was hoping that the long-range weather forecast was incorrect going into the weekend, but they were not as it rained both days. When I arrived at Bass Harbor there was a sprinkle here and there, but we were shut in by fog, which would lift a little and then shut in again. With the rainy forecast it was thought there may not be many boats entering the race. However, when sign ups concluded we had 44 boats registered, which was a pleasant surprise and up over last year. The hope now was that the fog would lift and about 45 minutes after the scheduled start it did. There were a couple of new entrants and some real close finishes. The down-pour held off until we were ready to run the Gasoline Free-for-All, which just added to the misery for those standing out in it. With just a few races left we persevered on and finished in sprinkles.
There were no entrants in Work Boat Class A (Skiffs 16-feet and under with outboards up to 30 hp, Operator 18 years and younger), just one in Class B (Inboards, outboards, or outdrives 31-90-hp) and three in Class C (Inboards, outboards or outdrives 91hp and over), so they were combined into one race. The winner of Work Boat Class B was Reagan Anderson’s TROUBLE [Carolina Skiff 16; 40-hp Tohatsu]. The winner of Class C was Coe Thurston [Mitchell Cove 20; 140-hp] followed over by Ryan Davis [Seaway 23; 150-hp].
There were only three entrants in the Gasoline classes, all in separate classes, with none in Class A (4 & 6 cylinder 24 feet and over) and C (V8, 376 to 525 cid, 24 feet and over). The winner of Class B (V8, Up to 375 cid, 24 feet and over) was Roy Hadlock’s EMPTY POCKETS [Crowley 28; 350 Chevrolet]. The match up most was hoping to see was between Mark Freeman’s FOOLISH PLEASURE [30’ Custom Riley Beal; 800-hp 550 Chevy] in Class D (V-8, 376 to 540 ci, 28 feet and over) and Randy Durkee’s BLACK DIAMOND [Holland 32, 672 Chevrolet] in Class E (Over 525 ci, 28 feet and over, Turbos/superchargers), which was easily won by FOOLISH PLEASURE. Since they were in separate classes they each won their respective class. It was later learned that BLACK DIAMOND was having an issue with her gear slipping.
In the Diesel Classes there were no entrants in G (436 to 550 hp, 28-35 feet), J (551 to 700 hp, 36 feet and over), L (901 hp and over, 28 feet and over) and O (Non-working boats, any length, any horsepower). Two boats were on the line for Class A (up to 235 hp, 24-31 feet), which was won by Eric Eaton’s ISLAND RAT [General Marine 25; 210-hp Cummins] followed by Charles Dillion’s JANA D. [Sisu 30, 220-hp John Deere]. Five boats were entered in Class B (up to 235 hp, 32 feet and over), and the winner was Wayne Rich’s RICH RETURNS [38’ Robert Rich; 210-hp Cummins] with second going to Brian Gordius’ SUN DANCER [Stanley 36, 210-hp Caterpillar]. The winner of Class C (236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet) was Mike Gillespie’s LEAH MORGAN [Stanley 28; 265-hp Cummins] and sliding over in second was Pat Hanley’s MICHAEL ALAN [Mitchell Cove 32; 300-hp Cummins] and third was Everett Beers’ MISS KARI LYNNE [Mitchell Cove 32; 265-hp John Deere]. Two boats came to the line for Class D (236-335 hp, 34 feet and over), which was won by Shawn Stanley’s MISS MARGO [Mitchell Cove 35; 300-hp John Deere]. Class E (336 to 435 hp, 24-33 feet) has been dominated by Randy Durkee’s AUDREY MAY [Holland 32; 425-hp Cummins] and today was no different. Second went to Erin Hardy’s MYRA GRAYCE [Crowley Beal 33; 365-hp FPT]. Another dominate boat this year has been Winfred Alley’s FAITH MELLE [Libby 34; 425-hp Cummins] in Class F (336-435 hp, 34 feet and over) and he led the way with Robert Lee III’s JUSTIN & COLBY II [Mitchell Cove 35; 400-hp John Deere] getting second. The winner of Diesel Class H (436 to 550 hp, 36 feet and over) was Willie Coombs’ MELYNDA M. [Wayne Beal 36; 500-hp FPT] followed by Travis Otis’ FIRST TEAM [Northern Bay 36; 410-hp Sisu 645]. Jackson Lemieux’s ASPIRATION [Young Brothers 35; 450-hp Volvo] did her best to get by Chris Smith’s MISTY [Crowley Beal 33; 650 hp Scania] in Class I (551 to 700 hp, 28-35 feet), but just could not do it and they finished one-two. Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA [Northern Bay 38; 815-hp FPT] has been the boat to beat in Class K (701 to 900 hp, 28 feet and over) and Nick Wiberg’s WITCHING HOUR [Northern Bay 36; 815-hp] tried her best to slide by, but could not do it and they finished one-two. Chris Pope’s OLD SCHOOL [Holland 41; 380-hp Cummins] was the winner of Class M(A) (40 feet and over, up to 500 hp), followed over by Chris Goodwin’s DREW & HENRY [Osmond 40; 500-hp John Deere] who was followed over by Lewis Bishop’s PROVIDER II [Young Brothers 40, 405 Cummins]. It was no surprise to see Eric Beal’s KIMBERLY ANN [Calvin Beal 42; 750-hp FPT] just ahead of Matt Shepard’s ALEXSA ROSE [Morgan Bay 43; 750-hp John Deere] in Diesel Class M(B) (40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp) as they finished one-two. Class N(A) (40 feet and over, 751 to 1000 hp) has proved to be consistently the closest finishes this year, between Ryan Lemieux’s OBSESSION [Young Brothers 40; 1,000-hp Caterpillar] and Dana Beal’s NATALIE E. [Libby 41; 1,000-hp FPT], picking up where they left off last year. The judges stood right on the line and the win went to NATALIE E., by just a couple of feet. The winner of Class N(B) (40 feet and over, 1001 hp and over) went to Mack Kelly’s FIFTH GENERATION [Wesmac 46; 1,000-hp FPT].
The only wooden boat entered in the Wooden Boat Races (36 feet and over) was RICH RETURNS.
The rain was falling much harder as the two gas boats came to the line for a rematch, FOOLISH PLEASURE and BLACK DIAMOND in Gasoline Free-for-All. The win went to FOOLISH PLEASURE again.
The winner of the Diesel Free-for-All went to LA BELLA VITA with second going to WITCHING HOUR. They then went down to compete in the Fastest Lobster Boat and were the only two entered. The results were the same.
Just three boats were on the line for the Bass Harbor’s Fastest Lobster Boat and it was Travis Lunt’s STEPPIN’ UP [Mitchell Cove 35; 580-hp FPT] getting the win with second going to Patrick Hanley’s MISS AMELIA [Young Brothers 40; 610-hp Volvo].
MOOSABEC REACH – Notoriously the enemy at the Moosabec Lobster Boat Races is fog. Well, Saturday 29 June we did not have to worry about fog, but the skies were overcast, with a good breeze out of the sou’east and the temperature in the fifties making it just a little bit nippy.
Sign-ups were steady and when done I had 97 boats entered. Shawn Alley’s LITTLE GIRL [28’ Calvin Beal Jr.; Chevy] was ready and in the water; Randy Durkee had brought BLACK DIAMOND from Islesboro and Mark Freeman’s FOOLISH PLEASURE was there. Many came to see these boats race, but LITTLE GIRL had an oil filter issue and was a no-show at the start of her race and BLACK DIAMOND still had not worked out the bugs with her gear, which was still slipping.
The first race of the day was an exhibition race for high-speed pleasure boats, which was won by Alton Smith’s ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL with a speed of 84 mph. Second went to Kraig Church’s E-GAD [Donzi Classic 22; 540 hp Mirmon].
Next up was Work Boat Class A, which was won by Teagan Gray’s SHIT DIGGER [14’ Lund; 25-hp Yamaha] with a speed of 23 mph. She was followed over by Nataya Merchant’s THE BOY [15’; 15-hp] in second. In Class B no one was surprised to see Ralph Davis’ ALPEX [16’, 90 hp Johnson] in the lead. He has been the dominate boat in this Class for the last 20-plus years. Mason Vintinner’s SCREEN TIME [Corson 16; 90-hp Mercury] did his best to keep up with ALPEX, but just could not and settled for second. Third went to QUICK TIDE [Corson 16; 90-hp Honda], owned by Aiden Rittenhouse. Six boats came to the line for Class C and jumping right into the lead was Caleb Norton’s WHITE LIGHTNING [Mako 20; 200-hp Evinrude]. She grabbed first with second going to Dave Johnston’s CASCO MISS [Eastern 22, 250-hp Honda], which came from Peaks Island.
In the Gasoline Classes there were no entrants in Classes A, B and C and there was just one entrant in Class D and Class E. This was going to be a rematch between BLACK DIAMOND (Class E) and FOOLISH PLEASURE (Class D). As they came up the course it was obvious that FOOLISH PLEASURE had the advantage and went on for the win. Each still got first in their respective classes.
The only Diesel Classes with no entrants were Class J and O. Eight boats were on the line for Class A and no one was surprised to see Calvin Beal, Jr.’s JEANINE MARIE [Calvin Beal 30; 235-hp Cummins] leading the way to the finish line. Second went to Jacob Kirby’s BARE BOTTOM [BHM 25, 220-hp John Deere] followed by Jeremy Tyler’s JUMPINS [Holland 30; 210-hp International]. The only entrant in Class B was Cole Beal’s BUCK WILD [Young Brothers 33; 230-hp Cummins]. There were three boats entered in Class C, but one, SUSIE K. [Wayne Beal 28, 300-hp Yanmar], skippered by Doug Dodge did not make it to the line having developed a problem with her exhaust. Roy Fagonde’s LAST DESIGN [E. Libby, Jr., 31; 300-hp Caterpillar] was the winner of Diesel Class C with a speed of 27 mph. Second went to Shane Phinney’s KNOT SHORE [Crowley Beal 33; 318-hp Volvo]. Class D was a battle of the Libbys and it was a close one. Ivan Libby’s WRECKING CREW [Libby 38; 305-hp Caterpillar] and Chad Libby’s MYRTLE BELLE [Libby 34, 205-hp John Deere] were bow to bow as they approached the finish line, but it was WRECKING CREW, which would get the win. AUDREY MAY was expected to be the winner of Class E, but that did not happen as Calvin Beal, Jr.’s JEANINE MARIE [Calvin Beal 25; 420-hp FPT], yes there are two, was the winner with a speed of 34 mph. Third went to Dan Sawyer’s HIGH VOLTAGE [AJ-28; 400-hp Yanmar]. Another close finish was between Mitch White’s BOUNTY HUNTER [Calvin Beal 34; 425-hp Cummins] and FAITH MELLE and with just a few feet separating their bows the win went to BOUNTY HUNTER. When you race it is always a good idea that you know where the finish line is. You can be the fastest boat in your class like Mariena Beal and MY TURN in Class G, but you have to cross the finish line. She turned just before crossing the finish line thinking another boat down the course was the committee boat. The win went to Steve Carver’s ANOTHER DIRLS [Holland 35, 550-hp John Deere]. Three boats were signed up for Class H and it was not surprising to see Dean Beal’s MISS NORMA [Wayne Beal 36; 500-hp Cummins] out in front as they neared the finish line. MELYNDA M. took second with Josef Guptil’s INDIAN OUTLAW [Northern Bay 38; 500-hp Cummins] sliding over in third place. Class I was another rematch from Bass Harbor between MISTY and ASPIRATION with MISTY coming across the line with a two-boat length lead. LA BELLA VITA came from Stonington and faced off against Ira Guptil’s MYSTERY MACHINE [Northern Bay 38; 750-hp, John Deere]. The win went to LA BELLA VITA. Also running in the same race was Jeremy Beal’s MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II [Wayne Beal 32; 1,000-hp Isotta], which was the only entrant in Class L. Nine boats were on the starting line for Class M(A). Milton Merchant’s MISS TONIA [Libby 41; 500-hp Cummins] and Patrick Kelley’s FEELIN’ NAUTI [Osmond 40; 405-hp Cummins] were close heading for the finish line, but it was MISS TONIA getting the win. Third went to Mitchell Beal’s BUKIE & TUKIE [Wayne Beal 40, 500-hp FPT]. Eight boats were on the line for Class M(B) and it was no surprise to see KIMBERLY ANN come across the line first. Second went to Brian Davis’ ALL IN [South Shore 42; 700-hp Volvo] and third was Keenan Fenney’s CRUSTACEAN HUNTER [Dixon 45; 750-hp John Deere]. One race which we knew was going to be a close one was in Diesel Class N(A) between OBSESSION and NATALIE E. As the nine boats came up the course OBSESSION was out in front with NATALIE E. right on her side. Then NATALIE E. slowed giving OBSESSION an easy win. Dixon Smith’s SIZE MATTERS [Libby 45’ 3”; 1,000-hp FPT] took second and Ken Geiger’s SHE’S ALL WET [Osmond 40; 800-hp Scania] took third. Two boats were on the line for Class N(B) and the winner was Mack Kelley’s FIFTH GENERATION with a speed of 31 mph. Travis Perry’s ISLA & GRAYSON [Wesmac 50; 900-hp Scania] sailed across the finish line in second.
The only wooden boat that came to the line was Ann Johansen’s SARI ANN I, which was in Wooden Boat Race B (Any hp, 36 feet and over).
Next came the Gasoline Free-for-All and FOOLISH PLEASURE was the only entrant.
Six boats came to the line for the Diesel Free-for-All, which was easily won by MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II. Second went to LA BELLA VITA and third was SIZE MATTERS.
Four boats entered the World’s Fastest Working Lobster Boat and the win went to LA BELLA VITA followed by LAST DESIGN and SIZE MATTERS.
The last race of the day was World’s Fastest Recreational Lobster Boat and this was won by MARIA’S NIGHTMARE II.
STONINGTON – What a day (14 July) for racing! There was plenty of sun and a light breeze keeping the Thorofare relatively cool. I brought CINDY JEN down from Searsport that morning and what a beautiful sail. I was about 15 minutes late getting to the dock for sign ups and the line was already long. Ann was not with me as she was taking part in the Tri-for-the-Cure in South Portland, but fortunately Sheila Dassatt stepped in and helped me out with sign ups. We kept peeking down the line to see if it was shrinking, but it did not seem to. Finally, after more than two and a half hours I had everyone signed in, a total of 112 boats, and in another hour I had them in the computer.
There was one new boat that I wanted to see go, RIPSNORTER [Custom 28; 350 ci Chevy] from Brooklin Boat Yard. She had been started by D & L Boat Works of Lewiston/Auburn, the builders of CRY BABY [25’ D&L BW, 292 Chevrolet], but they could not finish the project and sold her to Steve White of Brooklin Boat Yard. This past winter they finished her off and really wanted to see how she would fare with some of the other gas boats.
As usual there were some real close races and some surprise winners. Jeff Eaton’s LA BELLA VITA won the Andrew Gove Memorial Cup for the Fastest Working Lobster Boat and Mark Freeman’s FOOLISH PLEASURE took the Jimmy Stevens Cup for the Fastest Boat Afloat.
The real big winner of the day was Julian Spofford of Stonington, who raced in the first race of the day. It was his name that was drawn out of the hat, the winner of the 25-foot hull.
Eleven boats came to the line for the first race of the day, Work Boat Class A. Haven Ciomei in ESSIE GRACE [Holland 14; 25-hp Yamaha] got the win. Second went to Lucas Jones’ RED NECK RACER [Sears 12’; 25-hp Mercury]. Most were not surprised to see SCREEN TIME get the win in Class B. Second went to Ryan Miller’s MILLER TIME [17’; 50-hp Yamaha] and third was Gavin Holland’s BABY BARON [Holland 14, 30-hp Yamaha]. When the flag dropped for Class C the top three boats came up the course close together. The winner was Nathaniel Robertson’s DADDY DIDN’T BUY IT [Passamaquoddy 24; 350-hp Yamaha], followed by Caleb Norton’s WHITE LIGHTIN’ [Mako 20; 200-hp Evinrude] and Dave Johnston’s CASCO MISS [Eastern 22, 250-hp Honda].
Next, was the John’s Bay Boat Co. Race, which was won by Ben Weed’s EMMA & ANDREW [John’s Bay 44; 700-hp Caterpillar]. Sliding over in second was John Williams’ KHRISTY MICHELLE [44’ Johns Bay; 500-hp Cummins] followed by Ann Johansen’s SARI ANN I [40’ Johns Bay Boat, 375-hp 3208 Caterpillar], skippered by Alonzo Alley.
There was only one entrant in each of the Gasoline Classes with the exception of Class C, which had no entrants. Jon Johansen’s CINDY JEN [34’ Clinton Beal, 1964; 292 Chevrolet] would win Class A and Brooklin Boat Yard’s RIPSNORTER got the victory in Class B. One of the best battles of the day was between LITTLE GIRL and FOOLISH PLEASURE and it was close, but LITTLE GIRL had the advantage and slipped over the finish line first. She would get the win in Gasoline Class E and FOOLISH PLEASURE got the win in Class D. Unfortunately, this was LITTLE GIRL’s only race of the day as she developed a minor engine issue.
Three boats were on the line for Wooden Boat A, which was won Kathy Lymburner’s EMMA G. [31’ Buxton, 355-hp John Deere] followed over by Gary Hatch’s QUEEN’S LADY [29’Rockland Boat; 220-hp John Deere] and way back was CINDY JEN in third. In Wooden Boat B the winner was EMMA & ANDREW. Second was SARI ANN I and KHRISTY MICHELLE took third.
There were no entrants in Diesel Classes B, L and O. The winner in Diesel Class A was Gary Hatch’s QUEEN’S LADY [29’Rockland Boat; 220-hp John Deere]. Second went to Michael Barter’s NIGHT MOVES [Osmond 27; 225-hp John Deere] with Ed Upham’s BLACK MAGIC [Nauset 27; 135-hp Perkins] sliding over in third. The winner of Class C was Julie Eaton’s CAT SASS [Crowley 28; 305-hp Cummins] with a speed of 26 mph. Four boats were entered in Class D and Mark Davis’ WHISKEY GIRL II [Duffy 34; 300-Isuzu] got the win with Dan Carter’s OUTNUMBERED [Duffy 35; 300-hp John Deere] getting second. AUDREY MAY has been the boat to beat in Class E, but she has always had some stiff competition from Danny Eaton’s DESTINY [Crowley 28; 420-hp Yanmar] and today it was all DESTINY sailing over the line with a four boat length lead. Second was AUDREY MAY and third was Dan Sawyer’s HIGH VOLTAGE [AJ-28; 400-hp Yanmar]. In Class F at the Moosabec Races, BOUNTY HUNTER had bested FAITH MELLE, would she be able to do that again? As they came flying up the course it was too close to call at the half-way point, but at the line the judges called FAITH MELLE the winner with BOUNTY HUNTER second. Ed Torosian’s MS. ROSE [Mitchell Cove 35; 410-hp Sisu] has not been to the races since Stonington in 2019. He came all the way from New Hampshire, cruised the coast for a week, and then entered Class F and placed in the middle of the other 12 boats. Two boats were entered in Class G and the win went to MY TURN with Ari Meehan’s SEMPER FI [Crowley Beal 28; 500-hp Cummins] second. There were 12 boats entered in Class H and they were split into two heats with the top three boats going onto the finals. The winner of the finals was MISS NORMA followed by MELYNDA M. and Oscar Beal’s PAPA’S PRIDE [Wayne Beal 36; 500-hp FPT] in third. The only entrant in Class I was Chris Smith’s MISTY. The winner of Class J was Eric Robbins’ SLEEPLESS NIGHTS [Calvin Beal 36; 675-hp Scania] followed by Jett Lindelof’s JETT SET [Calvin Beal 36; 700-hp MAN]. It was no surprise to see LA BELLA VITA leading the three other boats in Class K to the finish line. WITCHING HOUR took second and Steven Osgood’s SHOOTIN’ STAR [Northern Bay 36; 750-hp John Deere] was third. Six boats were entered in Class M(A) and the favourite was OLD SCHOOL and she did not disappoint, winning with a speed of 25 mph. Second went to Richard Hildings’ SEA BREEZE [Osmond 40; 500-hp Cummins] and third was Devin Bray’s SARAH CHRISTINE [Libby 34; 425-hp Yamaha]. In Class M(B) it was KIMBERLY ANN just outpacing ALEXSA ROSE for a one-two finish. Class N(A) was bound to be a close one as NATALIE E. and OBSESSION faced off once again. At the half-way point it was too close to call. The winner was OBSESSION with NATALIE E. second. Third went to Deven Haskell’s HOOLIGAN [Young Brothers 45; 815-hp FPT]. The winner of Class N(B) was Joshua Beal’s KAYLA ANNE [Calvin Beal 44; 1,000-hp MAN], who just slipped past FIFTH GENERATION. Third was Tom Clemon’s 4 LADIES [Wesmac SW46; 1,000-hp Caterpillar].
Two boats came to the line in the Gasoline Free-for-All and the easy winner was FOOLISH PLEASURE with CINDY JEN a very distant second.
The top boat in the Diesel Free-for-All was MY TURN, followed by WITCHING HOUR and ALEXSA ROSE.
LA BELLA VITA led all comers up the course in the Andrew Gove Memorial Cup – Fastest Working Lobster Boat. Second went to MY TURN and in third was WITCHING HOUR.
In the last race of the day, Jimmy Stevens Cup – Fastest Boat Afloat, it was FOOLISH PLEASURE getting the win. LA BELLA VITA got second and WITCHING HOUR would grab third.
Five down and six to go. One of those left is the Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races held at Pemaquid and that is not a points race. There is still a lot of racing left and one can only hope for good weather and good turn outs at the reminder of the races.
