Over 1,000 spectators gather for Harpswell Lobster Boat Races

A spirit of friendly competition, boating pride and community spirit filled the air and the waters off Mitchell Field as racers and boat owners of all ages gunned their engines to see who would be the fastest boat afloat at the 33rd annual Harpswell Lobster Boat Races on Sunday, July 27.

More than 1,000 spectators gathered on the Mitchell Field shore, while countless others watched from the water as 46 boats competed in over 30 races.

The smell of fuel filled the air as boaters joked and caught up with one another from across the water. The crowds — on land and water — were undeterred by clouds and wind as choppy seas made for exciting racing. 

“It’s getting pretty gnarly out there,” Andy Correa shouted from his boat after bouncing through the air in the previous race.

Piloting his unnamed vessel, Correa took first place in Race Three, Class B — inboard, outboard or outdrive, 31 to 90 horsepower.

The fastest boat of the day was “Blue Eyed Girl,” piloted by Andrew Taylor, who reached 50.4 miles per hour in the Diesel Free-for-All. Taylor also took first place in the Fastest Working Lobster Boat Afloat race and in Race 20, Class K — 701 to 900 horsepower, 28 to 39 feet 11 inches.

In each category, the prizes were $250 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place.

The boat races are often a family affair. Some boats hosted nearly a dozen people on board, many sitting in lawn chairs or picnic tables hauled onto the back of their vessels, enjoying a day on the water.

“It speaks volumes … the amount of boats that were watching the races,” event organizer Mary Coombs said. “Because they all could have the day off, but they were there, out in their boats.”

Back on shore, local food trucks and nonprofits set up at Mitchell Field to entertain spectators in between races. Coombs said volunteers and event sponsors were instrumental to the event’s success. Volunteers took to Mitchell Field before the event, cutting back bushes on the pier to ensure quality viewing.

All proceeds from the races are donated to the Harpswell Santa Fund each year to help give back to locals in need. Last year the event generated $23,000 for the fund.

Results of the 33rd annual
Harpswell Lobster Boat Races

Work boats under 24 feet

Race 1 – Fastest lobster boat in Casco Bay:

1. “Miss Ava Elaine,” Robert Johnson (46 mph)
2. “Mean Kathleen,” Sean Clemons (39 mph)
3. “4 Ladies,” Tom Clemons (30 mph)
4. “Temptation,” Wayne Clemons
   
   (DNS) “Five Star,” Chip Johnson

Race 2 – Class A: Skiffs 16 feet and under, outboard up to 30 hp, operators up to 16 years old:

1. “Jenily,” Jennifer Noyes (29.2 mph)
2. “Send It,” Quinn Phinney

Race 3 – Class B: Inboard, outboard or outdrive, 31 to 90 hp:

1. (Unnamed), Andy Correa
2. “Flying Turd,” Ethan Brewer
   
   (DNS) “Marguerite,” Matt Newberg
   (DNF) “Screen Time,” Mason Vintinner

Race 4 – Class C: Inboard, outboard or outdrive, 91 hp and over:

1. “White Knuckles,” Jacob Noyes
2. (Unnamed), Eli Levasseur
3. “Ignorance,” Nick Munn
4. “Casco Miss,” Dave Johnston
5. “Lost Soul,” Tyler Hodgkins
6. “Zippah,” David Noyes
7. “Salty C.,” Dana Clark

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Gas-powered work boats 24 feet and over

Race 5 – Class A: Four and six cylinder, 24 feet and over: No entrants

Race 6 – Class B: V8, up to 375 ci, 24 feet and over: No entrants

Race 7 – Class C: V8, 376 to 525 ci, 24 feet and over:

1. “Brown Eyed Girl,” Jim Koehling (33.9 mph)

Race 8 – Class D: V8, 376 ci and over, 24 feet and over (non-working racer): No entrants

Race 9 – Class E: V8, over 525 ci, 28 feet and over, turbos/superchargers, alcohol and nitrous:

(DNS) “Voop,” Jeremy Saxton

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Diesel-powered work boats 24 feet and over

Race 10 – Class A: Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet 11 inches:

1. “Kathy Lynn,” Martin Page

Race 11 – Class B: Up to 235 hp, 32 to 39 feet 11 inches:

1. “C-Girl,” Cole Poland
2. “It Is What It Is,” Jesse Mitchell

Race 12 – Class C: 236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet 11 inches:

1. “Ruthless,” Bruce Hamlin (26 mph)

Race 13 – Class D: 236 to 335 hp, 34 to 39 feet 11 inches:

1. “Whiskey Girl,” Mark Davis (28.8 mph)

Race 14 – Class E: 336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet 11 inches:

1. “Wilbur,” Alden Sawyer (33 mph)
2. “Amy Kathren,” Mason Vintinner
3. “Guilty Pleasure,” Jake Dugas

Race 15 – Class F: 336 to 435 hp, 34 to 39 feet 11 inches:

1. “K. E. II,” Scott Merryman

Race 16 – Class G: 436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet 11 inches:

1. “Semper Fi,” Ari Meehan (41.7 mph)
2. “Spit Second,” David Osgood
3. “Bittersweet,” Tom Cloutier
4. “Restless,” Mark Davis

Race 17 – Class H: 436 to 550 hp, 36 to 39 feet 11 inches:

1. “Pretty Woman,” Nick Martinez
2. “Fallen Angel,” Brodie Eaton

Race 18 – Class I: 551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet 11 inches:

1. “Misty,” Chris Smith

Race 19 – Class J: 551 to 700 hp, 36 to 39 feet 11 inches:

1. “Mean Kathleen,” Sean Clemons (40.4 mph)
2. “Delusional,” Andy Dugas

Race 20 – Class K: 701 to 900 hp, 28 to 39 feet 11 inches:

1. “Blue Eyed Girl,” Andrew Taylor
2. “La Bella Vita,” Jeff Eaton
3. “Shootin’ Star,” Steven Osgood
4. “Regency,” Zack Donnell

Race 21 – Class L: 901 hp and over, 28 to 39 feet 11 inches:

1. “Miss Ava Elaine,” Robert Johnson (48 mph)

Race 22 – Class M (A): 40 feet and over, up to 500 hp:

1. “Pull N’ Pray,” Justin Papkee
2. “Wild Irish Rose,” Steve Johnson

Race 23 – Class M (B): 40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp:

1. “Alexsa Rose,” Matt Shepard (40.4 mph)
2. “Five Star,” Chip Johnson
3. “Temptation,” Wayne Clemons
4. “Master Mason,” David Vintinner
5. “Sand Dollars III,” Scott Dugas

Race 24 – Class N (A): 40 feet and over, 751 to 1,000 hp:

1. “Natalie E.,” Dana Beal (43.2 mph)

Race 25 – Class N (B): 40 feet and over, 1,001 hp and over:

1. “4 Ladies,” Tom Clemons

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Race 26 – Class O: Non-working boats, any length, any horsepower: No entrants

Race 27 – Wooden boat race A: Any hp, up to 35 feet 11 inches: No entrants

Race 28 – Wooden boat race B: Any hp, 36 feet and over:

1. “Delusional,” Andy Dugas (24 mph)
2. “Sand Dollars III,” Scott Dugas

Race 29 – Gasoline free-for-all:

1. “Brown Eyed Girl,” Jim Koehling

Race 30 – Diesel free-for-all:

1. “Blue Eyed Girl,” Andrew Taylor (50.4 mph)
2. “Miss Ava Elaine,” Robert Johnson
3. “La Bella Vita,” Jeff Eaton
4. “Mean Kathleen,” Sean Clemons
5. “Shootin’ Star,” Steven Osgood
6. “Semper Fi,” Ari Meehan
7. “Alexsa Rose,” Matt Shepard
8. “4 Ladies,” Tom Clemons
9. “Whiskey Girl,” Mark Davis
10. “Guilty Pleasure,” Jake Dugas
11. “Sand Dollars III,” Scott Dugas

Race 31 – Slowest boat: No entrants

Race 32 – Fastest working lobster boat afloat:

1. “Blue Eyed Girl,” Andrew Taylor (48.2 mph)
2. “Mean Kathleen,” Sean Clemons
3. “La Bella Vita,” Jeff Eaton
4. “Alexsa Rose,” Matt Shepard
5. “Miss Ava Elaine,” Robert Johnson

Race 33 – Fastest non-working lobster boat:

1. “Brown Eyed Girl,” Jim Koehling
2. “Wilbur,” Alden Sawyer

Note: “DNS” means “did not start.” “DNF” means “did not finish.”