Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Races

The leading eight in a free for all race, one of the last few races of the day. Several of these boats came across the finish line at about the same time. It was one of several with closely matched participants. Fishermen’s Voice photo

It was foggy at times, it was rainy at times and it was in all good times.

Winter Harbor’s lobster boat races and lobster festival saw a big turn out for the races. The fog was not thick enough to prevent the races and the brief rain held off until the last few races. Winter Harbor is known for it’s prizes. In the past there have been new lobster boat hulls and nearly new pick-up trucks offered. This year R.E. Thomas Marine Hardware in Franklin, Maine donated a rudder box and a shaft box with a combined value of $4,000. Winifred Alley won the rudder box and Adam Colson won the shaft box. There were two Carolina skiffs with engines and trailers. One was won by Eric Beal and the other by Milton Merchant. Brian Bridges and Phil Torrey each won one of two all expenses paid 7 day Caribbean vacations.

There need not be much said about the races not starting on time, since there is no information on record indicating that a lobster boat has ever started on time. It was at least an early late start. Several races were close at the finish line. A couple of the later races, the big boat free for alls, had a lot of boats closely matched. So many of them approached the finish line at about the same time that the space between the finish line buoys was crowed with 40 and 45 footers pouring on the power. A couple of judges on the committee boat, seeing one of these big boats approaching in search of space between the boat to it’s left and the committee boat on it’s right, began to comment and may have been looking for a leaping escape exit over the opposite side.

Most of what else can be said is best said in photographs.

Brian Bridges’ Padasa fully loaded for party crossing the finish line in Heat III of diesel class M.

Mike Faulkingham’s Lady Lexy in Diesel Class J, 551 to 700HP.

Adam Corson’s Family Traditions 2nd place in Heat II of the Diesel Class M-40+ up to 500HP.

Jason Mills’ Mama’s Monkey blasting through finish line swells in a late race free for all. Fishermen’s Voice photo

Michaela Byers at the helm of Navigator in the lady skippers race. Fishermen’s Voice photo

Kit Johnson at the helm of Mr. Lucky, 220 John Deere, after winning the Diesel Class B race. Johnson won the Duffy hull that became Mr. Lucky at the Winter Harbor races back in the early oughts. Fishermen’s Voice photo