PRST STD
THE STATE OF MAINE'S BOATING NEWSPAPER
U.S. Postage Paid, #256
Bangor, Maine 04401
Maine Coastal News
Volume 22 Issue 8 August 2009 FREE
3MORE RACES DOWN, MOOSEBEC, SEARSPORT & STONINGTON
A real battle is brewing between Ed Torosian's MS. ROSE and Bill Grant's DOUBLE G.
JONESPORT-SEARSPORT-STONINGTON verbal abuse began. We all know the saying
– Believe it or not half the lobster boat race damned if you do, damned if you don’t, but
season has already been completed. The in the end Blackwood had made the right call,
weather this summer has not been very co- because within an hour the fog was back.
operative most of the days, but we have been Running the races at Beals Island/Jonesport
fortunate with two overcast and three sunny later than scheduled means that they will
days. We have not been without incident conflict with other events taking place that
though. During a race at Searsport a competi- day too, which is an issue for many people
tor was tossed out of his boat and injured. In racing or wanting to watch.
a separate incident, a racer went outside the The following day we were back, and
course and run up on the outside of the signed up an additional ten people, bring the
spectator fleet. These incidents forced the total number of racers to 59, the most entrants
Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association ex- so far this year. Racing on the 5
th
of July was
ecutive board to add in two new rules. Still, also a first because it was a Sunday and this
despite the incidents the racing has been to my knowledge has never been done be-
great. fore. There were only a few boats, which had
MOOSEBEC REACH signed up the day before, that did not show
4/5 July up to race.
Always the major worry when racing at The Moosebec races always have a lot
Beals Island/Jonesport is the threat of fog. of work boats racing, most of them younger
UNCLE'S UFO owned by Andrew Gove of Stonington dominated the racing at Searsport.
When we arrived at 0700 hrs. on 4 July one fisherman. In Work Boat Class A Matthew boats in front of him really had 115-hp out- the boats are hydroplanes, but since they use
could not see across the reach and the Alley arrived with a new boat, KARLI MADI- boards even though the cowlings said they them for clamming or worming that makes
weather man was forecasting that it would SON, (14-footer, 25-hp Mercury), but he was were 90-hp outboards. At the award cer- them legal. Watching them come up the race
not clear until later that afternoon and be unopposed. Five competitors came out for emony following the race it was determined course is a little unnerving since they are an
beautiful the following day. Race organizer Class B, which was won by Dan Sawyer’s that he was correct and they were disqualified accident just waiting to happen. Already
for the Moosebec races is Eric Blackwood, SARAH RAYE (Holland 14, 50-hp Mercury). and the win went to WILD FIRE. Class D was discussions have taken place about making
who said that he would wait until 1200 to make In Class C eight boats came to the line and the won by MAMA’S WORRY (17-footer, 125- sure that the boats racing in these classes are
a decision. As the hours passed it would get first to cross the finish was Curtis Robinson hp Mercury) owned by Mel Merchant Jr., true workboats.
a little better and then shut right back in again. Jr.’s racer (15-footer, 90-hp Mercury), fol- followed by MEGAN BROOKE (16-foot There was only one racer in the Dragger
At noon Blackwood sighted up and down the lowed by Mark Faulkner’s VECTOR (17-foot Chrysler, 100-hp Johnson), Michael Emerson and Wooden Boat classes. The Dragger race
reach and still could not see the other side so Hydrostream, 90-hp Mercury), and Ralph and REBEKAH MARY (23-footer, 90-hp was won by Mitchell Beal’s BUKIE & DUKIE
he decided to call the races and run them the Davis’ WILD FIRE (16-foot Hydrostream, 90- Mercury), James Kelley. AND DUKIE TOO (Wayne Beal 40, 500-hp
following day. As soon as he announced this hp Johnson). When Davis crossed the finish There is no question that there is a prob-
over the VHF radio, the fog lifted and then the line he filed a protest saying that the two lem in these classes at Moosebec. Many of
Continued on Page 18.
C o n t e n t s
Publisher's Note 4
The "Bilge Rat" 7 Maritime Industry Importance 9 Boat Yard News 14
Calendar of Events 4
Boatbuilding Festival 7 Castine to Host ME Boatbuilders 9 Maritime History - January 1895 20
SW Boatworks 5
New Products 8 Lobster Boat Race Results 10 Classified Ads 24-31
Waterfront News
MMM Fishing Exhibit 8 Commercial Fishing News
Eatsport's Pirate & Salmon Festival 6
Detection of Harmful Algae 8 Misc. Commercial Fishing News 11
MMA News 7
Letter to Editor 9 Canadian Fishing News 13
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