June 2017 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 5. The Start of Lobster Boat Racing Less Than Month Away Yes, it is that time again. There is less


than a month to go before the fi rst lobster boat race [Boothbay, 17 June]. As for ru- mours, it has been a relatively quiet Winter and Spring. There were a number of new boats built this Winter, but how many will be racing is not known yet. Last year was an excellent race season with some of the best racing ever and this year we expect more of the same. Back in October at the Annual Meeting


and Awards Banquet of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association (MLBRA), held at Robinson’s Wharf on Southport Island, no changes were made to the rules or classes. There have been some grumblings about changes in classes. One wanted us to consid- er the width of the boat in determining their classes. Thankfully that did not get aired. Another suggestion, and one you may see at Winter Harbor, is a class for boats over 45 feet, since they feel there is enough com- petition and that they are not competitive with the smaller boats in the 40-foot and over classes. The only thing racers need to remember is that if you are racing for points you must stay in the class you normally race in. At Stonington they have dropped the Novi and Boatbuilders races and added a Deer Isle-Stonington Exhibition Race. There was also a rumour that the Merritt Brackett Races in Pemaquid might want to become a point’s race. Hopefully they decide against this, as I think the change is classes is one of the draws as many of the racers race boats they do not normal compete against. As for sponsorship, last year we had


Cummins and Mack Boring and we expect them back again this year. We also added Liferaft Services as a new sponsor this year. The offi cers remained the same: Pres-


ident, Jon Johansen; Vice President, Travis Otis; Treasurer Rachel Elward; Secretary: Genevieve McDonald-Kurilec.


THE CALENDAR


JUNE 17 Boothbay Lobster Boat Races Boothbay Harbor Info: A. Lowrey (207) 633-3915


18 Rockland Lobster Boat Races Rockland Harbor @ Breakwater Rockland


Info: Dot Black (207) 975-9690


25 Bass Harbor Lobster Boat Races Bass Harbor Info: Wayne Rich (207) 244-9623


JULY 1 Moosabec Reach Lobster Boat Races U. S. Coast Guard Station Jonesport Info: A. Rittenhouse (207) 598-6387


9 Stonington Lobster Boat Races Town Dock Stonington


Info: C. McDonald (207) 664-4525 G. McDonald (207) 266-5113


23 Friendship Lobster Boat Races Town Dock Friendship


Info: Robin Reed (207) 975-9826


AUGUST 12 Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Races Town Dock Winter Harbor


Info: Chris Byers, (207) 963-7139


13 Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races State Park Restaurant Pemaquid


Info: Brent Fogg (207) 380-4909 Sheila McLain (207) 677-2100


19 Long Island Lobster Boat Races Ferry Dock Long Island


Info: Lisa Kimball (207) 332-3968


20 MS Harborfest Lobster Boat Races Portland Yacht Services – marina 58 Fore Street Portland


Info: Jon Johansen (207) 223-8846


OCTOBER 14 Awards Banquet & Dinner Robinson’s Wharf Southport Island


Info: Jon Johansen (207) 223-8846 All Races:


Sign up: 8 to 9 am Race start: 10 am Follow on VHF 10 Exception: Long Island Sign up: 1-2 pm Race start: 3:00 pm


The Landing Dinghy is built by students in the Composite Boat Building Class and is


the perfect tender for cruising or the ideal family row boat. Inwale material is a domestic hardwood and the gunwale is covered with “Gunwale Guard” (not shown). The Landing School fi berglass dinghy is resin infused with integral positive fl otation compartments providing ample capacity for four adults and gear yet stable enough for the kids to take on their rowing adventures. It is not certifi ed for an outboard. Included: choice of gel-coat color, “Gunwale Guard”, oars, locks & painter. Specs: LOA: 9’ 1”; Beam: 4’ 1”; Draft 14”; Price: $2850.00 THE LANDING SCHOOL (800) 991-6191


Landing School Dinghy


Bring your boat to New England’s most capable yacht yard for the care she deserves. Repairs, refi ts, storage and dockage available for vessels up to 200 feet and 480 tons.


Belfast,Maine  207-930-3740


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