Racing the past in Jonesport, Maine: 5 days aboard the world’s fastest lobster boats

The lobstermen who make up this strange party compete all summer long on a race circuit that takes them and their boats to 11 fishing communities up and down the Maine coast. A 26-foot boat really only needs a 250-horsepower engine, but in order to race, lobstermen and women trick out boats of that size with 350-500 horsepower and open up their throttles for little more than pride. Some of the vessels are over 40 feet long and pack over 1200 horsepower. The winnings are negligible; first place takes home $150, second place nets $100, and third wins $50. That’s nothing for people who pull in hundreds of thousands of dollars a year catching lobsters. The money doesn’t matter. The real prize is bragging rights.  Video, click here to read the story 10:29

2 Responses to Racing the past in Jonesport, Maine: 5 days aboard the world’s fastest lobster boats

  1. Kevin Tucker says:

    I have a racing lobster boat sitting in my front yard called the Flying Toothpick. I was told it had a winning history out of Jonesport. Do you have any history on it?

    • borehead - Moderator says:

      Hi, Kevin. I just did a quick search and came up empty handed. Hopefully someone will see the comment and chime in.

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