Tag Archives: Maine Lobster Boat Races

In Maine, a Father-Daughter Team Wins a Lobster Boat Race

Dozens of boats zipped across Casco Bay during the Maine Lobster Boat Races on Saturday. Only one had a purple bottom. That boat, a 32-footer with a powerful diesel engine, belonged to Jeremy Beal, 45, a large, soft-spoken man who comes from a long line of boat builders and lobstermen. “See, I grew up right in it,” he said between drags of a cigarette while leaning against the rail of his boat on the evening before the big race. For decades, Mr. Beal’s father, Wayne Beal, and an uncle, Calvin Beal, have built boats used by commercial fishers up and down the Maine coast. After years spent learning the family trade, Jeremy took over his dad’s business, Wayne Beal’s Boat Shop, in Jonesport, a seaside town more than 200 miles northeast of Portland. “I bought the boat off my father,” Mr. Beal said. “It was his last power boat. He’s retired out of the boat shop. I won’t sell the boat unless I have to. Just for the fact that it was my dad’s.” Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:33

Lobster boats race in rain and fog in Bass Harbor

This year the big winner was Jeff Eaton’s La Bella Vita. The Northern Bay 38-foot, 815 horsepower vessel took first in its class and then topped the most competitive races of the day, Jon Johansen photos.

Drizzle, downpours and at times dense fog delayed but did not stop the roar of gas- and diesel-powered lobster boats racing through the harbor when the Maine Lobster Boat Races touched down in Bass Harbor on June 23. “It was an exciting day!” Race Committee Chairperson Elean Mitchell said, despite the cold, wet weather. “We handed out prizes during off-and-on downpours.” Douglas Cornman performed the blessing of the fleet at 9:45 a.m., with the first race starting around 10:30, Mitchell said. The 31st and final race finished just after noon. across the 31 races, with winners receiving $200 in prize money. Lobstermen race for bragging rights as much as prizes. The Maine Lobster Boat Races next land in Moosabec Reach in Jonesport on June 29 and Stonington on July 14.  7Photos, results, more, >>CLIC TO READ<< 10:35

Commercial Fisherman Mark Wells of Phippsburg, Maine, has passed away

Mark Wells, 67, passed away on Nov. 13, 2021 after diabetic issues complicated by Covid. He was born in Kittery, Maine on June 24, 1954 to Bert Wells and Faye Albertson. In 1986, Mark met and married the love of his life, Mary “Betsy” Wells. He adopted her son, William, as his own, and they lived in Arundel, Searsmont and finally settled in Phippsburg. Mark had worked with his grandfather, Dutch Albertson, lobstering as a teenager. His love of commercial fishing stayed with him, and he worked in the industry for many years, before he bought his boat F/V Miss Betsy. He has fished her for the past 26 years out of Sebasco Harbor with his son William lobstering and tuna fishing. Mark also participated in the Maine Lobster Boat Races, where he won several trophies. >click to read< 15:37

Stonington Lobster Boat Races, The Fastest Boats on the Coast! – July 9th, 2017

In addition to the standard MLBRA race classes, Stonington hosts the John’s Bay Boat Company Exhibition Race, the Jimmy Stevens Cup awarded to the fastest Working Lobster Boat, and new this year, the Deer Isle Exhibition Race (hailing port of the vessel must be  Deer Isle, Stonington, or Little Dear Isle). Click here to read the notice, contact info, and a schedule of the event. Lets Go Racing!!! 10:18