The 23rd annual Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races were held in John’s Bay off Fort William Henry on Sunday under warm sunny skies and on calm waters. This year’s race was dedicated in memory of Pemaquid Co-op lobsterman Albert Westhaver.
The race is one of the most popular highlights of Olde Bristol Days. Pemaquid Harbor was packed with boats loaded with observers, grills and coolers to enjoy the day long event.
The fleet of boats was the second largest in the race’s 23 year history. No boat or captain claimed the $1000 cash prize for breaking a speed record. Galen Alley with Foolish Pleasure missed breaking his own record by a tenth of a second.
Results of the race by category are as follows:
Race 1: Clamdigger and Lobster Pickers, Outboard 25hp and under, skiffs 16 feet and under, age 18 and under
1. Gregory Carter; 2. Sydney Dyer, The Ball; 3. Tucker Phinney, Spare Change; 4. Chad Bolster, Salt Shaker; 5. Nick Simmons, CJ; and 6. Noah Dawson, Lobsters Wanted
Race 2: Clamdigger and Lobster Pickers, outboards up to 70hp, skiffs over 16 feet
1. John Brackett, Late Nights; 2. Scott Carter, no name; and 3. Jamie Brinkler, Miss Addie
Race 3: Clamdiggers and Lobster Pickers, inboards or outboards, 71 hp and over, skiff over 16 feet
1. Allen Thibodeua, Resolute; 2. William DeBery, Supa Gupp; and 3. Dave Johnston, Casco Miss
Race 4: Four and six cylinder gas, 24 feet and over
1. D&L Boatworks, Cry Baby; 2. Bruce Farrin, Jr., Sumnah
Race 5: Gas any cu. in. and under, 24 feet & over
1. Galen Alley, Foolish Pleasure, 2. Bruce Engert, Thunderbolt
Race 6: Diesel 175 hp & under, 24 feet and over
1. John Brackett, Mi-Jen; 2. Joe Lane, Spirit of ’76; 3. Dana Russell, Knot Again
Race 7: diesel 176 hp to 210 hp, 24 feet & over
1. Gary Clifford, Destini; 2. Zachary Geyer, Miss Fortune
Race 8: Diesel 211 hp to 250 hp, 24 feet & over
1. Mack Simmons, High Anxiety; 2. J. Craig O’Brien, Slowhand; 2. Scott Carter, Still Smoking
Race 9: Diesel 251 hp to 350 hp, 24 feet & over
1. Marshall Farnham, Miss Attitude; Raymond Carter, Who’s Buyn; 3. Martin Leeman, Broken Record; 4. Bruce Poland, Reva J.; 5. Josh Harvey, Why Knot
Race 10: Diesel 351 hp to 450 hp, 28-35’11”
1. Todd Ritchie, Seacock; 2. Clyde Poland, Black Pearl
Race 11: Diesel 351 hp-450 hp, 36 feet and up
1. Travis Otis, First Team; 2. Ethan Fink, Taylor C.; 3. Spencer Dyer, The Chain; 4. Fern Poland, Laura P.; 5. Travis Carter, Canadian Mist; 6. Mark Cheney, Streamline
Race 12: Diesel 451 hp to 650 hp, 28 feet and over
1. Bill Hallinan, Apparition II; 2. David Taylor, Misty; 3. Chip Johnson, Three Stars; 4. Scott Wood, Wild One; 5. John Geyer, Thunderstruck; 6. Eugene Carter, Atlantic Mist
Race 13: Diesel, 651 hp and over, 28 feet and over
1. Andy Johnson, Whistlin’ Dixie; 2. Tom Clemons, Motivation; 3. Chris Page, Abigail & Carter
Race 14: Novi Boats
1. Luke LeMoine, Foxy Lady; 2. Travis Carter, Canadian Mist; 3. Clyde Poland, Black Pearl; 4. Chris Hanna, Nova
Race 15: Wooden boats, diesel or gas, 24 feet and over
1. David Lash, Sea Flea; 2. Chris Page, Abigail & Carter; 3. Fern Poland, Laura P.; 4. Bruce Poland, Reva J.; 5. Josh Harvey, Why Knot
Race 16: Gas Free for All, 24 feet and over
1. Galen Alley, Foolish Pleasure; 2. Bruce Engert, Thunderbolt; 3. D&L Boatworks, Cry Baby
Race 17-Diesel Free for all, 24 feet and over
1. Andy Johnson, Whistlin; 2. Chip Johnson, Three Stars; 3. Travis Otis, First Team; 4. Ethan Fink, Taylor C.; 5. Gary Clifford, Destini
Race 18: Fastest Lobster Boat Afloat
1. Galen Alley, Foolish Pleasure; 2. Andy Johnson, Whistlin’ Dixie; 3. Bruce Engert, Thunderbolt; 4. Chip Johnson, Three Stars; and 5. Travis Otis, First Team
