Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS November 2008
VARIETY OF ISSUES DISCUSSED AT LOBSTER BOAT RACE MEETING
Another Maine lobster boat racing sea- briefly and were informed that Galen Alley,
son is over and the Maine Lobster Boat owner of FOOLISH PLEASURE, had pur-
Racing Association (MLBRA) is already chased a supercharger. Still the board agreed
looking towards next year. An advisory that by combining Class D (Over 502 cid, 28
board meeting was held before the awards feet and over, Naturally aspirated) and Class
banquet on 27 September and several issues E would be beneficial to each race committee
were discussed before being voted on by the by lessening their costs. Thus, the new class
membership at the banquet. The officers and will be Class D, Over 502 cid, 28 feet and over,
advisory board believes that all issues and Naturally aspirated and Turbos/super-
changes should be decided at this meeting chargers or was it was nicknamed, “The Big
so that there are no surprises in the spring for Boy’s Class.”
those that either repowered, alter their exist- The Advisory Board is always con-
ing boat, or built a new one. cerned with the rules that pertain to safety.
The major announcement made at the Several items were discussed. One thought
banquet was that Motor Services Hugo it would be advantageous for the competi-
Stamp (MSHS), their last year’s sponsor, tors of the work boat classes, those boats
would again sponsor Maine lobster boat under 21 feet, to have a handheld VHF. A
racing. The costs associated with racing, brief discussion took place and the general
such as insurance and awards, have contin- consensus was to tell each entrant before the
Steve Johnson WILD ONE racing at Boothbay Harbor last summer.
ued to increase and they have certainly been race to pay attention for their start and if they
races. This year there were more people not regarded prizes since this is a determining
a big help to the Association. MSHS has were not there the race would start without
staying in the cockpit, but hanging from the factor for getting racers to an event. After a
been in sales, repair, maintenance, and test- them. We also need to inform them that
house roof, over the side and being up on the meeting with Hallett he assured racers that
ing of diesel engines for 25 years. They also following their race they need to come to the
trunk. What worried the board was that if he would do everything needed to make this
are involved in water jet propulsion and finish line boat so their place could be prop-
someone fell over the side from a boat out a premier event, including finding prizes.
turbochargers. This is all done at their state- erly noted. The next item up was over control
front, there would be a chance for the boats Another major announcement was that
of-the-art facility at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. of the throttle if the boat or skipper devel-
behind not to see them and may be run then a 28-foot hull has been offered to the
One of the major expenses for every race oped a problem. It has been permissible in the
over. A new rule would now be instituted MLBRA to give away next year. The advi-
venue is the number of classes raced. In a past to use either a line to the skipper’s wrist
that says that all people in the boat must sory board discussed how this could be
review of the classes in both the gasoline and or a kill switch. After a brief discussion it was
remain in the cockpit during the race. used to generate more entrants at all the
diesel divisions, it was determined that there determined that the line should be eliminated
Just before the awards were handed out racing venues. Finally it was agreed that for
has not been anyone competing in Gasoline and from now on a kill switch should be used
the rules that were proposed at the advisory every race someone enters they will get one
Class E (V8, Over 502 cid, 28 feet and over, on all boats in the gasoline and diesel
board meeting were voted on and all passed. chance to win this hull. They will also get
Turbos/superchargers) for several years. classes. The last thing up for discussion was
It was also mentioned that last summer another chance for the hull by becoming a
The advisory board discussed the subject keeping people inside the boat during the
the MLBRA was contacted by Merle Hallett, member of MLBRA, but must compete in at
who organizes the MS Society Regattas for least one race. It was the hope that this may
Wood and Fiberglass
yachts and tugboats at Portland and asked entice more people to come out racing. Rac-
if they would be interested in having a race ing this year saw a drop in the number of
New Construction
there. This race would take place on the same people going to numerous events, however
• Mechanical•
Restorations
course used for the tugboat muster. Those we did see more people from the racing
• Electrical•
Hull Finishing
attending the banquet agreed that this could venue’s own harbor competing, which was
• Maintenance•
Joinery
be a fun event and voted for the race to be a welcome site.
• Storage•
Custom Boat Building included. It was also agreed that this would Well there are less than eight months
not be a points race, leaving the number of before the first race at Boothbay and
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info@sixrivermarine.com North Yarmouth, Maine 04097 FAX: (207) 846-6191
point races at seven. One question raised MLBRA said they will be ready.
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