This year’s races drew 39 boats to the season kickoff here. Last year there were 53 boats, and according to Jon Johansen, president of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association, Thursday’s strong winds and forecast for the June 20 races was pretty iffy.

But it was more than just the weather, Johansen surmised, “Last year's fishing industry was down a little bit, that probably didn't help,” Johansen said. “And some of them are just holding back because you're just not catching much out there, so some of the boats are still on the harbor.”

Among the 39 were a few racers from Long Island, off the coast of Portland.

Close races noted by Johansen were between Obsession and Natalie E, swapped back and forth. “It's who gets the jump at the start line. between those two, and that was a real, real close race. I bet it was within half a boat length.”

Johansen made a point of saying that, in addition to the racing, one of the things people love about the Boothbay Harbor race is the “incredible” get-together at Brown’s Wharf.

These action photos of the 2026 Charles Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races in Boothbay Harbor held on Saturday, June 20 were provided once again by Register contributor and professional photographer Mike Leonard. Those who would like high resolution photos of the races may contact Leonard at mleonard@maine.rr.com. Please include a screenshot of the photo(s) you want when emailing him.

2026 Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races 

UNDER 24 FEET Race 1 – CLASS A Skiffs 16-feet and under with outboards up to 30 hp, Operator 18 years and younger:

1) Wicked Walker, Walker Linscott

Race 2 – CLASS B Inboards, outboards or outdrives, 31 to 90 hp: 

1) ---, Andy Correa (50.1 mph)

2) Screen Time, Mason Vintinner

3) Piss Missile, Colyn Rich

Race 3 –CLASS C Inboards, outboards or outdrive 91 hp and up: 

1) White Knuckle, Jacob Noyes (45.2 mph)

2) Zippah’, David Noyes 

3) Bottoms Up, Tyler Childers 

3) Casco Miss, David Johnston 

Race 4 –Fastest Working Lobster Boat –Boothbay 

1) Blue Eyed Girl, Andrew Taylor (48 mph) 

GAS POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP Race 5 – Gasoline Class A – 4 & 6 cylinder 24 feet and over: No entrants 

Race 6 - Gasoline Class B - V-8 up to 375 cid, 24 feet and up: No entrants Race 7 - 

Gasoline Class C - V8, 376 to 525 cid, 28 feet and over: 

1) Brown Eyed Girl, Jim Koehling (34 mph) 

Race 8 - Gasoline Class D - V-8, 376 to 540 cid, 28 feet and over. No entrants 

Race 9 - Gasoline Class E - V-8, Over 525cid, 28 feet and over, superchargers/Turbos. DNS) Foolish Pleasure, Mark Freeman 

DIESEL POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP Race 10 - Diesel Class A - Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet:

1) Capt. EM, Richard Hildings 

Race 11 - Diesel Class B - Up to 235 hp, 32 feet and over: 

1) Howard, Matt Carter 

Race 12 - Diesel Class C - 236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet: 

1) Last Design, Roy Fagonde (34.7 mph) 

2) Wound Up, John Albaum 

Race 13 - Diesel Class D - 236 to 335 hp, 34 feet over: 

1) Whiskey Girl II 

Mark Davis Race 14 - Diesel Class E - 336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet: 

1) Audrey May, Randy Durkee (40.1 mph) 

2) Guilty Pleasure, Jake Dugas 3) Amy Kathren, Mason Vintinner 

4) Wilbur, Tishe Sawyer 

5) Entropy, Alden Sawyer 

Race 15 - Diesel Class F - 336 to 435 hp, 34 feet and over: Faith Melle, Winfred Alley, Jr. (39 mph) 

Race 16 - Diesel Class G - 436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet: 

1) My Turn, Mariena Beal (42 mph) 

Race 17 - Diesel Class H - 436 to 550 hp, 36 feet and over: 

1) Melynda M., Willie Coombs (34 mph) 

Race 18 - Diesel Class I - 551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet: 

1) Lil’ Lisa Marie, Gary Genthner (42.3 mph) 

2) Misty, Chris Smith 

Race 19 - Diesel Class J – 551 to 700 hp, 36 feet and over: 

1) Mean Kathleen, Sean Clemons 

Race 20 - Diesel Class K – 701 to 900 hp, 28 feet and over: 

1) Blue Eyed Girl, Andrew Taylor (49.3 mph) 

2) La Belle Vita, Jeff Eaton 

3) Regency, Zach Donnell 

Race 21 – Diesel Class L – 901 hp, 28 feet and over: No entrants 

Race 22 – Diesel Class M – 40 feet and over, up to 500 hp: 

1) Pull ‘n Pray, Justin Papkee 

Race 23 – Diesel Class N – 40 feet and over, 501 to 750 hp:

1) Miss Madelyn, Jason Chipman 

2) Temptation, Wayne Clemons 

Race 24 – Diesel Class O – 40 feet and over; 751 to 1,000 hp:

1) Obsession, Ryan Lemieux (44.5 mph) 

2) Natalie E., Dana Beal Race 

25 – Diesel Class P – 40 feet and over; 1,001 hp and over:

1) Kimberly Ann, Eric Beal (41.1 mph) 

2) Alexsa Rose, Matt Shepard

3) Pier Pressure, James West

4) 4 Ladies, Tom Clemons