On Saturday, June 17, in Boothbay Harbor, spectators on boats, wharves and docks, and a prime spot on the lawn in front of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) on McKown Point, watched as some of the fastest lobster boats in Maine vied for first place in their respective categories.

The event was the 32nd annual Lobster Boat Race, renamed the Charlie Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Race in 2006, in memory of the well-loved and respected Boothbay Harbor lobsterman.

Thirty-four lobster boats entered the competition this year. Categories included gas classes based on length and cubic inches, diesel classes based on horsepower and length, a wooden boat race, gas and diesel free-for-alls, and a grand finale: the “Fastest Lobster Boat of the Day.”

Results of the 29 races, supplied by race announcer and former organizer Clive Farrin, are as follows:

Gas-Powered Work Boats Under 24 feet:

Race 1, Class A (Skiffs 16 feet and under with outboards up to 30 horsepower, and operators 18 and under): First place (only entrant) Nugget, operated by Cameron Murphy, speed 24.6 mph.

Race 2, Class B (Inboards, outboards and outdrives, 31 - 90 horsepower): First place Nadon, operated by Frank Bennett, speed 41.9 mph; second place Zippin’, operated by David Noyes; third place: White Lightening, operated by Nikolas Poland.

Race 3, Class C (Inboards, outboards and outdrives, 91+ horsepower): First place (only entrant) Malago, operated by Jim Koehling.

Gas-Powered Workbboats 24 Feet and Over:

Race 4, Class A (4 & 6 cylinder, 24 ft. and over): No entrants

Race 5, Class B (V8 up to 375 cubic inch displacement, 24 feet and over): First place Whiskey Girl, operated by Mark Davis, speed 26.9 m.p.h.; second place Sea Foam, operated by Rusty Brewer.

Race 6, Class C (V8, 376 – 525 cubic inch displacement, 28 feet and over): No entrants.

Race 7, Class D (V8, 376 – 540 cubic inch displacement, 28 feet and over): First place Lynn Marie, operated by Steve Johnson, speed 50.4 m.p.h.; second place Thunderbolt, operated by Bruce Engert, speed 46 mph.

Race 8, Class E (V8, over 525 cubic inch displacement, 28 feet and over): No entrants.

Race 9 (Fastest working lobster boats in Boothbay Region): First place (only entrant) All Out, operated by Nick Page, speed 26.9 mph.

Race 10, Wooden Boats, Class A (Any horsepower, up to 35 feet, 11 inches): No entrants.

Race 11, Wooden Boats, Class B (Any horsepower, 36 feet and over): First place Sea Foam, operated by Rusty Brewer, speed 21.5 mph; second place Evangeline, operated by Caleb Knapp, speed 19.9 mph.

Diesel-Powered Workboats 24 Feet and Over:

Race 12, Diesel Class A (Up to 235 horsepower, 24 to 31 feet): No entrants.

Race 13, Diesel Class B (Up to 235 horsepower, 32 feet and over): No entrants.

Race 14, Diesel Class C (236 - 335 horsepower, 24 to 33 feet): First place Last Design, operated by Winnifred Alley, speed 33.6 mph.; second place Miss Attitude, operated by Adam Kimball; third place Odyssey, operated by Troy Plummer.

Race 15, Diesel Class D (236 - 335 horsepower, 34 feet and over): First place (only entrant) Pull n’ Pray, operated by Justin Papkee, speed 14.3 mph.

Race 16, Diesel Class E (336 - 435 horsepower, 24 to 33 feet): No entrants.

Race 17, Diesel Class F (336 - 435 horsepower, 34 feet and over): First place (only entrant) Ms. Rose, operated by Ed Torosian, speed 32.9 mph.

Race 18, Diesel Class G (436 - 550 horsepower, 28 to 35 feet): First place Right Stuff, operated by Dana Beal, speed 34.3 mph.; second place Seacock, operated by Todd Ritchie.

Race 19, Diesel Class H (436 - 550 horsepower, 36 feet and over): First place (only entrant) First Team, operated by Travis Otis, speed 31.9 mph.

Race 20, Diesel Class I (551 - 700 horsepower, 28 to 35 feet): First place Margaret E, operated by Packard Faulkingham, speed 42.9 mph.; second place Misty, operated by Chris Smith, speed 38.9 mph.

Race 21, Diesel Class J (551 - 700 horsepower, 36 feet and over): No entrants.

Race 22, Diesel Class K (700 - 900 horsepower, 28 feet and over): First place Lisa Marie, operated by Gary Genthner, speed 41.1 mph; second place All Out, operated by Nick Page, speed 26.9 mph.

Race 23, Diesel Class L (901 horsepower, 28 feet and over): First place Motivation, operated by Tom Clemons, speed 52.5 mph; second place Wild Wild West, operated by Cameron Crawford, speed 44.6 mph; 3^rd Place Miss Karlee, operated by Ed Shirley.

Race 24, Diesel Class M(A) (Up to 500 horsepower, 40 feet and over): First place (only entrant) Sea Urchin, operated by Alan Knowlton, speed 15.2 mph.

Race 25, Diesel Class M(B) (501 to 750 horsepower, 40 feet and over): First place Kimberly Ann, operated by Eric Beal, speed 34.8 mph; second place 51, operated by Billy Bob Faulkingham, speed 33 mph.; third place Illusion, operated by Nick Hawke; fourth place Centerfold, operated by Cyrus Sleeper.

Race 26, Diesel Class N (751and over horsepower, 40 feet and over): First place Whistlin' Dixie, operated by Andy Johnson, speed 40.8 mph; second place Jacalwa, operated by Marshall Spear, speed 36 mph.

Race 27, Gas Free-For-All: First place Lynn Marie, operated by Steve Johnson, speed 52 m.p.h.; second place Whiskey Girl, operated by Mark Davis, speed 29 m.p.h.

Race 28, Diesel Free-for-all: First place Wild Wild West, operated by Cameron Crawford, speed 56.5 mph;second place Motivation, operated by Tom Clemons; third place Margaret E, operated by Patrick Falkingham; fourth place Jacalwa, operated by Marshall Spear.

Race 29, Fastest Lobster Boat of the Day: First place Wild Wild West, operated by Cameron Crawford, speed 56 mph; second place Motivation, operated by Tom Clemons, speed 55.5 mph; third place Whiskey Girl, operated by Mark Davis.

The course ran from near Tumbler Island to just south of Harbor Island, around half a mile.

Prizes for each race were awarded: First place $150; second place $100; third place $50. Captains had the option to take the prize in cash or choose prizes or gift certificates of equal value.

Call Ashlee Lowery at 207-380-5348 with any questions.

For the rest of the 2017 dates and other information, visit the Fans of Maine Lobster Boat Racing Facebook page.