On August 18, Portland, Maine, hosted the last of the summer's Maine lobster boat races. The competition runs the gamut from ethanol-powered, flat-bottomed pure racing machines to a floating tiki bar. Don't miss the fireboat, flaming engine, tug muster and full-throttle races.
For a full roundup, read Michael Crowley's Around the Yards Northeast article "Lobstermen race for more than prizes" on page 36 of the November issue.
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Travis and Keith Otis of Searsport, Maine, have the First Team tied up and ready to head out into Casco Bay for Portland's lobster boat races.
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The KonTiki Bar — Hate Me Rose gets dressed up for the races.
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Launching Galen Alley's Foolish Pleasure, a fiberglass version of the wooden Lorna R. They both have relatively flat bottoms and ethanol engines.
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Jeremy Chandler, skipper of the Lorna R and Galen Alley's cousin, gets ready for the race, sporting his Foolish Pleasure team t-shirt.
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Off to the races! What? Your sternman doesn't have a couch?
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Open skiffs coming down the line!
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Emergency crews and good Samaritans respond
when an oil leak sparks a fire in the wheelhouse of the wooden Lorna R during her first race. Skipper Jeremy Chandler quickly extinguishes it and gets back in line to win a second race.
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The Stretched-Vet cruises down the raceway.
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Race organizers point the radar gun aboard the Bailey & Bella.
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Skipper Tom Clemons of the 4 Girls comes out on deck to check in with First Team skipper Travis Otis after a tight field and a close race in the Diesel Free-For-All. Watch the video here.
Even more photos and videos on the next slide.
More Photos and Videos
Launching Galen Alley's Foolish Pleasure (a fiberglass version of the wooden Lorna R) and revving her ethanol engine.
The Lorna R takes her first race
Whistlin Dixie wins
Lorna R wins the wooden boat race
Foolish Pleasure takes a race
The all-diesel race is a close call
