The season opener of Maine lobster boat racing season 2023 shifts into high gear Saturday, June 17 in Boothbay Harbor with the Charlie Begin Memorial Lobster Boat Races.

Boat captains can sign up at Brown’s Wharf on Atlantic Avenue between 9 and 10 a.m. There is an entry fee of $20, but that fee will be waived for boat captains 18 or under to encourage younger participation in the event. The races start at 10 a.m. 

Ashleeann Lowery has been organizing the Boothbay Harbor races for well over a decade and has been a member of the racing committee since 2007. For Lowery, this year has already been special because the race committee was able to award four seniors with a Charlie Begin Memorial Scholarship Fund award of $1,000.

“In the past we’ve done two $500 scholarships, but this year we could do thousand-dollar scholarships for four students, which was really cool and fun. It’s been my favorite part of this year,” said Lowery who presented the scholarships to graduating seniors Ryan Clark, Savannah Compare, Emily Densmore, and Eric Maki.

This year’s commemorative T’s and sweatshirts are gray with the logo on front and sponsors on the back. T’s are $20 and sweatshirts are $35. They will be available for purchase at 8 a.m. at the signup table at Brown’s Wharf.

In 2021 and 2022, Andrew Taylor/Blue Eyed Girl won the Fastest Working Lobster Boat race traveling at 47.2 mph. He also took first place in the Diesel Free For All in 2022 with a speed of 48.8 mph. Will he return? Will Blue Eyed Girl retain her title of Fastest Working Lobster Boat in 2023?

“I heard, although you never know until these guys show up,” said Lowery, “but I heard David Taylor’s Misty was re-powered this year, and that just might give Blue Eyed Girl a little run for her money.”

Lowery will be on the prize float where awards will be given for first, second and third place in all races except the Free For All Races which offer a first prize only. This year captains entering a “fastest boat” category will receive a $250 (increase of $50 over 2022) prize or a gift certificate of comparable value.

“When you see all these kids on board and younger captains racing, you’re reminded that there’s more to it than the racing. We’re a family,” said Lowery.

There is nothing quite like the sounds of racing lobster boats and the screams and laughter of the passengers as they are showered with wake! If you cannot get on a boat yourself, the race course is in front of Tumbler Island toward the finish line at Maine State Aquarium on McKown Point Road in West Boothbay Harbor. Other spots on land are on the east side, at Brown’s Wharf and at Whale’s Tale next door.