Lobster boats at full steam. Photo courtesy of Jon Ancker.
The 2017 Maine Lobster Boat Races Schedule has now been published. The dates of each official lobster boat race of 2017 is below, along with details of the best viewing locations and information on the harbors in which the races take place. Each boat race starts at 10am unless otherwise noted. Enjoy!
The Maine lobster boat race schedule 2017
June 17th – Boothbay Harbor Lobster Boat Races. These races are best viewed via boat.
June 18th – Rockland Lobster Boat Races. These races are best viewed via Rockland Breakwater. The Rockland Lobster Boat Races have good prizes and draw a nice crowd of local boys and big boats from the surrounding islands. The Rockland Lobster Boat race festivities kick off the night before the competition, with a Dock Party at Journey’s End Marina. The party features a live band, cash bar and dancing inside the boat shed and outside on the wharf overlooking Rockland Harbor (from 6-10:30pm). The party atmosphere continues the day of the races, with lots of rafting up and partying on the boats while the races take place.
June 25th – Bass Harbor Lobster Boat Races. These races are best viewed via boat. A blessing of the fleet takes place after the races.
July 1st – Jonesport Beals (Moosabec Reach) Lobster Boat Races. These races are best viewed from the Beals Island bridge. This is perhaps the most iconic race of the season as Maine lobster boat racing as we know it originated in these sheltered waters between Jonesport and Beals Island. The races are always highly competitive and the towns host 4th of July events alongside the racing. The iconic arching bridge which connects Jonesport to Beals Island is an excellent vantage point for watching the boat races. For a look at the Jonesport Beals / Moosabec Summerfest 4th of July schedule, click here.
July 9th – Stonington Lobster Boat Races. This is a fantastic race to attend, with a number of events happening before and after the main competition. An annual boat race dance takes place the night before the races at the Stonecutters Kitchen (formerly the Fishermen’s Friend Restaurant, doors open at 8:00pm), a pancake breakfast is held the morning of the races and crab meat rolls are served in the odd fellows hall after (you haven’t lived until you’ve had a Stonington crab meat roll)! The Stonington lobster boat races are best viewed by boat and Isle au Haut Boat Services runs a charter for flatlanders who want to view the action on the water (for further details email [email protected]). For those coming to compete, sign up begins at 7:00am on the Stonington Commercial Fish Pier (the same location of the Race Awards), there is a public access boat ramp at Colwell’s next to the Isle au Haut Ferry and Mailboat wharf and the VHF Channel to tune into is 10. Stonington is one of the most picturesque lobster fishing villages in Maine and well worth a visit even if you can’t make it to the races. Bagaduce Lunch, in Brooksville, is a great lobster shack to check out if you’re in the area. To read about Stonington’s Annual Fishermens Day, which takes place the week after the Stonington boat races, click here.
July 23rd – Friendship Lobster Boat Races. These races are best viewed via boat.
August 12th – Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Races. These races are best viewed via boat. The races form part of a wider Downeast Maine Lobster Festival held in the town that day. The festival itself is well worth a visit and includes a pancake breakfast, parade and lobster dinner. For a look at this year’s Downeast/Winter Harbor Lobster Festival, click here.
August 13th – Pemaquid Lobster Boat Races. These races are best viewed from the top of the tower at Pemaquid Colonial Park.
August 19th – Long Island Lobster Boat Races
August 20th – Portland Lobster Boat Races (MS Harborfest). These races are best viewed from Fort Allen Park/the Eastern Promenade (including the walk-way below).
Joe says
March 31, 2017 at 1:35 pmOn a different note what is the situation with individuals buying Lobster at the docks these days
Stan Zalinski says
May 11, 2017 at 5:53 pmHow do I get an application and the racing rules for your events? What sort of insurance is required?
Thanx
Genevieve says
May 26, 2017 at 7:15 pmI wasn’t sure how to contact you – here is the updated information about the Stonington Lobster Boat Races. Please use as little or as much as you would like. Thanks!
-Genevieve
The Fastest Boats on the Coast!
In addition to the standard race classes, Stonington hosts the John’s Bay Boat Company Exhibition Race, the Jimmy Stevens Cup awarded to the Fastest Working Lobster Boat, and new this year, the Deer Isle-Stonington Exhibition Race (hailing port of vessel must be Deer Isle, Stonington, or Little Deer Isle.)
Best viewed from the water. Isle au Haut Boat Services is running a charter. For further information contact Amanda at [email protected] or 207 367 5193.
There is a public access boat ramp at Colwell’s next to the Isle au Haut Ferry and Mailboat wharf. Additional trailer parking is available at the ball field across from the Island Community Center.
Sign up begins at 7:00am on the Stonington Commercial Fish Pier, this is also the location of the Race Awards.
Races start at 10:00am.
BE AWARE the red can on the north side of the track off the Isle au Haut Mailboat wharf is marking a ledge. Stay on the south side.
Overnight docking and fuel is available at Billings Diesel & Marine Service.
Join us the night before the races at the Stonecutters Kitchen (formerly the Fishermen’s Friend Restaurant) for the Annual Boat Race Dance! Doors open at 8:00pm. ID required.
VHF Channel 10
For additional information contact Cory McDonald @ 207 664 4525 or Genevieve McDonald @ 207 266 5113.
Christina Lemieux says
May 28, 2017 at 12:52 pmThank you so much for all this info! I will update my article accordingly. Best of luck with this year’s lobster races.
Ron Bubak says
May 31, 2017 at 12:42 pmLooking forward to a GREAT season.👍👍👍
Gordon says
May 31, 2017 at 3:09 pmRockland has a night-before Dock Party at Journey’s End Marina on the 17th. It starts at 6 but really heats up around 7 and goes till 10:30. No Cover Charge, Cash Bar, Live Band “Just Teachers”, Dance Floor, Inside the boat shed and outside on the wharf overlooking Rockland Harbor.
Christina Lemieux says
June 4, 2017 at 7:27 pmThank you so much for this info. Have updated the Rockland boat race details accordingly.
Sarah Mckay says
June 17, 2017 at 10:15 amHow we looking for fog today up there? Event still on?
Mike Leonard says
June 17, 2017 at 10:45 amIn Portland I was able to listen to a commentary on a VHF channel – is that done at every race? And if so what channel or frequency would that be on for the Boothbay Harbor race?