Lobster Boat Races Requirements/categories

[Bill]

Hey.. I tried looking it up but couldnt find anything... what are the boat categories for the races and what is the boat requirements? seriously contemplating getting a 150-175 for my 19 midland and strapping it on next year..

 

[jrg]

Some pretty good breakdowns of classes here -

http://www.mainescoast.com/lbr/newslett ... 2011-3.pdf


jrg

 

[F/V First Team]

[FONT=&quot]Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association Classes:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]WORK BOATS UNDER 24 FEET[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Race 1 - CLASS A Skiffs 16-feet and under with outboards up to 30 hp, Operator 18 years and younger: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 2 – CLASS B Inboards, outboards or outdrives, 31 to 90 hp:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 3 – CLASS C Inboards, outboards or outdrives, 91 hp and up:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]GAS POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Race 4 – Gasoline Class A – 4 & 6 cylinder 24 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 5 - Gasoline Class B - V-8 up to 375 cid, 24 feet and up:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 6 - Gasoline Class C, V8, 376 to 502 cid, 28 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 7 - Gasoline Class D, V8, Over 502 cid, 28 feet and over:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]DIESEL POWERED WORK BOATS 24 FEET AND UP[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Race 8 - Diesel Class A - Up to 235 hp, 24 to 31 feet: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 9 - Diesel Class B - Up to 235 hp, 32 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 10 - Diesel Class C - 236 to 335 hp, 24 to 33 feet:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 11 - Diesel Class D - 236 to 335 hp, 34 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 12 - Diesel Class E - 336 to 435 hp, 24 to 33 feet:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 13 - Diesel Class F - 336 to 435 hp, 34 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 14 - Diesel Class G - 436 to 550 hp, 28 to 35 feet:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 15 - Diesel Class H - 436 to 550 hp, 36 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 16 - Diesel Class I - 551 to 700 hp, 28 to 35 feet: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 17 – Diesel Class J – 551 to 700 hp, 36 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 18 - Diesel Class K - 701 to 900 hp, 28 feet and over:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 19 - Diesel Class L - 901 hp and over, 28 feet and over: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 20 - Diesel Class M, 40 feet and over, up to 750 hp.:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 21 - Diesel Class N, 40 feet and over, 750 hp and over:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Race 22 – Woodenboat: Vessel must be made of wood, not glassed over - exception being hauling side area and band around waterline for ice prevention
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 23 - Gasoline Free for All: Must have placed 1st or 2nd in Gasoline class to qualify
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 24 - Diesel Free for All: Must have placed 1st or 2nd in Diesel class to qualify
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Race 25 - Fastest Lobster Boat: Must have placed 1st or 2nd in Gas/Diesel Free for All to qualify

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Rules[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]START: You should be in the “START AREA†two races before yours. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For the start, entrants should be at idle and line up with the “START BOATâ€, increase speed with the “START BOAT†who will drop the flag when the entrant’s bows are line up with them.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]FALSE START: The “STARTER†will circle the flag over his head and the “START BOAT†captain will call “FALSE START†on the radio. Boats will return to the “START AREA†and try again.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Two “FALSE STARTS†by the same boat means disqualification. No “SAND BAGGING†will be tolerated.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The following Rules are guidelines and may be changed at the discretion of the Oversight Committee.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Hull type must be conventional “LOBSTER BOAT†design with single screw.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Any type of material construction is permitted: wood, fiberglass, aluminum, etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]All boats must be powered with an inboard engine with full keel and skeg. Exception: Work Boat Classes under 24 feet in length.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]No SPADE RUDDERS or SURFACE DRIVES. Trim tabs are not to be used and must be in the neutral position during a race.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Spray rails, lifting strakes and rolling chocks are allowed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]All floorboards, deck hatches and bulkhead panels must be on board or in place.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]7) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Transducers, keel pipes, scanner tubes, cages, etc, may be removed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Only one window may be open (NOT REMOVED) while racing.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]ALL BOATS[/FONT][FONT=&quot] must have a minimum of two crewmembers on board, including the skipper.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Boats must be operated from the main bulkhead steering station.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]11) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Davits and snatch blocks need not be in place, but must be on board.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]12) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Boats must be fully equipped with all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]13) [/FONT][FONT=&quot] Life jackets or vests must be worn by all crew members while racing.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]14) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]All boats must be equipped with a hauler and be able to haul.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]15) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Fuel shall be pump type, with NO NITROUS OXIDE OR PROPANE SYSTEMS.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]16) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]ALL BOATS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A THROTTLE DOWN DEVICE OR KILL SWITCH.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]17) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]UNSPORTSMAN LIKE CONDUCT [/FONT][FONT=&quot]as judged by the Race Committee could result in disqualification[/FONT]

 

[WoundUpMarine]

First team, what is a throttle down device, I plan on racing in diesel class A and want to make sure I comply with everything

 

[F/V First Team]

Anything that limits the amount of throttle if the operator falls away from the helm.

Could be a line tied to the throttle and attached to a wrist, could be a bungee cord attached to the bulkhead which draws the throttle back.

I use a tether that activates the fuel shut off solenoid, just clip it to my life jacket.

 

[WoundUpMarine]

Cool man, thanks for the info, see you at the races this summer

 

[F/V First Team]

I use a tether that shuts the engine down because I felt it was safer than any other alternative. The boat goes 8-9 mph in gear, depending on the current, so I'd rather have the engine disabled rather than a ghost ship plowing through spectators.

 

[F/V First Team]

I look forward to seeing you compete, Diesel Class A will always have a special spot in my heart, that's where I first got bitten by the racing bug.

What will you be running?

 

[WoundUpMarine]

I bought the bug hunter a 30 ft young bros with a 226 Isuzu, I'm from boothbay and will be attempting to give Marcus a run for his money in the slowhand, don't think I have a chance though. It's my first year with the boat, I've seen you at a bunch of the races, bad ass boat you have.

 

[F/V First Team]

Thanks for the compliment. I'm sure Marcus will appreciate the challenge

 

[greg]

I love the "No Nitrous" rule. Guess someone must have tried it at least once.

No rule against jato or rato though.

 

[benenglish76]

First Team, i love those Northern Bays! Searsport huh? I grew up in Monroe! Aint that sumpin?! Seriously though, how many guys are runnin wooden hulls in the races?

 

[F/V First Team]

There are quite a few wooden hulled boats floating around (no pun intended)
Currently there is a 42 with 1000 hp which does well and looks pretty doing it, other honest working boats and even one that was a working boat but is now just a race machine

On a side note I wouldn't mind trying nitrous... But rules are rules.

My father and I used to joke about having jato assist on the 28 back in the day. Now we're just talking about bringing the Packard out of retirement