Fleet arriving for Shipyard Cup

EAST BOOTHBAY, MAINE – Boothbay Harbor is starting to buzz with excitement as the entrants for this weekend’s Shipyard Cup start to arrive.  The Shipyard Cup (racing Saturday and Sunday from about noon – 4:30 P.M. depending on conditions) is a big boat sailing regatta held annually in the Boothbay Region.  This year’s show is of special interest as it includes a WWII vintage aerobatic aircraft show.

First to arrive on Monday were CHRISTOPHER a 150 ft. ketch recently launched at Pendennis Shipyard in the U.K.  and  WHITEHAWK a 92 ft. Maine-built schooner  designed by local world renowned naval architect Bruce King.

Others soon to arrive include VIRAGO (100 ft.), TENACIOUS (114 ft.) ISOBEL (75 ft.)  WHISPER (116 ft.), SUMURUN (94 ft.) and SCHEHERAZADE (154 ft.).  SCHEHERAZADE is poised to be the hometown favorite, having been built at Hodgdon Yachts in  East Boothbay.

This is one of the few times the spectacular SCHEHERAZADE has returned to Maine waters since she was launched in 2003. SCHEHERAZADE was designed by Bruce King and features an exquisite interior designed by Andrew Winch Designs of London and is one of the world’s most respected sailing superyachts.

The air show will feature six WWII vintage aircraft from the Texas Flying Legends Museum in an aerobatic performance from 5-5:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.  In addition, the planes will be on display at the Wiscassett Airport where they will depart at 4:45 pm for the over-water show.  The best way to see the airshow is by private or commercial boat.  A list of commercially available boats is available at the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce website.

A more complete description of the entrants, the aircraft and the Shipyard Cup “Notice to Mariners” for local mariners planning to be on the water is available on the event website.

By Ocean Navigator