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Contributed by Fritz 2007-07-26

Belfast — BELFAST, JULY 26 – The starting gun will be fired at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Belfast public landing when teams of two will jump to the task of building pre-designed 12-foot Monhegan skiffs in world record time, then rapidly rowing their boats in an afternoon relay race in Belfast harbor for a huge cash prize of $500. Observers are free to come and watch, no admission fees. The World Record for this first annual event in Belfast will be set in this contest, notes Dana Mosher, executive director of co-sponsor Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce. “Competitors will be judged on combined scores of the quality of construction, time taken to build the boat, and results of the rowing race,” Mosher explains. Since this is the official launch of the annual National BoatBuilding Challenge in Belfast, the winning team will earn the title of National BoatBuilding Champion, adds Carl Cramer, publisher of WoodenBoat Magazine, also co-sponsoring the event. The winning team will then defend their title at the founding site of the National BoatBuilding Challenge on October 20 in Georgetown, South Carolina. “In addition to the second-place award of $300 and the third-place award of $250, a special Broken Oar Award will be presented to the worst of the worst,” Cramer crows. Competitors must build their boats from scratch using plywood and pine supplied by local businesses but without using air hammers or power caulking guns, states Rob Dwelley who will be hosting the event. “In advance the teams will have received the plans for the slick skiff designed by Harold ‘Dynamite’ Payson and Robert Lane,” Dwelley reports, “and they can fashion their oars and glue the transom together beforehand. But then they have to build the entire boat start to finish within four hours and even faster if at all possible.” The National BoatBuilding Challenge will be held rain or shine at Waterfront Heritage Park in Belfast with contestants protected from the elements under a big 150’ x 60’ tent with pathways for observers to walk through and watch as well. The awards ceremony will be held under the big tent at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. A Classic Small Boat Show at Belfast Heritage Park will also be held on Saturday, organized by former Belfast Mayor Mike Hall. More than 30 exhibitors will display one or more classic boats to show and/or sell from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. First thing at 9 a.m. will be a three-mile Come Boating! race. Some boats will be available to borrow on a first-come first-served basis, and rowers must pay a $10 registration fee. All festivities will be open to the public, with fresh clam chowder provided by the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce. During these all-day activities visitors may also enjoy live music by the El Camino bluegrass band. More than ten teams are expected to compete in the National BoatBuilding Challenge, and there may be some last-minute entries as well, reports Dana Mosher. More information can be provided by calling the office of the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce office at 338-5900. “The boatbuilding teams range from energetic amateurs to dedicated professionals,” Mosher observes, “and they may take various approaches to this task. It should be fascinating to watch, a great day of small boats!” For reporters who may be interested in covering this event though unable to attend, same-day photos, B-roll video footage on MiniDV tapes and a written summary of events and results will be available. Please inquire.