LEONARDTOWN, MD — The Southern Maryland Boating Club hosted the 2016 Summer Regatta at Historic Leonardtown Wharf July 30 and 31.

This year’s event brought in 30 boats and over 2,000 people during the weekend event, said Mabel Bailey, secretary treasurer of the boat club.

“Last year we had maybe 19 boats. Many of the competitors hold world records or are national champions. With the cost of insurance, gear and maintenance of the boats, it costs a lot of money to have this hobby, but it is so much fun,” said Bailey.

Sweet Thing, one of many boats out on the water this past weekend, had its 50th birthday recently, said Bailey.

“Most of these boats they ran back in the 60s and 70s, which they are now considered vintage. They even have to have the same kind of power they had back then as well,” said Bailey.

Along with the help of the American Power Boat Racing Association (APBA), the event took a lot of manpower to coordinate, said Bailey. “We’re so thankful for the people of Leonardtown, they’ve been absolutely incredible to work with.”  .

The event was brought about by an exhibit opened at Calvert Marine Museum, said Bailey.

“About three years ago after extensive research, the Calvert Marine Museum opened a new exhibit highlighting the Golden Era of Powerboat racing in Southern Maryland. The primary focus of their exhibit was the racing period between 1940 and 1980.  So many people would come out and see the races the shorelines of the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, cheering on their favorite boats,” said Bailey.

To celebrate the opening of the exhibit in June 2013, a long overdue 40-year reunion of the Southern Maryland Boat Club was held at the museum, said Bailey.

“We were expecting a smaller crowd, but we ended up having over 300 people show up. What that told us was the love of boat racing was still in the community’s veins and we needed to do something about that. Then we started planning for this event,” said Bailey. “The club was excited to exhibit the beautiful boats in a display of thrills in the water. We hope many more will join us in the future with your vintage boats.” 

Regatta divisions included Wooden Class, G Boats and E Boats, J Class, Tunnels, F-1 tunnels, T Class and Switzer Wings.

Sponsors include the following: Calvert Marine Museum; JADEE, Inc.; Dyson Building Center; Great Mills Trading Post; Economy RVs; Napa Auto Parts of Clements, MD; A-1 Automotive; Guy Brothers Marine Inc.; Abell Auto Glass; Kevins Corner Kafe; Lexington Park Ford and Lincoln; Southern Maryland Outboard Racing; Heron’s Way Sculpture Garden; Riverside Bistro; Sunset Cove; Point Lookout Marina; Dennis Point Marina and Campground; Russel Brothers Meats; Reliable Marine of Solomons; E & T Marine of Lexington Park; Town Creek Shop; 84 Lumber; Big Larry’s; Pull and Tug Enterprise; Island Marine Service; Dunkin Donuts; McCready’s Boatyard and Railway; Ray Longs Construction; D & G Kustom Specialties; Cook & Meredith Marine Sales; Solomons Island Yacht Club; Dean Lumber and Supply; and Big Ed’s Tire and Service Center.

For more information about the event or the Southern Maryland Boat Club, check out their website and Facebook page.

Contact Jacqui Atkielski at j.atkielsi@thebaynet.com.