Repower Gives Seasoned Captain a Powerful Edge

Uncle’s UFO crushed the competition in its class at the Stonington Lobster Boat Races, July 10, thanks to the motoring skills of its legendary owner Andy Gove – and the boat’s recently repowered Volvo Penta engine. 

The aptly named boat seemingly flew across the harbor, as 86-year old Gove out-raced the competition at a top speed of 42 mph. A year ago, he replaced the vessel’s aging 1,000 hp engine with the robust Volvo Penta 700 hp D13. Gove said the Volvo Penta engine gives him higher performance, better fuel economy and lower emissions in a compact lighter weight package.

“Our Volvo Penta team was on hand to cheer Andy across the finish line,” said Marcia Kull, Volvo Penta’s vice president of marine sales in North America. “He’s been lobstering since he was seven years old, so you can bet he appreciates a reliable engine not just on race weekends, but every day of the lobster season.” 

“You can hit the throttle from a dead idle on this Volvo, and she doesn’t hesitate one bit; the power’s right there. And no smoke, either. That’s a clean-running engine,” said Gove.  

A summer spectacle for Down East boaters and families, the Lobster Boat Races take place on weekends at seaports from Bar Harbor to Portland, with the main event at Stonington Harbor the second Sunday in July. At this year’s Stonington race, 100 vessels, ranging from the smallest skiffs to high-powered souped-up models, vied for prizes in 32 events. The event was hosted by Volvo Penta Dealer Billings Diesel, who supplied the finish line barge and race officials.  

“It’s a unique experience to see these working boats in a race setting, and the lobster captains take it seriously,” Kull said. “But perhaps more important than the prizes, the winners earn bragging rights to last them through Maine’s long cold winters.”