Gray skies and the threat of a nor’easter couldn’t keep hundreds of spectators from crowding the Manchester’s inner harbor for Sunday’s 14th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta — a raucous, side-splittingly funny community spectacle that’s equal parts creativity, camaraderie, and pure speed.
Oh yes, it’s also equal parts cardboard and duct tape—the only two elements allowed for vessels entering this race, run by a dedicated group of volunteers and led by Bob, Kim and Summer Hofeldt.
Thirty-one boats took to the water this year, many of them more hopeful than seaworthy, and nearly half were built and crewed by kids. This year’s fleet included eight sweet entries from youngsters at Harborlight Montessori School in Beverly, whose boats brought a new educational twist to the fun. Nichole Schrafft, Harborlight’s K–6 science coordinator, said she used the race to teach concepts of physics and engineering. (Way to go Nichole!). And the kids were cute, eager, and several quite able.
In the end, reigning champions Yabba Dabba Don’t (Adrian Argento and Taylor Hwong) defended their title with a winning time of 32.64 seconds, proving again that a steady paddle and a solid hull beat flashy design any day. The runner-up spot ended in a rare tie between veteran racer Bernie Romanowski’s “Bird Turd” and newcomers Joshua and Eric Dokken’s “Wandering Doaken” both clocking in at 39.21 seconds.
The amazing Patel family — perennial favorites and crowd pleasers — had another stellar showing. Sisters Aashika and Kayuri Patel took first in the kids’ division with their sleek Double Oar Nothing, while dad Akshay Patel earned the tongue-in-cheek honor of “Best Sinker Boat” for his ill-fated License to Keel. Akshay was one of four boat captains—which also included co-organizer Brian Sollosy’s not-entirely-seaworthy Duct Boat—who was destined to bob along as they swam and pushed their vessels over the finish line to the delight of the crowd.
And in the annual town rivalry, the Manchester Fire Department’s “Car One” reclaimed bragging rights from the Police Department’s “Reel First Responders.” Better luck next year MBTS police!
Among the day’s most heartwarming stories came from event co-organizer Summer Hofeldt, who marked three years cancer-free by not only running the event but also racing in it. Hofeldt’s Lobsta Boat won over her boyfriend Jelani Alfano (captain of the Uber Eats) in a super close race.
As always, the American Legion kept the crowd well-fed with burgers, dogs, and “adult beverages,” while Good Morning Gloucester’s Joey Ciaramitaro livestreamed the races with spirited play-by-play, supported by the Legion’s Allan Kirker. Musicians Peter Hoare and Tim LaFontaine capped off the day with live music back at the Legion.
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