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

Superyacht fleet arriving for 2011 Shipyard Cup

First to arrive on Monday were sailing yacht 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 the 100ft Nautors Swan  sailing yacht VIRAGO, the 114ft S/Y TENACIOUS, ISOBEL (75 ft.)  yacht WHISPER (116 ft.), SUMURUN (94 ft.) and the 154ft sailing yacht SCHEHERAZADE.  SCHEHERAZADE is poised to be the hometown favourite, 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.

Superyacht fleet arriving for 2011 Shipyard Cup

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.