BELFAST — One of the major draws of day two of Harbor Fest is Come Boating!’s 16th Annual Regatta, which saw 20 different vessels battle the elements as much as each other, to complete the journey.

While the race is typically three miles long, this year’s race was closer to five. Coupled with the constant, often intense wind, and the result was a race that lasted well over 90 minutes for some competitors.

Still, racers are a hardy bunch and the 85 tasked with rowing Belfast Bay were undeterred. The youngest rower to complete the race in a single vessel was just 16.

Most of the 20 crafts were manned by residents of Maine, though there were also two teams each from both Boston and New York City competing.

There were five separate safety boats patrolling the water throughout the race, in a addition to an eager crowd.

Local boats the Belle Fast and the Selkie came in to shore together, chanting “hip hip hooray” in unison with raised paddles.

The look of accomplishment was one shared by each of the 85 competitors.

Though the wind and waves may have added substantial time and effort to an already difficult endeavor, every single competitor finished the race.

Almost all of them were still smiling as they hauled their boats from the water.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com