BELFAST — Belfast’s annual Cardboard Boat Challenge took over the waterfront Sunday morning, Aug. 19, as 15 handmade crafts tested both their seaworthiness and speed.

The challenge is part of Belfast's Harborfest, which took place Aug. 17-19 at Steamboat Landing and Heritage Park, and the Boathouse. The event is hosted by the Belfast Rotary Club and sponsored by many area businesses and organizations. 

The Cardboard Boat challenge took place off the beachfront that borders the Boathouse, with people lining the building’s fenceline and shorefront to get a good view of the races.  

With vessels ranging from a miniature Titanic to a larger than life peapod, the races were watched by hundreds of spectators, with many voicing their support for the competitors throughout the multiple races.

There were three participation categories, including youth (under 14), family, and adult.

Five boats competed in the youth division, including the El Boxo, which won the division, Banana Splitz II, HMMess 5, Toothless, Boxing Kangaroo #3, and the Flying Cats.

There were four boats in the family category, including winners the Boxing Kangaroo #1, which was part of a larger New York, New York Kangaroo crew, which included three Boxing Kangaroo boats numbered 1-3.

Other participants in the family category included Titanic, The Little Boat That Could?, and Diving Dews.

Peapod won the adult category, with other competitors including Cupcakes, Boxing Kangaroo #2, and the Belfast Boat Mafia, which was sponsored by Belfast boat operators The Back and Forth, Carrette, Guildive, Actress, and Summer Wind.  

The rules of the race are simple, with boats cognsistin solely of unwaxed corrugated cardboard and single part, water soluble glue. Competitors can use duct tape to reinforce seams and joints.

While the rules are set, the style of the boats is anything but, with an array as wide as the competitor’s imagination.

Several boats were donated to United Farmer’s Market, who asked willing participants to allow their vessels to be hung from the ceiling of the 18 Spring Street facility.

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 Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com