News Archives - NH Boat Museum

Model Yachting News • September 18, 2018

Posted on September 19, 2018September 19, 2018 by Paul McBride

Solings 09-18, by Bob Brennan

Well, we had a late call for “sailing is on” by our Interim Commodore Tim Wright for the Tuesday, September 18th regatta. The rains ended and the sun eventually made a appearance. Ten racers we able to make the call and we were able to get 8 races in for the event. Tim Wright continues to make a great showing, placing first in seven of the 8 races. If he wasn’t such a nice person, I’m sure we would be doing something to disable his boat.

Rick Lalley was able to take a first and two second places. Like every good sniper, Rick would benefit from a good spotter. Sitting in his director’s chair while the rest of us walk down the path to get a better depth of field, Rick has cut inside a buoy or two during the last couple of sessions. Maybe he could bring a spare grandchild to help him make the call.

Of course the weeds took their toll on most of us this week. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking by it. The long tentacles of a plant I have no idea of what’s it’s name is, wrapped someone’s keel or rudder seemingly on every race. BB Wright pitched in by using the rescue pole to retrieve the weeds preventing them from entering the water again. It appeared she had enough to make several leis or have the means to line a pit for a heck of a clam bake.

We were entertained by Ed Johnson’s photo journalism and Skip and Ellen Koehler’s continuous showing of love and affection toward each other. Anthony Quinn made a guest appearance (sans boat) to give us just enough grief to make sure everyone knew he was there.

I have to mention that I had a double Bill Quayle sighting last week. Bill was seen out on a field trip with his probation officer Diane. He did have an ankle bracelet on to keep him from wandering without supervision. He also snuck out and sat on the bench last Tuesday. Bill looked good, was in good spirits and said he felt much better.

US12s 09-13

Winds were light, but it was a great day of sailing on Ossipee Lake, hosted by Tim and BB Wright. Only three of the regular US12 sailors made it to the regatta, relocated from Back Bay because of recent treatment for milfoil. Unfortunately, at the end of day, while Tim was carrying his boat, he tripped on a cleat and fell, smashing his boat on the dock. Tim survived, but the boat’s hull was broken on both sides. It’s repairable, and Tim plans to have it back in commission for next week’s races.

Join the Fun

Weather permitting, the Soling fleet sails on Tuesdays starting at 1PM, and the US12’s compete on Thursdays, also at 1PM. Just head for the municipal parking lot at the end of Glendon Street and you’ll find us along the Bridge-Falls Path. In addition, the Laconia club sails at Lily Pond near the airport in Gilford on Sundays starting at 9AM.

Join us for a great show with many photo ops. And don’t forget to bring the youngsters – we have free-sailing Footies for them to use on Tuesdays. (For those wanting to purchase a Footy, a few are available in the boat museum’s gift shop.) If you want to try your hand at the helm of a radio-control boat, please let us know — we love to share.

Model Yachting News • September 11, 2018

Posted on September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 by Paul McBride

Solings 09-11

It wasn’t too surprising that only nine boats showed up, given the threat of showers and promise of light winds. Unfortunately, ten boats are required to have the results included in the season totals. So, today’s sailing was scored, but just for fun. Bruce Brown’s boat developed electrical problems in the first race, keeping it out for the duration of the regatta. That left eight boats to compete in the days eight races.

Winds gradually increased, so by the end of the day conditions were perfect. Tim Wright had another good day of successful sailing, coming in first place for the regatta. Bob Brennan, whose boat seemed to “steam” to the finish leaving a noticeable wake while others were dead in the water, came in second, and Tim Brand, with his easily recognizable brightly colored sails, came in third. Except for the occasional weed caught on the keel or rudder, everyone had a good time sailing.

Weeds were once again a problem, but the help is on the way. On the 12th the water is being treated. After treatment, the water is off limits for sailing for 24 hours, so US12 sailing on Thursday was relocated to Ossipee Lake for the day.

US12s 09-06

Once again the US12s did not have favorable conditions for a regatta. Four boats were there for the start, but most soon left. John Simms arrived later, so Tim Wright and John raced each other for a while. At one point John lost control of his boat. Tim’s boat swooped in and rescued it before it hit the shore. He then escorted John’s boat gracefully to the dock. Later John returned the favor by shepherding Tim’s boat to the dock when it had drained its batteries. Even though we have a rescue dinghy, boat to boat rescues often are preferred, because of the time it takes to unwrap the dinghy and then re-wrap it when sailing is finished for the day.

Join the Fun

Model Yachting News • September 4, 2018

Posted on September 5, 2018September 5, 2018 by Paul McBride

US12’s Can’t Catch a Break

It’s been tough for the US12 fleet, sailing every week under difficult conditions. Thursday seems to be high-wind day of the week, and August 30 was no exception. The diminished fleet has sailed, but the numbers are way down and scoring has fallen by the wayside. It always seems strange to say there’s too much wind for the sailboats, but that’s been the case. Hard on boats and hard on skippers. A good share of the fleet stays home.

Leading the 2018 Season

It doesn’t seem possible that autumn is almost here. Leading the Sailor Class as we cruise into September is Rick Gates, followed closely in second by Rick Parent, with Jerry Leach hanging on to third.

The Master Class is led by the seemingly invincible Tim Wright, with the formidable Rick Lalley right on his tail in a very strong second. In third is the very surprised Commodore Mark Whitehead.

The Finishing Touches

This week, Anthony Quinn and Paul Wallace added more concrete to the box that will strengthen the dock railing. Our thanks and appreciation go out to both of them!

Out on the Water

A glorious day on September 4 brought out eighteen Solings for their weekly regatta as the winds held all afternoon at about 6 to 7 mph. The pesky vegetation, however, remained a problem with seventeen weed calls. Most sailors took it in stride and just moved on to the next race. Anthony Quinn won the prize for the most weeds, knocking him out of three races. The prize — more gray hair?

We usually talk about only the top three skippers, but back in the pack there is some skillful sailing worth mentioning. Anthony Quinn, for example, sailed to two seconds in races four and seven and a third in race three. Bob Brennan finished second in races five and eight, and Bill Malay scored an unusual second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. Jim Opie hit the mark just right and took a win in race six, while Al Stevens picked up the pace for a fourth in the Sailor Class.

Well under the radar, Tom Greig doesn’t want to be scored at all, but was well ahead of the fleet in several races. Tom and Tim Wright, the season leader, have been challenging each other since they were youngsters, and the competitive thrill hasn’t changed.

It’s all about improving, and so far this season, Mark Whitehead leads that category in the Master Class and Paul Wallace in the Sailor Class.

Join the Fun

Model Yachting News • August 28, 2018

Posted on August 30, 2018August 30, 2018 by Paul McBride

Our Mission

Yes, it’s about having fun, building boats, and sailing them competitively. More than that, however, we are constantly educating and sharing. How do the boats work? What makes them go? What do you actually control? These are just some of the questions asked. Age doesn’t matter — those who pass our regattas delight in watching the competition as well as trying the boats.

The nuances of sailing involve hand and eye coordination, aerodynamics, mathematics, physics, meteorology, and adherence to the rules. It’s challenging but fun during the learning process.

The US12’s

Usually we look forward to wind, but during the last couple of weeks, the US12 sailors had more than they needed. On August 24, for example, a strong wind pushed well above 25 mph. That velocity is hard on the boats and very intimidating for the skippers. Only five US12’s launched, and scores were not kept.

The Solings

The Soling regatta on August 28 had winds at about 8 to 10 mph – just about perfect. Despite the continued triple-H weather, seventeen boats were able to complete twelve races. There always are a few glitches, and Tuesday was no exception. Al Stevens decided to run his boat into the dock and break his mast, which took six races to fix. Paul Wallace had electrical issues that required jet-ski rescue.

Not to be outdone, Mac MacDonald dropped his mast, which involved three Solings and the dinghy to retrieve.

A huge thank-you goes out to Anthony Quinn for taking the lead on repair of our vandalized dock handrail — with the help of Paul Wallace, who, incidentally, replaced the damaged dock post a while ago.

Out on the Water

A pattern continued in the Sailor Class with the Ricky-Ricky duo. Rick Gates took first, Rick Parent second, and Jerry Leach a strong third.

Things were normal in the Master Class, with Tim Wright leading the way, and Rick Lalley’s fast-boat grabbing second. Mark Whitehead’s 2112 miraculously pulled off a third!

Join the Fun

Model Yachting News • August 21, 2018

Posted on August 24, 2018August 24, 2018 by Paul McBride

Awards

It sometimes takes a while to present all awards to our deserving sailors — Skipper schedules are full. This week, two awards went to Bill Hagerup and one to Howard Germon.

Bill Hagerup received his third-place spring series award for the US12 Class, and Howard Germon accepted his third-place spring series award in the Soling Master Class.

In addition, Bill Hagerup was given a special award to recognize his model yachting work locally, nationally, and internationally. Over the past several years, Bill has led the way worldwide in the Footy Class — in development and design.

Weed Report

The pesky weeds are still out there, but at least we’ve been able to run our regattas. There were eleven weed calls this week, so September 12 can’t come soon enough, when treatment of Back Bay has been scheduled.

Chuckle of the Day

Paul Wallace definitely won the chuckle award. Having electrical issues, Paul spent several minutes chasing his boat, only to find it sailed faster than he could row! “Round and round he goes, and where he stops nobody knows.” As soon as he’d snagged the runaway, a rousing cheer erupted from the crowd!

Out on the Water

The US12’s gathered August 16, but due to a hard wind and too many boat issues, scoring was abandoned for the day. They hope to have better conditions next week.

August 21 was a strange day! The winds seemed to swirl in from all directions at different times, its velocity ranging from zilch to reasonable, depending where you were on the bay. Downright frustrating when you’re two feet from the finish and becalmed while the rest of the fleet is charging toward you!

Twenty-three Solings launched for this eight-race regatta. Two Ricks led the Sailor Class – Rick Gates and Rick Parent in first and second respectively. A good showing by Skip Koehler brought him home in third place.

For the Masters, we saw a couple of new faces at the head of the class. Tim Wright took top honors, and, surprisingly, we didn’t hear a peep out of Bob Brennan when he not only captured a win in race two but also a strong second in the regatta. Dan Masessa cleverly jumped into third.

Join the Fun

Join us for a great show with many photo ops. And don’t forget to bring the youngsters – we have free-sailing Footies for them to use on Tuesdays. For those wanting to purchase a Footy, a few are available in the boat museum’s gift shop. If you want to try your hand at the helm of a radio-control boat, please let us know — we love to share.

Model Yachting News • August 14, 2018

Posted on August 23, 2018August 24, 2018 by Paul McBride

A Moment on Back Bay

Sometimes on Back Bay we experience feel-good moments that affect us deeply. A couple of weeks ago, a gal who is blind stopped near the dock and expressed great interest in our sport. Since touch is the only way she can “see,” skipper Paul Wallace took the time to go over his boat and describe what she touched.

Those Pesky Weeds!

Just below the surface of Back Bay’s water lurk the infamous boat-stoppers. We’ve been doing our best to sweep for weeds before starting regattas, but inevitably the boats catch a few. Let’s hope the effort to eradicate the milfoil increases then continues. Very little has been done so far.

Award Recognition

Last week, Jerry Leach couldn’t make the picture for spring awards. This is Jerry, who placed second in the Sailor Class Spring Series. Congratulations, Jerry!

Out on the Water

The August 9 US12 regatta brought out seven of the 46-inch boats for a nine-race regatta. Not unusual, it was Tim Wright leading the way with strong showings by Bill Hagerup in second and John Simms in third.

Solings

Tuesday, August 14, had fifteen one-meter Solings. Looking out windows in the morning, it appeared doubtful that a regatta could be completed, let alone started! But out came the sun to chase away our problems. Well, ONE of the problems at least! The winds were another thing altogether — light to nonexistent. And there were eight weed calls in the six-race regatta, others probably not called. The rule is that if you are stopped by weeds, you can’t finish the race and you receive the average of your other scores.

The Sailor Class this week was led by Rick Gates and Anthony Quinn, with a tie. Watch out! Anthony is creeping up every week! Paul Wallace sailed well to a second place, and Rick Parent, frustrated by weeds, finished third.

Tim Wright maintained his leadership in the Master Class, and Tim Brand’s new sails must be working because he took second, tying with Commodore Mark Whitehead. Paul McBride finished in third place.

Of note, Dave Taylor joined us this week for the first time, sailing the loaner boat 111B and tying for sixth.

Join the Fun

Model Yachting News • August 7, 2018

Posted on August 9, 2018August 30, 2018 by Yvonne Lauziere

Spring Series Awards Presented

This week, the awards for the spring series were presented. The series began on May 22 and ended July 26. Basically, it’s the halfway point in our sailing season, with both the Soling and US12 fleets vying for top dog in their respective classes and fleets.Receiving awards were:

Soling Sailor Class
1st: Rick Gates
2nd: Jerry Leach
3rd: Rick Parent

Soling Master Class
1st: Tim Wright
2nd: Rick Lalley
3rd: Howard Germon

US12 Fleet
1st: Tim Wright
2nd: Don Cundy
3rd: Bill Hagerup

CanAm Challenge

August 4-5, Mark Whitehead and Tim Wright from Back Bay Skippers made the three-hour trip to Stowe, Vermont to race with sailors from the US and Canada in a friendly international competition. Among those attending this event are national champions from both countries. Tim Wright was up to the task, leading the first day and certainly very competitive on the second day as well. The top four places scored thirty points while Tim scored thirty-two, thanks to the last two races, one of which he was completely knocked out of contention when fouled. Nonetheless, Tim was presented with the fifth-place trophy. Well done, Tim! Mark Whitehead was way back in the pack, finishing twenty-second, always having trouble with light wind. He, however, was pleased not to come in last! Incidently, the US team retained the challenge trophy!

Out on the Water

The US12 fleet gathered seven boats on August 2, with Tim Wright leading the way. John Simms finally solved his electrical problems and pulled off a strong second, and Jim Opie pulled a hard-fought third.

After a very discouraging weed-plagued regatta on July 31, sailing for the Solings was much better August 7. Only thirteen skippers launched on this brutally hot and humid day, but when the final race had been completed, it was Rick Gates leading the Sailor Class, Rick Parent second, and Bruce Brown third. The Master Class was led by Tim Wright, followed by Rick Lalley in second, and Mark Whitehead third.

Join the Fun

Model Yachting News • July 31, 2018

Posted on August 9, 2018August 9, 2018 by Yvonne Lauziere

Spring Series

The regattas are divided into two series — spring and summer. The Spring Series ended the week of July 26, and the winners of the Master Class series were Tim Wright 1st, Rick Lalley 2nd, and Howard Germon 3rd.

Earning honors in the Sailor Class were Rick Gates 1st, Jerry Leach 2nd, and Rick Parent 3rd. At the top of the list for US12’s was Tim Wright 1st, Don Cundy 2nd, and Bill Hagerup 3rd. Awards will be presented soon on August 7

Join the Fun

Join us for a great show with many photo ops. And don’t forget to bring the youngsters – we have free-sailing Footies for them to use on Tuesdays. For those wanting to purchase a Footy, a few are available in the boat museum’s gift shop. If you want to try your hand at the helm of a radio-control boat, please let us know — we love to share.

NH Boat Museum Camp

Youngsters from the boat museum’s Discovery Camp
visited our regatta on July 24 to sail the little Footy’s,
moving up to the R/C Solings. After some instruction
on the anatomy of a sailboat, they headed for the
water to try handling a tiller.

Out on the Water

July 31 brought out a day of only a little wind but lots and lots and lots of weeds! The first race had sixteen boats, but only six were able to finish – the rest collected weeds and were dead in the water. From there it went downhill, and we gave up trying to score the regatta. Needless to say, the skippers went home completely dejected, hoping something is done mighty soon about the weed problem.

Model Yachting News, July 2018

Posted on July 27, 2018August 7, 2018 by Yvonne Lauziere

Ten Years and Still Growing

The NH Boat Museum Model Yachting Program started in 2008 with one eager participant, and has gained momentum annually. This year, six new skippers were added from the winter boatbuilding program, and eight more joined just because it looked like fun. Our roster now stands at fifty-two active members, and there’s always spectator interest at every regatta.

It’s a Party

Along with black flies and ticks, spring brings many of our skippers out of hibernation. One highly anticipated event is the annual awards party, when accomplishments of the previous season are recognized – leaders of the Soling and US12 fleets, along with most improved, the Commodore’s Award, and the always popular screwup of the season. It’s also a time for good eating during the potluck buffet, lots of chat and chuckles, and, of course, embarrassment for those selected to vie for the door prize in one of Kathleen Whitehead’s games.

Tim Wright, our current sailor to beat, took top honors in both the Soling and US12 classes. Ellen Koehler, our outstanding and take-no-nonsense scorekeeper, received the Commodore’s Award for her dedication to the group. Improvement is what we try to accomplish every year, and last year, it was Bob Brennan, who took that honor.

Over twenty awards were presented; pictured here are just a few.

Skippers

Along with the six from last winter’s boatbuilding class, we would like to introduce you to the newest skippers: Rick Parent, Rick Gates, and Howard Germon.

Our younger set is represented by the up-and-coming Dax Rivera and Jackson O’Keefe.

More news from June will be presented in future articles.

Join the Fun

Meet the New Skippers – March 2018

Posted on March 12, 2018August 9, 2018 by Betsy Farley

Al Stevens

A North Carolina State graduate, Al Stevens retired from Montgomery County Police in Maryland, and moved to Alton Bay with his wife, Sue, in 2014. Having grown up with sailboats on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, he sees the New Hampshire Boat Museum’s Back Bay Skippers as a way to get back in touch with his love of sailing.

Denis Boisvert

Denis Boisvert lives in Litchfield, New Hampshire with Janet, his wife of 43 years. A civil engineer employed by NHDOT since 2002, Denis looks forward to retirement in a year. He was introduced to R/C flying while in college (1971), and has been interested in sailing since a teen. He’s thrilled to combine both interests!

Jackson O’Keefe

Jackson O’Keefe is a fifth-grader at Crescent Lake School. His many interests include hockey (a member of the Back Bay Indians for the past five years), downhill skiing, waterskiing, and fishing. Always a woodworking enthusiast, he’s having a great time building his Soling model yacht, which he can’t wait to sail.

Bruce Brown

Bruce Brown has been an Alton resident since 2015. He enjoys boating in and around the lake, whether it be power, sail, or paddle. He is looking forward to learning and racing with the Back Bay Skippers.

Richard Frazier

Richard Frazier graduated from the University of Maine, and taught high school math in Weare, New Hampshire; Leesburg, Florida; Pittsfield, New Hampshire; and Wolfeboro. He retired from teaching in 2005 after 34 years, and has lived in Wolfeboro since 1978. Richard has four grown boys and now is raising his 12-year-old grandson. Currently president of the board for Wolfeboro Area Meals on Wheels, he’s enjoying skiing, travel, boating, and carpentry.

Jay Burns

It Won’t Be Long

Before you know it, the dock will go in and the season will start. Look for us after the ice clears — Tuesday afternoons for the Solings and Thursday afternoons for the US12’s. Now six more boats have been added to our fleet of about 150!

Model Yachting

News from the Back Bay Skippers

Model Yachting News • September 18, 2018

Join the Fun

Model Yachting News • September 11, 2018

Solings 09-11

US12s 09-06

Join the Fun

Model Yachting News • September 4, 2018

Model Yachting News • August 28, 2018

Model Yachting News • August 21, 2018

Model Yachting News • August 14, 2018

Model Yachting News • August 7, 2018

Model Yachting News • July 31, 2018

The Big Boys Visit Back Bay

Model Yachting News, July 2018

Meet the New Skippers – March 2018