US12 Fleet
Tim Wright reports that Thursday, August 22, was another good day of US12 sailing on Back Bay. The wind was light and shifty, something sailors at Back Bay have grown to know well. The temperature had backed off its summer high and was quite enjoyable.
The sailing seemed to be getting more competitive throughout the fleet. Tim Wright was pressed hard this afternoon. People were determined to test him at the start, and he was over early once. He also said it was getting harder and harder to get a good port tack start (as it should be).
Previous Highlights
- Back Bay Skippers Video (WMUR NH Chronicles)
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Sasquatch Footy Regatta (Nor’Easter Footy Series)
- Skippers Party
Upcoming Events
- 9/13 – 9/14 Vintage Boat Regatta, Wolfeboro
- 9/14 Footy Regatta, Nashua
- 9/24 Soling Season End
- 9/26 US12 Season End
Score Sheets
Tom Greig, who has done better in recent weeks and is now a fixture at the head of the fleet, pressed Tim often. They battled for first place with Tim winning by a narrow margin. The battle for third place also was heated. Jerry Leach had an average finish of 3.40, while John Simms and Don McBride each had a 3.50 average finish to tie for fourth. For fifth and sixth place, Paul McBride and Jim Opie each won their head-to-head competition six times and finished within a point of each other.
Paul Wallace, as always, enjoyed the afternoon, the camaraderie, and the sailing. When he arrived (early as always), he discovered that his steering servo wasn’t working. With a replacement, he quickly and efficiently changed it out and had another enjoyable day of sailing. Tim has been telling Paul that new sails can’t hurt. Tom Greig offered to barter a new set of handmade sails for some homemade turnbuckles. When Paul gets his new sails, watch out!
What are best are the smiles. The sailors are really enjoying time to sail with each other and to share their hobby with people who pass by. The number of people, both adults and kids, who try RC sailing, walk away with big smiles and great memories.
News Flash!
Jack Minihan takes his first win on Back Bay. It was five short weeks ago that Jack built his boat, and on August 27 he charged through the Sailor fleet and took the win on race three of that day’s Soling Regatta. No small accomplishment. Congratulations, Jack! His reward was the traditional Back Bay Skippers water bottle.
Eric Borrin visited from Dover. He brought his recently completed T65 for its maiden voyage. No matter how you looked at it out on the water, it was a beauty.
The commodore, Mark Whitehead, built a new boat to better challenge the Master Fleet. It looked purty but didn’t go so well, so he had to revert to the old tired boat.
The Solings Gather
The August 27 Soling Regatta sure brought out the boats — twenty-seven including the T65. The bay was filled with both the Master and Sailor yachts. I don’t remember when we had that many boats. The fleets were well-behaved for the most part, and the weeds were at least manageable. The winds could have been a little stronger, but the fleets completed eight races.
Out on the Water
The brothers McBride maintained their hold on the Sailor Class this week. However, younger brother Paul kicked older brother Don out of the top spot. Don Boisvert had been absent for a couple of weeks with other commitments but fought his way into the third slot. Always a strong contender, Diane Labella showed her prowess by placing fourth, Jay Burns and Jack Miniham tied for fifth, followed by Al Stevens in sixth.
No changes for the Master Class, the strong contenders staying at the top. Tim Wright first, Rick Lalley second, Tom Greig third, and Dan Masessa fourth. Don Cundy sailed into the fifth position, followed by Bob Pacini. Bob, our sometime-skipper, gave the leaders something to think about, taking a win in race two.
Join the Fun
If you don’t want to build a boat, we’ll help you find a used one. Don’t want to sail? Just come and watch — we put on a great show every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 1:00 PM, weather permitting. Be sure to bring your camera.
