Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing and Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by B. B. Wright, Tim Wright, Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Layout by Ken Gerber
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
CAM-AM Challenge
Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4, the Stowe Model Yacht Club hosted the annual CAN-AM Challenge, a competition between top skippers from the U.S. and Canada. Representing the New Hampshire Boat Museum Back Bay Skippers was Tim Wright, placing third in the event. A strong showing from the U.S. team was not enough to hold off the Canadian team who managed to take the event for the first time in recent memory.
A Reprieve
After battling the heat and humidity these last few Tuesdays, it was a welcome relief to have a little less of both this week, but we still could use a little more wind. The August 6 Soling regatta challenged twenty-three skippers, and for the first time, we had a perfectly balanced fleet of eleven Masters and eleven Sailors.
The winds allowed only six races, which is a challenge for everyone. Spots on the bay seem to shield the winds and completely change their direction. Those who can see the wind shifts do well while the rest of us struggle.
Our first race was recalled after scorekeepers lost control due to skippers ignoring the rule of staying away from the start line after finishing. Race Director Tim Wright reviewed those rules, and the races proceeded without a hitch.
Solings Out on the Water
Our statistician, Wes Matchett, has been under the weather the last several days, so we have only partial information this week. We want Wes to know he’s in our thoughts as we wish him a speedy recovery.
The Sailor Class was led by our representative from Boulder Colorado as Dave Hogenson tallied a score of 10.20. (The Sailor Class fleet starts one minute behind the Master Class so the scores seem higher.) Genie Ware, always a tough competitor, sailed to second place with a score of 12.00 and was followed closely by Dave Keto, a new skipper who earned a score of 13.00 and third place. Well done, Dave! John Barstow took fourth, scoring 13.90, and Mark Bodenstab tied Kevin Bennett for fifth at 14.40.
Again leading the way in the Master Class it was Tim Wright with a score of 1.0, winning every race he entered. Jeff Witzel took second, scoring 2.56 and winning the one race when Tim didn’t launch his boat. Tom Barstow was third at 3.60 with a couple of seconds and thirds. Fourth was held by Steve Towne at 4.40 with a second and third of his own, and fifth went to Don McBride whose one second-place finish helped him reach a score of 5.00.
Soling Sailor Class Scores
Dave Hogenson 10.2
Genie Ware 12.0
Dave Keto 13.0
John Barstow 13.9
Mark Bodenstab 14.4
Kevin Bennett 14.4
Dave Corbett 16.4
Curren 16.5
Dick Currier 17.8
Henry Clare 20.0
Jeanne Butler 21.0
Soling Master Class Scores
Tim Wright 1.0
Jeff Witzel 2.56
Tom Barstow 3.6
Steve Towne 4.4
Don McBride 5.0
Mark Whitehead 5.8
Ted Monetta 6.2
Anthony Quinn 6.4
Rick Gates 6.5
Steve Leker 7.0
Bob Pacini 10.0
US12s on August 8
Sailors were greeted by good winds, cooler temperatures, and low humidity, providing a great day of sailing. Spectators came by and asked questions, our group always welcoming and willing to share knowledge and controls for a try at radio-control sailing. Only five skippers came to enjoy the very pleasant conditions, and all did well. In fact, each of the skippers had at least one win. The best part, however, was being with friends who enjoy this challenging sport.
On the Course with the US12s
Rick Laird came in first with a 1.50 average and six firsts. In second place was Rick Gates, who claimed two first-place finishes and a final score of 2.40. Just behind in third place was John Simms, whose two firsts led to a score of 2.50. In fourth, Anthony Quinn had a win and a score of 2.75, and Don Cundy also had a win, his overall score a 3.50. Don had some battery issues and was helped out by John – such is the nature of our group.
Our thanks to Karen Enos and John Simms for helping out when the Wrights had other commitments.
Let’s hope for good winds and no rain next Thursday!
Sailing on Back Bay
The 2024 season is in full swing, with radio-controlled model yachts on Back Bay in Wolfeboro from 1 PM to 3 PM weekly, the Solings on Tuesday and the US12s on Thursday, weather permitting. Wednesday serves as an alternate day should sailing conditions be poor.
Come join the fun! We love to share so give it a try
Videos and Photos
- Back Bay Skippers Video (WMUR NH Chronicles)
- Back Bay Skippers YouTube Channel
- Latest Videos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Latest Photos: Solings, US12s, Lily Pond
- Photo Gallery
Previous Highlights
- Sasquatch Regatta (Nor’easter Footy Series) 2021, 2019
- Sheila Ryan Memorial Footy Regatta 2021, 2020
- Awards for 2019 Season
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge 2019
- Lake Discovery Camp 2019
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Spring Skippers Party 2019
Score Sheets
Upcoming Events:
- August, 2024 Occasional Sunday Sailing at Lily Pond, Gilford NH hosted by Rick Parent
- September 8, 2024 Sunday, 4th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
Past Events:
- July 8-12, 2024 NHBM Model Yacht Building Workshop
- July 6, 2024 Model Yachting Day at Back Bay
- June 22, 2024 NHBM Booth at Summer Kick-Off 2024, Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center
- June 15, 2024 Sasquatch Footy Regatta
- February 2024 Building the Soling 1M Slotted Mast, by Mark Whitehead – Video
- February 2024 How to Win without Going Fast, by Al Posnack – Zoom Video
- October 13-15, 2023 USVMYG Championship Regatta, Honey Brook PA
- September 24, 2023 3rd Annual RC Laser Regatta, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
- September 15-16, 2023 Vintage Race Boat Regatta, Wolfeboro Bay – Video
- August 26, 2023 Sasquatch Footy Regatta
- August 5-6, 2023 CanAm Challenge Regatta, Stowe VT
- July 4, 2023 Wolfeboro Independence Day Parade
- July 1, 2023 Model Yachting Day
- May 15, 2023 WCVB Boston Chronicle
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
Links: American Model Yachting Association, MinuteMan Model Yacht Club, Nashua Model Yacht Club, Marblehead Model Yacht Club, Greater Worcester Model Yacht Club, Sarasota Model Yacht Club, Space Coast Model Sailing Club, Sun Coast Model Sailing Club, Stowe Yacht Club, USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, Vac-U-Soling, 3D Printed Radio Yachts, US Vintage Model Yacht Group, Raritan Yacht Club RC Laser Fleet, Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024, Western Reserve Model Yacht Club, Joe SanAntonio Fleet Donation, SailFlow, US12 Plans