Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Proofreading & Editing by Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B. B. Wrigh, Mark Whitehead
Layout by Ken Gerber
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
Remembering Paul Wallace Sail #227
First, we’d like to remember Paul Wallace, a longtime member of the Back Bay Skippers who passed away this year in February. Born on February 27, 1939 in Malden, Massachusetts, Paul enjoyed sailing and building sailboats, he and his wife, Sandra, having moored a sailboat in Wells, Maine for twenty years. More recently, he built model sailboats as well as a wooden canoe that he and Sandra would launch locally.
Known as “The Welder,” he was a welder for his entire career, continuing his craft even after retirement, many projects done for a local marina.
In addition to Sandra and his love of shelties, his life included three beloved daughters, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
A Hard Day to Reach the First Mark
The wind’s direction was strange this week. Normally it takes only two or three tacks to reach the upwind mark, but each tack seemed to take skippers further away this week. Except for Tim Wright, of course, all scores were several points higher than normal, which revealed the struggles of our remaining skippers.
There were fewer skippers for our July 29 regatta, the count climbing to only fifteen, the extreme heat keeping a few at home in front of the air conditioner. A good breeze of up to fifteen mph helped to balance the high temperature, allowing the fleet to complete twelve races.
It was wonderful to see one skipper from the 2025 building class. Bryer Cain #24 sailed with us and showed dramatic improvement by the end of the day. There’s a definite learning curve for R/C sailing, and it just takes time to learn. A job well done, Bryer!
Solings Out on the Water
At the head of the Sailor Class this week was Doug Griggs, his six wins, four seconds, and three thirds propelling him into the lead with a score of 1.50.
Just one tenth behind, Kevin Bennett tallied four wins, six seconds, and one third to finish with a score of 1.60. John Barstow had two wins, three seconds, and two thirds, scoring 2.60 for third place. Bryer Cain earned a score of 3.40, an admirable performance for his first regatta.
Tim Wright didn’t need the two throw-outs to take the Master Class in grand fashion. His nine wins and a score of 1.10 did the trick. Ted Monetta handled the mysterious winds well with a couple of wins plus four seconds for a score of 3.20 and second place. Finishing in third place was Anthony Quinn with a win of his own, a second, two thirds, and a score of 3.40.
Mother Nature Had Other Ideas
Sailing the US12s on the last day of July was questionable from the start. At first, the weather looked like it would hold off. However, the morning of sailing came with a wetter prediction. That had Commodore Mark Whitehead asking Tim Wright, fleet captain, what he wanted to do. Tim said he would drive by to see if anyone showed up, and Mark emailed Tim’s reply to the group. While waiting by the water, Tim launched his boat, sailing in a light drizzle with a surprisingly delightful wind, consistent in both strength and direction. Was this really Back Bay, he wondered?
As 1:00 approached, Tim was joined on the footpath by Anthony Quinn, Don Cundy, Diane Guerriere, and John Simms. Don picked up a mark that had been pulled ashore by fishermen; Anthony and John told stories; and Diane helped identify birds. No one challenged Tim on the course, as no one really wanted to stand in the rain. Although it was an unofficial regatta due to the low numbers, Tim went unchallenged and claimed victory anyway.
By 1:15, his boat was out of the water and everyone moved on. Hopefully next week will bring better sailing weather.
Don’t Forget Next Wednesday!
August 6 will be a no-score regatta aimed at helping our newer sailors improve their understanding of racing, rules, and tactics. Let’s also not forget Rule #1 – Have fun!
Sailing on Back Bay
Join us for Model Yacht sailing 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.
It’s fun! We love to share so don’t be shy about asking to try your hand at the controls. Come watch the show or take a picture. It’s a sight to behold.
Scores
2025-07-29 Soling Sailor Class Regatta | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Griggs, Doug | 10/2 (100%) | 15 | 1.5 | 1 |
| Bennett, Kevin | 10/2 (100%) | 16 | 1.6 | 2 |
| Barstow, John | 10/2 (100%) | 26 | 2.6 | 3 |
| Cain, Bryer | 5/1 (45%) | 17 | 3.4 | 4 |
2025 Sailor Class Season Scores | ||||||
| Name | Class |
Score | 2024 | Diff | ||
| Clare, Henry | Sailor | 0% | 0.00 | 10.50 | -10.50 | |
Cain, Bryer | 0% | 0.00 | ||||
| McBride, Donald | Sailor | 20% | 2.00 | |||
| Bennett, Kevin | Sailor | 90% | 2.33 | 6.67 | -4.33 | |
| Hogenson, Dave | Sailor | 40% | 2.75 | 2.25 | 0.50 | |
| Opie, Jim | Sailor | 30% | 3.00 | 2.67 | 0.33 | |
| Griggs, Doug | Sailor | 50% | 3.20 | |||
| Barstow, John | Sailor | 30% | 3.67 | 3.78 | -0.11 | |
| Bodenstab, Mark | Sailor | 40% | 3.75 | 5.38 | -1.62 | |
| Corbett, Dave | Sailor | 20% | 4.50 | 5.36 | -0.86 | |
| Wolcott, Clint | Sailior | 20% | 5.00 | 3.80 | 1.20 | |
| Butler, Jeanne | Sailor | 30% | 5.67 | 10.33 | -4.67 | |
| Currier, Dick | Sailor | 20% | 6.00 | 8.14 | -2.14 | |
| Curran | Sailor | 20% | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 |
2025-07-29 Soling Master Class Regatta | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Wright, Tim | 10/1 (91%) | 11 | 1.1 | 1 |
| Monetta, Ted | 10/2 (100%) | 32 | 3.2 | 2 |
| Quinn, Anthony | 5/1 (45%) | 17 | 3.4 | 3 |
| Davis, Linwood | 10/2 (100%) | 41 | 4.1 | 4 |
| Posnack, Al | 10/2 (100%) | 45 | 4.5 | 5 |
| Barstow, Tom | 10/2 (100%) | 49 | 4.9 | 6 |
| Ware, Genie | 10/2 (100%) | 58 | 5.8 | 7 |
| Rudinsky, Chuck | 10/1 (91%) | 58 | 5.8 | 7 |
| Whitehead, Mark | 10/2 (100%) | 59 | 5.9 | 9 |
| Witzel, Jeff | 10/2 (100%) | 59 | 5.9 | 9 |
| Wilhelm, Bruce | 10/2 (100%) | 75 | 7.5 | 11 |
2025 Soling Master Class Season Scores | |||||
| Name | Class | % Regattas | Score | 2024 | Diff |
| Wright, Tim | Master | 90% | 1.00 | 1.08 | -0.08 |
| Gates, Rick | Master | 20% | 3.50 | 8.38 | -4.88 |
| Witzel, Jeff | Master | 70% | 4.14 | 2.83 | 1.31 |
| Posnack, Al | Master | 90% | 4.78 | 5.18 | -0.40 |
| Monetta, Ted | Master | 100% | 5.30 | 6.43 | -1.13 |
| Boisvert, Denis | Master | 70% | 5.71 | 5.90 | -0.19 |
| Davis, Linwood | Master | 100% | 6.00 | ||
| Jousse, Alain | Master | 10% | 6.00 | ||
| Cundy, Don | Master | 30% | 6.67 | 3.38 | 3.29 |
| Barstow, Tom | Master | 70% | 7.00 | 6.25 | 0.75 |
| Rudinsky, Chuck | Master | 10% | 7.00 | ||
| Leker, Steve | Master | 50% | 7.40 | 7.62 | -0.22 |
| Quinn, Anthony | Master | 60% | 7.67 | 8.83 | -1.17 |
| Whitehead, Mark | Master | 90% | 7.78 | 6.69 | 1.09 |
| Gerber, Ken | Master | 50% | 8.20 | 9.00 | -0.80 |
| Pacini, Bob | Master | 80% | 8.62 | 8.00 | 0.62 |
| Malay, Bill | Master | 50% | 9.00 | 10.00 | -1.00 |
| Ware, Genie | Master | 40% | 9.50 | ||
| Laird, Richard | Master | 20% | 10.50 | ||
| Wilhelm, Bruce | Master | 80% | 12.00 |
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: [2025 Schedule]
- April 29 – October 28 , 2025 Regattas 1PM-3PM Tuesday Solings, Thursdays US12s
- September 11, 2025 Scoring Season Ends
- September 14, 2025 5th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
- October 28, 2025 Dock Out
Past Events:
- July 5, 2025 Model Yachting Day
- July 7-11, 2025 NHBM Model Yacht Building Workshop
- September 8, 2024 4th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH [More Photos]
- 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