Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Proofreading & Editing by Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B. B. Wright, Mark Whitehead
Layout by Ken Gerber
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
From Across the Pond
It was a special treat at the August 26 Soling regatta to welcome a family from Belfast, Ireland, guests of the Muir family. They all took turns sailing Henry Clare’s number 48, everyone’s faces beaming with smiles.
for second place
in the Soling Master Class Spring Series.
Henry is Warren Muir's Grandson
We Had Wind!
The forecast was for 12-mph winds. Although the velocity didn’t climb that high, it was nice to have a steady breeze all afternoon. The fleet of sixteen Masters and five Sailors managed to complete twelve good races
The only weed call was by Ken Gerber in Race #12. We have no idea where he found it — did he bring it from home? There were three de-mastings — an unusually high number. One victim was Commodore Mark Whitehead’s #12 when he bumped into Chuck Rudinsky’s #301, sending #12 to the hospital for the remaining races. A real bummer! The rest of the fleet continued to sail, totally enjoying sunshine and temperatures in the 70s with low dew points.
Solings on the Course
John Barstow pulled off a decisive victory in the Sailor Class, with eight firsts and a score of 1.20. Congratulations, John! Jim Opie took three firsts and four seconds, earning a score of 2.00 for second place. The Belfast Mutt family finished third with three seconds and two thirds, scoring 3.11. Just one tenth behind was Dave Corbett with two second-place finishes and a score of 3.12. Curran had a win but sailed only one race, not qualifying for the regatta.
Leading the Master Class was Tim Wright with eight wins and a score of 1.30. On a hot streak, Ted Monetta had two wins. In one, he was so far ahead of the rest of the fleet, they must have been in another time zone. He scored 4.30 for the second spot overall. Linwood Davis had one win and a couple of seconds, leading to a score of 4.40 for third.
There Were Five
Sailors were treated to another wonderful late-summer day on August 28. Our scorekeepers (B. B. Wright and Diane Guerriere) managed to keep us moving along, and we again finished twelve races before 3:00 PM. The wind was enough to keep us moving too (most of the time), which was nice. All points of the compass were represented by the winds we faced. It is unusual for us to have upwind sailing on every leg at one point or another. Reading the winds, and being on the right side of the wind shifts was as much luck as skill. As usual, positions changed often, and many times, the last leg saw places change dramatically. The camaraderie was evident among the sailors, scorekeepers, and onlookers, so it was a good day all around.
and Bob Strodel 65 start the race.
On the course, Tim Wright won ten of twelve races. His average after two throw-outs was 1.00, good for first place. In second, Lin Davis earned a 2.40 average, having finished first once and second five times. In third, John Simms at 2.70 also had a first place and a second with five third-place finishes. Anthony Quinn, in fourth, left early but still managed three seconds and a third for a 3.38 average. Bob Strodel ended with a 3.80 after a second and three thirds. Everyone had at least four top-three finishes. The racing was keen, and, more importantly, the spirit of fun was evident.
Let it be said that the scores are perhaps the least important part of the afternoon. The friendship, the time spent together sharing a captivating pastime, and the sharing of our sport with passersby are what really make the racing fun. After all, that is why we gather together. Fun is the name of the game, and constant learning is part of the fun. We are all in this together, making this a pleasurable way to share our love of sailing and small boats.
We look forward to officially scored racing for the next two weeks. Once the scored season ends, we’d like to invite anyone to sail with us on September 18. Bring any boat, and try your luck and skill in a relaxed atmosphere. We welcome all sailors and all boats. Let’s enjoy the season while we can. It’s hard to believe that we’ve almost completed the 2025 officially scored Back Bay season!
Featured Skippers
Our Faithful Soling Scorekeeper Karen Enos
Born in Lansing, Michigan, Karen grew up in Kansas City, Missouri with two younger brothers. After high school years in Texas and Mississippi, she graduated with a B.S. from Kansas State University, teaching math and science for fifth, sixth, and seventh grades in Kansas. After two years, she moved to the Dallas, Texas area for twenty-five years, where her forever career in healthcare began. Healthcare years continued in Pensacola, Florida, where she lived for twenty-four years before retiring in 2013. She then moved to New Hampshire with her brother and sister-in-law in 2021.
In Pensacola, she learned to scuba dive – her greatest pleasure — and traveled to many places with a group of friends to dive. Her other interests include gardening, kayaking, hiking, volunteering at the town swap shop, scoring for a great group of Back Bay Skippers, traveling, feeding the birds (and squirrels, unfortunately), and assisting with animal rescue.
Soling Skipper Mark Bodenstab
Mark moved to the Lakes Region in 2016 after experiencing careers as a Naval aviator and civil engineer. He is thoroughly enjoying retirement with his wife, Julie, and their frequent visits with children and grandchildren – which now include sailing demonstrations.
Skipper Anthony Quinn
Born and raised in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Anthony graduated from Gloucester High School in 1954, and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1958, he married Cynthia, also from Gloucester. While on his second tour, he was selected for the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program, and was accepted to Marquette University while still on active duty. After four years, he graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering, with a specialty in nuclear reactor design.
He was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy and served on numerous ships and stations in the United States, Japan, Italy, and Germany. In 1970, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, earning an MS in meteorology.
After a total of thirty-seven years, he retired at the rank of commander and became a naval science instructor at Middletown High School in Middletown, New York. He also headed up the NJROTC program there until 2002, when he retired for good at age sixty-five.
He and Cynthia have two children and two grandchildren. In 2004, he and Cynthia relocated to Wolfeboro. His hobbies include woodworking, golf, remote-controlled sailboats, volunteering, and bonsai.
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
2025-08-26 Soling Sailor Class Regatta | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Barstow, John | 10/2 (100%) | 12 | 1.20 | 1 |
| Opie, Jim | 10/2 (100%) | 20 | 2.00 | 2 |
| Mutt Family | 9/1 (82%) | 28 | 3.11 | 3 |
| Corbett, Dave | 8/1 (73%) | 25 | 3.12 | 4 |
| Curran | 1/0 (8%) | 1 | 1.00 |
2025 Soling Sailor Class Season Scores | |||||
| Name | Class | % Regattas | Score | 2024 | Diff |
| Cain, Bryer | Sailor | 0% | 0.00 | ||
| McBride, Donald | Sailor | 14% | 2.00 | ||
| Hogenson, Dave | Sailor | 43% | 2.17 | 2.25 | -0.08 |
| Bennett, Kevin | Sailor | 79% | 2.27 | 6.67 | -4.39 |
| Opie, Jim | Sailor | 36% | 2.80 | 2.67 | 0.13 |
| Griggs, Doug | Sailor | 57% | 3.00 | ||
| Barstow, John | Sailor | 50% | 3.14 | 3.78 | -0.63 |
| Bodenstab, Mark | Sailor | 29% | 3.75 | 5.38 | -1.62 |
| Clare, Henry | Sailor | 7% | 4.00 | 10.50 | -6.50 |
| Corbett, Dave | Sailor | 21% | 4.67 | 5.36 | -0.70 |
| Wolcott, Clint | Sailior | 14% | 5.00 | 3.80 | 1.20 |
| Butler, Jeanne | Sailor | 21% | 5.67 | 10.33 | -4.67 |
| Currier, Dick | Sailor | 14% | 6.00 | 8.14 | -2.14 |
| Curran | Sailor | 14% | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 |
2025-08-26 Soling Master Class Regatta | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Wright, Tim | 10/2 (100%) | 13 | 1.30 | 1 |
| Monetta, Ted | 10/2 (100%) | 43 | 4.30 | 2 |
| Davis, Linwood | 10/2 (100%) | 44 | 4.40 | 3 |
| Posnack, Al | 10/1 (91%) | 49 | 4.90 | 4 |
| Rudinsky, Chuck | 10/2 (100%) | 54 | 5.40 | 5 |
| Witzel, Jeff | 10/2 (100%) | 54 | 5.40 | 5 |
| Whitehead, Mark | 5/1 (45%) | 32 | 6.40 | 7 |
| Gerber, Ken | 10/2 (100%) | 66 | 6.60 | 8 |
| Leker, Steve | 9/1 (82%) | 67 | 7.44 | 9 |
| Quinn, Anthony | 9/1 (82%) | 67 | 7.44 | 9 |
| Barstow, Tom | 10/2 (100%) | 79 | 7.90 | 11 |
| Ware, Genie | 10/2 (100%) | 88 | 8.80 | 12 |
| Boisvert, Denis | 7/1 (64%) | 69 | 9.86 | 13 |
| Pacini, Bob | 10/2 (100%) | 103 | 10.30 | 14 |
| Malay, Bill | 10/2 (100%) | 112 | 11.20 | 15 |
| Wilhelm, Bruce | 10/2 (100%) | 112 | 11.20 | 15 |
2025 Soling Master Class Season Scores | |||||
| Name | Class | % Regattas | Score | 2024 | Diff |
| Wright, Tim | Master | 86% | 1.00 | 1.08 | -0.08 |
| Germon, Howard | Master | 7% | 2.00 | ||
| Gates, Rick | Master | 14% | 3.50 | 8.38 | -4.88 |
| Witzel, Jeff | Master | 64% | 4.00 | 2.83 | 1.17 |
| Monetta, Ted | Master | 100% | 4.71 | 6.43 | -1.71 |
| Posnack, Al | Master | 79% | 5.00 | 5.18 | -0.18 |
| Davis, Linwood | Master | 86% | 5.50 | ||
| Jousse, Alain | Master | 7% | 6.00 | ||
| Cundy, Don | Master | 21% | 6.67 | 3.38 | 3.29 |
| Rudinsky, Chuck | Master | 21% | 6.67 | ||
| Whitehead, Mark | Master | 86% | 7.17 | 6.69 | 0.47 |
| Barstow, Tom | Master | 71% | 7.20 | 6.25 | 0.95 |
| Gerber, Ken | Master | 57% | 7.50 | 9.00 | -1.50 |
| Leker, Steve | Master | 50% | 7.71 | 7.62 | 0.09 |
| Boisvert, Denis | Master | 71% | 7.80 | 5.90 | 1.90 |
| Quinn, Anthony | Master | 64% | 7.89 | 8.83 | -0.94 |
| Pacini, Bob | Master | 86% | 8.58 | 8.00 | 0.58 |
| Malay, Bill | Master | 50% | 10.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 |
| Ware, Genie | Master | 57% | 10.38 | ||
| Laird, Richard | Master | 21% | 10.67 | ||
| Wilhelm, Bruce | Master | 79% | 11.18 |
2025-08-28 US12 Regatta | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Wright, Tim | 10/2 (100%) | 10 | 1.00 | 1 |
| Davis, Lin | 10/2 (100%) | 24 | 2.40 | 2 |
| Simms, John | 10/2 (100%) | 28 | 2.80 | 3 |
| Quinn, Anthony | 8/1 (73%) | 27 | 3.38 | 4 |
| Strodel, Robert | 10/1 (91%) | 38 | 3.80 | 5 |
2025 US12 Season Scores | |||||
| Name | Class | % Regattas | Score | 2024 | Diff |
| Wright, Tim | Sailor | 100% | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.00 |
| Chalder, Glenn | Guest | 10% | 2.00 | ||
| Davis, Lin | Sailor | 60% | 2.17 | 4.00 | -1.83 |
| Simms, John | Sailor | 100% | 3.00 | 2.57 | 0.43 |
| McBride, Donald | Sailor | 20% | 3.50 | 4.43 | -0.93 |
| Quinn, Anthony | Sailor | 60% | 3.50 | 5.23 | -1.73 |
| Gates, Rick | Sailor | 20% | 4.00 | 3.93 | 0.07 |
| Laird, Rick | Sailor | 40% | 4.25 | 3.40 | 0.85 |
| Brennan, Bob | Sailor | 20% | 4.50 | 5.80 | -1.30 |
| Strodel, Robert | Sailor | 30% | 5.00 | 7.00 | -2.00 |
| Wilhelm, Bruce | Sailor | 80% | 5.38 | 6.56 | -1.18 |
| Opie, Jim | Sailor | 40% | 6.00 | 6.40 | -0.40 |
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 10, 2025 Sasquatch Footy Regatta 9AM – 3PM
- 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