Written by Mark Whitehead
Editing and Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by B. B. Wright, Mark Whitehead, Paul McBride
Layout by Ken Gerber
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
The Skippers Prepare for Their 2024 Season
When the lake hardens – well, sort of — and sailing takes a break, the Back Bay Skippers have a long list of winter projects.
The San Antonio Collection
The San Antonio collection was donated to us in October and is slowly being brought back to its original grandeur. At present, there are four boats undergoing restoration. Steve Towne has completed his work on the Vintage Marblehead; Ted Monetta is well underway with the V36; Paul McBride is laboring diligently on the cabin cruiser; and the “brickyard” Footy was placed under Joel Nelson’s wing.
Sailing Classes on Zoom
On January 17, Tim Wright will lead his first Zoom sailing class assisted by our videographer and Zoom host, Steve Leker. B. B. Wright, our season photographer, will support the presentation, as will Al Posnack, a sailing instructor in Gilford. Al’s subject in February will be “how to win without going fast“ – a look at winning decisions you can make on the racecourse that have nothing to do with boat speed. If you sail, the information is valuable for any boat size. Contact us if you’d like to join in.
For the Younger Set
As the youngsters stop by our regattas during the summer, we give out sailboat kits so they too can enjoy the experience. Building the kits this year are Mark Bodenstab and Ken Gerber.
Getting Ready for 2024
This is the time when Skippers smooth out all those nicks and dings that accumulated over the past season — unless, of course, they’re a SNOWBIRD and continue to sail.
Model Yacht Building Class
This year’s limit for the July building class is eight, and prior to Christmas six already had registered. If you are interested in the class, don’t hesitate. Those age 14 and older are eligible unless constantly accompanied by an adult. Sign up now at https://www.nhbm.org/model-yachting/model-yacht-building/.
Al Stevens, Mark Whitehead, Steve Leker, and Anthony Quinn are well under way prepping parts needed for the class. Al has assembled tool and parts kits for each student, and even built a rolling cupboard to hold them. Anthony Quinn, our faithful sailmaker, is busy cutting and sewing the jib and main sails. Steve Leker is making progress with building stands. John Barstow 3D-printed all the bowsies for this year’s class. Mark Whitehead has readied most of the masts as well as the booms, stay hooks, tangs, goosenecks, backstay cranes, and spreaders. The last few masts will be used for demonstrating the process, when Steve Leker is scheduled to videotape production in Mark’s workshop, Al Stevens assisting. This video will be shared with all Back Bay Skippers.
Denis Boisvert and Mark Whitehead have updated the Soling Manual, Denis offering his engineering experience and a CAD program to give our manual the real professional look.
Some of the Lucky Recipients of Sailboat Kits:
The dock goes in late May. We hope to see you then!
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:
- January 17, 2024 Wednesday 7 PM Back Bay Skippers Meeting and Sailing Seminar Hosted by Tim Wright via Zoom
- February 21, 2024 Wednesday 7 PM Sailing Seminar: Al Posnack, “How to Win without Going Fast,” via Zoom
- March 12, 2024 Tuesday 7 PM Sailing Seminar via Zoom
- April 4, 2024 Thursday 7 PM “Race Day Review,” Sailing Seminar via Zoom
- April 18, 2024 Thursday 9 AM Dock In
- May 1, 2024 Wednesday 1PM Camp Brookwoods, Deer Run Lodge
- May 7, 2024 Tuesday 1PM Soling Tune Up Regatta
- May 8, 2024 Thursday 1PM US12 Tune Up Regatta
- September 8, 2024 4th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
Past Events:
- 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
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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 San Antonio Fleet Donation