Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright, Rick Parent, John Simms
Editing and Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by B. B. Wright, Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Layout by Ken Gerber
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
Model Yachting Day
On Saturday, July 6, the NH Boat Museum and the Back Bay Skippers presented the annual Model Yachting Day. Rick Parent, our “ambassador,” began setup at 7:00 AM during a rain storm, hopeful for better weather ahead. At approximately 10:30, the sky started to clear, the sun broke through the clouds, and a slight breeze presented itself.
The Back Bay Skippers in attendance were Tim Wright, Paul McBride, Bob Pacini, Jeff Witzel, and John Simms. Anne and Katrina Lennon as well as Kyle Blaisdell helped at the table. Kyle’s dad, Bob, helped with the heavy lifting plus delivery for setup and return of the boats. Joules Parent distributed various support items.
Guests were able to test their skills on a variety of boats that included a Santa Barbara, a Soling 50, two US12s, a Canadian 12, and seven Solings. Stickers and medals were provided by the team to all novice sailors who plied the waters, ranging from 4 years old to the oldest — who withheld his age. Heckling was provided by all skippers and patrons alike. Anne Lennan gave out boat kits, and there seemed to be interest in next year’s boatbuilding class.
The event was well received and we look forward to next year’s endeavor.
Hot and Humid
On the Soling sailing day of Tuesday, July 9, twelve sailors dealt with the heat, but that wasn’t the biggest weather issue. At a venue where wind shifts are expected, that day’s velocity was incredibly variable. One minute there was no wind, then a strong gust from pick-a-direction, then there were wind shifts that seemed to go on and on. It made finding the best course to sail extremely difficult. Despite wind issues, while sailing as one fleet, twelve races were completed. People enjoyed the conditions as much as possible, and the camaraderie made the day worthwhile.
We missed the many volunteers who were helping in the boatbuilding class, and we hope to see many of them next week as well as the new boats and their skippers. The scoring will be suspended for the day so newcomers can get their bearings. The more experienced sailors will give tips and suggestions for our newest members, most of whom are new to the radio-controlled sailing world.
We had a group from a local camp stop by, and some of the campers were given the opportunity to try out the boats. In all, it was a great day of sailing, but can someone please turn down the heat and humidity? We look forward to a week without sailing scores next week when we can help the new sailors get their boats moving and around the racecourse.
Solings Out on the Water
The Sailor Class had only three boats so everyone got a medal. The gold medalist, with an average of 1.30, was Dave Hogenson, who managed seven first-place finishes. The silver went to Lin Davis with an average of 1.60, crossing the finish line first in four races. Bruce Wilhelm captured the bronze with a score of 2.60. He got one win despite spending that morning with the boatbuilding class.
The Master Class had nine boats, and the racing was fierce. Tim Wright managed to come out on top with four wins and an average of 1.70. After Tim, there were three boats with an average score between three and four. In second place, Jeff Witzel (3.30) had two firsts back-to-back. This is where the scoring got very close. In third place with a score of 3.70, Al Posnack had a better day, including his first, second and third wins of the season. In fourth was Tom Barstow with three second-place finishes and an average score of 3.90. In fifth was Don Cundy, who had one win, two second-place finishes, and an overall score of 4.10. He lost a small rudder-covering hatch cover, and returned to the racing with a new taped hatch. Denis Boisvert had a score of 4.50 and three top-three finishes to land in sixth place. Ted Monetta had a first in one race, and ended the afternoon with an average of 5.10 for seventh place. Bob Pacini is starting to get his sea legs back (so to speak) and also had a first-place finish. His average was 5.60 for eighth place. Jack Minahan came in ninth, but left a little early, perhaps due to the heat. It really was muggy and very humid..
US12 Sailing
The weather was typical of Back Bay but worse, much worse — one moment becalmed, the next flat over, then flat over the other way. Pity the poor crew members onboard — if any were left. The sun was relentless. After completing twelve races, everyone had had enough. Karen did a magnificent job, race director as well as scorekeeper. Thank you, Karen, for braving the heat and keeping us all in order. We had some photo finishes so Karen’s judgment was critical. We were too hot to argue anyway.
US12s Out on the Water
At the top of the fleet this week it was a tie between Rick Laird and John Simms, both scoring 2.00. Six tenths behind, Rick Gates took third with 2.60. Don Cundy was fourth at 3.40, Anthony Quinn at 4.30 was fifth, and Bob Brennan was sixth at 4.60.
New Skippers
This has been the week for Model Yacht Building and the addition of eight new Solings to the fleet. This year’s class was a joy to work with, to which I’m sure all the instructors will attest.
A record number of volunteer instructors and great leadership from Al Stevens gave us a building program that the New Hampshire Boat Museum and the Back Bay Skippers can be proud of. We were very close to one-on-one instruction, which kept the program on schedule with everyone working on the same step at the same time.
Attending this year’s class were Daniel Stirk, Richard Currier, David Keto, Henry Clare (with grandfather Warren Muir), Jeanne Butler, Kyle Blaisdell (with father, Bob Blaisdell), Kristina Dollarhide, and Kevin Bennett.
Instructors were Al Stevens, Tim Wright, Mark Bodenstab, Bruce Wilhelm, Steve Leker, Don McBride, Linwood Davis, Dave Corbett, and Mark Whitehead. All sails needed were made by Anthony Quinn.
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:
- July 14, 2024 11AM 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