Written by Mark Whitehead, Steve Leker, Tim Wright
Editing & Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by B. B. Wright, Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead
Layout by Ken Gerber
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
The School Bell Was Rung
The weeklong model-yacht building class of 2023 opened on July 10. Due to a backlog from last year, twelve boats were built with topnotch instruction from a dedicated crew that included Al Stevens, Bruce Wilhelm, Tim Wright, and Mark Whitehead. Participants in the class are John Cavanagh, Dave Slock, Matt Tibbetts, Frank Argersinger, Mark Bodenstab, Curran Owens, Bob Hill, Linwood Davis, David Corbett, Tim Wright, Leo Salvo with Grampa Steve O’Neil, and Kathleen Decamp with her dad, Kevin Burke.
It was a challenge to complete the project in only five days. We almost made it but had to add one more work session. Soon the new skippers will be ready to challenge the finicky waters of Back Bay.
July 11 Soling Regatta
The penultimate regatta of the 2023 Spring Series on July 11 began with blue skies, brisk winds, and nineteen Solings. There were even a few available parking spaces! Bike traffic was light and the few cyclists on the Cotton Valley Trail were courteous. Absent this week was Commodore Mark Whitehead, who was helping twelve new skippers build their Solings under the tent by the museum. Tim Wright also was building a new boat although he was at Back Bay for the day minus his #383 boat. Tim proved his oar ability in the dinghy as he rescued three boats stricken by the choppy water.
The dock was just barely awash at the edge from the recent rains. Numerous weeds were reported and piled upon the shore. The last white buoy near shore looked like a radish in a floating salad yet the vegetation seemed to be well rooted to the lake bottom as the final turn did not ensnare any boats.
The first clock of the day counted down to start the regatta, with three races completed in about fifteen minutes. Thank you, brisk wind! The score sheet posted twelve races at the end of the day so two throw-outs were allowed. The recourse sheet also had several entries for weed, electronic, and rig problems.
Everyone had to stay on their toes (thumbs?) while milling around in the heavier air. Without the benefit of an ongoing race to provide predictive lanes of traffic, the boats swirl around in a constant dance on the water while waiting for the clock to start. An unfortunate collision before the third race resulted in a significant starboard-side hole in the hull of Anthony Quinn’s #937.
US12 Races on July 13
Eight sailors endured the hot air thick with humidity. The wind was more erratic than usual. In spite of the generally light breezes, eleven races were completed. However, due to the extremely variable winds and high humidity, the overall conditions were frustrating at times. Little mistakes could become magnified, and most races had multiple lead and position changes.
On the course, racers’ starts are getting much better. Boats are right behind the line and pushing the limits of how close they can get before they’re considered over early. B. B. Wright’s keen eyes were tested and she kept us honest. We appreciate her scoring while sitting in the sun and the heat.
Out on the Water
The third race for the Solings was especially nice for Jeff Witzel as he sailed to his first win in the Sailor Class. Jeff and his bright green #34 boat went on to capture six wins. Congratulations, Jeff, on winning the day in that class with 1.8! Steve Towne and Ted Monetta each claimed two wins. Bruce Brown and Ken Gerber had one win apiece to round out the Sailors.
Following Jeff just over a point behind was Steve Towne in second place with a score of 3.0. Only three tenths of a point behind Steve was Ted Monetta in third place with a score of 3.3.
The Master Class also had multiple winners with Don McBride and Al Posnack sailing to three wins each. Don Cundy and Steve Leker had two wins apiece, and claiming one win each were Rick Gates and Tom Barstow. The scores were very, very close, but at the end of the day, Don Cundy was first overall at 2.6. Behind him were Al at 2.8, Steven Leker at 2.9, Don McBride at 3.3, and Jay Burns at 3.8. Note that barely more than a point separated first and fifth!
Our unseen yet very much appreciated statistician, Wes Matchett, ran the numbers from scorekeepers, Karen Enos and B. B. Wright.
The US12 class’s Tim Wright was tough to catch with eight wins. In second, John Simms took two races and overcame a slow start with six top-three finishes in the last seven races. Don Cundy had seven top-three finishes, coming in just behind John for third. In his eight races, Anthony Quinn finished the day in fourth place thanks to crossing the finish line one time in second and two times in third. In fifth place was Paul McBride finishing in the top three for the final three races.
In sixth, Bruce Wilhelm had a third in the first race and a win in the fourth. His win wasn’t even close! Bruce got to watch the other sailors struggle in the sun while he rested in the shade. Don McBride and Jim Opie, in seventh and eighth place, both expressed frustration with their boats. It wasn’t the boats. No, it wasn’t them either. Weather had a lot to do with it. The wind shifted frequently. The velocity changes went from strong to nothing. You could be becalmed while others nearby sailed past. At one point, we had all points of sail on both tacks during just one leg of the race.
A Special Treat
There were several visitors. Among them was Bill Java, who brought his model remote-control battleship that has a strobe light on the top so he can easily locate it. It also features dual screws and stabilizing fins along the bottom.
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
Sailing on Back Bay
The radio-controlled model yachts are 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.
Join the 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.
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