Model Yachting News • Week Ending July 18, 2026

Posted on by Paul McBride

Written by Mark Whitehead
Proofreading & Editing by Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B. B. Wright, Mark Whitehead
Captions and Layout by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry

e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com

Beat-the-Heat Regatta

The forecast for the July 14 Soling regatta predicted temperatures in the mid-nineties. For safety, this week’s no-score regatta started at 11:00 before the “oven” was turned on, and we suggested that scorekeepers stay home by the air-conditioner. It was a truly no-score regatta — absolutely no statistics were kept. Just a relaxed fun sailing day.

Tim Wright, Michael York 47, and Jeff Hathaway 77
Gather round for the skippers' meeting.
Al Stevens and Tom Barstow

Skippers that we don’t see often who came Tuesday were Al Stevens delivering the new skipper name tags and our “official” statistician, the recently retired Wes Matchett. We look forward to both rejoining our weekly get-togethers in the near future.

Commodore Mark Whitehead with
Scoring System Designer Wes Matchett

Launch Day for New Skippers

Because of the water ski tournament this past weekend, we delayed launching new boats built at the recent workshop until the 14th. Participating in the launch were Lisa Lotter, Gary Dehnel, Jeff Hathaway, Carol Waghorne, Michael York, and Austin Parent.

Michael York and Lisa Lotter
Gary Dehnel
Jeff Hathaway
Carol Waghorne
Michael York and Ted Monetta
Michael York and Austin Parent
Ted Monetta and Michael York

Ted Monetta, Al Posnack, Tim Wright, Wes Matchett, and Bob Pacini jumped right in to help the group get off on the right foot, taking the new skippers under their wings. The newbies did a spectacular job, placing well in the rankings during the races.

Al Posnack and Austin Parent
Al Posnack and Austin Parent
Jeff Hathaway and Tim Wright
Charlie Lincoln, Carol Waghorne, and Tim Wright
Jeff Hathaway and Wes Matchett
Gary Dehnel, Jeff Hathaway, and Bob Pacini
The Solings are off to a slow start.
Solings head to the mark.
Michael York 47 has a good lead over Jeff Hathaway 77.
Gary Dehnel 1701
Austin Parent's Boat with No Number Yet

A Regatta for New Skippers

There were just too many conflicts to call the regatta for new skippers a success. Only Jeff Hathaway was able to make the event, but thanks to capable mentors he was able to have a productive day of sailing.

Tim Wright and Jeff Hathaway 77
The US12s were ready to sail.

US12 Regatta

The US12s don’t seem to have any luck at all. The fleet was looking forward to finishing the spring series, but instead they had no parking spots, very high winds, as well as showers. With heads hung low, they headed home.

Too Windy for US12 Races
Charlie Lincoln tried sailing in the gusty wind to see what it was like.
Bob Pacini demonstrates the controls.

Back Bay Sailing

The sailing season is well underway so join us on Tuesday or Thursday at 1 PM, weather permitting, to enjoy the fun. Wednesday is set aside if conditions on Tuesday or Thursday aren’t suitable. We welcome you to just watch the spectacle or ask to give it a try – we love to share.

Join the fun!

Quiz and Game Fun Page - Updated 11/4/2022​

Trophy Room

Skippers Memorial

Soling 1M Building Manual

Skippers Knowledge Base

Videos and Photos

Previous Highlights

Score Sheets

US12, Soling Masters, Soling Sailors

Upcoming Events: [2026 Schedule]

  • June – October 2026 1-3PM Tuesdays Solings, Thursdays US12s, Wednesday – Alternate Rain Day
  • August 15, 2026 Sasquatch Footy Regatta
  • September 13, 2026 6th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
  • September 22, 2026 Soling Season Ends
  • September 24, 2026 US12 Season Ends
  • September 29, 2026 Soling Enduro
  • October 1, 2026 US12 Enduro
  • November 3, 2026 Dock Out

Past Events:

e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com

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