Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing and Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by B. B. Wright, Tim Wright, Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Layout by Ken Gerber
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
Dedicated Skipper
For the past few weeks, Bob Brennan, keeper of the memorial plaque, has been taking his duties to a whole new level. He has designed, built, and donated a duplicate presentation memorial for the relatives of Skippers we have lost. His selfless act has touched the hearts of many, and we applaud Bob’s wonderful gesture. This is something that Bob plans to continue, a way to carry the memory of comrades into the future.
We are missing a name and address for family members of Henning Scherdin and Allen Randlov, so if anyone has information that might be helpful, it would be greatly appreciated.
New Skippers Day
The July 16 Soling regatta was dedicated to the Model Yacht Building Class of 2024 – a learning day with no official scoring. In attendance were seven Skippers from the Master Class, six from the Sailor Class, and four participants from the Building Class of 2024.
The more experienced Skippers guided those who were new and/or struggling a bit, helping them to meet any challenges and become more proficient sailors.
Tim Wright led the group through several sailing sessions on the water that included starts, buoy roundings, half-course trials, and, finally, full-course races. It was a great experience for everyone involved, but best of all were the smiles from new skippers.
Solings Out on the Water
Leading the way for the Master Class was Tim Wright. In second place was Ted Monetta, and Don Cundy captured third.
At the top of the podium for the Sailor Class was Clint Wolcott, followed by Lin Davis in second, and Bruce Brown in third.
It should be mentioned that several Skippers were advising and assisting the newbies so didn’t participate in all races.
Dave Keto certainly was getting the hang of things, leading the Building Class of 2024. Behind him was Dick Currier in the second spot and Kevin Bennett third. Jeanne Butler stayed out of the fray to practice buoy-roundings plus up-wind and down-wind sailing with the commodore.
US12 Sailing a Refreshing Change
On July 18, the air wasn’t humid, the temperature wasn’t too high, and the breeze was relatively steady and quite strong. Of the eight boats that started, only five were able to sail enough races to qualify for the regatta. The wind was gusty, which required the skippers and their boats to perform at a high level. There was a dismasting, some full bilges, and one hole in the bow. Needless to say, anyone who sailed the majority of races should be commended. It was a war of attrition.
Bob Brennan, Anthony Quinn, and Don Cundy all started the day, but due to the extreme conditions, were unable to finish enough races to earn a place. Despite all the water pumped and poured out of bilges, sails ripped and repaired, boat riggings tested to the limits, and challenges due to conditions, we enjoyed the change in weather that ushered in those strong winds.
US12s Out on the Water
Tim Wright returned after a week away and didn’t miss a beat. After a third in the first race, he went on to win the remaining races. His average was 1.00. Sailing a borrowed US12 Lin Davis had a strong day, finishing in second with a 2.50 average. He sailed to six second-place finishes and three thirds. In third place, Rick Gates had three seconds, three thirds, and an average of 3.30. Right behind was John Simms in fourth. John’s boat was dismasted, missing four races during repairs. Overall, John had two seconds, two thirds, and an average of 3.43. In fifth, Rick Laird had a second and two thirds that helped him reach an average of 3.80.
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 – August, 2024 Occasional 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
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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 SanAntonio Fleet Donation, SailFlow, US12 Plans