Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing & Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by B. B. Wright, Paul McBride
Layout by Ken Gerber
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
The Fourth of July Parade in Wolfeboro
Our model yachting ambassador, Rick Parent, took on the parade float duties for the New Hampshire Boat Museum and the Back Bay Skippers.
2022 Awards
To build up the anticipation, we like to delay presentation of shirt awards for the top three finishers in each class from the previous season. Wednesday, July 5, was the big day for our Soling sailors, with awards given to US12 yachtsmen on Thursday, July 6.
Paul McBride also was recognized for the great job he did reporting news about Model Yachting Day on July 1.
Soling Sailor Class
1st Place Tom Barstow
2nd Place Bill Malay
3rd Place Bob Brennan
Soling Master Class
1st Place Tim Wright
2nd Place Don Cundy
3rd Place Denis Boisvert
US12 Class
1st Place Tim Wright
2nd Place Don Cundy
3rd Place John Simms
Hot! Hot! Hot!
Along with higher temperatures, winds were on the light side, making position recovery very difficult. Eighteen skippers braved the heat, and despite hard-to-find wind, managed to complete six races, which allowed one throw-out.
The milfoil divers were in Back Bay last week so there were four weed calls. Weed honors were earned by Steve Leker, Jeff Witzel, Jack Minahan, and Bill Malay — honors not happily received!
We were hoping to leave the rescue dinghy covered, but Mark Whitehead was de-masted, Roger Rice decided to cuddle up to the ski jump, and Bruce Brown lost his controls. So much for that plan.
The US12 Fleet on July 6
The US12 skippers arrived to feel little wind but incredibly humid heat. Our hopes were to sail a few races without baking in the process, and to our delight, the wind wasn’t quite as soft as it seemed. The heat didn’t abate, but we did manage to complete twelve races, six sailors competing and making a day of it.
Our scorekeeper, B. B. Wright, brought her chair with a canopy to help keep the heat at bay. We also had a visitor, David Corbett, who stayed almost the entire time, trying out some boats and watching the races. David will be a member of the Soling boatbuilding class next week.
Each race today had varied conditions, meaning that everyone had a chance.
The fleet is competitive and the conditions were challenging. We were happy to have twelve races and to get together as a group. We hope to see more of our fleet next week!
Out on the Water
In the Sailors Class this week, it was Anthony Quinn taking top honors with three first-place finishes. Just four tenths behind, Jim Opie held the second spot with a first and three seconds. New to the fleet was Dave Hogenson, who crossed the line with a first, a second, and a third to finish a strong third overall. Sailing well this week was Ted Monetta, who placed fourth, and landing in the fifth spot overall was another new skipper, Jeff Witzel, who grabbed a first and a second.
No surprise that Tim Wright sailed to five first-place finishes for top of the podium in the Master fleet. Al Posnack overcame some early-season issues to take the second slot, and only four tenths behind Al was Steve Leker in third. Don Cundy finished the day in fourth place overall, and the last of our top five was Jack Minahan.
For the day in Thursday’s US12 Fleet, Tim Wright was top seadog winning ten of twelve races for a score of 1.0 points. Don Cundy, once again sailing a loaned boat, was consistent, having five seconds, six thirds, and a score of 2.50. Third place and sixth place were separated by just over a point. John Simms (3.10 points), after having an electrical glitch, switched boats and managed third place. He also had two first-place finishes and three seconds. In fourth with a score of 3.70, Jim Opie had two seconds and two thirds. In fifth place at 4.00, Don McBride sailed in six races before calling it a day. In sixth at 4.20, Paul McBride had three thirds on his list of achievements.
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