Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Proofreading & Editing by Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B.B. Wright, Mark Whitehead
Layout by Ken Gerber
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
#?!@*#^!**
It’s so much fun scheduling regattas using meteorological forecasts!! Monday, weathermen predicted clouds with a 5-mph wind and no rain. Tuesday morning they called for sprinkles in the morning then clearing with a 5-mph wind. We arrived at Back Bay, our shirts becoming damp with rain, our hair barely tossed by wind ranging from 0 to 1 mph. The rain soon stopped – for two hours — but wind was hard to find. Now and then there were gusts of 5 mph but not often. Did I mention I hate light wind?
Anyway, nineteen skippers showed up for the June 17 Soling regatta, but some had limited participation. Because of so few in the Sailor Class, it was all in, both fleets starting together, resulting in too many boats on the line. With this kind of a crowd, we certainly appreciate the ability of Karen Enos to judge proper starts and order of finishes.
Joining us in the Master fleet after a long absence were Rick Laird and Alain Jousse, and we hope they continue to sail with us.
Solings Out on the Water
In a Sailor Class switcheroo, Kevin Bennett led the way this week against his arch rival, Chuck Rudinsky. Kevin scored 8.8 to take top honors while Chuck was only a point behind with 9.8 for second place. Mark Bodenstab sailed really well, scoring 12.8 for a strong third-place finish.
With three wins, Tim Wright took first place in the Master Class, scoring 1.80. Ted Monetta proved that the top scores are getting closer every week. With five second-place finishes and a score of 2.00, he easily grabbed second overall. With two wins of his own, Al Posnack captured third, his score at 3.60.
US12 Regatta June 19
On the hottest and muggiest day of the year, six brave US12 sailors battled the light and fluky winds to get in twelve races. Each race took just about the full ten minutes, but our scorekeeper, B. B. Wright, kept us moving before the heat wilted us and moved us towards shade and inaction. Back Bay is known for wind shifts and phantom breezes, and Thursday’s racing was no exception. As a result, scores fluctuated and the racing was keen.
We were delighted to have our AMYA Region One director, Glenn Chalder, come sail with us. He brought his thoughtful, humorous low-key style with him and fared very well. On the water, Glenn came in second with a 2.10 average per race. Glenn finished with two first-place finishes and five seconds, sailing a borrowed boat. Ahead of him was Tim Wright, who had nine wins, two seconds and one third. Tim finished with a 1.10 average, but he had to work hard to get ahead of an ever-improving fleet. In third, John Simms had in his words, “an up and down” day, but he was the winner of one race and had two seconds and many thirds. John’s average was 2.90. In fourth, Anthony Quinn had a 3.43 average with two seconds and two thirds. In fifth, Bruce Wilhelm had a second and a third with a final 4.00 average. In sixth was Jim Opie, who battled dying batteries while still managing a third-place finish and a 4.89 average.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut eli
We were blessed with enough wind to complete twelve races. One of our spectators was Alex, a youngster who watched with his grandfather. He was delighted to get a model boat they could paint and put together. Thanks to the members of our group who make the models for our young fans to receive! Back Bay Skippers are blessed to have so many people willing to give their time and expertise to various facets of our group. Thanks to all who volunteer.
We thank our scorekeeper, B. B. Wright, who sits in the hot sun to make our hobby “official.” We look forward to sailing next week, hopefully with a little more wind and a little less humidity.
Sailing on Back Bay
Join us for Model Yacht sailing 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.
It’s 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.
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
| Soling Sailor Class Regatta 2025-06-17 | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Bennett, Kevin | 5/1 (100%) | 7 | 1.40 | 1 |
| Rudinsky, Chuck | 5/1 (100%) | 8 | 1.60 | 2 |
| Bodenstab, Mark | 5/1 (100%) | 13 | 2.60 | 3 |
| Corbett, Dave | 3/0 (50%) | 11 | 3.67 | 4 |
| 2025 Season Scores | |||||
| Soling Sailor Class | |||||
| Name | Class | % Regattas | Score | 2024 | Diff |
| Barstow, John | Sailor | 0% | 0.00 | 3.78 | -3.78 |
| Rudinsky, Chuck | Sailor | 100% | 1.20 | ||
| McBride, Donald | Sailor | 40% | 2.00 | ||
| Bennett, Kevin | Sailor | 100% | 2.40 | 6.67 | -4.27 |
| Opie, Jim | Sailor | 40% | 3.50 | 2.67 | 0.83 |
| Bodenstab, Mark | Sailor | 60% | 3.67 | 5.38 | -1.71 |
| Butler, Jeanne | Sailor | 20% | 4.00 | 10.33 | -6.33 |
| Corbett, Dave | Sailor | 20% | 4.00 | 5.36 | -1.36 |
| Griggs, Doug | Sailor | 40% | 4.00 | ||
| Currier, Dick | Sailor | 40% | 6.00 | 8.14 | -2.14 |
| Curran | Sailor | 40% | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 |
| Soling Master Class | ||||
| Regatta 2025-06-17 | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Wright, Tim | 5/1 (100%) | 9 | 1.80 | 1 |
| Monetta, Ted | 5/1 (100%) | 10 | 2.00 | 2 |
| Posnack, Al | 5/1 (100%) | 18 | 3.60 | 3 |
| Gates, Rick | 5/1 (100%) | 22 | 4.40 | 4 |
| Gerber, Ken | 5/1 (100%) | 32 | 6.40 | 5 |
| Jousse, Alain | 5/1 (100%) | 32 | 6.40 | 5 |
| Boisvert, Denis | 5/1 (100%) | 33 | 6.60 | 7 |
| Quinn, Anthony | 5/1 (100%) | 35 | 7.00 | 8 |
| Davis, Linwood | 5/1 (100%) | 37 | 7.40 | 9 |
| Laird, Richard | 5/1 (100%) | 37 | 7.40 | 9 |
| Whitehead, Mark | 5/1 (100%) | 45 | 9.00 | 11 |
| Pacini, Bob | 5/1 (100%) | 47 | 9.40 | 12 |
| Wilhelm, Bruce | 5/0 (83%) | 55 | 11.00 | 13 |
| Malay, Bill | 5/1 (100%) | 55 | 11.00 | 13 |
| 2025 Season Scores | |||||
| Soling Master Class | |||||
| Name | Class | % Regattas | Score | 2024 | Diff |
| Wright, Tim | Master | 80% | 1.00 | 1.08 | -0.08 |
| Witzel, Jeff | Master | 40% | 3.00 | 2.83 | 0.17 |
| Gates, Rick | Master | 40% | 3.50 | 8.38 | -4.88 |
| Monetta, Ted | Master | 100% | 5.20 | 6.43 | -1.23 |
| Posnack, Al | Master | 80% | 5.25 | 5.18 | 0.07 |
| Boisvert, Denis | Master | 80% | 5.75 | 5.90 | -0.15 |
| Cundy, Don | Master | 40% | 6.00 | 3.38 | 2.62 |
| Ware, Genie | Master | 20% | 6.00 | ||
| Leker, Steve | Master | 60% | 6.33 | 7.62 | -1.29 |
| Whitehead, Mark | Master | 100% | 7.00 | 6.69 | 0.31 |
| Quinn, Anthony | Master | 80% | 7.25 | 8.83 | -1.58 |
| Barstow, Tom | Master | 60% | 7.33 | 6.25 | 1.08 |
| Pacini, Bob | Master | 100% | 7.60 | 8.00 | -0.40 |
| Davis, Linwood | Master | 100% | 8.00 | ||
| Malay, Bill | Master | 60% | 8.33 | 10.00 | -1.67 |
| Gerber, Ken | Master | 60% | 8.67 | 9.00 | -0.33 |
| Wilhelm, Bruce | Master | 60% | 13.00 |
| 2025-06-19 US12 Regatta | ||||
| Name | Races/Throws (Pct) | Total Pts. | Average | Score |
| Wright, Tim | 10/2 (100%) | 10 | 1.00 | 1 |
| Simms, John | 10/2 (100%) | 22 | 2.20 | 2 |
| Quinn, Anthony | 7/1 (64%) | 20 | 2.86 | 3 |
| Wilhelm, Bruce | 10/2 (100%) | 32 | 3.20 | 4 |
| Opie, Jim | 9/1 (82%) | 36 | 4.00 | 5 |
| 2025 US12 Season Scores | |||||
| Name | Class | % Regattas | Score | 2024 | Diff |
| Wright, Tim | Sailor | 100% | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.00 |
| Quinn, Anthony | Sailor | 67% | 2.50 | 5.23 | -2.73 |
| Simms, John | Sailor | 100% | 2.67 | 2.57 | 0.10 |
| Gates, Rick | Sailor | 33% | 3.00 | 3.93 | -0.93 |
| McBride, Donald | Sailor | 67% | 3.50 | 4.43 | -0.93 |
| Brennan, Bob | Sailor | 33% | 4.00 | 5.80 | -1.80 |
| Wilhelm, Bruce | Sailor | 100% | 5.33 | 6.56 | -1.22 |
| Opie, Jim | Sailor | 100% | 5.67 | 6.40 | -0.73 |
| Laird, Rick | Sailor | 33% | 7.00 | 3.40 | 3.60 |
Upcoming Events: [2025 Schedule]
- April 29 – October 28 , 2025 Regattas 1PM-3PM Tuesday Solings, Thursdays US12s
- July 5, 2025 Model Yachting Day
- July 7-11, 2025 Model Yacht Building
- September 11, 2025 Scoring Season Ends
- September 14, 2025 5th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
- October 28, 2025 Dock Out
Past Events:
- September 8, 2024 4th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH [More Photos]
- 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