Model Yachting News • Week Ending October 12, 2024

Posted on October 12, 2024October 12, 2024 by Paul McBride

Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing and Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B.B. Wright, Jeff Witzel, Mark Whitehead
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Layout by Ken Gerber
Games by Dave Perry

e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com

A Blustery Fall Day

Starting at 5 mph and ending at 15 mph, winds blew the Soling fleet through thirteen races for the October 8 regatta. Fifteen skippers launched and fourteen scored, nine in the Master Class and five in the Sailor Class. The sun was out and the temperature climbed to sixty, just about perfect.

Tim Wright brought his Chinese junk but discovered his arms were about a foot too short for launching it from the dock, the junk’s hull having to be held during descent. Because the lake is being drained before winter arrives and rain has been scarce, the water is much much lower than the April levels.

Denis Boisvert’s schooner just loves wind so he sailed it all day, even scoring a couple of second-place finishes.

We wonder when Anthony Quinn will nail his old boat to the tree beside his other derelict since he immediately dropped out of the regatta with boat issues.

Out on the Course

Bruce Wilhelm topped the Sailor Class this week with a score of 7.4. Second place had a tie with Kevin Bennett and Mark Bodenstab each scoring 7.7, just three tenths behind Bruce. Fourth will have to go to Dick Currier at 11.1 since Dave Corbett sailed only five races, two short of qualification for this regatta.

Tim Wright forgot the radio for his new boat so went with plan B and the old #383, taking only four firsts but generously sharing his boat with other skippers. Oh, by the way, he did take the regatta with a score of 1.3! Steve Leker managed four wins and a second to place second overall with very consistent sailing leading to his score of 3.3. Don Cundy held onto third place with a couple of seconds, three thirds, and a score of 3.9. He was followed by Ken Gerber in fourth with 4.0 that included two wins and a second of his own. Ted Monetta rounded out the top five at 4.3, proud of his one win and one second.

Another Blustery Fall Day

For US12 sailing on October 10 it was windy, blustery, and cold — especially when clouds covered the sun. The gusts went right through the scorer and spectators — B. B. Wright, Jeanne Butler and her dog Ella, plus Dr. Diane Guerriere. They spent some time watching the wind blow with little regard for any vessel trying to make its way around the course. Despite the chill, the conditions were certainly doable. Even the gusts were not too much for any sailor to tack or jibe.

On the racecourse, there was no rival for Tim Wright. Literally. There was no one else who made the trip to launch a boat. Tim was first in every race he chose to race. Although he won only four races, he was the single competitor, so it wouldn’t have been “official.” You need four US12s for an official regatta. In fact, Tim was sailing a Soling. (Look who’s bending the rules now!)

Despite the futility of not having it count, Tim did come away with the biggest reward you can get this time of the season — bragging rights. Not one other sailor was there to hear him, however. It was a great day for sailing as long as you had proper attire — including gloves, hat and earmuffs!

Let’s try to make the most of the remaining weeks of sailing on Back Bay in 2024. Thursday is now a sailing day for anyone, so plan on some relaxed racing next Thursday. Hope to see you there!

Scores

Soling Sailor Class

Bruce Wilhelm   7.4
Kevin Bennett   7.7
Mark Bodenstab  7.7
Dick Currier   11.1
Dave Corbett (5 races)

Soling Master Class

Tim Wright     1.3
Steve Leker    3.3
Don Cundy      3.9
Ken Gerber     4.0
Ted Monetta    4.3
Mark Whitehead 4.6
Bob Pacini     5.4
Bill Malay     7.8
Denis Boisvert 8.6
 (sailing his schooner)

Soling Regatta

Tim Wright     1.3
Steve Leker    3.3
Don Cundy      3.9
Ken Gerber     4.0
Ted Monetta    4.3
Mark Whitehead 4.6
Bob Pacini     5.4
Bruce Wilhelm  7.4
Mark Bodenstab 7.7
Kevin Bennett  7.7
Bill Malay     7.8
Denis Boisvert 8.6
Dick Currier  11.1
Dave Corbett (5 races)

Sailing on Back Bay

The 2024 season is winding down but still active, 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.