Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing & Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by B. B. Wright, Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead
Layout by Ken Gerber
Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com
A Big Thank-You to Kurt Clason
One of our winter projects is making the dozens of sailboat kits distributed to youngsters who come to watch and sail our boats. The Clason Remodeling Company of Ossipee has donated the lumber for this year’s packages, and we would like to thank Kurt Clason for his generosity.
The Sunken Ship Award
Annually our competition committee presents an award to the individual it wants to recognize for being a klutz. This year, a unanimous vote named Joel Nelson as the recipient. Joel will be remembered for leaving a cellphone in his breast pocket while launching his boat. When it slid from its hiding place to fall in the water, he spent the next twenty minutes trying to retrieve it with the boat hook. Perhaps we should award him for actually accomplishing that feat!
Winds Were a No-Show
We should have had reasonable winds, but no, that wasn’t the case. The October 10 Soling regatta was plagued by wind gaps that left us wondering what happened. The sixteen skippers who launched somehow managed to complete seven three-mark races, the final white buoy eliminated because of its refusal to bob the entire afternoon. Now and then, a nice little breeze would blow through to say hello then Mr. Nothing would show up!
Out on the Water
This week’s winds were definitely light, and the scores certainly revealed who can handle them and who can’t.
In the Sailor Class, the top spot went to Steve Towne, sailing the oldest boat in the fleet to one victory and three second-place finishes for a score of 2.00 and a decisive win. Brag away, Steve! Bruce Wilhelm accumulated a first and a second, holding his own in the light wind to place second overall with 3.00. Two firsts kept Ted Monetta in the mix with a third-place finish and a score of 3.33. This was Genie Ware’s last regatta of the season since they will be heading home to Massachusetts. Going out with a bang instead of a whimper, her score of 3.60 tied Mark Bodenstab for fourth overall.
Steve Leker scored first or second in every race this week to take top honors away from Tim Wright in the Master Class. The regatta was won by one tenth of a point at 1.33. Second-place skipper, Tim Wright, scored 1.40 and seemed determined to clear weeds from the course the second half of the regatta — something all the skippers appreciated! Joel Nelson did a masterful job scoring 3.50 for third place, and in a leaky boat, the extra weight apparently gave Bill Malay momentum to score 3.80 for fourth. Rounding out the top five with a score of 4.17 was Mark Whitehead.
Soling Sailor Class Scores
1 Steve Towne 2.00
2 Bruce Wilhelm 3.00
3 Ted Monetta 3.33
4 Genie Ware 3.60
4 Mark Bodenstab 3.60
6 Linwood Davis 3.83
7 Skip Koehler 5.60
8 John Barstow 6.80
9 John Cavanaugh 7.50
10 Dave Corbett 8.67 Soling Master Class Scores
1 Steve Leker 1.33
2 Tim Wright 1.40
3 Joel Nelson 3.50
4 Bill Malay 3.80
5 Mark Whitehead 4.17
6 Denis Boisvert 4.20 
October 12 a Lucky Day
Although the temperature was cool, even chilly, on this “Sail What You Bring” day, the wind was just about perfect. We were treated to wonderful sailing, and many spectators watched and even tried their hand at the sport. Yes, there were wind shifts. Yes, there were some dead spots. But overall, the sailing was ideal as two Solings joined the six US12s.
Thanks to B. B. Wright, our scorekeeper, we were able to complete fifteen races, the boats at the start keeping B. B. on her toes. Most of the sailors are getting very good at timing their runs towards the line, but occasionally one would cut it a little too close. Skills are getting honed and fun was definitely had by all. The quality of our sailing has improved tremendously.
Out on the Water with the US12s
One of our newer Soling sailors, Dave Corbett, showed a lot of improvement, trying to keep up with the US12s. By the end of the day, he had beaten some of them, finishing with an average of 6.13. Next was one of our photographers, Paul McBride. He tends to sacrifice his finishes to get action shots for sharing on the website. He sailed in every race and landed a score of 4.46.
Next up were five finishers all within a point of each other. Ted Monetta, sailing a borrowed US12 in ten races, finished with a score of 3.89, having one second-place finish. Ted’s Soling finished just ahead with a 3.33 score, thanks in part to the boat’s two first-place finishes by Tim Wright. Next, at 3.15, was Don Cundy. He sailed in all fifteen races, and had six second-place finishes. Anthony Quinn had a good day, sailing in ten races. He had three second-place finishes and placed consistently well. John Simms had a 2.91 average, and finished second five times in his eleven races. Tim Wright had a good day, winning every race, but facing steep challenges. It seemed like everyone took a run at him, but he was able to hold them off.
We were treated to a wonderful afternoon of sailing. We encourage our Soling sailors to practice with the US12s in a relaxed setting until the weather shuts us down. Bring whatever you want to sail and share in the fun!
US12 Scores Average Sail Number Class 1.00 400 US12 2.64 101 US12 3.00 937 US12 3.15 20 US12 3.33 237 Soling 1M 3.89 35 US12 4.46 223 US12 6.13 148 Soling 1M
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 with their mixed companions on Tuesday and US12s plus “what you brung”on Thursday, weather permitting. Wednesday serves as an alternate day should sailing conditions be poor.
You don’t have much time to join the fun since we’re planning to pull the dock on November 2. 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.
Upcoming Events:
- September 8, 2024 4th Annual RC Laser Regatta – Region 1 Championship, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
Past Events:
- September 24, 2023 3rd Annual RC Laser Regatta, Bow Lake, Strafford NH
- September 15-16, 2023 Vintage Race Boat Regatta, Wolfeboro Bay
- 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 San Antonio Fleet Donation