Model Yachting News • Week Ending October 17, 2026

Posted on by Paul McBride

Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Proofreading & Editing by Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B.B. Wright, Mark Whitehead
Captions and Layout by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry

e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com

A Visiting Marblehead

Joining us this week was Rick Gates and his #1967 Marblehead class boat. She’s fifty inches long with a ten-pound displacement and carries 800 square inches of sail (200 square inches more sail than our Solings). Several of our skippers swapped boats to give the Marblehead a try.

Rick Gates and Scorekeepers, B.B. Wright and Karen Enos
Rick Gates' Marblehead
Solings and a Marblehead start a race.
The Soling Fleet

Not as Predicted

All-day rain on Tuesday moved the sailing date for Solings to Wednesday, October 14. We were hoping the weatherman was accurate about wind velocity, but he was ten miles per hour higher on his prediction than what blew across Back Bay. Along with the usual fickle winds were gray skies that allowed a quick peek by the sun along with brief sprinkles. We ran the gamut. There was enough wind, however, to complete eleven races, so the nine-member fleet enjoyed a good day just the same. Many groaned when the wind picked up just as skippers were packing their gear!

This week we scored the boats not the skippers because of the boat switching. It was a tie at the top between #58 and the Marblehead.

#1967 Marblehead    1.90
#58                              1.90
#111                            2.70
#44                              4.10
#831                            5.00
#237                            5.50
#8                                6.25
#12                              6.30
#80                              8.70

Heading to the First Mark
Scorekeepers Karen Enos and B.B. Wright came prepared.
As we packed up to go home
the breeze freshened.
Getting US12s Ready to Sail

The US12 Fleet

The fleet was treated to a wonderful day — at least that’s the way it turned out eventually. With gusty winds, it reminded the sailors of last week, when carnage was significant and the wind could barely be handled. With predictions of the wind lessening, the eight skippers put their boats in for tuning and survived before the first start. There were rigging failures, hull-to-deck joints giving, and multiple rescues. The start of the day was overwhelming, but the wind did die down and racing became tight.

While the breeze was typical of Back Bay with many shifts and strengths, the sailing was good with numerous races taking place. B.B. Wright scored the first race and then received requests to just let the sailors sail. We have no scores to report, but superior racing was evident. Finishes were tight, and everyone realized how lucky we were to be sailing with good friends in such a beautiful place on such a wonderful fall day. We still have a couple of race days left, so come on down and join us on Thursday afternoons.

Tim Wright 438, Bill Malay 7, John Simms 101,
Anthony Quinn 937, Charlie Lincoln 127
Skippers and Scorekeeper
… and the band played “Nearer, My God, to Thee.”
Fortunately, there was a resurrection.
Rescue Complete
Bill Malay 7, Tim Wright 438, and John Simms 101
John Simms 101 chases Tim Wright 438.
Charlie Lincoln 127
Tim Wright 438 and John Simms 101
Bruce Wilhelm, Kevin Bennett, Bill Malay,
Tim Wright, Charlie French, John Simms
Because of the low water level, the rescue boat was pulled up on the dock
to put the cover back on.

Back Bay Sailing

We continue to invite you to join us on Tuesday or Thursday at 1 PM, weather permitting. Wednesday is set aside if conditions on Tuesday or Thursday aren’t suitable. We welcome you to just watch the spectacle or ask to give it a try – we love to share. Unofficial scoring is now the theme when results don’t count toward season standings.

No telling who will show up to watch.

Quiz and Game Fun Page - Updated 11/4/2022​

Trophy Room

Skippers Memorial

Soling 1M Building Manual

Skippers Knowledge Base

Videos and Photos

Previous Highlights

Score Sheets

US12, Soling Masters, Soling Sailors

Upcoming Events: [2026 Schedule]

  • October 2026 1-3PM Tuesdays Solings, Thursdays US12s, Wednesdays Rain Date
  • November 3, 2026 Dock Out

Past Events:

e-mail: backbayskippers@gmail.com

Copyright © 2026 New Hampshire Boat Museum
SITE MAP

Our last day of the season is Sunday, October 11. Hours are 12pm to 4pm.

We will open on Wednesday, November 11 from 10am to 4pm.to honor our veterans and active military.

Free admission for veterans and active military.

Our last day of the season is Sunday, October 11. Hours are 12pm to 4pm.

We will open on Wednesday, November 11 from 10am to 4pm.to honor our veterans and active military.

Free admission for veterans and active military.