Model Yachting News • Week Ending September 4, 2021

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Written by Mark Whitehead, Jerry Leach
Editing Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead, B.B. Wright, Bruce Brown
Layout & Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry

Vintage 36 Regatta
In addition to Rick Gates, host of the regatta, two other Back Bay Skippers traveled to Nashua, New Hampshire to participate in the V36 Regatta. Representing our fine group on Sandy Pond were Paul McBride, Rick Laird, and Rick Gates.

Paul McBride's V36 Sail No. 2 was built by Ned Lakeman.
The Regatta was sponsored by the US Vintage Model Yacht Group. Vintage 36 is an Open Design Class with hull length of 36 inches and up to 600 sq. in. of sail.
1st Herb Dreher, 2nd Cliff Martin, 3rd John Storrow (Marblehead MYC), 4th Alain Jousse + Rick Gates, 5th Richard Laird

Scenes from Lily Pond This Week

Bill Hagerup brings his US12 back to the dock.
Tim Wright moves a mark back into position.
US12s Wing on Wing

A Good Day to Sail
August 31 again brought out twenty-two Solings, with the classes balancing out at eleven skippers each. Using a one-minute countdown for the Master Class followed by a two-minute countdown for the Sailor Class, we were able to complete eleven races with minimal upwind/downwind congestion.

Breaking news! Genie Ware took her first win in Race Seven. Congratulations to Genie for her hard-fought victory!

Master Class Solings start a race. This photo is from Bruce Brown's drone.
A few Solings got hung up on the rocks.

Jack Minahan was outstanding, sailing well and consistently. Ken Gerber, Anthony Quinn, Steve Leker, and Tom Barstow all posted wins or a multitude of seconds in their class, placing them in contention for impressive overall standings.

In the Master Class, Mainer Howard Germon gave Tim Wright a good run for the money this week. Don Cundy, Dan Masessa, Denis Boisvert, Rick Gates, Rick Laird, and Al Posnack all seemed to be in the thick of things as well, swapping second and third place in every race.

Before racing started we got to watch a little drama playout across the bay, as a truck launching a boat backed all the way into the water.
A View from the Other Shore
Paul Wallace's Rescue was ready.
Sometimes accidental photos are interesting.
Dan Masessa and Howard Germon are bringing their boats to the water.

Out on the Water
Jack Minahan took the day in the Sailor Class, posting two wins and three seconds. Only two tenths behind Jack, Ken Gerber had his best day ever, placing second overall in the regatta with three wins and three seconds. Anthony Quinn took the third spot with three wins as well. Steve Leker had three second-place finishes and sailed to the fourth slot. Rounding out the top five was Tom Barstow with one victory, one second-place finish, and two third-place finishes.

Tim Wright led the fleet for the Master Class this week, posting nine wins. Howard Germon was a decisive second with two wins and four second-place finishes. Also crossing the line in second place four times was Don Cundy, earning third for the day thanks to a third-place finish as well. Fourth and fifth spots were filled by Rick Gates and Dan Masessa respectively. Rick can brag about his second- and third-place finishes, and Dan should be proud of his two thirds.

Pre-Storm US12 Regatta
Overcast, a temperature in the low seventies with probably the best wind conditions so far this year, according to Don Cundy – a constant breeze of 6 to 12 miles per hour out of the west the entire session. A low turnout might have been caused by the meet’s change to Wednesday, which was unfortunate because conditions were great.

Race Director Don Cundy discusses the course with Scorekeeper Jerry Leach, as John Simms and Paul Wallace get their boats ready.
It was a gray day, but the wind was perfect for the US12s.

Don Cundy and John Simms duked it out for high honors the entire regatta, with Don edging out John in the very last race. Paul McBride took one win for the day, and Paul Wallace showed some fine boat handling throughout.

Al Stevens gives some sailing instructions.

Join the Fun
The season is still going strong, so folks are encouraged to stop by on Tuesday and Thursday at 1 PM to watch the action (weather permitting, of course), or Wednesday if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate on Tuesday or Thursday. Make sure you have your camera at the ready. And don’t forget Lily Pond in Gilford Sunday mornings at 9:00, weather permitting!

We're all out of sailboat kits for the season, but kids can still try sailing.

Upcoming events:

  • CanceledSeptember 4, 2021 Schooner, Sloop and Electric Boat Day, Nashua Model Yacht Club, Sandy Pond, Nashua NH
  • October 30, 2021 MinuteMan Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Footy Series Race 5, Rosemary Lake, Needham MA