Written by Tim Wright, B.B. Wright, Mark Whitehead
Editing and Proofreading Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B.B. Wright, Mark Whitehead, Ed Johnson
Layout & Photo Captions by Paul McBride, Ken Gerber
Games by Dave Perry
Retiring Skipper
George Greathead, a longtime Back Bay Skipper from Gilmanton Iron Works, has decided to bring his sailing career to a close. He hasn’t sailed with us for a few years but always will be one of us. We hope his retirement from the fleet will be blessed with fair winds and following seas.
The News Makers
Week after week, the Model Yachting News comes to you, and you might wonder how. Tim Wright provides the happenings for the US12 fleet, with help from B. B. Wright, and Mark Whitehead composes a summary of the Soling regattas, all presented with a little color here and there. The scores from Wes Matchett’s statistic program are added, and everything is passed on to Kathleen Whitehead for proofing and the magic touch only she can provide.
Ken Gerber starts the process of loading the final composition onto the web, with Paul McBride adding colorful photos and captions. As you can see, it takes many to deliver news about sailing activities on Back Bay each week. A big thank-you to all involved!
Good Wind Saved the Day
Our normal sailing day for Solings is Tuesday, but meteorologists called for dangerous thunderstorms and very little wind. Out of concern for sailors who have distances to travel, Commodore Mark Whitehead made the call late Monday afternoon to utilize our alternate day. Guess what! Tuesday had no wind but also no thunderstorms! Ah, weather forecasts in New Hampshire!
As it turned out, however, it was the perfect call. Not only was there sunshine on August 24, but also a great wind. Nineteen skippers challenged Back Bay Wednesday for eleven races, and we even had our normal course. Starting with an all-in fleet, we then switched to the separation of classes.
We did have a few rescues this week – made once water was scooped out of our johnboat, tired from its injuries. Scotch on the rocks might be desirable but not boat on the rocks!
Nine US12s Sail
On Thursday, August 25, US12 skippers were treated to some of the best winds and weather in recent memory. The winds were more consistent than they’ve been in some time, and the temperatures were in the 80s. While some had to deal with equipment failure, including dismastings, the fleet was able to complete thirteen races.
What seems significant is that the racers finishing in fifth through ninth were only separated by .75. The racing was tight and everyone had at least one solid finish. Bob Brennan, who averaged 5.5, had a second-place finish as well as two thirds. He finished the day in eighth place, just a little ahead of Jim Opie’s 5.75. Jim’s day was cut short by two rigging failures that caused his mast to fall twice. Fortunately, there was no lasting damage. He managed two fourth-place finishes before his bad luck started.
Noteworthy was Bruce Wilhelm’s first win in the fifth race, his overall finish in seventh place with 5.45. Just ahead of Bruce was Anthony Quinn, who had three third-place finishes and a 5.1 average for sixth. At 5.0 and in fifth place overall was John Simms, who is dealing with electrical gremlins. He tried many different combinations of receivers, transmitters, and batteries to see if he could improve his erratic RC controls. Near the end of the afternoon, John won a race and had a third, so it would seem he is on the right track.
Finishing with a 3.91 average, Paul McBride came in fourth. Paul had a first-place finish in the first race and two seconds later on. In third, Rick Laird, with a 3.64 average, had five second-place finishes and a third in a span of nine races. Don Cundy, at a 3.09 average, is starting to get his boat moving well. He also showed consistency with a win, a second, and six third-place finishes. Tim Wright, at 1.18, won nine races and finished in second in the other four. He has been tough to catch.
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 on Tuesday and the US12s on Thursday, weather permitting. Wednesday serves as an alternate day should sailing conditions be poor.
Join the 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.
Upcoming Events:
- Saturday September 24, 2022 RC Laser Regatta, Bow Lake, Strafford NH – Race Notice
- Saturday October 1, 2022 Old Man of the Mountain Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Series, Nashua NH
- Saturday October 22, 2022 Minuteman Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Series, Needham MA
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

