Model Yachting

Step One
Set up the guidelines for a safe activity: we are requiring masks, of course, a six-foot social distance, a maximum of ten boats in the water, and no official scoring to keep the intensity level down.

Weather permitting, the Solings sail on Tuesday, the US12s on Thursday at 1 p.m. The rain day is Wednesday, and “sail what you brung” is offered at Lily Pond in Gilford at 9 a.m. on Sundays.

Step Two
Some prep work: to give ourselves as many options as possible we are helping to reactivate the Laconia Model Yacht Club, which will give us a 9 a.m. Sunday morning sailing option with hardly any spectators. A small crew gathered at the Wrights’ residence to build them a new dock, and, of course, had to squeeze in a little pre-season sailing. Participating were Tim and B.B. Wright, Bill Hagerup, and Mark Whitehead.

Small Steps Toward the New Normal
We hope to take the first small steps toward some resemblance of normal. The governor has extended the “stay at home order” to June 15. The dock will be installed Monday, June 1, as planned but Soling sailing will not begin until Tuesday, June 16, weather permitting and with restrictions. Wednesdays will be used as a flex or rain day and the US12s should start on Thursday, June 18. Lily Pond in Gilford will be activated on Sundays at 9 a.m. offering a venue to sail “what you brung” with no spectators.

It is with great sadness we announce the loss of a longtime Back Bay Skipper and dear friend. Tom summered in Jamestown, Rhode Island, sailing on the ocean from an early age and later developing an interest in R/C boats. He often participated in the Block Island Race on Jim Bishop’s J/44 Gold Digger and was a frequent member of the Gold Digger crew in races to Bermuda.

Tom’s vocation was emergency medical service, both in Jamestown and, in recent years, as director of the Jackson, New Hampshire EMS force and part of the White Mountain rescue service.

Always one of the lead skippers on Back Bay, Tom was a “go to” skipper for both sailing and technical help. Generous with his time and donations to any need the group had, Tom will be missed.

Here’s the latest news from Commodore Mark Whitehead:

We Too Are on Hold
Like the rest of the country, we are on hold due to the coronavirus. The bay has cleared to allow installation of the dock, but, sadly, we are all hunkered down at home. Let’s hope that before we get too far into June we will be ready to go.

Here’s the latest news from Commodore Mark Whitehead:

Not Much Sailing but Still Active
Back Bay is frozen solid, but that doesn’t mean there’s no activity. Our town permits have been submitted and approved. The season schedule of weekly regattas, Sasquatch Footy Regatta, CanAm Soling competition, annual Skipper party, and any other events is ready and waiting for competition committee approval. Mark Whitehead was busy in his workshop making two dozen free-sailing kits for distribution to youngsters in our audience, and Kathleen Whitehead already has thought of a way to annoy skippers in a party game at the May 16 gathering. Tim Wright is working on the AMYA Webinar scheduled for March 11, and the rest of the crew are preparing their boats for the 2020 season action.

Seasons Greetings

It has been a great year for racing Solings and US12s, not unduly hindered by milfoil, and thanks to the new Wednesday rain date, added this year, not as affected by bad weather. Tim Wright started out the season by winning the Sasquatch Footy Regatta, and proceeded to win just about everything else.

The Sailing Season Ends
On November 4 the dock was pulled and put away for the winter. Another successful season with fifty five events participated in by 1254 people.

The Season Comes to an End

The Solings
Gathering on a dreary gray day October 29, thirteen dedicated Soling skippers sailed an eight-race regatta. No matter what the weather, however, when we’re sailing it’s all smiles and certainly not dreary. Wind prediction was 5 mph and for the most part that was the case, with flat water here and there.

The End Is Near
We’re almost at the end of the season — but not quite. Owners of US12s had fun on October 16 for a sail-whatever-you-bring regatta. Five skippers participated, and Tim Wright brought his Santa Barbara out of storage for some sea trials — a pretty sight. The skippers did a round robin so everyone was able to sail all their boats. Although a bit cool and raw on the bay, the day was considered a big success.

Fall Sailing
You can’t beat it! Sun, great wind, cool temperatures, and great color across the bay. Not to mention that pressure is gone now that no scores are kept — just bragging rights.