Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, B.B. Wright, Don Cundy
Layout Paul McBride
The Big Guy Comes Out to Play
Sunday, August 2, was a very nice and relaxing day of sailing. There were two Solings, four US12s, and one J boat. Many volunteers made it possible for Tim Wright to launch his 70-pound J boat, Weetamoe, for only the second time. Remarkably, it did very well considering the insides and rigging were still the same as when Ned Lakeman built it many years ago. The sails are pulled in with an electric window mechanism from a car and a motorcycle battery. It is an ingenious and cost-effective solution to trimming the sails.
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
- Awards for 2019 Season
- In Memory of Tom Greig 1956-2020
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge 2019
- Lake Discovery Camp
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Sasquatch Footy Regatta (Nor’Easter Footy Series)
- Skippers Spring Party 2019
Score Sheets
Setting Up the J Boat — All 70 lbs of It
When we arrived at 9:00 a.m., there was no wind. It took a while for the wind to build, but it finally settled into a nice breeze for the boats. With a variety of courses, the boats were able to sail competitively against each other. Bill Hagerup, Jim Opie, and Paul McBride all sailed US12s, and Skip Koehler and Al Stevens sailed Solings. When Tim was finished with Weetamoe he switched to his US12. B.B. Wright, Ellen Koehler, and Don Opie were spectators for the sailing, which also attracted some attention from passing cars.
Just a good day of sailing on Lily Pond.
Isaias Gave Us Only a One-Day Delay
The air was clear, the humidity had dropped, and the wind was steady all afternoon for the August 5 Soling regatta. Only twelve skippers came to sail and one didn’t have his boat ready yet, but that issue was solved by a team effort. With the good steady wind, we completed twelve races to match our skipper count.
We really have missed Rick Lalley this year, but he made the three-hour drive down from Thomaston, Maine to join us for this week’s regatta. It was good to see him.
Steve Leker had just picked up his boat last weekend and didn’t quite have it ready to go, so he teamed with Al Stevens and shared Al’s 978 Maryland Menace, the two taking turns. Fifty percent of the fleet competed in all twelve races, giving them a good workout for the day.
Top contenders Tim Wright, Rick Lalley, Denis Boisvert, and Mark Whitehead were eager to get in the best starts, only to get called on several occasions for the over-early infraction by our eagle-eyed scorekeeper Ellen Koehler. All were generous with their grumbles but returned to the line for their restart, still managing some good results.
Bill Quayle has been supervising the regattas for the last couple of weeks to make sure everything is being done according to Hoyle. It’s been good to have his company.
Out on the Water
Tim Wright and Rick Lalley seemed to share the first-place race slots; however, they did allow Commodore Mark Whitehead to win in race 10. Actually, he punched a good start and held the lead for the entire race.
When the wakes flattened and the scores were tallied, it was Tim Wright who took the day, followed closely by Rick Lalley in second and Denis Boisvert in third. Mark Whitehead was pleased with a fourth, and Don McBride finished in fifth. Paul McBride, Bruce Brown, Al Stevens, Steve Leker, Jack Minahan, Skip Koehler, and Paul Wallace all showed spurts of skill but couldn’t hold consistency.
Tim Wright Reports on the US12 Fleet
On August 6, the US12 fleet was treated to the best sailing day of the summer. We had relatively steady winds from 5-10 knots, much as Mark predicted in his email. We know this because Paul Wallace brought an anemometer that helped us put a figure to the wind. Since the wind was strong throughout, we were able to sail sixteen races in two hours! Humidity was low and spirits were high.
Sailing today were Paul and Don McBride, Paul Wallace, Kurt Clason, Jim Opie, Don Cundy, and Tim Wright. The racing was close with many good starts and exciting finishes. B.B., as always, was in the chair, keeping us honest and calling starts with a clear voice.
As always, rule #1 was in full effect. For those new to the program, rule #1 says we are there to have fun. Remember to always have fun at sailing. When I was in kindergarten, there was one rule for the playground — you can’t spoil anyone else’s fun. It’s still a good rule to live by.
The other thing to keep in mind is the Corinthian Spirit, which basically asks sailors to have the integrity to call fouls on themselves even if no one else sees them. If you hit one of the start or finish buoys, you need to go around again. If you foul someone, do a 360° and keep going. Don’t forget that the actions you take that are your fault and impact others should then get you to do what is needed to rectify the situation.
Nonetheless, it was a fabulous day of sailing and one which we hope to match as the season continues. Thanks to all who participated and to the many observers, including our own Don Opie. Another blast from our recent past was Anthony Quinn, who came to see the sailors at the end of the session. It was good to see him, and we look forward to the time when we can all come together without worrying about the pandemic.
Join Us if You Like
But please maintain at least that six-foot distance. Bring your camera for the show but also bring and wear a face mask. Sailing always begins at 1:00 p.m. on Back Bay at the Lehner Street/Glendon Street municipal parking area, weather permitting. Solings sail on Tuesday, the US12s compete on Thursday, and “what you brung” at 9 a.m. Sunday at Lily Pond in Gilford. Wednesdays are available should a Tuesday or Thursday regatta have to be canceled.
Connor and Keegan Rodday joined the fun and took home a sailboat kit to share. They will have a great time sailing their own boat.
