Written by Mark Whitehead, Tim Wright
Editing Kathleen Whitehead
Photos by Paul McBride, Mark Whitehead, B.B. Wright, Ed Johnson, Brooks Campbell
Layout & Photo Captions by Paul McBride
Games by Dave Perry
Let’s Start with Our Appreciation
We had been searching high and low for the missing oars to our rescue boat, to no avail. Paul Wallace generously donated a pair of oars stashed in his storage. Thank you, Paul!
We still have not been able to find a scorekeeper for the Tuesday Soling regattas. This week B. B. Wright stepped up and kept score for our last unofficial regatta. Her mission was to get everyone used to the system. Thank you, B. B.!
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
- Sheila Ryan Memorial Footy Regatta
- Awards for 2019 Season
- Tim Wright Wins CAN/AM Challenge 2019
- Lake Discovery Camp 2019
- US12 AMYA Region 1 Championship, Nashua
- Sasquatch Footy Regatta (Nor’Easter Footy Series)
- Skippers Spring Party 2019
Score Sheets
With so many windy days, skipper seeding was impossible, forcing us to go to plan B. Using stats from last season that hadn’t been totaled, Denis Boisvert went through all the 2020 score sheets and determined the class designations we needed. Thank you, Denis!
Tim Wright, vice commodore, leads our group not only with sailing prowess but also the education programs, willingly took charge of the US12 fleet, and has assisted in all aspects of our program. Thank you, Tim!
Out on the Water
May 25 delivered one of those wonderful days everyone enjoys, with sunshine, moderate temperatures, and a good breeze. Sixteen skippers attended this week’s regatta, including Jack Minahan, who was sidelined with electrical problems, and Bill Quayle, who likes to keep a watchful eye on the fleet.
From top to bottom, year after year, the skippers improve their skills. To testify to that there were five skippers who took first place in races, this week — Tim Wright, Mark Whitehead, Rick Gates, Jim Opie, and Al Posnack. In addition, there were three different places landing in ties — two tied for fourth, three tied for fifth, and three tied for seventh.
The top five in this week’s regatta were Tim Wright in first, Al Posnack in second, Don Cundy in third, Steve Leker and Jim Opie tied for fourth, and Denis Boisvert, Rick Gates, and Mark Whitehead in a tie for fifth.
A quote from Tim Wright on this week’s Soling regatta supports the rise in skill: “I wanted to comment on the racing yesterday. The level of sailing has gone way up, the racing closer than I remember it being as evidenced by the photos B. B. took. The downwind shots had ten boats going for the third mark, not the first, and the downwind shots with the boats going to the outer mark were on their way to the fourth mark. The photos of many races show boats close together and yet I saw very few collisions. If there was a foul, people worked them out. I am impressed by the group of sailors who have learned how to race well and have made themselves competitive. Every race saw different people do well. It makes for challenging and exciting racing.”
Tim’s News from the US12s
Today, May 27, was a windy day. The forecast was for a good bit of wind, and that is exactly what happened. While the lulls were temptingly sailable, the gusts were powerful and plentiful. Those winds easily overpowered the three boats that went out. Don Cundy, Paul McBride, and Tim Wright were the three intrepid sailors who put their boats in for twenty minutes or so. They all tried to sail, and all three boats came home on their own. However, it was not a good day for sailing. Bob Strodel brought his boat for its maiden voyage, but wisely kept it in the car.
The spectators got quite a show. There were a couple of onlookers who got front-row seats for the spills and chills. However, the big news was that the only boat that needed rescuing was the rescue boat. The previous night’s storm flipped it, and it was in the water, upside down, and full of water inside the cover. Paul, Don, and Tim worked to get it emptied and right side up. It must have been quite a blast of wind to flip the boat while it was tied up.
Let’s hope we are still getting wind in the middle of summer, although a little less would be appreciated.
Join the Fun
The season is underway 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.
Upcoming events:
- June 19, 2021 Sasquatch Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Footy Series Race 2, 10AM Back Bay, Wolfeboro NH
- July 10, 2021 Scott Spacie Memorial Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Series Race 3, 11AM Rosemary Lake, Needham MA
- August 14, 2021 Sheila Ryan Memorial Footy Regatta, Nor’easter Series Race 4, 10AM Lily Pond, Gilford NH
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