Melt Down —> Refreeze –> Sail

“We engaged in a spirited discussion, encompassing our customary sailing locales in ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, and venturing into the Adirondack region of NY. A significant amount of effort is devoted to consistent monitoring of the entire region, involving observations from the shore, as well as walking, skating, and sailing to assess thickness and identify potential hazards. It’s crucial to note that ice is never entirely safe; there are always hazards, some known and visible, while others remain less apparent. Be sure to thank all those who have spent time scouting ice so that we can sail.

Currently, we find ourselves in a thaw and melting process—a resurfacing akin to a Zamboni on the ice between periods at a hockey game. Regrettably, the natural processes take a bit longer than a Zambonis fifteen minutes to resurface Dammarascota, Winni, Quaboag, Saratoga, Bantam, and many others. Thus, we wait patiently, anticipating that, according to regional forecasts, we just need to navigate through a couple more warmer days before we can resume the ice-making game.

Yet, it’s not solely about thickness; the quality and composition of the ice hold significant importance. Our scouts will be vigilant in the coming days, keeping an eye out for drain holes, puddle holes, shell ice, and various hazards.

Below, you’ll find a selection of links from the late Bob Dill’s Lakeice site knowledge base at http://lakeice.squarespace.com. If you haven’t visited the site before, I recommend setting aside a couple of hours to delve into its exhaustive and in-depth information.

Here are some current conditions, among others, currently in play:

• Drain Holes
• Puddle Holes
• Shell Ice
• Leads
• Warm Water Holes
• Polynyas

We already have a robust roster of regional racers signed up for this year’s DN North American Championships. The event is just a month away, and if you weren’t aware, New England is slated to be the host location—provided we can secure a suitable plate of ice. It’s important to clarify that this is not a guarantee the event will be held in the east, but there’s a near certainty that it will take place from February 25th through March 2nd somewhere. Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up today at https://www.idniyra.org/2024-north-american-championship/“

Remember, one of the most important iceboating attributes is PATIENCE. The dictionary definition truly fits.

pa·tience
/ˈpāSH(ə)ns/
noun: patience
1. The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org