BREAK THE ICE
Nice little article here- a good little short history with a nice painting to go with it. Something to reflect on as we while away the summer months…
Special thanks to my mom for sending this one in!
DN CLASS SPRING BALLOT
Hey DN people, be sure to cast your vote regarding the spring IDNIYRA ballot- your opinion matters!
If you are an active class member you should have an electronic ballot from the IDNIYRA in your inbox, it went out May 15. Voting closes Saturday May 29 so don’t delay- If you didn’t see it in the inbox check your spam folder. Click the link below for details.
As always, vote early and often…. And Think Ice!
Canadian Championship Trophy- Help Needed
Hello All-
I am fixing up the DN Canadian Championship trophy- So far I have filled in a few blanks but there are several to go-
If you can take a look at the attached list and fill in any blanks that would be great- feel free to suggest any corrections as well and send them to me at t_thieler@yahoo.com
Much appreciated- hope spring is going well for everyone- Best, T
What I have so far:
1972 Ed Kraft
1973 Ed Kraft
1974 Spike Boston
1975 Ed Kraft
1976 Spike Boston
1977 John Schuch
1979 Don Walton
1982 Ron Sherry
1983 John Koeck
1986 Spike Boston
2000 Andre Baby
2001 Andre Baby
2002 Andre Baby
2012 Jacek Marzenski
2013 James “T” Thieler
2014 Eric Anderson
2017 Mark Christenson
2019 James “T” Thieler
2020 James “T” Thieler
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
May Runner Tracks Is Out
Hey Folks-
Be sure to take a look a the latest Runner Tracks- Very well done as always and this time it includes an article by our very own Bill Bucholz- Congrats to Bill for getting the ink!
See it and / or order it here:
2021 May Runner Tracks Newsletter Published – DN North America (idniyra.org)
Don’t forget that spring, summer and fall fly by faster than you think they will…. Get that worklist out and get your iceboat projects done while it’s nice and warm in the garage.
Think Ice!
Landsailing at Loring This Weekend
Hey Folks- Big landsailing event this weekend- stay tuned to the CIBC site for details at
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends
First update here:
Eastern Landsailing Championship | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
Second update here:
Loring Update | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
I haven’t attended this event but it sounds like a great time- If you have something with a sail and wheels be sure to check it out!
Think Ice (or pavement for now)
Spring CIBC Gathering
Hey Folks- If you are so inclined and need to get out of the house head on up to the CIBC spring meeting- Always a good time to be had with the Maine-iacs!
Details here:
The Prima Donna Has Belted Out Her Song….
Not a bad season considering everything that was going on over the winter. If you were able to get out and enjoy some hard water sailing during it all give yourself a pat on the back. If not, remember to get out twice as much next season!
Of course the official word of the ice going away gives us all reason to utter a few words that aren’t as polite as they should be. If anyone gives you any grief about it, feel free to use the attached retort, sent in by John Pepper. Thanks John!
Think Ice- Get cracking on that worklist for next season…..
Moosehead Lake Video
This drone video shot by Jonne Trees last weekend at Moosehead Lake, ME.
Two days of great sailing, April 3 and 4. Good breeze, good ice, sun, scenery, Just proves that it ain’t over ’til it’s over!
Thanks to Jonne for the video and the Maine gang for scouting it-
Click and enjoy!
Moosehead Lake Ice Sailing Aerials – YouTube
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Moosehead- Pics And Video
Hey Folks-
For those of you who thought the Moosehead Lake news last weekend was some sick April Fool’s prank, let it be known that there was plenty of ice, plenty of breeze, plenty of sun, and plenty of speed to be had!
Great to sail on April 4, I think that is the latest I have ever gone….
In any case, keep it in mind for next year, just in case we get another chilly spring- Worth the trip!
The picture is from Jonne Trees, the video (I hope the link works) is from Jeff Kent.
Get tuned up, only about half a year until the next ice….
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Moosehead
Moosehead Lake is delivering…. Ice is thick, surface a bit rough but hey, totally sailable and enjoyable.
Especially for early April!
Marks are set, will be scratch racing tomorrow if there is breeze.
Forget the holidays, never mind the family, they’ll get over it. Come on up!
Lodging at The Birches. See earlier posts for details.
Think Ice!
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Moosehead Lake Update
It’s looking like more of a possibility as the weekend approaches- Scouts are headed there at this moment, we look forward to hear what they find-
The latest update is here:
Moosehead Lake | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
Keep an eye here for more news:
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends!
There should be a good number of boats there as quite a few people just aren’t ready to pack it in yet (myself included). With a little luck we will all be able to brag about sailing in April all summer!
Even if we can’t sail much the place is as scenic as it gets, great spot to sit in the spring sun and unwind before the summer craziness hits.
Load ’em up and stay tuned! T
April Iceboating Anyone?
It could happen- sounds like Moosehead Lake may still be sail-able. Get your soft-ice gear (full sails, slush runners, max inserts, skunners, whatever you have) out of the storage locker and think about it….
What better reason to put off getting your tax information together? Keep your priorities in order!
Keep an eye on the CIBC site for updates….
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends
2021 DN US Nationals Phot CD Available
Hey Folks- Gretchen Dorian braved the wind and cold to get quite a few awesome shots of the action at the DN Nationals in MI last season-
Do yourself (and her) a favor and grab a disc!
2021 U.S. Nationals Photo CD – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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Sad News From Up North
Mike Webber, KC 5591
The Nova Ice Yacht Club lost one of its most active members on March 17 and the IDNIYRA lost a newer, committed DN sailor.
Mike Webber, KC 5591, of Petite Riviere Nova Scotia was a professional mariner, a marine engineer. His marine engineering career began on the Great Lakes and then moved to the salt water where he worked in offshore support and then on tankers. Most recently he was the Chief Engineer and Chief Superintendent for the Polar Prince, a Lunenburg-based research icebreaker engaged in seismic surveys, contract icebreaking and other Arctic operations.
Mike was a life-long sailor, who spent some of his time off as a professional mariner cruising the Caribbean with his wife and children. Mike only started iceboating about five years ago. He quickly graduated from beaters to competitive DNs. When he upgraded his DN program he helped others get started by giving way his beaters. He improved his performance through practice and seeking the advice of more experienced DN sailors. Last year he won his first race, and regatta, when he won the Maritimes Championship on Lake Mush-a-Mush, Nova Scotia. He finished 7th in the Silver fleet at the 2020 North American Championships at Fort Peck, Montana.
Mike will be remembered for his sunny personality. He could be counted on for support when help was required. Eight days driving with him, from Nova Scotia to Montana and back, was eight days well spent. Mike was 51: it was too soon for him to go.
Warren Nethercote, KC 3786
Mike’s full obituary can be seen at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com
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NH and ME Sailing Saturday / Sunday
Hey Gang- Hope springs eternal!
Some boats will be sailing out of Leavitt Beach on Winnipesaukee Saturday and Sunday. Well, trying to sail anyway!
Forecast is for moderate breeze and temps well over freezing so bring the slush runners and skunners. We will have some marks set up so if possible scratch racing will be going on- if no scratch racing then some cruising. If neither, good times will be had flapping jaws in the parking lot!
There may be some sailing going on in Maine as well- check the CIBC site for any updates at Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends
Hope to see some people up to give it a go! It sounds like there is a good base on some lakes in NH and ME, always interesting to see how the surface and launches hold up. With a little luck we can get some more weekends in. Stay tuned to this and CIBC sites for details as we head kicking and screaming into April.
As always be sure to observe all ice safety guidelines- ice picks and other safety gear are mandatory. Also be sure to maintain social distancing and COVID protocols- Mask up, keep your distances, and don’t share drinks or smokes. Do the right thing and bring extras for everyone!
Think ICE!
T
Bantam Lake Tracks
Mike Acebo did what could be called a thorough job sailing the southern part of Bantam Lake over the last few days-
Take a look at his tracks vs the map of the lake and you’ll see….
Well done Mike, I think you may have invented a new art form!
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WINNI THE HARDWAY MONDAY!
There will be a Hardway attempt on Monday the 15th! If you don’t know what the Hardway is take a look at the posts below, that will tell you all you need to know-
It’s always an adventure and with a little luck you can make it happen this year!
Launch will be at Brewster Beach in Wolfeboro NH. There will be a push off time of 10:00 AM SHARP to take advantage of the hard ice in the morning. So be there early, rigged and ready to go by 10!
Keep an eye on this site for further details. Info may also be up on the CIBC site- Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends
All usual safety protocols must be followed since this is a long haul over large expanses of the lake- helmets, picks, warm clothes, GPS, food/water, comm gear all even more necessary than usual.
Also COVID is still out there as well so be sure to mask up and maintain some distance between yourself and the rest of the gang. Even in the parking lot.
Stay tuned and sail safe. Think ICE!
Baikal In This Hemisphere…..
While we’re waiting for all this wonderful slush to freeze and the gale to calm down, think about this for next March. Can’t make it to Siberia? Montana’s the next best thing! Potential for a container full of iceboats departing Boston area. Fly to Billings, rent a car for the four hour drive to Glasgow, or take the one hour flight. The container full of boats will be there on the beach, Baklal style, waiting for you.
Could be interesting- Having sailed out in Montana last season I can vouch for the venue, it really is out in the middle of nowhere and the scenery is AMAZING.
Take a look:
Ice This Weekend- Quality And Quantity?
OK Folks….
Hope springs eternal, even for us chronically pessimistic and cranky New Englanders….
Ice reports are coming in from up north and it sounds like a matter of quality vs quality. As is fairly typical for this time of year there are some fairly good base plates of ice on Winni, Dammi, and Sunapee BUT with warm temps and sun there can be some quick degradation and rapid changes such as thin spots getting thinner, cracks appearing and widening rapidly, and pressure ridges forming almost instantly as ice sheets expand and heave. None of this is conducive to safe sailing…. So the thickness is there but the surface leaves a lot to be desired in terms of sailability and safety.
On the other hand we see all kinds of strange things on the ice and even those of us who have been at this for awhile still get surprised. The next few days are fairly warm and sunny all over the region and the nights will be chilly but not cold enough to tighten things up until Saturday night. Maybe there is a chance of a good Sunday morning this coming weekend. Or maybe a good day to hang out in the parking lot. Who knows?!?
All we can do is wait and see what the scouts report as this week grinds on- Many thanks to them, I know a few have really been all over the map looking for the good stuff…. On the subject of scouting ice, if you know of a decent sailing prospect let it be known, the karma points will be generous! So don’t mothball the ice toys just yet. Ya nevah know….
As always exercise extreme caution if you are venturing out on the ice- this time of year can be especially hazardous. Spikes, throw ropes, life jacket, thermal gear, spotters and partners are a MUST.
Think ICE!!
America’s Cup Day 1 Highlights
Hey Folks-
If you had as much trouble finding the America’s Cup on TV last night as I did and were as reluctant to pay the $130 NBC wanted to watch the series live (ouch!) as I was don’t despair, the highlights are on YouTube for free.
Fun to watch the racing and some of the stuff they do seems to apply to our hard-water world.
I won’t spoil the results for you but I will paraphrase Bill Bunting- When he and his brother would match race their two Nites Bill would say “I’m usually first runner-up and he usually comes in next to last….” Always got a kick out of that one. And so it is in match racing!
Click and enjoy here: 36th America’s Cup Day 1 Highlights – YouTube
America’s Cup Race 1 Tonight!
Hey Gang- could be more hard water sailing in NE this weekend, more on that later.
For now take a look at Race 1 of the America’s Cup tonight. Interesting craft in the event- sometimes they even go about as fast as an ice boat….
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Anyway coverage starts at 10pm here in the east, I think on NBC sports. Click the link below for more info.
Place your bets and clear your calendars for this weekend just in case!
Spreading The Stoke On Webster Lake
Sunday on Webster was one for the books- Good breeze but not too much, good turnout but not a traffic jam, ice that was hard yet grippy, bright sun but not blinding, and temps cold enough to keep the ice hard but not make an iceboater think twice about getting out of the van.
Yep, a banner day to be sure- not bad for early March! I don’t know exactly how many boats were on the lake but there must have been at least 20-30 craft of all varieties- DNs (old and new), Skeeters, BDXs, maybe a Whizz or two, a Lockley Skimmer, and who knows what else. All were able to get out and enjoy the day.
There was a good bunch of cruising boats buzzing around and when race marks were set everyone seemed to take an interest in doing some hot laps- It’s hard for any sailor to resist seeing how your boat matches up with the boat next door! Great to see everyone living it up and always interesting to compare the performance and sailing styles of the different designs and skippers. Watching the fleet doing lap after lap was oddly calming and mesmerizing… Like watching clothes tumble in a dryer but way more interesting. Later on when some loosely organized races were run that was interesting too! Good time had by all, that’s for sure.
Thanks to Emily Babbitt for getting some great shots yesterday. You can view her pics here https://photos.app.goo.gl/FZqg7axhqo3tEkAE7
And a few from my phone https://photos.app.goo.gl/dAw2pmbPYDBvsNAp6
Along with the range of boats were a range of skippers, male, female, older (don’t ask), younger (some in their twenties), and at least one who I don’t think is a teenager yet (ah, to be that young again!) Bella was crushing it in her new BDX by the way, clearly, the kid has some talent and will be leaving her father in the dust soon enough!
We also had a good group of first-timers out; One gent about my age (again, don’t ask) who has been a keen ocean racer and involved in numerous ’round the world race and America’s Cup campaigns doing bleeding-edge electronic and computer data, control, and navigation stuff. All known in the biz as “mega-tronics.” His stories are a fascinating glimpse into that rarified world, and those are just the ones he can tell (I get the impression he has signed more NDAs than most of us have signed credit card receipts.) In any case he is keen to delve further into the science and art of DN sailing- Should be interesting!
Also in the mix was a young couple with extensive collegiate sailing experience and resume’s that include a lot of campaigning in Moth and 49er dinghies. Another relatively new guy was out with a green sail, older hull, and aluminum mast and was doing quite well in the scratch racing that broke out.
Rounding out this bunch were two women I know from the classic yacht world, one who works on them for a living and one who has a real, respectable job but trims mainsheet one of the fastest classics out there! All of these people sailed my 1962 DN for a bit and some of them moved up to the modern DNs after that. All of them were STOKED and one of them is shopping for an old DN at this very moment. Hope they will all dive in on some level!
Either way, it was great to see new faces out there giving this amazing sport a go. We are all very lucky to have found it (or stumbled onto it) and we all know how much excitement and adrenalin it can generate no matter how we participate. Which brings me to another point; My friend Dave always says that if you have something that revs you up and get’s you “stoked” (he lived in California for a while and he must have picked up some of the lingo) you have a duty to share it with like-minded folks. Whether it’s a song, a boat, a band, movie, windsurfer, iceboat, whatever it may be you have to “Spread The Stoke!!” as he says. Fair to say that The Stoke was spread far and wide yesterday!
There was a big regatta in Michigan last weekend and I have no remorse at all over skipping it; as much as I would have enjoyed racing (that’s my “stoke”) it was just as much or even more fun to get some new people out and see their reactions- I re-learn this lesson every so often and I hope everyone in the group will make it a point to drag some new sailors out onto the ice and keep that stoke going!
Think Ice, T
Webster Lake Today
There should be good sailing on Webster Lake today- A groupbe launching from
Waterfront Mary’s
103 Birch Island Rd
Webster, MA 01570
United States
Hope to see some people there!
New England Ice Yacht Association 