Joachim Roesler captured from above on Herring Pond Thursday 1/11/18
All,
Our Cruising Chair Bill Buchholz is thinking that there just may be a Winni Hardway attempt coming up. He reports that Lee Spiller plans to round up a scouting team on Sunday to check the lake for Hard Way possibilities. Skate sailors have been touring the lake recently and report pretty good conditions, with only one major reef.Refresh your memories on the rules and the fun from past runs. We’ll update the minute we get the report.
Windcheck Jan/Feb 2018 Article By James “T” Thieler
All,
I am very happy to announce that the NEIYA picked up coverage in the Jan/Feb issue of Windcheck Sailing Magazine. And we even got the cover!
Thanks to T for authoring the piece along with Bill Converse, Mike Acebo, Cathy Firmbach and Joe Stanton (cover) via Deb Whitehorse for contributing last minute pictures. Note, the cover shot was incorrectly attributed to me and not Joe Stanton, not a known relative.
I am hearing that Big AF Zamboni rolling over every local body of water ready to lay bear the product of many sub freezing days and nights. See you on the ice.
THINK ICE,
John Stanton
NEIYA Vice Commodore
DN5023
John@neiya.org
Winter: The Most Exciting Sailing Season
Posted by WindCheck Magazine120sc on January 09, 2018
Get hooked on iceboating!
By James “T” Thieler
We all love the summer sailing season, that’s for sure. Spring and fall aren’t bad, either. A nice leisurely sail is good, a fast reach is even better, and for some of us a blazing run in big breeze with the kite up and spray flying is the ultimate. But what to do when winter arrives and you crave yet more speed and more sailing? How to get the fix when the snow is on the ground and the boat is on the hard? Good news is you can fix both problems by going iceboating!
You’ve seen the pictures, you’ve heard some stories…Legends and myths about sailors flying down the Hudson River, passing the high speed trains along the riverbank…South Bay Scooters out on Long Island jumping over cracks and gaps in the ice to rescue stranded hunters and fishermen…Hardcore racers driving all over the continent looking for a regatta site…Sailors venturing deep into the heart of Russia to carve tracks into a frozen Lake Baikal…Well, mostly they are true but there is plenty of speed and fun to be had closer to home as well!
Here in New England, the hard-water sailing season gets going between Christmas and New Years, usually on lakes in central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. Those of us further north find ice in Maine and just over the border in Canada. Later in the season, big ice can be found all over the area as the large lakes cool off and freeze over.
Boats are prepped, hauled out of garages and, once the ice is deemed safe, sailed across it at speeds most soft water sailors never dream of and sometimes refuse to believe! There is no thrill like it – unlike a soft water boat, iceboats have almost no drag to contend with so the acceleration is quick and the top end is waaaaay up there. Speed moves the apparent wind forward and increases the velocity and makes the boat go faster and faster. Nothing like going 25 knots in 5 knots of breeze!
There are many types of hard-water craft of all shapes and sizes: Single seaters, two-seaters, cruising boats, racing boats, antiques, wood, metal, cheap, pricey…Something for everyone! They all involve some sort of frame or fuselage, a set of three runners (or “skates” as we say in New England), a plank or crossbeam to mount skates on, and of course a mast and sail. For the budget-conscious there is the CheapSkate, basically a frame built from 2 X 4s with a Sunfish rig and cut up bed frames for skates. At the other end of the spectrum is the E-Class Skeeter. Picture an F-15 fighter plane with a mast and sail and you get the idea.
In between there are several other designs to choose from: Smaller Skeeters, Lockley Skimmers, Whizzes, the ubiquitous DN class, and the Ice Opti for the kids, which is basically a shrunk-down DN with an Optimist rig. Any one of them has a knots-per-dollar ratio that far exceeds any soft water boat you can think of!
Any of these will get you whooping and hollering during a fast cruise around the lake. If you want to race (or if you are looking for a good starter boat) the DN Class is the way to go. The boats are about 12 feet long, easily car-topped or trailered, and relatively cheap. They can be tuned to accommodate a wide range of skipper weights and sailing styles. There are plenty of used DNs and gear available, as well as an active class association and a great regatta circuit, and even a mentoring program for new sailors. There are local, regional, national and world championships every year, so you can compete at a variety of events. At the big regattas there is always a Gold and Silver and often a Bronze fleet, so there is good racing for all skill levels. No matter what, the racing is fast and beyond exciting!
Whatever avenue you decide to pursue this winter you will have a blast! It’s easy to get involved, and the best way to do it is to join the New England Ice Yacht Association (NEIYA) and sail or race with us. Iceboating with other people is safer than iceboating alone, a great way to learn, and much more fun! On the NEIYA website, (theneiya.org), you’ll find information about getting started, a schedule of regattas, cruises, rallies, clinics and other events, reports of ice conditions, iceboats and gear for sale in the Ice Classifieds, and more.
Interested people are encouraged to reach out via the forum at theneiya.org or NEIYA Vice Commodore John Stanton at John@neiya.org or are welcome to stop by Landfall in Stamford, CT to learn more. Landfall stocks the hardware or running rigging for any class of iceboat. Look to Facebook for when John’s DN will be set up in the parking lot. Hope to see you on the ice this winter…and as we in the hard-water crowd say, THINK ICE!
James “T” Thieler has been iceboating for 20 years and competes in the DN one-design class both in the U.S. and throughout Europe. “T” as he is known to his friends (and anyone that’s an iceboater is his friend) currently holds the position of Commodore in the New England Ice Yacht Association. The NEIYA is a paper club with approximately 250 members who reside and sail primarily within the six New England States plus New York and New Jersey. The NEIYA’s main goal is to promote the sport of ice boating through both racing and cruising.
01/11/2018 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Iceboating & NEIYA In The News
The 2018 DN Eastern Regional Championship scheduled for January 13-14 is postponed until further notice due to a warming trend and mixed bag of Precipitation headed for the entire Mid Atlantic and North East coast. Take this time to fine tune your gear for the upcoming North Americans with registration slated for Sunday evening January 21st.
Chad Atkins
IDNIYRA Eastern Rear Commodore
And since there is not a whole lot of new news below are some pictures from last week.
Bill converses passed some shots on from this past weekends Doc Fellows that I had to share. As usual Bill has submitted some quality work with high enough resolution to have prints made. As usual if you pass them on in any way please give Bill Converse credit and if you print up a hard copy for yourself please drop him a not of thanks.
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
Credit Bill Converse – Doc Fellows 2018 Ashumet Pond Falmouth, MA
If you have not checked in on our Facebook page please do as Ed Edwards has even more pictures from Ashumet Pond https://www.facebook.com/NEIYA.org/
01/10/2018 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Eastern Championship Postponed… But Wait There’s More…
The weather picture was crazy. An Arctic blast hit the area which is great for making ice but also great for freezing pipes, locking cars up, and keeping people house-bound in general. Oh yeah, and we also had tons of snow and big snowdrifts all over New England. Not too promising for iceboating…
I think one of the only people who had any hope of sailing over the weekend was our intrepid Regatta Chairman Steve “Mad Dog” Madden, who has been scouring the area for ice like a maniac!
He found sail-able conditions in Ashumet Pond in Falmouth, MA. Not just sail-able but pretty good! Temps went up enough to sail and even though the breeze was light and shifty we got five races in and the 2018 Doc Fellows is in the books.
Racing required patience! The breeze would come and go, sometimes you had the puff and sometimes you’d get parked. Deciding whether to run or sail, to sheet in tight or ease out and let the boat run or even just coast along was an ongoing process!
Thanks to Emily Babbitt for shooting the start of race one.
Matt Knowles is a relative newcomer to the DN fleet and he is showing lots of potential with a respectable third place. Chad Atkins broke out his new CSI hull sailed it to a very close second. T Thieler had enough luck to take the top spot.
For what it’s worth I started the day with a North FO-1 sail (shifty, light wind means good acceleration is more important than top end speed so the fuller sail is a better choice), my trusty 2008 CSI 4.1 mast and full length, 90 degree minimum width inserts.
In the first race I got a sweet gust off the line and was way ahead at the top mark but Atkins ground me down to finish about three feet ahead. I was about to complain to the Regatta Chair that the course was three feet too long but then I remembered that I’d set the marks. Damn. So I asked Atkins what he had on for runners. He said he was also using 90 degree minimum inserts. Of course I assumed he was lying and switched to a set of 95 degree inserts I have which seemed to grip OK but made a bit less noise in tacks and gybes.
They seemed to do the trick and the boat was a bit happier. Chris Miller said he had used a set of 100 degree inserts and they didn’t grip well and were very noisy…. I also concentrated on maintaining speed through maneuvers by sliding all the way forward in the cockpit during the turns- this gets weight off the aft runners (where all the friction is during the turn) and onto the front runner.
A major thanks once again to Steve Madden for finding and scouting the site, and big props to Jack Erikson for scoring most of the races. He was also first on site placing sand on the parking lot ice and the boat ramp. Steve advises Jack that “when you retire from Falmouth Marine I think there may be another career for you with the DPW!” Like he could ever pass a background check!
Steve also says: “I knew the pond was borderline small for a regatta and with the light and shifty wind I think just about all the acreage was used even into the coves!
I have to give lots of credit to the guys who had a difficult time completing all the laps. It was not an walk in the park. They hung in there and didn’t give up. Ken Olsen US4272 was elated when he managed to do all the laps in the last race.
Congratulations to Matt Knowles for his 3rd place finish. We will be looking forward to chasing him around in future races!”
Glad the season is off and running and thanks to everyone who showed up and made it happen! Great to see everyone out on the ice where we all belong. You know, away from the decent, normal, sensible people on dry land.
Place
Skipper
Sail
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
TO
Score
1
James “T” Thieler
5224
2
1
1
1
2
2
5
2
Chad Atkins
4487
1
2
2
2
1
2
6
3
Matt Knowles
5506
3
4
6
3
3
6
13
4
Chris Miller
5415
4
5
3
6
DNF
DNF
18
5
Ed Adams
5822
5
3
7
7
5
7
20
6
Neil Fowler
5573
6
6
4
5
6
6
21
7
Steve Madden
4512
*
*
5
4
4
*
27
8
Rick Bishop
5540
7
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
49
8
Ken Olsen
4272
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
7
DNF
49
8
Eben Whitcomb
4775
DNF
7
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
49
11
Jack Erikson
3186
DNF
*
*
*
*
DNF
56
11
Paul Van Dyke
3456
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
56
11
Bob Haag
5476
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
DNF
56
Each DNF/Asterisk*=14pts (13 racers +1)
DNF=did not finish
Asterisk*=scored race(s)
TO=throw out
Stay tuned for the next bit of NEIYA news!
T Thieler
P.S. While this is a racing report, there was other action and people on Ashumet Sunday. Racing grabs the headlines but whether you race, want to race or cruise we think ice boating is just about the most fun you can have on a winter’s day. Want to participate reach out to us in the comment section.
Doc Fellows Regatta is ON for Sunday January 7, 2018. First Start 11:00 am.
Location is Ashumet Pond in Mashpee, MA on Cape Cod. Launching from state boat ramp on west side of pond. Go over the Cape Cod Canal via the Bourne Bridge on Rt 28. Take Rt 151 off of Rt 28 towards Mashpee and go about 7 miles on Rt 151 then left on to Sandwich St. Go about 2 miles up Sandwich St to entrance for boat ramp on right. First race 11am.
Steve Madden
Regatta Chairman
01/06/2018 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Doc Fellows Regatta is ON for Sunday Jan 7, 2018
Reports have been coming in. For most of us the great building ice has lots of drifting white stuff on top. The Cape however has been pretty much spared. For those that are not from around here “The Cape” is Cape Cod located in the Bay State of Massachusetts.
There has been a lot of scouting on the Cape today and people are going to be sailing Ashumet Pond in Mashpee, MA tomorrow. The site has not been completely scouted but it has been reported by a very reliable source to have 6″ near the ramp and no open water in usual places. Launch state ramp on west side. Surface is 1/4″ high snow ice grade 7.
Other areas have been scouted today and we are awaiting reports. The intent is to find a location and hold the Don Doc Fellows Regatta on Sunday. Where exactly is TBD. Ice will be hard to hit the stones tonight.
If you know of anything please report in via our regular ice report email channel or drop me an email.
Think Ice,
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
01/05/2018 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Damage Report – The Cape Is In Business (sort of)
Posted on January 2, 2018 by billbuchholz
John Mandryk, as his name suggests, has long held a fascination for Dutch Ice yachts. Their heavy timbers, bow sprits and tops’ls are lovely, and the absolute antithesis of the modern ice boat. They persist in Holland, however, and each year a few more are built in spite of the trend toward warmer winters.
John, who sails on Deep Creek, Maryland, high in the norther Appalachians put his yacht together over the past couple of years.
In spite of the snow and light wind he reports that it sails ok, but looks forward to better conditions for more complete sea trials.
Speaking of Maryland, good ice is now reported as far south as Atlantic City, and it might just keep on southbound if this weather continues. Great South Bay on Long Island is frozen shore to shore, and there has been some sailing on the Navesink at Red Bank but the snow that’s supposed to whallop us here in New England Thursday is hitting there, as well. Could we be holding the NA’s in Annapolis again?
Hello All- Whether you were sailing the last few days or not, no matter how devoted you are to getting on the ice at every conceivable opportunity, you most likely aren’t sailing tonight. So take a break and warm up and watch the Volvo Ocean Race leg start from Melbourne to Hong Kong.
The weather, wind direction, current, and geography of Port Philip Bay where the start is should make for an interesting departure to say the least!
The starting gun is at 10:00PM EST, coverage should start around 9:30PM or so.
See if they all get off the line and out of the harbor, have a discussion with friends about how we obviously could have done it much better, rest up and back on the ice ASAP!
Happy Viewing! Click below for details. Think ICE!
This just in from the gang on LI- If it’s too cold and/or windy to sail hit this meeting- sounds like it’ll be an interesting one! Looking forward to finding out who the secret mystery guest speaker will be….
We have special guest speakers that will share their
DN World Regatta experience. Don’t miss out on their
tips and suggestions. The DN Nationals are scheduled
to be held in the North East this year and it is an event
for everyone, not just racers.
Temps look good for the 2018 LONG ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. BIG REGATTAS
Jan-6 NEIYA Doc Fellows DN Regatta Steve Madden (Dates May Vary)
Jan 13-14 IDNIYRA Eastern Lakes Championship Chad Atkins (Dates May Vary)
Jan 21-27 IDNIYRA North American Championship IDNIYRA & Chad Atkins (Come Hell Or High Water)
Feb 10-11 NEIYA New England DN Championship Steve Madden (Dates May Vary)
Feb 24-Mar 3 IDNIYRA Gold Cup and European Championships
Estonia (Where the hell is Estonia? But dates locked in)
Here’s your chance to PAY YOUR DUES! Get ahead by
supporting your club with your $15 2018 membership.
It’s due by Jan. 2, 2018. Don’t miss out on any
“ICE ALERT!” ice reports for the upcoming season.
If you are a NEW member, please fill out BOTH SIDES
of the included NEW membership form.
Bring the family(wife,kids,mom, dad, dog)…
Bring a friend(girl,boy,dog)…
Bring an alien.
Hello All- Just a heads-up that you have until midnight tonight to register early for the DN NA Champs and save $40 bucks! I know this will appeal appeal to all of us frugal New Englanders so before you head out for your New Years Eve parties take a few minutes and get signed up for this regatta. Easy to do online (even I did it without assistance!) and you’ll be glad you did!
The New England Region is hosting this year so we need a strong local turnout- so drag that DN out of the garage and plan on going!
Also give me a shout at 401 258 6230 if you are interested in volunteering to help run the regatta. Can always use more helping hands so let me know.
Details below. Think ICE!!
REGISTRATION, DEADLINE AND FEE
Each skipper shall register on: na.idniyra.org or by mailing a completed entry form available on na.idniyra.org, with the appropriate entry fee to: see entry form for registration by regular mail.
Entry Fee shall be paid in U.S. Dollars.
The entry fee is $80.00 (USD) if paid by December 31, 2017. The entry fee for a junior skipper (under 25 years of age) is $50.00.
The entry fee is $120 (USD) if paid on or after January 1, 2018. The entry fee for a junior skipper (under 25 years of age) is $75.00.
No entry fee will be accepted after the close of registration (refer to schedule of events) When regatta location moves, prior to the first race, registration may be reopened.
Novice Entries
Novice DN skippers may enter the Regatta with the payment of two years association dues. No other event registration payments shall apply.
A sailor shall be classified as a Novice if: that person has never belonged to the IDNIYRA, or their membership has lapsed for 5 or more years. A Novice must comply with all other entry requirements.
Bill Converse Behind the camera 2012 Mallets Bay VT
Yes, Maryland. To begin, the weather in the northeast in that year had been one of those loony years with much snow, and cold weather. The Eastern Region Hosts were trying to find a suitable site for a DN N.A. and World Championship. A retired New Jersey iceboat sailor, Homer Sieder (who had retired to Maryland) in desperation called the regatta committee suggesting this site. It was a huge bay of brackish water. They had some cold, warm rain, and then very cold, builcli up about a foot of salt water ice with hard ice on top.
Few of the active N.E. group had ventured to something like a world championship. A few N.E. Sailors had been to the Easterns in N.J. Most of our racing was scrub racing on local ponds like Norton eservoir, Quanipowitt, Nipinickett, Winnicunett, Webster Lake, etc. W did have our two regattas. I0-15 short races a day was not uncommon, on both Saturday. You got tuned up!
Iceboat design had evolved with go fast changes to the Sarns DN design. The following are my recollection of changes.
Seat Back over or slightly in back of the runner plank.
Lowering the mast hound to where it is now. Running the mast with no side slop, and straighter to get more mast bend. Adjustment of boom-mast pressure was critical.
Mast step moved back, keeping the center of effort over the runner plank center.
Flatter bull nose runners, with more edge on the ice, and Alignment of the boat, as well as the runners.
Sail Battens were wood, and had to be sanded to the right flex to control sail shape.
Some of our local sailors had become very friendly with the top New Jersey sailors. They had been helping getting a few guys going fast. Henry Bassett was making fast DN sails, as was Hard Sails. Most of us in southern New England used Kenyon Sails.
In the spring of 1976 some of us went to Lake Wallenpaupak in Pennsylvania for the Sweepstakes, and sailed well, encouraging us to go further. Thus we decided to try the Worlds and N.A. Championships the next year. I completely rebuilt the boat I had been sailing including the go fast features listed above. We were shocked when to learn we were going south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
St. Michael has a beautiful yacht club which was the racing headquarters. The N.J. group ran the races. In those days they ran qualification races to determine the 39 races for the final, and consolation race(s) weather and time permitting. The final was 45 boats with the 6 region champions as automatic qualifiers. There were three qualification races for this regatta. I qualified on the second race but was disqualified because my mast measured 1/8″ over length. I had to race in the consolation race.
We arrived at the ice on Friday mid-morning. We set our boats up and did some shoreline tuning. Wind was good, ice hard, everyone looked forward to the next day. Friday night a front went through, with some light snow. Saturday morning it blew like stink. 30-40 MPH. The course was huge. We didn’t sail to the race course; we stood in the cockpit and let the wind blow us down the ice to the start line. It was estimated the course was 1.25 miles or more. The wind never abated throughout the day. A few guys tried to scrub race but were out of control. There were many broken boats, mast, planks. Gougeon Goo was becoming popular but a lot of people didn’t know how to build with it. The wind never subsided enough to race that day. We sailed back to the HQ, hanging on.
The next day the wind was still strong, but raceable. They ran the qualifiers. The racing was fun, if you liked high wind racing, and were in shape. The day brought very tiring conditions and lots of broken equipment.
The next day 5 N.A. championship races were run, and a consolation race. They ran the consolation race after the third championship race. Another consolation race was run at the finish of the championship races. The N.A. Championships were over.
The next day was the World Championship. It was completely different (warm). A lot of people left. Bright sunny skies, 50-70 degree temps. Everyone raced. The ice softened after three races, and they cancelled the rest of the racing. Henry Bossett won his first World Championship. By the next day all the Ice was gone.
There was a bit of comedy to the event. The locals had never seen anything like iceboats before. They were trying to buy various boats, and offering cash for them. A fellow offered me $1000.00 for my boat. It was tempting. A N.J. sailor showed up Saturday with a pickup truck loaded with Skimmer 45S. He sold them all, in a short order. A few new MD iceboaters did venture north for some of the later regattas. I met them in Ohio, and Vermont. They sailed with the NJ group I believe.
We loaded up our gear that night and went to the motel. That night I was very sick from the tension of it all. But it was a very memorable affair. I am sure others have their recollections, but this is how I remember the regatta(s) south of the Mason Dixon Line.
Bill Converse
DN2804
P.S. Just in case you don’t believe there ever was a DN championship in MD there is an article from the Washington Post . Seems they didn’t have any pictures either.
Bill has belonged to the NEIYA from the very beginnings and a key contributor for all that time. He served as Race Committee Chairman for seventeen years from 1983 to 1999. Since handing over Race Committee duties to the next generation, Bill has focused on sailing and taking pictures. His pictures and picture galleries have been featured online as well as in print. Bill’s Pictureshttp://theneiya.org/2012_pictures/ Many of us can thank Bill for that great shot rounding a mark or screaming across the finish line. We look forward to seeing Bill out on the ice again this year.
12/28/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Memories From The 1977 DN World’s St. Michaels MD
I’m taking to the keyboard this afternoon to beat the drum and see if anyone is up for making a trek across the Big Pond for the DN Gold Cup and European Champs this year. Haven’t gone before? Don’t let that stop ya!
The dates are February 25 to March 3, 2018. Hosted by Estonia!
A trip to Europe to sail is way more do-able (logistically and financially) than you might think- Our friends from Germany provide a level of support that we can never equal and a great time and unforgettable road-trip is guaranteed!
I’ve sailed in Estonia twice and both times it was fantastic. Great regattas, very well run, great accommodations, food is out of this world (especially if you like fish) and Estonia (good chance we will end up there) is easy on the wallet.
So far there are about a half-dozen Americans signed on to make the trip, and I think only two or three from the NEIYA. It would be great to raise that number and get some NEIYA flags waiving over there! They always have Gold, Silver and Bronze Fleets so there is racing for everyone. And as one Latvian sailor told me: “If no North Americans come over it is not a World Championship, just another European Championship. And we already have a European Championship!” So let’s head over and have some fun with the gang on that side of the Atlantic!
For a good article on doing the trip click below and have a look at the September “Runner Tracks” The article you’re looking for is a brilliantly written piece titled “So You Wanna Race In Europe?” All kinds of good info there-
Also feel free to email me for more info at t_thieler@yahoo.com Still plenty of time to plan so give a shout and let’s get cracking and make this the year!
Gold Cup World Championship & European Championship
Date: February 25-March 3, 2018
Host Country: Estonia
Location: If the weather and ice conditions allow the regatta to be sailed in Estonia it will be an opportunity to celebrate the centenary of iceboating in that country.
Charles Silvenius reports from Lake Wentworth in Wolfboro, NH: 4 boats on the lake today several patches of grade 9 Ice. 3 inches of ice by point Breeze and camp Pierce Birchmont. This was the last area to freeze. That’s the good news. Here’s the rest of the story from NOAA:
Friday
Snow, mainly after 8am. High near 23. Light southeast wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
12/21/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Wentworth comes in
Happy Winter Solstice! The official first day of Winter. Our season. Celebrated from the very dawn of civilization not for the vast sheets of ice we call our playground but rather the return of the sun and its path to warmer weather. But we (iceboaters) mark it as the beginning not the end.
If not for the 23.5° tilt in the earth’s axis ice would not come to us each Winter. Most of us would be traveling even further than we already are. The axial tilt brings us the seasons. Summer, Winter, and in between. It brings our ice and our winter passion.
Speaking of tilt, could additional speed be attained by setting one’s mast rake to 23.5° in alignment with the earth’s axis? For those not in the elite part of the Gold Fleet, it’s worth a try.
THINK ICE and Happy Winter!
John
12/21/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on It’s All About the Tilt Ø
This weekend we got many people onto the ice stretching from Montreal to Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The ice is young and unforgiving requiring added caution at every step. Most of those that ventured out were on perpetual scouting mission. Scouting is just like it sounds, scouting the conditions and not an open sail. In simpler terms you didn’t miss much. There is miles of ice coming to a lake near (or near enough) really soon.
Many of you received an email this evening from “Gaggle Mail <help@gaggle.email>” with the subject line “Welcome to the NEIYA Ice Report mailing list”. This is the welcome email to our new ice reporting email forwarding system. Unfortunately even after personal assurances, our old system permanently shut their doors recently. All the instructions you need should be in the welcome email. I am excited and believe that Gaggle will be even to work with than the underfunded previous outfit. We have traditionally only allowed paid members and special guests. If you did not receive a welcome email and are an NEIYA member please reach out to me. If you have a keen interest in the sport of ice boating please drop me a line for consideration as well.
We have some change in the weather coming mid week so please be cautious and patient. I do know we will all get to sail this winter where and when I have no idea but sail we will. And it will be fast and fun.
Till the good stuff comes in, use caution and remember there is always thin ice someplace and never sail (or scout) alone.
THINK ICE,
John Stanton
DN5023
john@neiya.org
12/18/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Ice Reporting and The New Season
At least five boats scouted Quaboag on Sunday, with reports of 3.5-4″ of ice. We also received a report of black ice on Monomonoc. Given subsequent weather caution is advised on all area lakes until they are fully checked Never sail alone! – Dan F.
12/18/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Quaboag ice reported
Text, email and phones are buzzing. People all over New England are eyeballing puddles, bogs, ponds and lakes. Some have sailed but all of us are on the prowl. At this time of year be alert. Look (test) before you leap and be with a buddy. Hopefully we will have something to really talk about very soon. In the mean time keep an eye on Maine as there are several people testing and maybe sailing today. http://iceboat.me
See you all on the ice,
John
12/15/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Ice Miracles All Around Us
For those of us who missed the Great Western Challenge back in early December we can have a look at these photos. Andre Baby took them with his cell phone…. Ice looks pretty good, hopefully we have some like this around here soon!
THINK ICE!
“T”
12/13/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Won’t Be Long Now – Here’s a Little Tease
The NEIYA Tune-Up Clinic was a big success this year in spite of snow and lousy driving conditions. Which makes sense; of course a bunch of iceboaters would be un-deterred by the weather!
The seminars kicked off with a talk on sail design and trim by T Thieler and Jeff Kent. If Jeff is talking about sail trim (or anything iceboat-related) you’d better be listening! Lots of info flew around the room, notes were taken, eyes were opened, and certain people not in attendance were mocked and lauded in equal measure.
Next up was Eben Whitcomb giving us all a refresher course on the Right of Way Rules, something any sailor has to know! His safety record is impeccable so he is the perfect person to give this talk- Plus he is a wicked nice guy and a great speaker!
Bob Haag broke out the clamps and the dial gauge and delved into one of many ways to line up chocks and runners, again something every sailor needs to know no matter what kind of craft you have. Of course Steve Duhamel couldn’t resist chiming in….
Last was T and Jeff again talking about planks and how they effect the overall performance of the boat. Iceboaters can figure our how to make something as simple as a plank and make it complicated and fascinating!
Everyone was very well fed at this event yet again thanks to Linda Lamb and friendly volunteers. There was a hunter’s feast featuring venison and elk stew, venison and elk chili, hot dogs, chips, cookies, sweets, and of course coffee…. Fantastic. Safe to say everyone went home with a full head and a full belly!
Thanks to them and to Rick Bishop, John Stanton and Bob Haag for organizing the clinic and of course to Steve Lamb for providing the venue! Great time had by all- Look forward to seeing everyone on the ice soon!
We are just a week away from one of our bigger off ice events. Really wish they could all be on ice but Stave Lamb’s huge workshop is second best and has the space to set up any number of boats. Thanks to the Lamb Family our annual clinic is back at the Lamb Crane and Rigging Shop a.k.a. “the Whizz Dome” starting at 10am December 9th
We have a full day of activities. Well worth the drive. And you might even learn something…
Clinics start right off at 10:30 AM
10:30 – Bob Haag – wielding his trusty dial indicator, learn his proven method for chock alignment. Misaligned chocks are slow!
11:15 – Chad Atkins– Sail Trim – Chad will demonstrate what he has learned developing sails for North and the DN Class. We will have a fully rigged boat and a sail hung horizontally so you can really see shape.
12 Noon – Lunch Rumors of Venison stew, the Lamb’s famous chili and hot dogs
12:30 – James “T” Thieler– What better guy to discuss “plank stiffness” then our own “T” ? He will discuss and demonstrate what your plank should look like and the benefits.
1:15 – TBD Runner profile benefits. Steve will tackle questions we have all had. 18” of flat? More? Less? Why?
2:00 – Eben Whitcomb – Safety and Race Rules- really something we can’t talkabout enough, and a good refresher for everyone.
All Ice boaters are Welcome to this Clinic Racers, Cruisers, Voyeurs and Vagabond.
OLD ICEBOAT IN THE BARN? BRING IT. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AND HELP GET YOU ON THE ICE THIS SEASON.
In addition we welcome any newcomers trying to get into ice boating and onto the ice this season. Have a boat sitting in your garage, barn or cellar? Bring it down we have experts standing by to go over your craft and develop a plan to get you sailing this season. Don’t know how to rig your boat? We will show you. Not sure if all the pieces are there? We will go over it with you. We are here to help usher you safely onto the ice. No reservation needed but would appreciate you dropping me a note so we can be sure to reserve room.
Don’t wait till the Tune up on December 9th to start getting ready. Pull that boat out of it’s summer hidey-hole and put it together this weekend. Any questions bring it to the Tune-up next week.
THINK ICE!
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
P.S. The only excuse we will accept for not coming is your sailing or fixing something you broke while sailing between now and than.
12/08/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Today’s The Day – Weather Be Damned It’s Tune-up Time
If you have not dragged your boat out yet what are you waiting for?
We expect New England Ice any day now. Waiting to hear from Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Remember ice is always suspect and never 100% safe. This is especially true in the early days of the the season. Be careful!
We are just a week away from one of our bigger off ice events. Really wish they could all be on ice but Stave Lamb’s huge workshop is second best and has the space to set up any number of boats. Thanks to the Lamb Family our annual clinic is back at the Lamb Crane and Rigging Shop a.k.a. “the Whizz Dome” starting at 10am December 9th
We have a full day of activities. Well worth the drive. And you might even learn something…
Clinics start right off at 10:30 AM
10:30 – Bob Haag – wielding his trusty dial indicator, learn his proven method for chock alignment. Misaligned chocks are slow!
11:15 – Chad Atkins– Sail Trim – Chad will demonstrate what he has learned developing sails for North and the DN Class. We will have a fully rigged boat and a sail hung horizontally so you can really see shape.
12 Noon – Lunch Rumors of Venison stew, the Lamb’s famous chili and hot dogs
12:30 – James “T” Thieler– What better guy to discuss “plank stiffness” then our own “T” ? He will discuss and demonstrate what your plank should look like and the benefits.
1:15 – TBD Runner profile benefits. Steve will tackle questions we have all had. 18” of flat? More? Less? Why?
2:00 – Eben Whitcomb – Safety and Race Rules- really something we can’t talkabout enough, and a good refresher for everyone.
All Ice boaters are Welcome to this Clinic Racers, Cruisers, Voyeurs and Vagabond.
OLD ICEBOAT IN THE BARN? BRING IT. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AND HELP GET YOU ON THE ICE THIS SEASON.
In addition we welcome any newcomers trying to get into ice boating and onto the ice this season. Have a boat sitting in your garage, barn or cellar? Bring it down we have experts standing by to go over your craft and develop a plan to get you sailing this season. Don’t know how to rig your boat? We will show you. Not sure if all the pieces are there? We will go over it with you. We are here to help usher you safely onto the ice. No reservation needed but would appreciate you dropping me a note so we can be sure to reserve room.
Don’t wait till the Tune up on December 9th to start getting ready. Pull that boat out of it’s summer hidey-hole and put it together this weekend. Any questions bring it to the Tune-up next week.
THINK ICE!
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
P.S. The only excuse we will accept for not coming is your sailing or fixing something you broke while sailing between now and than.
12/06/2017 | Categories: 2018 Season | Comments Off on Lamb Tune-up – 3 Days Away Saturday Dec 9th 10am
New England Ice Yacht Association 