Ring it in… The start of the new year 2016 and with a little luck the start of our 2016 ice boat season.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. Oh yes, make it fast on the eastern ice that has yet to set up. Patience, patience, patience it will come. Or as they say in the Islands “Soon come”

Sail Fast , and sail safe especially on early ice,

John
DN 5023
john@neiya.org

P.S. In the mean time, if you must gaze on ice, here is the link to hundreds of pictures from the past several years. https://plus.google.com/+NeiyaOrg/photos

Photo credit Bill Converse 2012 NE’s Mallets Bay VT

Mast Sail Track Dry Lubricants

By: Steve Madden DN US 4512

Recently I had a need for a mast sail track lubricant. So I headed out to my local West Marine to buy the popular McLube Sailkote Dry Lubricant. Now, I like West Marine because it has all things boating but I know their prices are well…..pricey! I was not disappointed as they had the McLube Sailkote Dry Lube in a 16 ounce aerosol can for $28 and the 6 ounce aerosol can for $13. I just could not bring myself to spend that amount of money to just lube my mast sail track. So I left the store and decided to research an equivalent dry lube or at least close to equivalent. Before I go any further let me disclose that it’s been a while since my college days when I did my last proper research paper. This will not be a true research paper in the sense that I do not intend to list all my references. Also, I am not a chemist, so you have to take the following data with some grain of salt (NaCI).

The first thing I did was visit my local big box store and others and found (5) lubricant suppliers claiming somewhere on their aerosol can to be a “dry type lubricant”. They are: CRC Marine Dry Lube with PTFE Technology, Super Lube Dri Film with SYNCOLON PTFE, Liquid Wrench with CERFLOW (PTFE), Blaster (contains PTFE) and WD-40 Specialist Dirt and Dust Resistant Dry Lube. I’m sure there are others out there. Next I got a copy of their Safety Data Sheet (AKA: Material Safety Data Sheet) to compare composition/ingredients against McLube Sailkote. Notice that while the above WD-40 in its description says “Dry Lube”, it is truly not a typical dry lubricant like the other (4) as it does not contain a fluoropolymer formulation (like PTFE) so this lubricant will not be discussed further. I only mention the WD-40 because I found this lubricant in many of the stores I visited. So don’t be fooled.

Definition: “Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene”… AKA: TEFLON (the best known brand of PTFE based formulas).

So, the question became…if McLube Sailkote Dry Lube makes no mention of containing “PTFE” on its aerosol can and on its Safety Data Sheet like the other dry lubes above, then what makes it so slippery and such a popular choice among the sailing community?

McLube Sailkote is described as a Fluoropolymer Dispersion according to its Safety Data Sheet. I found that Fluoropolymer Dispersions may be dispersions of “PTFE” among some others. While McLube and other manufactures may not specifically divulge their exact chemical composition and/or percentages due to trade secrets, I believe that McLube Sailkote is a Fluoropolymer coating in the same family as “PTFE” or do I dare say…it may be “PTFE” based. Interestingly, McLube seems to go out of its way to negatively mention TEFLON (PTFE based). For example, on its aerosol can it says “Last up to 10 times longer than Teflon additives of other products”. Up to ten times they claim? That may be a stretch in my opinion. On its website it says: “Sailkote is typically five times as effective and last much longer than wax, oil or Teflon based lubricants”. Which is it…“five or ten times”? Another interesting fact is a friend of mine just happened to have an old aerosol can of McLube Sailkote that is at least 5 years old. That can says: ”Sailkote is the latest advance in High-Tech PTFE Dry Lubricant Technology”! Today’s aerosol can does not have that statement! Did McLube recently change its formula? I can only theorize that they removed that statement at some point due to too much competition from the other dry lube manufactures. Is it a marketing ploy to make the buyer think their product has some magical fluoropolymer formulation who’s performance is up to ten times better than the other products? On a minor note but interesting, on its website it says: “Team McLube Sailkote is the only dry lubricant currently available that has been specifically designed for marine use”. That is not true at all! CRC Marine Dry Lube with PTFE Technology specifically lists one of its uses as… “For lubricating mast tracks”. Not to mention it says “Marine” in its product description. Humorously, I should mention I found the CRC next to the McLube can at West Marine!

I will not deny that McLube Sailkote is a good lubricant but I just can’t justify the high price. In my opinion, the (4) others listed will work just fine for lubricating mast sail tracks as they all contain PTFE and at a significant savings and I emphasize significant. Super Lube and Blaster had a slightly higher percentage (by weight) of PTFE according to their Safety Data Sheets.

Just to be clear, I can not tell you how any of the Dry Lubes will react with the sail cloth if applied directly or indirectly to the sail. For example, will it damage the cloth while in its wet state before it turns to its slippery dry state? However, I’m pretty confident that none of them will affect the sail cloth based on the little experience I do have. But like I mentioned earlier, I am not a chemist. I can tell you that all of them contain some nasty chemicals especially the propellants that they use to deliver the product.

I have concluded (at least in my mind) that McLube seems to be devious in its marketing strategy for Sailkote. Is the performance of any of the other (4) products mentioned equivalent or at least close to equivalent to McLube Sailkote? Is McLube treading on a slippery marketing slope? Only you can decide.

*Editor’s Note: The author does not work for nor is affiliated with any of the manufactures of the aforementioned products. He is, however, a typically frugal Yankee.

For all of those waiting for THINK iCE ( and real ice too, for that matter) the books are now in.

$17.00 to:
Chickawaukee Ice Boat Club
Jim Gagnon, treas.
P.O. Box 463
W. Boothbay, ME 04575

Cash or check happily accepted.

THINK ICE!!!

If heading to the Western Regional Champs this weekend doesn’t appeal to you then a good alternate plan might be to head east and join this crowd in the Italian Alps….

Not bad!!

Anyone interested in a bit of a road trip should read on- There may be one or two NE sailors headed that way…..

The 2016 Western Region Championship DN Regatta is called on for Green Lake at Spicer, MN. This is a preliminary call!

2 ranked DN sailors will be scouting the lake Wednesday morning, Dec 30, 2015. The final call and hotel information will be posted by 8PM December 30, 2015. The conditions reported by 3 separate scouts show 3.5″ of optically clear new ice as far as you can see from the shore in Spicer. Cold temps over the next 3 days promises more ice making. I have tried to attach two photos. If they do not show up, Geoff Sobering, Secretary of IDNIYRA will try to get them attached. If not, a similar posting with photos will be made to the Facebook Group IDNIYRA, Minnesota iceboaters and 4 lakes group. An alternate site is also available in Garrison, MN on Lake Mille Lacs.

Sharpen your runners!

Remember to bring a copy of your current proof of insurance. Registering online and payment on the IDNIYRA website saves time. You must be a current(2016) member of IDNIYRA(dues paid since May 1, 2015) You can also renew and pay on line prior to event.

NOR and more here:
http://dnamerica.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=828fcfb6827ed6f1dfa673bd8c3ab9fd&topic=1886.0

Hey Folks- Temps are finally dropping and there was even some snow on the ground in RI this morning- So things are looking up for sailing in general but only slightly….

The Doc Fellows regatta is scheduled for this weekend but the likelihood that we will have sailable ice is slim say the least… So stand by, you never know! Watch this site for details…. Will make a formal announcement ASAP-

In the meantime I’d like to remind everyone to be VERY wary of early and late season ice…. Temptation is always there but use your head and your gut- If it looks marginal, stay on terra firma, work on your boat, have a good meal or something….

I’ve heard a few rumors of some of swimming going on out west- all ok and all self-rescued but not great PR and avoidable to begin with…. Don’t forget that a trip through the ice can be an interesting event to be laughed off. Or you can lose a boat. Or break bones. Or LOSE a LIFE. And put any potential rescuers in danger.

So keep all of that in mind as we suffer through this mild winter!

Cheers! T

James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840

401 258 6230
t_thieler

Wishing everyone a safe and joyous time with family and friends. May we all look forward to the New Year and what it has to bring us.

Hint hint large plates of smooth ice as far as the eyes can see.

Think Ice,

John

What the

In just a couple hours the sun will rise on Stonehenge and the markings align signifying the Winter Solstice.  With the onset of the shortest day we are encouraged that ice will be coming and our winter playgrounds are once again open.

The gentlemen (?) above in black, as previously reported, was seen near Shelburne on Lake Champlain this past March. He appeared out of no where in between races and mysteriously disappeared like he came. Our best guess is he was performing some sort of pagan or druid ice ritual and likely in cahoots with the robed ones at Stonehenge, this very moment.

If 2015 is any indicator the robed figure on Champlain brings the ice with him. Let’s keep an eye out for him and good ice and be ready to move quickly when word gets out.

As you know we will be using the same email forwarding service (Wiggio) to report ice conditions as last year. Below is a summary of how it works. But, it only works if you use it.

Quick and dirty instructions: Just reply to the weekly ice report email with your own observations. Yes, just reply and your contributions will go to the whole group. The best racing and cruising venues will be put up on our website as close as possible to a given weekend event so one will miss out.

Below are the gory details to help you follow along at home. Please contact me if you have paid your dues and not received the first email that went out last week.

What is Wiggo?

Wiggio is an information collaboration tool. We will be using just the email forwarding tool for the season. We may test and use other features better informed and coordinated, depending on what’s needed.

Setup:

1) If you have not already accepted the group confirmation from last year you will receive an email requesting that you do.

2) Once confirmed you can login and set the level of participation that is right for you. Receive every email related to to a thread, one daily summary or none at all. You can elect to receive info via text but given the length of most of our messages I would discourage against this.

3) If you do nothing, you will still receive the emails but will not have control over delivery and show up as unconfirmed should you respond to a thread.

4) Should you wish to be removed from the list, there is an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email. Just click, you’re in control.

5) To view online just go to neiyaicereports.wiggio.com but you will need to have accepted your group invitation and login.

How it works:

1) Each week or as conditions warrant an email will go out to the group either with known and or developing conditions or requesting information from any and all spotters.

2) To respond to ALL just reply to the email. Yup that’s it. All you do is reply and your not will be added to the thread online as well as being passed onto the whole group.

3) To respond to just the Sender of the original or subsequent messages go the bottom of the email and click where it says “Reply to only the sender” You can now reply in private to just the individual.

4) Reply only to the most recent or relevant thread

5) If you forward emails from multiple accounts you may only be able to reply from the original receiving email address. Give me a shout if in doubt.

6) Please provide details when responding
a. When did you check?
b. Where is the ice name nearest town and access
c. Ice thickness and composition i.e. 4 inches black ice with 3 inches of snow ice on top
d. Size of the plate.
e. How did you survey the ice. Walk, skate, bike sail. Drive by or fly overs are good starting points but we will need a man on the ground to follow up.
f. Best way to get in touch with you to confirm information.

7) Once suitable venue(s) for racing and or cruising are determined official announcements will be made on NEIYA.org.

Please let me know if you have any question, suggestions or comments.

May the ice be with you,

John
DN 5023
john@neiya.org

P.S. Ron Bouchard in VT is looking for a good source for sail numbers. Can anyone help him out? Reply to the forum http://theneiya.org/forum/ so all can benefit.

The crazy Maine-iacs have done it- the East-Of-The-Great-Lakes sailing season has started-

They were up in Canada at Lac Joli, and it looks like it wasn’t a day for the faint of heart! Well done gang….

Watch for yourself:

Video courtesy of Denis Guertin and the CIBC

Some credit may be in order for the Long Island gang- they send video of their attempt to awaken the Ice Gods with this small but loud little cannon….

Well done everyone! Hopefully more sailing soon- The whole story is on the CIBC page- see it at http://iceboat.me/2015/12/20/lac-joli-12-19/

THINK ICE!! T

Want to Try Ice Boating? It’s all here. Click to start

Hey Folks-

With all the new interest lately I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone that “THINK ICE!” by Warner St. Clair and Lloyd Roberts is required reading for any iceboater- Rookie or veteran, no matter what kind of boat, this book is a must-have. Makes a great Christmas gift as well-

“THINK ICE!” is hands down THE definitive book on DN tuning, racing and sailing. But anyone contemplating getting into the sport with any kind of iceboat, or even better, having already bought or built a boat and now needs to know how to sail it, will find all they need to know in this one slim volume. Safety, clothing, how to load the car, you name it, it’s covered!

Updated with instructive commentary by many top-flight iceboat sailors.

A wealth of information for less than twenty bucks! If you are lucky you may even get it signed by the author….

Price seventeen dollars, free shipping. Contact
Jim Gagnon,Treasurer,  PO Box 463,  W. Boothbay, ME 04575
jiminsouthport@gmail.com