Hey Folks-

The Moosehead Lake webcams are showing some snow… Hard to say how much or how heavy….

I’ll be headed up there tonight to take a look in the morning; Stay tuned here for a report early tomorrow.

Stay tuned! T

The drumbeat called and some twenty answered. They heard it, packed up, and stepped onto the ice for a proper day of spring sailing. Those who showed saw the window open and acted without a second invitation. Reaping the rewards of fast spring ice with propelled by a stiff sometimes gusty breeze.

By early afternoon the sun had its say, softening the top and reminding us that spring ice is always on borrowed time. We took the miles we were given and came off satisfied.

Shout out to John Brisson for getting the MIT iceboat team out on another lake. Many of the students will be shifting to their soft-water practice next week a tough transition, of colder and slower. It’s great to see the next generation of iceboaters ansering the call. See you all next season.

Eyes are turning further north. The Drumbeat has changed pitch to stomping moose hooves. Calling us to Moosehead.

James “T” Thieler is working to hold the IDNIYRA Eastern Championships at Moosehead this coming weekend. Stay tuned. And if racing isn’t your game, don’t let that stop you. Moosehead is huge with plenty of room and beautiful for all.

Moosehead was sailed last Thursday, as reported on iceboat.me. It’s a haul for most, no question. But the North Woods have a pull of their own, and the lake delivers. This is the kind of place that belongs on every iceboater’s list. Up there, they measure ice in feet, not inches.

Start making the plan. Sort the gear. Call your buddies. Figure out the road north.

Race it. Cruise it. Don’t miss it

Follow the stomping hooves to Moosehead,

Think Moose Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Hey Folks-

Once again the forecast during the week is looking favorable for decent ice at Moosehead Lake in central Maine this weekend.

AND the weekend itself looks good too!

So as IDNIYRA Eastern Regional Commodore I am calling the regatta on for the weekend.

Please email me at t_thieler@yahoo.com and let me know if you are interested, this will help me get a read on how many hotel rooms etc we will need.

Look forward to hearing from everyone! Stay tuned….

T Thieler DN US 5224

Last night’s call helped bring some order to our spring outing plans. No new ice has been reported, but with active sailing on Moosehead, Squam, and Sunapee, we have more than enough options. Winni still holds ice, though it has pulled away from shore at Brewsters Beach Wolfeboro.

For tomorrow, expect groups sailing out of State Beach on Sunapee, Greenville, ME (see iceboat.me), and Squam. Cones will likely be set up on Sunapee for anyone looking to take a few scratch race runs, regardless of class.

This report comes together in the waning hours of winter let’s make the most of this spring ice while we have it. Let’s hope the last winter post is but the beginning of a few more spring runs.

Stay sharp and be safe. The ice is always changing.

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

If you want, I can tighten it further for email or add a slightly more poetic NEIYA tone like your earlier piece.

The drums beats on.

A steady, unmistakable call rising from lakes that reaches deep into the heart of every iceboater. The ice is speaking, she is calling us from near and far, offering rewards to those willing to listen.

That call carries on through the din. Through work, schedules, obligations, long-planned commitments, and the endless list of tasks that seem to anchor us away from the ice. There is always a reason not to answer. Cast off whatever is holding you back.

But the drums beat on.

Hear the call. Answer the call.

As already reported here and by Bill at iceboat.me, our big lakes are showing their thick, dark, and just a bit battle-scarred ice. The kind of ice that stirs the soul.

Tonight’s call will no doubt be a lively one. Where we have ice, where we go, and how we make the most of what’s in front of us will lead the discussion. Talk than.

The Spring season is speaking.

The drums are beating.

Will you answer?

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

There will be a couple people sailing on Sunaee tomorrow morning. State Beach launch.

Get it while we still have the ice. The sun is getting higher in the sky with each days passing.

Have fun be safe.

Think Ice,

John
john@neiya.org

Did not make it out onto the ice but I expect similar conditions to Wentworth. The launch at Brewster beach has degraded and planks or rubba boots are needed. Open lead from the docks had extended further out a new leafs are forming.

A check of the lake this morning showed there is still enough solid ice to sail on but vertical columns of bubbles are showing. Shoal areas around the points are opening up and there are numerous drain holes to dodge. The launch at rt 109 is still tight. There are a few slush areas under a frozen surface that should freeze with a cold night. Albee beach shoreline is open water.

Checked out Lake Winnipesaukee this morning. 12-16” of ice with rough surface. Very few hazards ie fish holes and slush under the snowy areas. Worth an investigative sail if anyone wants a last hurrah. Some light snow predicted for tonight

One of the most common questions over the past couple of weeks and throughout the year, has been simple: “Where’s the ice?” and “Where can I sail?”

For much of the winter the answer has been frustratingly consistent: it’s under the snow. Thick ice has been there all along, but buried and difficult to access.

But things are changing

Moosehead: Drill Baby Drill

To get a sense of just how much ice has built up on Moosehead Lake, take a deep breath and hold it while watching the full video below. The auger just keeps going and going. Here is the direct URL https://youtube.com/shorts/LUedwtFlGog

Bill Buchholz and the crew in Maine have been closely monitoring conditions on Moosehead. The ice is clearly there, and with improving surface conditions the “ready to sail” call is coming. Stay tuned and be ready to hit the road.

Thanks to Bob S.’s son for capturing the Moosehead auger video.

Weekend Options

For those looking to sail sooner, a few locations are currently being checked or sailed:

New Hampshire

Sunapee
Crews are actively scouting and may already be sailing depending on surface conditions.

Winnipesaukee
Charlie S. checked Wolfeboro Bay and reports there is plenty of ice in most places and considers the surface to be rough but sailable.

Maine

Damariscotta Lake
According to ace ice observer Bill Buchholz (iceboat.me), boats will be sailing there today.

Moosehead Lake
Still in a holding pattern for now, but the ice thickness is impressive. If surface conditions cooperate, the call could come soon. Keep your boat and travel kit ready.

A Word on Safety

Conditions remain variable everywhere. Snow cover, pressure ridges, and changing surfaces can hide hazards.

As always:

• Assume all ice is untested until you personally verify it
• Talk to those who have been out
• Scout first
• Sail conservatively until you understand the surface
• Don’t sheet in hard and go full throttle until you know what’s under your runners

Stay tuned for updates and hopefully see you on the ice this weekend. Looking like we will have some good cruising and can say for sure that were ever DNs congregate they will be rounding the marks for silver or fun.

Think (clear) Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Unfortunately the weather is throwing a few curveballs at Damariscotta; snow, rain/snow, and either light winds or gusts into the 30’s depending on which forecast you’re looking at.

This being the case we’ve decided to table this one for now and hope for a better shot next weekend.

Stay tuned!