While we wait for the changing weather to stabilize the remaining ice, read up on John Ziermann’s take on the Lockley skimmer. If you have ever seen John or Rosemary on the ice you surely know they are true Skimmer devotees. John thanks for taking the time to share.

If you want to get back on the ice again be ready for a road trip in the near future. There will be oppotunities for the taking.

The Lockley Skimmer-45 – Points of Interest
Currently, the Lockley Skimmer 45 is dismissed by the cool kids on the playground.
To a beginner or even a seasoned ice boater, the LS-45 can be a simple no-nonsense thrilling way to sail on the ice.
Points of Interest:

• They DO NOT float – $20 will get you a 500lb+ fishing magnet just in case.
• Over 5,000 sold, so used ones are available.
• You can buy one today from the factory.
  http://www.sail4joy.com/skimmer-45-iceboat–ice-reports.html
• Great learning tool for iceboating – simple hand and foot controls.
• Billy Joel bought one from the late, great ice boater Bob Reeves (a sales rep for Lockley on Long Island).
• Trailer not needed. Parts are small enough to transport in or on top of your vehicle.
• No need to buy a single runner for $950, sail $1140, mast $1400. A set of 3 runners can had for <$50.
• You don’t need 2X2 miles of ice. Just a quarter to a half mile is perfect. No need to wait for big ice.
  Little ponds freeze sooner, stay frozen longer, and with bad weather heal faster.
• Runner alignment is easy with an alignment adapter plate. Alignment is accomplished for different
  sized skippers on the ice. No need for an expensive dial indicator, laser, or jig to align your runners.
• Sail with a LS-45 365 days a year (wind permitting) – Sail on ice or land.
• Sets up in 20 minutes. Simple tools needed for assembly.
• Low maintenance. No exotic materials used in its construction.
• A single can of spray paint covers the LS-45 with some paint left over. Be creative with multiple colors.
• Multiple sail sizes. 45sqft or 50.6sqft available. Make your own sail with luff sleeve construction.
• Foot steering allows 2 hands for the main sheet.
• Parts missing, no problem 4mm cables for shrouds, hardware store fasteners, runners are 1/4 or 3/8
  inch plate steel. Runner sharpener plans available. Set of 3 runners can be made for <$50.
• Body friendly upright seating with comfy suspended sling made out of any material.
• Easy to modify and innovate.
• Experienced ice sailors have down sized to LS-45s or have added a LS-45 to their fleet of ice boats just
  for the fun of it. Easy to bring your ice boat and a LS-45 for a newbie to try.
• Thrifty sailors own LS-45s
• There are times when LS-45s are sailing when no one else can.
• Easy to store – all pieces are less than 8′ long.

Good day on Quaboag Pond today- The ice was rough in places but stayed solid into the afternoon, when the breeze faded out anyway-

There was all manner of craft; a Lockley Skimmer, a Pocket Skeeter, a Gambit, several DNs of all vintages, and probably more.

Lots of miles were racked up and at least ten DNs went around the marks during the course of the day- A few ice fishermen from Worcester were thrown in a DN and the after a few runs up and down the lake one stated “I’m buying one TONIGHT!” We hope he follows through!

It might be possible to squeeze in a few runs in the morning if anyone wants to try, although the forecast doesn’t look great.

As always stay clear of the eastern side of the lake- Where the creek comes in east of the launch is to be avoided as the ice is thin or non-existent…. Use caution and never sail alone!

Stay tuned…. Rain is on the way, could be the wet-out we need to have some big spring ice….

Think Ice!! T

Hey Folks-
Quaboag Pond was sailed today- the ice is decent in places and full of frozen ATV ruts in others- Some of these ruts have developed drain holes here and there and should be avoided. The eastern shoreline and the area east of the parking lot should be avoided as well-

Bantam also being sailed now, is described as “6 boats, grade 8/9 ice, good breeze, and a big portion of the north bay is solid 6 to 8inches. Hazards are all on the south side”

Check the weather, talk with the locals, and see if you can sail tomorrow-

We will be scratch racing on Quaboag tomorrow if anyone is interested-

Stay tuned!

Hey Gang-

Got a report on Quaboag yesterday, sounds like lots of slush and water on top of the base, lots of ruts from various craft, etc….

That said it was pretty cold last night and we will take another look today- Hoping to have a look at Bantam as well.

With a little luck we can scratch race and cruise over the weekend-

Do keep in mind that at this time of year we need to exercise even more caution than usual- warm days and more direct sunlight exacerbate the normal risks. Err on the side of caution.

Stay Tuned…. T

Hey Folks-

As you may have guessed things aren’t looking too promising for the weekend- Quaboag Pond in MA is a possibility but we are waiting for the latest report later today-

Eagle Lake on Mt. Desert Island in Maine is a possibility but we don’t have a recent report.

Some people are headed to Chatauqua Lake in NW New York State, that may be the only game in town.

If you know of any sailable ice anywhere please let me know at t_thieler@yahoo.com

Stay Tuned! T

While we wait for all the snow to go away take a look at the latest Runner Tracks- Always a great read! Thanks as always to Deb Whitehorse for putting it together-

Runner Tracks March 2022 – DN North America (idniyra.org)

This is a good read no matter who you are, how you’re built, and how long you’ve been sailing on the hard stuff… Thanks to Erin for writing it and Scuttlebutt for putting it out there!

Ice sailing: The frigid equalizer >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News (sailingscuttlebutt.com)

The first article:
Iceboating bug can be dangerous >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News (sailingscuttlebutt.com)

As we all know there is a bit of snow on the way- That’s the bad news.

The good news is it could track a bit north or south of what is predicted- If it stays a bit south northern Maine could still be in play, if it tracks north maybe southern NH or even MA could still be an option.

Either way get your best snow runners ready, if there is sailable ice in New England we will try for a regatta, even if we can only sail Sunday-

Stay tuned to this site and the weather channel for updates!

T

Good article here, offers an interesting perspective and some good pointers!

Making the shift to hard water sailing >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News (sailingscuttlebutt.com)

The gang out on Deep Creek is busy! Read and see what’s up- could be worth a drive at some point-

DCL Ice Report #14

2021 – 2022 Ice Sailing Season

Olympics wraps up in Beijing… comes to Deep Creek!

No kidding! There was an Olympian turnout Sunday at the world’s best, most inviting and welcoming Ice Sailing venue south of the North Pole! Fifty-three people showed up to sail and watch the action! Eleven DNs rigged, twelve sailors tried the “Twice as Nice, Sailing on Ice” for the first time. The boat owners were all generous lending their rigs for others to try.

We even had an Ice Skating show! Lynn (Coraor) Troutman was doing twirls and other fancy skating stuff and got a 10.0 from all of us spectators. Her two side kicks Clara and Deke spent the whole day playing on the ice and learning all they could. Gold medal to Lynn. AND an ice boat T-shirt!

Talking about the rare and highly desirable Ice-T-Shirts, Scott Hollander, Sue Wolffe, Ed Brzytwa, Rob Pumphrey, David, Karen, Emely Meehan, Keith MacMillan, Dan Rubel, Will Feisley, Ralph Kemp, Jill Bennett all earned their shirts by sailing! Come by next weekend to collect your Olympic Day award!

Mary, Lila, Cora, John and Ellen Brzytwa, came to join the action and watch while daddy Ed took off ice sailing like a natural! Ralph Kemp was sailing his ice yacht and had his daughter Hannah and granddaughters on the ice to watch. IceMan convinced Raylee and sister to get in granddad’s DN for a photo op. Other family members that came out were Charlie and Courtney Williams, Kathy Rubel, Rob and Karen Gerlach, David and Lissa Klueter and two friends.

Tom Johnson, Tom Wolffe, David Tuel, Jacob Feisley, Jill Bennett, Bruce Spinnenweber were lining up and racing on a windward Leeward course and having a fantastic time on the 7.5 Ice, which would have been a 9.5 but for the snow moguls. FYI, Tom Wolffe has one of his DNs for sale for any that want (need) a boat, “Ice Cream” is a great starter DN. Lets get that boat out sailing!

Emily Meehan was out there sailing the ice like a pro! And IceMan and Ed Haley spent some time working on downwind technique and swapping boats. FUN!

Sara Plunkett won a gold medal in the food competition by bringing no less then three pizzas, hot pizza on the ice… lets give her three gold medals! THANKS Sarah, who also gave ice sailing a try… How was it? IceMan didn’t get a chance to ask her.. so let us know Sarah. Gordon Clement was back on the ice with us again. Jacob F. brought his friend Keith along, Jacob demonstrated his teaching ability getting the non-sailor Keith to give it a try… and boy did he learn it fast!

Joni like always was very busy being the Ice Hostess but she did get out sailing twice and was doing great, practicing her downwind technique… no pushing for her, watch out she will be racing with us soon! Melanie Dunham came out but did not try it yet…. Sue Wolffe was sailing to try to convince Melanie… hmmmm… Melanie is a great sailor on the wet water… we will all have to work on her to give it a try… Come-On-Wo-Man give it a try!

Joan and Lee Coraor stopped by, we suspected Joan borrowed a pair of crutches as an excuse to not sail… ok, so Joan twisted her knee badly and was out of commission but IceMan still thinks she could have sailed anyway! Next Year!

Ned Holloway and Will McGill came by… Will said he saw the IceMan on TV the night before… great timing, great advertising MPTV!

The stand-out sailor was Scott Hollander who is no longer a soft water guy having totally succumbed to REAL sailing…. It will be a long summer off season for Scott waiting for the lake to freeze!

Thanks to all that brought snacks and liquid refreshments… 53 people is a big hungry and thirsty crowd! And THANKS Joni for all of your work making it happen!

Rob Pumphrey showed up and sailed his DN ‘Snow Country”. Rob made all this possible by rigging and lending his trailer to allow for another eight DNs to be stored at the lake front. BIG thank you to Rob!

Pictures: New friends (that’s what it is really all about!), Staging area, Ed B maiden voyage.

Next weekend looks iffy but possible… again Sunday looking the best. Stand by for next Saturday morning’s Ice Report.

Think Ice!

IceMan

DN – US 5576

While we wait for the weather to settle down for the weekend take a moment to ponder this gem- best graphic I’ve seen on an iceboat sail ever! It’s up on Merrymeeting Lake in NH and belongs to either Randy Rice or Peter Bodwell, I can’t recall but either way it’s a great boat and a real eye catcher!

And thanks to Randy and Peter for keeping us informed about the NH ice situation- hope we see them again soon!

Patience was rewarded at Brewster Beach today- Morning breeze fizzled out not long after marks were set and didn’t reappear until about 0430.

And when it did…. All worth it. We did a quick shuffle of the marks to square the course up and rattled off at least 6 two-lap races.

Scores weren’t kept but close racing was had by all. Great to see some new faces mixing it up!

We ended the day on a high note and decided that the President’s Day Regatta can wait- high temps and puzzling wind forecast made us decide to pull the plug.

If you do want to sail on President’s Day, head for Brewster Beach in Wolfboro NH. Lots of boats sailed the inner bay just off the launch today and reported no issues.

Stay tuned!